Cultures of China, Indonesia, and Japan

China, Japan, and Indonesia are among the countries that have tried to retain their tradition for many years. However, the traditions in these nations have been greatly influenced by cultures of foreigners among behaviors and traditions of other individuals. To illustrate, the transformation of traditions in these countries have occurred in two major ways, that is, modernization and westernization (Sairin, 2011). In particular, westernization refers to a mean by which specific ethnic cultural elements are replaced by practices of foreigners, whereas the modernization stands for the remold of tradition scheme into a new mode (Barkema et al., 2015). In connection with the above information, several cultural changes have occurred in above China, Japan, and Indonesia on different areas such as arts, music, clothing, food, literature, religion, and language among others. 

Drama and Theatre

Presently, there are many notable changes in China, Japan, and Indonesia in the field of drama and theatre. For instance, the above nations were previously using shadow puppet theatre shows portraying various mythological legends including Mahabharata and Ramayana among many others. Still, Wayang Orang is recognized as Japanese and Chinese form of traditional dancing where the Indonesians were commonly known for a different Balinese dance drama. Besides, the residents in the West Sumatra had a close attachment with dramas such as Ketoprak, Ludruk, and Lenong, the performances that involve jet and humor (Silver et al., 2002). On the same note, these countries were famous because of Randai cultural theatre commonly practiced during traditional festivals and ceremonies. To illustrate, Randia incorporates performances such as singing, dancing, dream, and music (Barkema et al., 2015). Owing to the infiltration of western culture into these nations, there have emerged dance, drama and theatre troupe like Teater Koma, hence, leading to incorporation of political and social satire, the things that were not present in the past theatre and drama in the above-mentioned countries. 

Literature

The other notable influence of western culture into the Indonesian, Japanese and Chinese culture is witnessed on the field on literature. To illustrate, the Indonesians have been celebrating Pramoedya Ananta Toer for many years because of winning various awards in the literature. Also, this nation seems to pay great homage to Chairil Anwar among another philosopher who played a vital role in promoting Indonesian independence campaign. In connection to the above information, Japan and Chinese had their own traditional ways of presenting literal works, where they were completely attached to the works authored by their own scholars. Presently, the introduction of international language, that is, English have brought about various changes in these three countries (Sairin, 2011). To illustrate, the civilians in these nations have started to embrace the literature by foreigners, a thing that affects their culture and traditions in a greater manner. In connection to the above information, the past literature works for Japanese were highly influence by the Chinese literature inscribed during the Classical Chinese period (Silver et al., 2002). Thereafter, Japanese fiction was confirmed to have advanced into various style on its own way of writing when the Japanese inscribers started to compile scholarly materials based on their own traditions (Barkema et al., 2015). In general, the aspect that Japan has launched its ports for enhancing diplomacy and Western trading in the 19^th century, this is a clear indication that Eastern and Western literature will affect each other in a greater way. 

Food

The influence of foreigners on Indonesian, Chinese and Japanese are experienced on eating behaviors. For example, the Indonesian cuisine is affected by the Indian and Chinese culture and also Western behaviors. On the same note, the Indonesian cuisine has introduced cuisines in countries such as China and Japan.  To be specific, Indonesian food known as Satay is believed to have originated in Sumatra, Java, and Madura and it has currently become popular in Chinese and Japan (Fangchuan, 2010). Also, the arrival of Arab and Portuguese traders in Indonesia, China, and Japan was accompanied by the introduction of pepper among other spices in their food. Nevertheless, the immigrants who came to these three countries during the colonial era are also said to have come up influenced feeding behaviors in these nations (Silver et al., 2002). Otherwise, the Japanese and Chinese cultures have also impacted the way of serving different foods as well as the use of different spices, hence, affecting the natives’ tradition in a bigger way. For instance, Chinese food such as noodles, Dim Sum, and Tandoori chicken is presently incorporated in Indonesian and Japanese meals (Barkema et al., 2015). Furthermore, the western culture appears to have impacted dishes in Japan, Indonesia, and Chinese in a bigger manner. For instance, these countries have started to serve Kentucky Fried Chicken and steak with rice rather than eating it with bread as well as spicy sauce known as sambal. 

The presence of American traditions in Japan, Indonesia and China have extended to fast food chain stores, franchises and on pop-culture. For instance, the westerners have brought about a great improvement on the cocktails, couture, and cuisines. In connection with the above information, the French chefs have also introduced new ways of preparing foods and drinks in these nations, hence, making the natives to abandon their traditional ways of making their foods and drinks (Sairin, 2011). Irrespective of Japanese being recognized for having a unique way of making whiskeys, one the major industry that focused on making this drinks have gone to an extent of acquiring American iconic brands such as Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam (Fangchuan, 2010). The above transaction is an indication that Japan among other countries has been greatly influenced by American cultures and traditions. 

Media

The influence of cultures in these three countries is also witnessed through the media. To be specific, the famous traditions in these nations is affected by media industry including radio, TV, journalism, movies, art, film, and rock music among others. For instance, the establishment of Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI), as well as digital radio networks situated in Surabaya and Jakarta, have impacted the customs of Indonesian in a greater way since these platforms have embraced foreigners’ contents in a greater way (Memmi, 2017). To illustrate, the Indonesian media is playing lots of Japanese music that have been performed in a modern and traditional way. Based on the above information, it is not a surprise to find the Indonesian as well as Chinese music having with an element of Japanese traditions (Fangchuan, 2010). On the other hand, foreigners have also influenced the Indonesian, Chinese and Japanese music in almost all fields. In this case, western music and dancing are practiced in karaoke venues in local regions (Barkema et al., 2015). Unlike, the traditional music on the three countries that were based on mathematical timing, this new way of singing depends on human breathing. 

Religion

The erosion of Indonesian, Chinese and Japanese cultures is also viewed through changes experienced on ways of worshipping. In particular, Japanese have been known for practicing religions such as Buddhism and Shintoism. The Shintoism refer to an ethnic involving rituals and ceremonies, where the followers hold that Kami, a Shinto spirit or deity are available in the nature such as mountains, trees, and rocks (Silver et al., 2002). One of the major objectives of Shintoism is to sustain a connection between Kami, nature and human beings. As a matter of fact, this religion is believed to have started in Japan before the sixth century when the followers established shrines meant for worshipping kami (Barkema et al., 2015). On the other hand, Buddhism was started in Indian around the 4^th and 6^th centuries and it later spread to other countries such as Indonesia and China.  This form of worship also reached Japan in the 6^th century but many Japanese experienced hardships while trying to understand the philosophical messages about this religion. However, in both religion, the followers held that an individual can become old, get sick, die and thereafter being reincarnated into new being known as samsara. Conversely, these individuals also held that the suffering encountered by people is determinant of a better future (Sairin, 2011). Irrespective, of Chinese, Indonesians and Japanese sticking on the above religions, they are presently recognizing other denominations such as Christianity and Islamic. 

Language

The cultural influence in China, Indonesia, and Japan is viewed through the aspect of embracing foreigners’ languages. For instance, Japanese is the original language in Japan whereas Indonesia and China’s native languages are Indonesian and Chinese respectively. To be specific, the Japanese lingo is commonly written through the combination of three scripts, that is, hiragana borrowed from Chinese script; kanji derived from China; and katakana obtained from Chinese characters (Silver et al., 2002). Moreover, the romaji, also known as the Latin is mostly used in contemporary Japan, particularly on company’s logos and names, adverts as well as when the Japanese make computer inputs (Barkema et al., 2015). Furthermore, the numerals for Hindu-Arabic are used for numbers, while the ancient Sino-Japanese digits seem to be common in Japan and Chinese languages. On the other hand, the Chinese, Indonesians, and Japanese are currently using the English language, particularly while carrying out official transactions, a thing indicating that these native languages in these countries are eroded in a higher rate (Sairin, 2011). Conversely, the above information denotes that English will deplete all the traditional languages used in public institutions and during official transactions. 

Clothing

  The influence of Indonesian, Chinese and Japanese culture is also experienced on changes of dressing codes. For instance, the Japanese were initially having a unique type of clothing that distinguished this nation from other countries in the entire universe. To illustrate, the Japanese used to wear Kimono as their traditional garments, a dress that is applicable in all types of clothing for men, women, and children (Fangchuan, 2010). In particular, Kimono come in different sizes, colors, and styles, but males had a tendency of wearing more muted or darker colors, whereas ladies prefer pastels and brighter colors. Indeed, Kimono clothing has been introduced to many nations including China and Indonesia, a thing that, in turn, influence their cultural and traditional practices (Silver et al., 2002). On the other hand, Chinese people wear traditional cloth called Qi Pao and Hanfu on their daily basis. Otherwise, in modern life, Chinese traditional clothes have been replaced by western attires such as blazers and trousers (Memmi, 2017). Similarly, the Chinese who have traveled to western nations have adopted different dressing codes such as trousers, shirts, t-shirts, courts, and cape, hence, ending up ignoring their traditional way of dressing. In addition, the Indonesian were in the past recognized through their Kebaya, a dressing that is precisely endemic to Balinese, Sundanese, and Javanese peoples. Kebaya is made from sheer products such as thin cotton, silk, polyester or semi-transparent nylon (Sairin, 2011). Presently, some people from Indonesia, China, and Japan have embraced the western culture, thereby, starting to wear casual clothes. 

To conclude, despite China, Indonesia, and Japan trying the level best to maintain their culture, these people have failed to protect their traditions from being eroded by the western customs as well as behaviors from other foreigners. To be specific, the notable cultural infiltrations is experienced on media, ways of eating, dressing codes, religion, literature, and language as well as drama and theatre. On the other hand, these nations are also spreading their cultures among themselves as it is viewed on the clothing, food, and religion. Indeed, it is essential for nations to abandon their unhelpful traditions and embrace cultures that will help them to grow and develop in a continuous manner. 

References

Barkema, H. G., Chen, X. P., George, G., Luo, Y., & Tsui, A. S. (2015). West meets east: New concepts and theories. Academy of Management Journal, 58(2), 460, 1-20. 

Fangchuan, H. (2010). The construction of East Asian culture and cultural awareness. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2(5), 7198-7202.

Memmi, D. (2017). The relevance for the science of Western and Eastern cultures. AI & SOCIETY, 1-10.

Sairin, S. (2011). Modernization and westernization: A never-ending discourse in Indonesia. Journal of Governance and Development, 7, 1-7.

Silver, R., Hu, G., & Iino, M. (2002). English language education in China, Japan, and Singapore. Graduate Programmes and Research Office, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 1-188.