ly used when addressing someone of a higher social status. This dates back to the ancient times of the relationship and language used by the samurai to his lord. This may seem rather stiff and formal to foreigners, but to the Japanese, it is a part of their culture that has been practiced for centuries. Even with the different levels of social status, Japan is a very homogenous nation.Most of the population of Japan (99%) is 100% Japanese. In other words, their parents and parents' parents have only married other Japanese people for generations and generations. This is in part due to their isolation from the rest of the world for thousands of years. It is very fun to be a foreigner in Japan. In Japan, one is either Japanese (Nihonjin) or a foreigner (Gaijin). If one visits Japan, he or she would most likely be called "Gaijin" several times. In this aspect, there is no differentiation made between the many foreign countries. To many Japanese, one is either Japanese or he is not. However, there are exceptions. Instead of calling all foreigners "Gaijin," some Japanese people call them "Amerikajin" (American), which angers foreigners who are from Europe or other countries. This happens because the Japanese hold the United States and its people in very high regard. In many ways they consider themselves inferior to Americans. On the other hand, the Japanese believe themselves to be superior to all other Asian nations. This can be seen by the way other Asians are treated in Japan.Until recently, women were always thought of as having less importance than men in Japanese society. They were expected to stay at home and raise the children, along with fulfilling other household responsibilities, while their husbands went to work. Women were always supposed to be meek and submissive, always subservient to the men. However, in recent years, women have been leaving home to work and enjoy their own lifestyles in greater numbers. Th...
