ABSTRACT
The formation of the individual's personality and system of values is in many ways shaped by the social environment, and the concept of the individual outlined above has rather profound consequences for the way in which interpersonal relationships develop in the Japanese context. The major unit of analysis in examining such relationships is the dyad. Groups and organizations represent complex networks of criss-crossing and complementary relationships. Before dealing with these more complex phenomena, however, it may be useful to sketch in the consequences of strong individualism and the cultivated sense of drive and purpose (seishin) for the individual's interpersonal relationships with other Japanese. In this regard, two major themes stand out. One is the emphasis on written forms of communication. The other is the pervasiveness of contractual ties. The net result is that the Japanese have difficulty in forming groups spontaneously.
