By Toyonori Abe
Contributing Writer
“O’er the land of the free…”
When I heard the American national anthem in small, but beautiful Victory Field in Indianapolis, sky dyed a fiery red by the sunset, I was excited that I had arrived in the United States at last.
Like many Japanese, I dreamed of living in America for several years. Japan is heavily influenced by American culture, business and politics, and it would be a totally different country without America.
The younger Japanese generation wears Gap shirts, Levi’s jeans and Chicago Bulls jerseys. We also love American rap, R&B and hip-hop music.
Unlike the United States, the traditional Japanese culture values collective norms. We put the highest value on the “wa,” or “harmony.” Individuals should exist for the larger group, whether it be his or her community, company or nation. Expressing oneself is often considered selfish and disruptive to the group. Naturally, this has become a problem as young Japanese have started to look down on their own culture as out-of-date and frigid. Generally, younger Japanese favor the American culture as a symbol of freedom for self-expression.
As an international student, I have experienced different aspects of American culture. Not all, but many Americans are indifferent to foreign countries and people. Many of them seem to think Japan is very distant, a place they have no relation to. I was once asked “do you have microwaves in Japan?” The microwave we were looking at was Sanyo — a Japanese brand.
I was heavily searched at the Memphis, Tenn., airport. I had to unpack all my luggage, undo my belt and take off my shoes. As for the white people who were in line around me, they passed through with ease. I got the impression that they were just giving me a hard time because I was Japanese.
I have noticed that many Americans believe their country is the greatest in the world. President George W. Bush has said, “The greatest nation on the face of the Earth is after (the terrorists).”
It may be true that America influences other parts of the world, probably more than any other nation, but this is a dangerous idea. Americans sometimes think it is necessary for other nations to agree with them. If not, they may be considered opponents and will be isolated, as demonstrated by United States’ relations with North Korea, Iran and Iraq.
But what are their perspectives? What do ordinary Arabs think about America? I think many Americans see the attack on Afghanistan immediately after Sept. 11 as a retaliatory sanction, not war. The truth is, America has the tendency to appear arrogant toward other nations, including its ally, Japan.
More important, though, I know many Americans who try to help international students and who understand other countries. Some are even struggling to learn a foreign language like me. I hope those people become cultural bridges between the United States and the world and deepen understanding between the nations.
October 03, 2002
