Asian Studies

Compare and contrast the style of decision making process in Japan and China.      In the Peoples Republic of China, the government is an eclectic mix of socialism based on the philosophy of Mao Zedong and centuries-old Chinese imperial mentality which was derived from Confucian beliefs.  In essence the communist party has a monopoly of political power.  Mao made sure of that when the communists came to power in 1949.  Mao and his successors were not enraptured by the ideology like the public which made them level-headed in making decisions which their impassioned subordinates follow. They would do this without asking for anything in return.  In essence, one has to be a member of the communist party to participate in the decision-making process (Pye and Pye, 322  Manion, 253).

According to Pye, The human relationships in Japan which are the most critical for the operation of power are of two opposite types. Those most basic to the flow of decision-making tend to be marked by behavior that is highly sensitive to nuances, quick to respond to subtle hints, and loaded with empathy. In these relationships the Japanese seem to have delicate nerve-endings and instantaneous reflexes (286).  The Japanese, as well as the Chinese are very sensitive in doing business and prefer to do things discreetly.  Consent of those concerned is required and initiative is not encouraged for it would disrupt harmony and cause a loss of face, something Japanese value so much.
   
   
Compare and contrast the role of the Bureaucracy in Japan and China.
     According to Pye, The same bifurcated concept of power is found in the administrative side of the Japanese system of government. Although it may appear that the Japanese state is highly centralized, with the top ministerial leadership deciding everything, in fact the local authorities have considerable freedom to initiate actions and to assume responsibilities. Although the central authorities set the tone and provide general guidance, action is possible at the ground level without complete surveillance (Pye and Pye, 165)   

Among the Japanese, they have adopted Western ideas on professionalism and yet there still remains the tendency to adhere to traditional values and habirs as one tries to get everyone concerned involved in what is called nemawashi. Consensus is highly emphasized here and takes precedence over individual or unilateral initiative although Pye has shown that this is not totally absolute as those in the upper ranks do give considerable leeway to their subordinates in carrying out the necessary action.

Among the Chinese, Confucian tenets are still very much alive even in a socialist regime. held that the ideal government would be rule by superior men who were guided by the wisdom of the classics and organized as a hierarchy of bureaucratic authority.  The leaders or senior membership of the communist party regard themselves as such men which justifies their continued hold in power and all the more reason why they never granted political rights to their citizens even though they enjoy individual rights (Pye and Pye, 81).  Even though they did away with old traditional values during the Cultural Revolution, this policy of deference still remains and like the Japanese, everyone must comply to their will as initiative is discouraged and consensus is also required.Importance of group identity and membership in Japan and China.

     Group identity and membership in China was reinvented by Mao Zedong when the communists took over in 1949.  Mao, as well as Deng Xiaopinng later on, would combine Confucian beliefs with pragmatic socialist doctrine and nationalism to create a new sense of nationalism among the Chinese people.  They combined the best of these features which has proven to be effective in maintaining loyalty.  They help instill pride of being Chinese among the citizens and best of all, there is hardly any hint of communist dogma in it.  But at the same time, it also includes the ugly side of this mentality in the sense that the Chinese are notoriously xenophobic in the sense that they are very wary of anything foreign and are not inclined to immediately take it in so as not to contaminate society.  This is also attributed to history as China is striving to get over its hundred years of humiliation (Pye and Pye, 194).

    The Japanese also follow a similar tack as they tend to be homogenous are very wary of anything foreign.  Unlike the Chinese however, they make use of foreign things to their advantage and do so by indigenizing it.  They take the best of what is foreign and make it their own and use it to their benefit without any adverse effect on their society.  Conformity is also another Japanese trait.  There are no exceptions to the rule, especially to foreigners living in Japan (Reischauer, 73).