Cultural Discussion - Being "Japanese"

Being “Japanese” Discussion Lesson

What does it mean to be Japanese? Write 3 things which are very important for being “Japanese”:

1. _______________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________


How important are each of these factors in deciding how “Japanese” a person is? Rate each factor from 1 to 5.
1= unimportant
2=a little important
3=important
4=very important
5=very, very important

1. speak Japanese
2. read/write Japanese
3. epicanthic fold (eyes)
4. straight hair
5. black hair
6. brown eyes
7. born in Japan
8. unselfish
9. hard working
10. likes Japanese cuisine
11. likes alcohol
12. has many friends
13. has Japanese ancestors
14. follows societal rules
15. polite
16. shy
17. knows Japanese traditional culture (sumo, kimono, ikebana, tea ceremony, etc.)

Consider whether or not the following people are “Japanese” and explain why they are or are not Japanese:

• The son of Japanese parents who were born in Japan but moved to Peru before their son was born.

• A British man who applied for Japanese citizenship and has been accepted as a naturalized Japanese citizen.

• The daughter of Japanese parents. She was born in Japan and lived there until she was 2 years old but moved to Australia and lived there until she was 16.

• The son of American parents who was born in Tokyo and lived there until he was 15 years old. He speaks, reads, and writes Japanese at the same level as Japanese 15-year-olds.

• The daughter of Japanese parents who was born in California but moved back to Japan just before she was one year old.

• The son of an American man and a Japanese woman who was born and grew up in Osaka.

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