Changing Japanese drinking culture：Thinking from the differences with Europe and America

everyone、Hello。``Kawaraban JAPAN'', which disseminates information about Japanese culture!"is。This time、About Japan's "drinking" culture, which has changed significantly in recent years、I would like to explain it from my perspective, including the differences from overseas.。

What is Japanese drinking communication?

for us Japanese、“Obikanication” is more than just a drinking party.。it's been a long time、Even in business、even in private、It has functioned as an important social ritual that deepens human relationships.。boss and subordinate、colleagues、Building relationships with business partners, etc.、As a place to have honest conversations with the help of alcohol、It was deeply rooted in Japanese society.。

Definitive difference with Europe and America

After-work culture in Europe and America and drinking culture in Japan、There are some important differences：

1. “Sense of obligation” to participate

In Europe and America、After-work drinking parties are completely optional social events.。on the other hand、In the case of Japan、Particularly in the past, there was an implicit pressure not to participate.。I was often worried that refusing the offer would affect my relationships with others.。

2. Temporary elimination of class consciousness

Japanese drinking parties have a unique culture of ``equality at the drinking table.''。There is usually a strict hierarchical relationship.、Temporarily relieved with the help of alcohol。This is a phenomenon that is rarely seen in Europe and America.。

3. depth of communication

In Europe and America, there is a tendency to avoid talking about work.、In Japanese drinking communication、Rather, it has been seen as an important opportunity for people to reveal their true feelings and concerns about work.。

Why is it decreasing?

recently、Why is this drinking culture rapidly declining?、I will give you my own analysis.：

1. Young people away from alcohol

Increasing health consciousness、Choosing a lifestyle that does not involve drinking alcohol is becoming more common.。This is a global trend、This is especially noticeable in Japan.。

2. Emphasis on work-life balance

From a drinking party after overtime、The values ​​of valuing time with family and time for self-development have become widespread.。

3. Diversification of communication methods

LINE, Slack, etc.、With the development of digital tools、The importance of face-to-face communication has declined relatively.。

4. Impact of the coronavirus pandemic

After the pandemic、The habit of avoiding face-to-face drinking parties has become established.、New formats such as online drinking parties have also been created.。

Impact on Japanese society

This change、It's more than just a change in drinking habits.。This can be said to be a major turning point in traditional Japanese-style communication.。How to build relationships and、Changes are also required in the way we build relationships of trust in business.。

There are ways to have fun without drinking alcohol.

Personally、I don't think this change is necessarily negative.。surely、Drinking communication had a unique quality.。but、In a modern society that accepts diverse values ​​and lifestyles,、It's also important to explore new ways of communicating that don't rely on alcohol.。

For people overseas、Japan's drinking culture may seem like an interesting social phenomenon。but、The transformation is、In that it reflects changes in the values ​​of Japanese society as a whole.、it has a deeper meaning。

What kind of changes are happening in your country? I would be happy if you could share your experiences and opinions in the comments section.。

Look forward to the next article!