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Conversations & Discussions in Japan and the World

One of the most interesting things I have experienced while studying in Japan is observing how conversations and discussions happen in everyday life. Coming from India, and more specifically from a Bengali background, I noticed both similarities and differences in the way people communicate. In Bengali culture, conversations are often expressive and energetic. Family gatherings, addas (informal discussions), and even casual meetings with friends can easily turn into long debates about politics, literature, films, sports, or social issues. Sharing opinions openly is generally encouraged, even when people disagree. In Japan, I have noticed that conversations tend to be more structured and considerate. People often think carefully before speaking and try to avoid creating discomfort for others. Listening is valued just as much as speaking. During discussions, people may express disagreement in a more indirect way compared to what I am used to in India. However, there are also similarit...
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Intercultural Development Continuum (Concept)

This week’s lesson on the Intercultural Development Continuum made me think about how my understanding of Japanese culture has changed since coming to Japan. Before arriving, many of my ideas about Japan came from anime, social media, and stories from other people. However, living here has helped me move beyond stereotypes and understand the culture in a more realistic way. As someone from India, specifically from a Bengali background, I have noticed both similarities and differences between Japanese and Bengali culture. One similarity is the importance of respect. In Bengal, we show respect to elders through language and behavior, while in Japan respect is reflected through manners, greetings, and social etiquette. Family values are also important in both cultures, although they may be expressed differently. One difference I noticed is communication style. Bengalis are often expressive, emotional, and comfortable with direct conversations. In contrast, many Japanese people communica...
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Inviting Guests in Japan & the World Hospitality plays an important role in both Japanese and Bengali culture, but the way guests are welcomed can feel very different. In this week’s class, I learned that Japanese hospitality focuses strongly on politeness, preparation, and respect for personal space. Guests are usually welcomed in a calm and organised manner, and hosts carefully think about comfort, timing, and manners. Small gestures, such as offering tea or greeting guests formally, carry deep meaning in Japanese culture. In Bengali culture from West Bengal, India, hospitality is often warmer, louder, and emotionally expressive. When guests arrive, they are first offered water, followed by milk tea and snacks like biscuits or cookies. Sweets such as roshogolla and gulab jamun are very common, especially for respected guests or relatives visiting after a long time. Older guests may also be offered fruits. It is also common for guests to bring gifts, such as sarees for women of th...
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Cultural "Other" Awareness Meeting people from different cultures for the first time can be both be quite exciting, while often confusing, based from the perspective of different people. In our class, we learned about the concept of Cultural “Other” Awareness, which means understanding and respecting people whose culture, behaviour, or lifestyle may be different from our own. Instead of judging differences quickly, it encourages us to become more open-minded and curious about others. As an exchange student from India living in Japan, I have personally experienced this feeling many times. In India, people are usually very expressive, emotional, and talkative, even with strangers. In contrast, Japanese culture often values politeness, calmness, and personal space. At first, this difference felt unfamiliar to me, but over time I realized that both cultures simply express care and respect in different ways. The videos shown in class, especially the Conan O’Brien clips, were very ...
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  Sleep and Rest in Japan and the World Sleep and rest are important parts of daily life, but different cultures treat them in very different ways. After learning about sleep culture in Japan and watching the documentary in class, I realized how strongly society and work culture can affect people’s lifestyles and health. One thing that stood out to me was how common sleep deprivation is in Japan. Many people work long hours, commute for a long time, and often sacrifice sleep to fulfill their responsibilities. In the documentary, it was interesting to see people sleeping on trains, in offices, or even during short breaks. At first, this felt surprising to me, but I later understood that in Japan, sleeping in public is sometimes seen as a sign that a person is working very hard. This is very different from my own culture in India, where sleeping in public is usually considered unusual or embarrassing. At the same time, there are also similarities between Japan and my culture. In both...
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Luna’s Self Awareness Blog

Before coming to Japan, I thought I understood what “normal” meant—how people talk, behave, respond. But being here has made me realize that “normal” is actually something we carry from our culture without even noticing. In India, things feel faster, louder, more immediate. If you ask for directions, someone will answer instantly, sometimes even walk with you. Here in Japan, people are extremely kind and respectful, but there is a pause. A moment of thinking. Sometimes it’s the language, sometimes it’s the carefulness. At first, that silence made me uncomfortable. Now, I see it differently—it feels like respect. Even small things made me reflect. In India, we keep emails short and direct. Here, greetings matter. There is a softness before the message even begins. It made me realize how differently warmth can be expressed. Food, too, says a lot about a culture. I come from a place of spice, sweetness, and intensity. Here, it’s about balance—aroma, subtle flavors, different kinds o...
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