2025 Emilija’s Blog

This week’s class focused on Hofstede’s Individualism vs Collectivism, one of the key dimensions in understanding how cultures work. It basically explains whether people see themselves more as independent individuals or as part of a larger group. Individualistic societies value personal freedom and self-expression, while collectivist ones emphasize loyalty, teamwork, and social harmony. When comparing Lithuania and Japan, I found some interesting contrasts. In Lithuania, people are usually quite direct and independent. Making your own decisions and expressing your opinions openly is relatively normal. In Japan, however, harmony and belonging to a group seem much more important. Even during school events or company meetings, there’s a strong focus on teamwork and avoiding conflict — everyone moves together rather than standing out. I looked up some data and noticed that sources don’t always agree. According to Hofstede Insights (2023), Japan scores 46 and Lithuania 60 on individualism...

  Japanese education is famous for its balance between academic achievement and character development. Schools emphasize discipline, cooperation, and holistic growth through daily routines like cleaning, group lunches, and club activities. This reflects Japan’s group-oriented culture, where teamwork and respect are core values. In contrast, Lithuanian education, while also valuing cooperation, focuses more on creativity, independence, and open discussion in class. One of the biggest differences is the cram school (juku) system. In the recent article, a survey was done on this matter, stating that 45.9% of Grade 6 students and 60% of Grade 9 students attend juku or tutoring.  ( https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379203514_Transnational_juku_Japanese_shadow_education_institutions_in_Hong_Kong_Beijing_and_Shanghai ). In Lithuania, private tutoring exists but is less institutionalized and more optional. Lithuanian students usually rely on teachers or self-study rather than...

  This week’s class on Hofstede’s Power Distance really made me think about how different cultures deal with hierarchy and authority. Japan, as we learned, scores relatively high on this dimension. In Japanese workplaces, people show deep respect toward superiors, decisions often come from the top, and questioning authority can feel uncomfortable. There’s a strong emphasis on harmony (和 wa ) and maintaining good relationships rather than openly challenging ideas. Coming from Lithuania, I could definitely see the contrast. While we also respect hierarchy, our approach feels more balanced. In many Lithuanian workplaces, it’s normal to share opinions, disagree politely, or even challenge a manager’s view if you have a good reason. We value straightforwardness and honesty, and leaders are often expected to listen to everyone’s input. The video “Why Are the Japanese Different?” by Gregory Clark helped me understand why Japan’s respect for hierarchy is tied to social harmony and collecti...

  This week’s intercultural communication class made me think a lot about how differently people around the world approach work. We watched a documentary about work life in Japan, and it mentioned a lot of important details, and, for me personally, the highlight being the fact how many Japanese employees dedicate long hours to their jobs — sometimes staying at the office until very late at night, not expecting anything in return for such dedication. What also stood out was how much importance is placed on loyalty, teamwork, and respect for hierarchy. People often put the company’s goals above their own personal time, and that’s seen as a sign of commitment and honor.  Coming from Lithuania, I found that mindset both fascinating and a little hard to relate to. In Lithuanian workplaces , most people value balance — having time for family, friends, and personal life after work. While we also respect our coworkers and bosses, communication tends to be more direct, and hierarchy f...