There’s a word in Japanese that I feel anyone going to live, work, buy, sell, or make friends in Japan should at least be able to recognize. The word is “mitomeru”. If you check your dictionary, mitomeru will probably be defined as “recognize”, “notice”, or even “judge”, leaning toward the sense of being approved of.
Kids on a baseball team who think they play better than they are ranked may feel their performance is not being recognized, judged, or noticed properly.
To demonstrate the weight and flexibility of the verb, it is important to note that it can also mean “admit”. When a person is accused of a crime and finally admits having done it, “mitomeru” can be used.
Turning that nuance around, one can understand that the term can allow someone to imply that the recognition is a bit begrudging. The term can mean “she recognizes that I’m a good outfielder”, and if necessary imply that “she admits I’m a good outfielder”.
One interpretation of his term may seem to show a reluctance of people in Japanese culture to give recognition to others. However, I feel that this instead shows that sometimes, even in Japanese culture, it’s natural to want and even expect direct commendation, confirmation of their place, and a sense of approval.
Although it’s natural to want that kind of open recognition, often in Japan the best way to get recognition or approval is a more indirect way. Sometimes its enough to be confident, and trust that the people you are working with notice the contributions you make.
One of the best ways to gain recognition from a superior in Japan, is to first receive it from one or more of your peers. Another way is to be sure to be around for the moment of fruition.
The important thing to remember when doing business in Japan is that often advertising your own merits can have a negative effect on how your Japanese peers may see that. Needless to say, it is important to show and tout your strengths, but it is also important to balance that with third party confirmation.
To oversimplify the issue, consider a boy trying out for the baseball team.
The best way to show his prowess would be for him to go out there and actually SHOW his prowess. The second best way for him to be recognized would be if another team’s coach or other players vouched for him. If the boy just walked onto the field and said he was the best, I’m sure the coaches would give him a chance, but he would already be starting out in a disadvantageous position with expectations already raised.
Given the relative futility of boasting in Japan, and the indirect way that approval is gained and shown, is it any wonder that there are so few reality shows on TV there?