When people think of traveling to a foreign country, they often fear the intense change of pace and culture compared to the United States. However, after getting to experience the fantastic place of Tokyo, Japan, I can confidently say that while differences are present, we are not as disconnected as some might think. Walking along the streets of Tokyo, I noticed the quiet nature of the city during the daytime and the hustle of people trying to get to work on time. The public transportation system put this concept into a clearer picture. Most people sit silently, waiting for the next stop; some even sleep. Almost every person is dressed in their business clothes and getting ready to start their day at work; this is very different from the loudness of the cities back home. However, when night comes, the cultural differences begin to align. People sing and protest on the streets of not only the city, but on college grounds as well. People express themselves in various ways, not too far from what we see back in the States. At Waseda, I witnessed students out bannering, having lunch with their schoolmates, and enjoying the weather at their local park. Seeing this made me realize that while we are halfway across the world, we are still students just trying to find our way through life. There are differences in their business practices as well, more specifically with their accounting principles. But I’ve noticed great cooperation between Japan and other countries, as we progress into a more cooperative business world. The continuing movement from JGAAP to IFRS for more collaborative business practices is fascinating and allows Japan to adopt more international financial reporting. While Japan has astounding modern cities with numerous corporations and businesses, it’s impressive to see how much they still retain their cultural traditions. From the busy shopping streets of Shibuya to the quiet tea ceremonies in Kyoto, all of it encompasses what Japan is all about. The country is deeply rooted in work and family loyalty, which is something everyone can admire about this amazing nation.
