It has been two years since my relocation from the UK via S.Korea to the far eastern island nation of Japan. Now that I am fluent enough in the language to navigate daily life smoothly, I decided to embark on a personal “Quest for Understanding.”
This took the form of a two-week journey, combining a long weekend with additional vacation time in November.
The true objective of this trip was not merely to visit famous landmarks. It was to keenly sense and uncover the “hidden truths tucked away in the crevices of daily life that even most Japanese people don’t consciously examine.”
What particularly stoked my British intellectual curiosity was the culture of “respect and profound care for others” that is deeply embedded in this country.
Supporting this culture is the “unwavering pride in their craft and business” held by its artisans, workers, and executives.
🇰🇷 A Striking Contrast with South Korea: A Divergence in Work Values
Before my assignment to Japan, I spent time in South Korea, a country where, at the time, occupational prejudice was prevalent.
Many people started their careers in what were considered socially less valued—or “looked down upon”—businesses, with the ultimate goal of dramatically transforming their social status by moving into finance, and eventually, real estate investment.
The prevailing value system was one of constant fluidity, always moving up to areas of higher social standing.
Japan, however, is a stark contrast.
Regardless of public perception, even in fields that might be viewed as “dirty work,” people continue their relentless pursuit of technical excellence, driven by a deep sense of self-respect and pride that they are “contributing to society.”
What is truly astonishing is the sheer number of companies that have maintained operations for over 100 years.
Despite being in the same East Asian sphere, the fundamental difference in core work values makes these two nations “similar, yet fundamentally different,” a subject of endless fascination for me.
🧐 Japan’s Deep Layer is Hidden in “Small Talk”
The experiences I gathered on this trip, and which I wish to share with you, are mostly light-hearted, easy-to-read episodes perfect for a weekend read.
The content might be “minor facts or knowledge” that could be found with a simple search, if you knew what to look for. However, these are like hidden treasures, stories concealed in the gaps of everyday life that most Japanese people either live through unconsciously or never get a chance to learn about.
Through the unique lens of a British expat—a perspective “only an outsider could have noticed”—I invite you to enjoy this travelogue as we glimpse the core Japanese philosophies: the “Culture of Reverence” and the “Pride in One’s Work.”
