ABSTRACT
Japan have certain unique characteristics contributing to its overall makeup that all students of Japan, regardless of their specific interests, should know. Before discussing Japan’s political culture, this chapter briefly looks at unique special characteristics. One of the more obvious items that sets the nation apart from the rest of the world is the Japanese language. A second important factor contributing to Japan’s world view is its insularity and relative resource impoverishment. Another contributing factor of Japanese life and self-image is the ethnic unity or ethnic purity of the nation. Another characteristic of Japanese society was the development of vertical organization rather than horizontal ones. Within the goal-oriented vertical organization of Japanese society, the workings of reciprocal relationship are exceedingly important. The decision-making process is another unique aspect of Japanese society. It is closely tied to the ringi system.
