JAPAN 2006

Japan, China and South Korea are very close geographically, but they have completely different cultures.

First, diplomatic relations are bad, mostly due to the very violent occupation of Korea and China by the Japanese during the 2nd World War.

Then Japanese food differs from other Asian cuisines with sushi and traditional dishes often sweet (eg teriyaki sauce), consisting of soup, rice or noodles, and various vegetables.

However, as Korea, Japan combines traditionalism and modernism.
The two main religions are Buddhism and Shintoism.
The Shinto shrines are easily recognizable by their door called "Torii", built of red wood, stone or bronze. Their perfect symmetry and their clean lines are elements of remarkable architectures.

Japan's traditional values ​​coexist with a society in constant technological progression. Rigor and discipline are key to their success in the automotive and electronics. The Japanese bikes are world famous because they combine power and reliability (Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki) and yet the Japanese get around using small and medium capacity bikes, more like mopeds.

The Japanese are very attracted by the playful side of new technologies (mobile phones, robots, video games) and spend the little free time they have in amusement parks or reading manga...

Their sense of discipline is sometimes annoying inasmuch as it is impossible to argue with them: it is black or white. So there is no flexibility possible.

This country is a pleasant destination, even if the Japanese can sometimes surprise us because they combine wisdom and tradition on one side and childishness in a virtual world on the other.