'Third Culture' Vital to Filling Communication Gap

Learning about other cultures and respecting mutual differences are important aspects in cross-cultural communication, but a third aspect is also necessary.

American and Japanese way of communication is differently used in meetings, for example. Though American express ourselves freely and speak frankly, they try to reach consensus and avoid conflicts."
As for education, a strong point in American education is that students learn how to express their own ideas and think creatively. A weak point of the system is the teaching of facts.
Since the Japanese education system works in the opposite manner, it would be good to "combine good aspects of other cultures" in education too, he said.

Others say that foreign residents in Japan view indirectness, the presence of "chukaisha" (go-betweens) and "nemawashi" (prior consultation) as characteristics of the Japanese communication style.
While most of her interviewees regarded indirectness very negatively, with some saying the Japanese way of communication is "a waste of time" or "immature," many viewed nemawashi positively.




FYI: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn19991111b3.html