Power Distance -- Hanako Iwatsuki


 From my perspective, the difference in ‘Power Distance , between Japan and New Zealand is huge.

According to 'country comparison tool', the score of 'Power Distance' is 54, while New Zealand is 22.  It indicates Japanese society is highly more hierarchical than New Zealand.

I felt this cultural difference through my experience. When I was in Japan, I always call my teachers  'Teacher +last name'. For example, if I call David in Japan, I call him 'Teacher Woodfield'(in Japanese 'Woodfield sensei'). This habit is common way to show the respect to superior person. In contrast, in New Zealand, we call teachers with first name like 'David'. So, when I arrived here, I hesitated to speak to them like that. 

Therefore, the dimension of 'Power Distance' is the most notable difference between Japanese culture and Kiwi culture and the way of calling superior people illuminates these characteristics.


Comments

  1. Miyu TOKUMOTOJuly 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM

    I thought it is difficult to respect teachers in English. It because there is no difficult polite wards like Japanese.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hanako IwatsukiJuly 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM

      It is quite interesting we can recognise these cultural characteristics from language!

      Delete
  2. Chompunud (New)July 30, 2025 at 3:16 PM

    Hello, Hanako, I totally agree with you that at first I found it’s strange and impolite to call our teacher only by their first name as well. But when I get used to it, I feel that we feel more comfortable to talk to or ask some questions to teachers as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hanako IwatsukiJuly 30, 2025 at 3:57 PM

      It is the main strength of not hierarchical society! I got used to call teacher, but I still feel awkward when I call my host mother...

      Delete
  3. Meri OBARAJuly 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM

    In Japan, there are things which related to hierarchicy around us. Do you think these customs are good?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Keigo TominagaJuly 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM

    I completly agree. It is a bit confusing firstly.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MilaeJuly 30, 2025 at 3:28 PM

    I agree with you. I think Power distance in Korea is similar with Japan, but actually I prefer New Zealand's culture in this point. It's more comfortable and familiar.

    ReplyDelete
  6. David WoodfieldJuly 30, 2025 at 7:50 PM

    Interesting post, Hanako, yes using expressions like 'sensei', 'shacho' & 'bokushi' for referring to one's teacher, boss and pastor emphasize the status of such figures above those whom they serve. In contrast the use of first names for them implies equal worth.
    David :-)

    ReplyDelete

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