Japanese Groupism, Cults,

and Open Systems

Unpublished - March 28, 1997

This week I had occasion to reflect on one of the most pre-eminent cultural stereotypes of Japanese society - "groupism". The stereotype appears deeply entrenched, as is reflected in the famous Japanese saying of "the nail that sticks out gets pounded down", and even Edwin O. Reishchauer, renowned Japan scholar, writes in his book, The Japanese that "Japanese groupism and Western individualism mark one of the most conspicuous differences between Japanese and Westerners". Another book, Japan As It Is, writes "it can generally be said that the group defines the individual in Japanese society, and the individual is only significant in so far as he or she represents the group." It does seem as if the stereotype bears some truth, meaning that complete inclusion into any given Japanese group requires a certain degree of commonality (education, background, gender, nationality, etc.), lack of which results in exclusion to some degree.

However, in light of the recent San Diego tragedy, where 39 members of a cult called 'Heaven's Gate' committed mass suicide, I question whether the stereotype is strictly Japanese, or perhaps more generally human in nature. During one news report, a definition of the word 'cult' was given, which I found interesting since the word 'cult' generally has a negative connotation. 'Cult' was defined as any group sharing a common interest or metaphor, meaning almost any group, from a baseball team to a high school club to a religious group, could be defined as a kind of 'cult'.

Following this definition, the difference is only in level of destructiveness, as the 'destructive cult' was generally defined as a group where the members remain unaware of the hidden agenda (usually maintained by one charismatic leader). Japan too has had its share of cultism, as Japan As It Is notes:

In the past, Japanese group spirit was alarmingly evident in
the gung-ho zeal of World War II, the mass suicides, and
slogans such as ichioku isshin (a nation united);...

not to mention the recent subway atrocities committed by the Japanese cult group, Aum Shinri Kyoo.

Observation of news reports from around the world, however, would mark this as a more broadly human phenomena than a uniquely Japanese tendency. The US has had many of its own cult tragedies throughout the years, painfully re-emphasized by the recent San Diego tragedy, and the Middle East is infamous for atrocities committed by various cult-like terrorist groups.

It extends to the 'benign' group cult level as well I think since the age-old Japanese concept of 'uchi/soto' ('insider/outsider') could just as easily apply to any student, social, or corporate networking group in the US@or Europe. Pick any one of these groups at random, and simple observation would soon reveal unspoken rules for inclusion, exclusion, and conformity, just like any respectable Japanese group maintains. There is no real difference except in the language that is being spoken.

And why is that the case? I think because it is simple human nature to feel most comfortable with others who are just like oneself - meaning similar background, demographic makeup, tastes and preferences. It is entirely more difficult, challenging, and uncomfortable to create groups that cross boundaries of nationality, gender, ethnic origin, ideals, etc. which is why world peace is such a seeming impossibility at times and cults such as 'Heaven's Gate' continue to form and commit atrocities.

In the broad scheme of things, however, open systems generally have significantly greater strength than closed, proprietary systems, whether considering computer or human networks, because the open systems approach - while most difficult to achieve - thrives on the simple principle of drawing the best from all systems non-exclusively, which ultimately provides the maximum flexibility to user, developer, (and nation?) alike. The Internet, for example, is successful because no developer, user, (or nation?) is really excluded, whether the tool (or language?) of choice comes from Netscape, Microsoft, or Fujitsu, unlike many closed online systems that require use of proprietary client, (language?), and development software tools.

And so the stereotype of 'groupism' remains, perhaps, as a poignant reflection on an innately human tendency toward (comfortable) closed, proprietary systems, which is a global, rather than uniquely Japanese tendency. Yet the open systems approach appears to be gathering great momentum and strength worldwide, despite the immense challenges it poses, raising hope that the openness established in the computer networks will extend to the human networks as well.

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