普天間基地の移設に関して「決めないことを決めた鳩山由紀夫首相」に対してアメリカが不信感を募らせている。連日そう報道されています。確かに、共和党支持であるか民主党支持であるかを問わず、つまり、ウォールストリートジャーナルもニューヨークタイムズも、また、保守とリベラルを問わずアメリカのほとんどのシンクタンク、すなわち、ヘリテージ財団もCAPも、鳩山民主党政権に対しては極めて厳しい目を向けている。実際、理念よりも現実主義的の提言を打ち出すことで定評のあるCSISが、例えば、マイケル・グリーン日本部長等、鳩山民主党政権下の日本とアメリカとの同盟関係に対する強い危機感を発信していることが鳩山首相に対するアメリカの苛立ちを端的に表していると思います。
而して、優柔不断で結論を述べない、そして、論理的に説明をすることなく前言を度々翻す等々、鳩山首相のコミュニケーションスタイルは、実は、「宇宙人」ではなく「日本人」の一つの典型ではないのか。そういう問合せをアメリカ人の元同僚からいただきました。なるほどと唸ってしまった。「そうか、日本人とのビジネス経験の豊富なアメリカ人から見たら鳩山氏はそうも見えるのか」、と。
日本人の国際化対応能力の向上に微力を尽してきた身としては、しかし、断言したい。鳩山氏のコミュニケーションのスタイルは「日本人」の典型ではなく「宇宙人」のものであろう、と。もちろん、私は残念ながら今まで宇宙人との付き合いはありませんが、少なくとも私が知る限り鳩山氏の言説は世界のどこでも通用しないものであり、論理的に言えば＜非世界＝非地球＞のもの。すなわち、「宇宙人」の言説スタイルとでも言わなければ説明のつかないものだ、と。このことの論証のために、アメリカ人講師を対象に「日米のコミュニケーションスタイルの違い」について私が書いた文章を以下転記します。要は、日米の違いは表面的なものに過ぎず、相互理解は十分可能であるというもの。ご興味があればご一読ください。
Intercultural Communication between Japanese and American people
I suppose not just a few American teachers in Japan have experienced some difficulties and had some exciting experiences communicating with Japanese people. I, myself, have had similar experiences in the USA, and am very interested in the nature and reason for such difficulties and rewards involved in intercultural communication. In this brief essay, I would like to introduce some results from my research.
Some scholars in sociology recognize two types of communication or society; Low Context and High Context. The concept of these recognitions was originally established in Edward T. Hall’s; “Beyond Culture” and “The Silent Language.” The former type of communication is mainly found in Western societies, whereas the other could be observed in Asian societies (of course, in Asian societies except Specific Asian countries; China and both North and South Korea). The characteristics of each type are generally as below;
Low Context Communication / Society
・Need for precision in language; words and sentences should carry explicit meaning
・Responsibility based on contracts
・Propensity to make excuse or to be apt to argue for argument's sake
・Agreements written down and kept by each person
・Individuality respected
・Uncomfortable with silence; indicates a breakdown of communication
・Well-timed interruptions that move the conversation forward accepted
・Decision-making is logical, i.e., based on facts, doctrines, theories, contracts, etc.
・Segmented concerns
High Context Communication / Society
・Tolerance of verbal ambiguity; non-verbal and coded communication
・Responsibility based on general agreement
・Prosperity to apologize and let facts become clear afterwards
・Written agreements not so important
・Group-orientation normal
・Comfortable with silence; can be communicative
・Interruptions considered rude; particularly when made by a junior
・Decision-making allowing for feelings or atmosphere in the group
・Holistic concerns
One of the crucial points is that Low Context and High Context indicate the characteristics of a certain style of communication or society; the style or social-code of communication in a certain society. In other words, there cannot be a “High Contextual Language” and neither can there be a “Low Contextual Language” in the world. We can say many things in English or German most illogically, and at the same time can say something perfectly logically in Japanese. All natural languages are more or less illogical when compared with languages used in symbolic logics, which analytical philosophy shows us.
A convenient and useful tip may be introduced from what I have described; because most of your Japanese colleagues or students have little hostility toward you, you don’t have to worry about their silence or a vague explanation at your school anymore; you may ask anybody to write down anything on a piece of paper, and you can ask any question as long as you give enough time for them to respond to your questions. In most cases, Japanese colleagues want to work in good harmony with you as well as most students want to make you become cheerful. Please remember, “When in Rome, do as Romans do.”
For example, if you want to get off work earlier than usual on a Saturday night because of an event you wish to attend (of course, so long as there are no lessons scheduled), please do not hesitate to negotiate with your manager. Then, should get an agreement from your managers, I would further recommend that you ask them to write down the contents of any agreement on paper. What I have just written in this paragraph may sound the same as in the USA. I, myself, think that the differences between Japan and the USA are not so radical; more apparent than real. If pressured, the only and important difference between the two is perhaps in terms of response time. Please remember that in a Japanese dictionary the term, “quick response,” does not exist! Please enjoy your life in Japan.
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