Blog Entry 4

hihi once more

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18742305/

This article talks about the recent spate of gruesome crimes that have been occurring in Japan. On a more serious note, it highlights the gradual deterioration of Japanese societal values. Japan, as one of the more long standing monarchal societies, has been known to be a stickler for tradition. For some of these people to have turned into mindless life-takers raises a serious issue the current state of moral values in the world.
One factor that the article highlights to have had some effect on the loss of moral values is globalization. As we all know, globalization has had some very far-reaching effects. It has started an exchange of cultures around the world, and with it, some of the more negative aspects of certain cultures. Societal values, as highlighted in my previous entry, do not seem to be as strong or as important in the lives of the people in America. There are some American shows around that portray the American family as fragmented. We see children rebelling against their parents, parents being ruled by their children, parents fighting with each other. Japanese families, however, have mostly been portrayed as very tight-knit and traditional. It is not uncommon to see the basic values of filial piety and respect for elders in these shows. It basically shows a stark contrast in the values treasured in these two communities. With globalization, these two cultures are starting to mix. The current generation of Japan is being influenced by not only America, but every single part of the world. They are losing hold on the values and traditions laid down by their forefathers.
We have seen how Japan is slowing losing its grasp of its own heritage. What does that bode for the rest of the liberal world? Countries typically run by religion and traditions have generally strong if one-track-minded communities, as they all share one common vision, or are forced to. They hold fast to the values and traditions passed down from their fathers because it is their way of life. More liberal countries, on the other hand, leave room for people to find their own way of thinking, their own way of living their life. They don’t have any values to hold on too, nor is there any need for them to do so. The result – America. I fear that if Japan, a country of long-lasting history and a stickler for values and traditions, can fall prey to the ways of the world, we would fall even harder.
The world, not just Japan, is slowly letting itself slide away from the values and traditions that have for so long sustained our societies. In this time of even more turmoil and chaos, it is our job to ensure that we hold fast to these values, for if we fail, we fail the future of the world.