Japanese Culture Beliefs

• Japanese find it offensive to look each other in the eyes. Unless it is very intimate or seriously discussing an issue. 
• Japanese is the main language. 
•  They do not have personal space issues. 
• Japanese believe that health is dependent on maintaining a harmonious relationship with the universe.

     Japanese Health 

• 80% of the time it can be cured by using the mind.
• 20% of the time it can be cured by using herbs. 
• Buddhists link sickness to laziness in faith or lifestyle. 
• Western medication is thought to weaken the body so they do not use it.
• Against abortion, have no problem with organ donations (as long as it isn’t forced), autopsy is bad and can disturb the soul. 
• Health care provided for free for all citizens, expatriates, and foreigners .
• Most common diseases are Tinea, colon cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis from tree pollen.

• Being silent when in pain is the virtuous thing to do. 
• it is harder for women to get jobs in healthcare and get paid less.

Useful Translations

• Tell me what is wrong with you.

          Nani ga machigatte anata to watashi ni oshiete.

• How bad does it hurt?

             Dono yō ni warui koto ga itaidesu ka?

LINKS

• http://www.medhunters.com/articles/religionAndHealthcareBuddhism.html 
•  http://www.hawcc.hawaii.edu/nursing/RNJapanese03.html 
• http://www.thejapanfaq.com/FAQ-Primer.html