• Capital: Tokyo• Population: 127 million• Consists of several

islands with mountainous geography, a rugged coast line, and few mineral resources

• Japan’s greatest natural resource is the sea

• Most Japanese-Americans reside in California or Hawaii.

• Lots of west coast cities in the U.S. have a section called “Little Tokyo” or “Japantown”

• The Japanese-Americans are well educated!o 90% of Japanese-Americans graduated high school,

72% have attended college, and most hold professional jobs.

• In 2007 the median family income was 30% above the national median.

• Only 5% live in poverty.

• Family before self• Preserve harmony with society• Respect and care for elders• Formal and polite during conversations

o Conversations are typically indirect with frequent pauses (up to several minutes)o Communication style is complex, slight gestures may have some meaning.

• Emotional displays are avoided• Non-confrontational. Reluctant to say “no”• Direct eye contact is disrespectful

o Glancing around or downcast eyes are expected• Personal space

o The Japanese are a non-touching cultureo They normally stand or sit farther apart than most Americanso Most Japanese-Americans are comfortable with a light handshake

• Traditional greeting= bow from the waist with palms against thighso The lower and longer the bow, the more respect is shown.

• Slouching and putting feet up are signs of disinterest

• Believe that the that the health care provider is a knowledgeable authority figure who will meet their needs without assistance

• They expect to be directed in their health care, but will feel insulted if they are ordered to do something without explanation.

• Criticism of health habits can lead to embarrassment and loss of effective communication.

• Shintoism=the indigenous religion of Japan. o Belief is that humans are inherently good. Evil

is caused by pollution or filthiness (physical or spiritual), and goodness is associated with purity.

• When Buddhism was introduced in the 6th century, the concept of harmony was adapted into the Japanese cultureo Harmony= a person’s relationship with nature,

family and society. o Imbalance within one’s harmony due to poor

diet, lack of exercise, insufficient sleep, or conflict with family or society disrupts proper energy flow through the body and causes illnesses.

• Early Japanese immigrants either joined a Buddhist temple or a Christian church after arriving in Americao The church provided an opportunity for jobs

and an opportunity to learn English.

Torii—a gate usually found at the front of Shinto shrines. Marks the border between the physical and

spiritual worlds

• Biggest holiday celebration= New Year’s (Oshogatsu)• New year’s day is celebrated on

January 1st • 7 day celebration• Food is prepared in advance. No

cooking is done during this celebration

• New Year’s food consists of 10-20 dishes, each dish symbolizes a special value (happiness, prosperity, wealth, etc.)

• Ex: Fish eggs represent fertility• Osonae Mochi: symbolic rice cake.

Japanese equivalent of the American Christmas tree.

Osonae Mochi: commonly set up in homes during New Year’s. Consists of: a large rice cake which represents the older generations while the small rice cakes represents the younger generations. The tangerine on the top indicates the younger

generations to come.

• Obon Festival: held in the 2nd or 3rd week of July to appreciate the living, honor the dead, and comfort the bereaved.

• Birthdays: certain birthdays are considered hazardous or auspiciouso Special festivities are taken to avoid misfortune when a

man turns 42 or a woman turns 33.o 61 years of age marks the beginning of a second

childhood. At this age, a person wears a red cap for this honor.

o At 77, a long red overcoat is worno The 88th birthday is the most propitious birthday. A person

may wear both the red cap and coat.

• China had a strong influence on Japan’s food cultureo However, Japanese food preparation and

presentation is unique!• Their reverence for harmony within the body and

community and with nature has resulted in a cuisine offering numerous preparation methods for a limited number of foods.

• Each item is to be seen, tasted, and relished. They place an emphasis on the appearance of the meal so that the visual appeal reflects the balance among the foods and the environment.

o Rice: The Japanese prefer a short grain rice that contains more starch that is stickier after cooking. Su= sushi rice. Made with rice mixed

with vinegar. Noodles are frequently served as an

alternative to riceo Soybeans: used to make tofu, soy sauce

(shoyu), and fermented bean paste (miso). Sugar, soy sauce, and vinegar are a basic

seasoning mixture for foods Teriyaki sauce is made from soy sauce

and rice wine (mirin)o Red Adzuki beans: most often made into

a sweetened red bean paste frequently used in Japanese desserts.

Onigiri—Japanese rice ball. Typically filled with a salty or sour filling and wrapped in

seaweed

Japanese red bean cake

o Green Tea: served with most mealsTraditionally served in a

devotional tea ceremony based on Zen Buddhism.

Japanese tea ceremonies reflect the search for harmony with nature and within one’s self.

o Fish and Shellfish: The primary source of protein in the Japanese diet (in addition to soybeans). Fresh fish and shellfish are often eaten raw.Beef, pork and poultry are also

popular, but very expensive

o Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: only eaten when in season!o Popular greens and herbs=

chrysanthemum greens, mizuna, and sisho (member of mint family)

o Commonly used tubers= gobo (budrock root), sweet potatoes and yams, taro, and daikon.

o Others include edamame (boiled soybean pods), kabocha (winter squash), shitake mushrooms, and the tangerine (mikan).

o Pickled vegetables are available year round

o Fresh fruit= a traditional desserto Seaweed and algae: used as a

wrapping or in salads and soups

• The Japanese typically eat 3 meals a day with one snack.

• Simple meals (i.e. breakfast and lunch) are usually ichiju—issei, which means “soup with one side”. o Ex: a typical Japanese breakfast starts with a sour plum,

followed with rice garnished with nori, soup and pickled vegetables. An egg or fried fish would be the side dish.

• Dinner is usually ichiju sansei, which means “soup and three sides”o This includes: rice, soup, pickled vegetables, and 3 dishes:

a raw/vinegared fish, a simmered dish, and a grilled or fried dish.

• Meals typically aren't served in courses. Food is usually presented at one time in individual portions. Sometimes the soup may be served at the end of the meal.

• Bento boxes: an assortment of 10 or more items packaged attractively for consumption. o Japanese equivalent of takeout boxes

• Traditionally, desserts aren’t usually served at the end of the meal. Fresh fruit is served instead.

• Snacks: Includes a variety of sweets, rice crackers, or fruit• Confections: mochi gashi

(rice cakes with sweet red bean paste), dumplings, and yo-kan (red bean jelly dessert).

• Tables and Sitting:o Traditional: Tatami mats and low tables. Shoes are

always taken off. In a casual setting, only men sit cross legged and women

may sit with their legs out to one side In a formal setting, both men and women kneel on the

floor, and sit on their heels. o Today, it is common to find western style tables and

chairs in homes and restauraunts. • It is customary to say “itadakimasu” (“I

gratefully receive”) before a meal, and “gochisosama deshita” (“thank you for the meal”) after finishing the meal

• Chopsticks: Proper usage of chopsticks is considered the most important table etiquette in Japan. o Place chopsticks with the tips facing

the lefto Never leave chopsticks stuck into

riceo Do not pass food from one set of

chopsticks to anothero Do not use the chopsticks spear

food, point, or move plates or bowls.

o Do not play with chopstickso Special technique used to split food

into two using chopstickso Use opposite end of chopsticks to

take food from a shared plate

• Bowls: Rice or soup should be eaten out of the bowl by picking up the bowl with the left hand and chopsticks in the right (or vice versa for people who are left handed)o Bowls can be lifted to the mouth, but shouldn’t touch

the mouth unless drinking soupo It is customary to slurp noodle soup, this shows the

chef you are enjoying your food. It is considered polite.

• Soy sauce: not usually poured over foods at the table (esp. rice and soup). It is considered rude to waste soy sauce.

• Eat what is given: it is customary to eat everything on your dishes, to the last grain of rice.o It is considered impolite to ask for special requests or

substitutionso After eating, move all the dishes back to the same position

at the beginning of the meal.• Drinking: rather than pouring your own drink, it is

expected that everyone serves each other. o When someone pours your drink, hold your glass with

both hands and thank themo Do not start drinking until everyone is served and the toast

is finished.

• Based on the concept of yin and yang, there are many beliefs on the harmful or beneficial effects of certain food combinationso Eel + pickled plums, watermelon + crab, cherries + milk are

all believed to cause llnesseso Pickled plums and hot tea are believed to prevent

constipationo Pickled plums and rice porridge are believed to be easily

digested and well tolerated during recovery from illness.

• Each generation of Japanese-Americans have adapted more and more to the westernized dieto However, they still tend to eat more

rice and soy sauce than non-Asians.• Bread and butter have become

staples.• Meat, dairy, and egg consumption

has increased.• Green tea consumption has

decreased, and soft drink consumption has increased.

• Even Japan itself has been adapting to a more westernized diet.

• Soy milk• Sweet or savory• Often paired with picked items

• You tiao• Porridge

• Sweet or savory• Jian bing• Fan tuan• Dou Hua• All varieties of Dim sum

• Bao zi--Pork bun• Shrimp dumpling• Shrimp rice roll

• Wonton Soup • Green onion pancake• Shao bing

• Shao bing you tiao• Lo bo gao (turnip cake)• Fried eggs

• The Chinese have been increasingly been eating a more westernized dieto Hot cerealo Coffeeo Juiceo Toasto Sandwiches