ABSTRACT
In recent years a growing number of scholars have begun to question the holistic image of Japanese society. In particular, they have come to doubt whether, in comparison with people in other societies, the Japanese are more group-oriented, place more emphasis on consensus and social harmony, value more deeply group membership or social solidarity, or are more accustomed to 'vertical' forms of organization. These scholars have come to be skeptical about the flood of statements alleging that Japanese social structure and value orientations are unique. Certainly, every society is unique; but is Japanese society, as so many seem to suggest, 'uniquely unique' in terms of its levels of consensus and social integration? This is the major question which emerges from this rethinking. Given the cultural uniqueness of any society, the other major question emerging is whether those adopting the holistic view of Japanese society have correctly grasped its unique features.
