Japanese Propriety, Past and Present: Disciplined Liberalism

This book offers a fresh view on Japanese society focussing on the role of comportment for group cohesiveness. It explores the stereotype that Japan is the world’s most polite country, examining how proper conduct is acquired and expressed; and how the apparent conflict with some of the concepts considered essential for Western modernity, such as society, freedom and the individual, are balanced with Japan’s great emphasis on courtesy, politeness and civility. By comparing the present situation in Japan with behavioural standards of former periods as well as with other cultural traditions, the book explains some of the distinctive features of present-day Japanese society. Overall, the book argues that Japan is a prime example of multiple modernities concerning individuals, collectives and relationships between state and society.

Florian Coulmas is Senior Professor for Japanese Society, IN-EAST Institute of East Asian Studies, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany.