Are Japanese more individualist or collectivist ?

[Faustianideals]

I think he was talking about the viewpoints of some people about Japan, not this thread. Anyways, I do think Japan is more individualist. They are usually trying to differ from the rest of the world. Or at least, that's my take on it.

[Maciamo]

I do think Japan is more individualist. They are usually trying to differ from the rest of the world. Or at least, that's my take on it.

That's a good point. The Japanese are extremely individualistic as a group. (sound contradictory ? ). Relating to the world, Japan is always unique and different for the Japanese. But between themselves, they do care very much about social harmony, social trends, and what people think of them (peer pressure at a national level if you want). They can be individualitic for their hobbies (reading manga alone, playing games alone, travelling alone, keeping their head on their keitai in trains...) or in their lifestyle (many singles living by themselves in Tokyo !). However, they can be very sociable when necessary too. That's why as seem as as halfway between individualistic and collectivist for their lifestyle/hobbies, but extremely collectivist when it comes to social rules and working style (in companies), and united as a group compared to the "outside" (the rest of the world).