SIETAR-Kansai - Past Monthly Programs

April 2002 Monthly Program
The New Japan

Presenter:
Dr. David Matsumoto, San Francisco State University

Date:
April 25, 2002, Thursday (6:30pm-8:30pm)

Place:
Takatsuki Sogo Shimin Koryu Center, 5F AV Room
(1 min. from the south exit of JR Takatsuki Station)
Tel: 0726-85-3721

Fee:
500 yen for members
1500 yen for non-members
1000 yen for students

Language:
English

Description of the Presentation:
In this presentation, I introduce and discuss my new book, "The New Japan: Debunking Seven Cultural Stereotypes." The New Japan sets out to describe the anxiety and unrest that plague current Japanese society, and the rift between the older, more traditional generations and the younger, more cosmopolitan and Westernized generations. I draw upon a wealth of Japanese and Western sources to compile a thorough exploration of both classic and contemporary views of Japanese culture.
Citing current academic studies and surveys, I debunk seven common stereotypes of Japanese culture: collectivism, consciousness of others, perceptions of self, emotionality, the "salaryman," education and lifetime employment, and marriage. In later chapters I explore the reasons behind the tumultuous upheavals, the meaning of the shifting cultural patterns in the workplace, education, sports and everyday life.

Profile of the Presenter:
David Matsumoto is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Culture andEmotion Research Laboratory at San Francisco State University. He earned hisB.A. from the University of Michigan, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He has studied emotion, human interaction, and culture for over 15 years, and is a recognized expert in this field. He is the author of approximately 250 works on culture and emotion, including original research articles, paper presentations, books, book chapters, videos, and assessment instruments. He has made invited addressed to professional and scientific groups in the U.S. and internationally. He also serves as an intercultural consultant to various domestic and international businesses. Dr. Matsumoto is also very active in the world of Olympic sport Judo. Currently he serves as the Development Chairman for the United States Judo Federation, and as an Official Researcher of the International Judo Federation. He has been the Team Leader for the Judo team representing the United States at several World Championships including the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Among his most recent works include: The New Japan: Debunking Seven Cultural Stereotypes (2002, Intercultural Press), The handbook of culture and psychology (2001, Oxford Univ. Press), Culture and psychology (2nd ed.)(2000, Brooks Cole Publishing Co.),etc.

*As was announced above, we will invite Dr. David Matsumoto for the April meeting. Please note that the meeting is not held on Sunday this time. Although you will be busy at this time of the season, we will be looking forward to meeting many of you!

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