Toshihide Karakawa urges visitors and foreign residents to respect Japan’s culture, traditions and way of life
A Japanese filmmaker has made a heartfelt appeal to people coming to Japan, asking them to first understand and respect the country’s culture and traditions before attempting to change them according to their own values.
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In a series of social media videos, filmmaker and digital creator Toshihide Karakawa, director of SOSHIJI, reflects on the cultural values that have shaped Japanese society across generations. His message focuses on cultural understanding, mutual respect and the responsibility to preserve traditions for future generations.
Karakawa highlights aspects of Japanese society that are often admired internationally, including public safety, consideration for others, social responsibility and harmony with nature.
He points to everyday examples such as children being able to walk safely on their own and lost wallets often being returned to their owners. According to his message, these behaviours are not simply the result of laws or economic development, but are connected to values that have developed within Japanese society over generations.
His appeal is therefore not simply about following rules while visiting Japan. It is about understanding the cultural background behind those rules and behaviours.
At the heart of Karakawa’s message is the belief that Japan’s cultural heritage belongs not just to the present generation, but also to those who will inherit it in the future.
He describes the people of today as guardians of a civilization that has been passed down through generations.
“We do not own this civilization. We are simply its guardians until we pass it on to future generations.”
The statement captures his concern that cultural traditions can be weakened when they are changed without first understanding their historical and social significance.
Respecting Japan While Living Together
Karakawa also addresses the growing interaction between Japanese society and people from other countries.
As Japan welcomes international visitors, workers, students and residents, cultural differences naturally become part of everyday life. His message is that successful coexistence should be based on mutual respect rather than expecting only the host society to adapt.
His appeal is directed particularly at those who come to Japan with expectations shaped by their own countries and cultures.
Before attempting to reshape Japan according to your own values, he urges, take the time to understand the civilization that has developed there.
Cultural Exchange Should Be Mutual
The filmmaker’s message does not reject international exchange. Instead, it calls for a more balanced approach to it.
Living alongside people from different cultures can create opportunities to learn, communicate and build stronger communities. But cultural exchange, he suggests, should not mean that one society loses its identity in the process.
“Living together with another culture should not mean changing only the country that welcomes you.”
For visitors and foreign residents, understanding local customs and social expectations can be an important part of becoming part of Japanese society.
More Than a Message for Tourists
Although the appeal can be viewed as advice for tourists, its message extends beyond travel.
Japan is increasingly connected to the world through tourism, education, business, technology and international communities. As more people experience life in Japan, conversations about cultural differences and coexistence are becoming increasingly important.
Karakawa encourages people to look beyond Japan’s popular image of technology, anime, cuisine and scenic destinations and discover the deeper cultural values that influence everyday life.
At its core, Karakawa’s appeal is simple:
Understand Japan before trying to change it.
His message encourages people coming to Japan to approach the country with curiosity, humility and respect to learn its history, appreciate its traditions and understand the values that have shaped its society.
Cultural exchange works best when it is a two-way process. Visitors can bring their own experiences and perspectives while also respecting the culture of the country that welcomes them.
For Karakawa, preserving that balance is essential.
Japan can welcome the world while continuing to protect the cultural heritage that makes it uniquely Japan.
