Intercultural Communications Japan vs. Usa

Abstract

Intercultural communications is often marked by the impact of cultural differences on communication, commonly resulting in miscommunication or misunderstanding. This paper examines the challenges influencing intercultural communications between the Japanese and the Americans. In its conclusion, it emphasizes on the sensitivity to the mentioned cultural differences in order to create harmony and understanding amongst people with different ethnic backgrounds.

Intercultural Communications between the United States and Japan

Introduction

According to Dima (1990), intercultural communication refers to the exchange of ideas between people belonging to different cultures, in spite of them using the same language. Intercultural communication plays an important role, in that cultural differences can often lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding. This is increasingly becoming important in today’s multicultural society such as in the US (Inoue, 2007).

What are the common challenges of intercultural communications between America and Japan? How do cultural differences play part in shaping the Japan-American intercultural communication?

As defined by Peace (2002), culture is a "system of beliefs, values, and assumptions about life that guides behavior and is shared by a group of people; and these are transmitted from generation to generation, rarely with explicit instructions," (p.14).

There are a variety of cultures that can result in misunderstanding and tension. For instance, individualism versus collectivism; egalitarian versus hierarchy; action versus being orientation; and change versus tradition among others (Inoue, 2007).

There are differences in communication styles used by the Americans and the Japanese people. This has often resulted in miscommunication or misunderstanding between Japanese and Americans residing in the United States (Inoue, 2007).

In a study conducted by Kreutel (2007), it was observed that native...