Unable to conform, unwilling to rebel? Youth, culture, and motivation in globalizing Japan

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of globalization on Japanese young adults from sociolog-ical and psychological perspectives. While Japan's socio-economic institutions have shown mainly resistant (or "hot") reactions to globalization, individual-level adaptations remain ori-ented toward conformity to dominant life expectations, which remain largely unchanged, despite decreasing rewards. However, a socially withdrawn sub-group (the so-called hikiko-mori) appears to be unable to conform yet is also unwilling to rebel. The experimental evidence we review suggests such youth deviate from typical Japanese motivational pat-terns but have not necessarily become more Western. This poses serious problems in an interdependence-oriented culture, but the paralysis of this group seems to be an outcome of labor market change rather than a psychopathology. Finally, we also identify a contrast-ing group -whom we call the quiet mavericks -that adapts in creative and integrative (or "cool") ways by negotiating conformist pressures tactfully. Our account sheds light on just how complex and painful the psychological and sociological effects of globaliza-tion can be for young people in conformist societies, with implications to policy and social sustainability. © 2011 Toivonen, Norasakkunkit and Uchida.