002 Sense of National Belonging in Japan and Other Countries
🧭 Overview
In Japan, the concept of "nationhood" is often taken for granted.
But in Europe—especially in countries with recent civil war experience—the idea of a "nation" is deeply tied to something to be protected.
Even within the supranational framework of the EU, the sense of individual nationhood remains strong.
🇯🇵 Japan’s National Consciousness
| Feature | Description |
|---|
| War as a distant memory | WWII ended 80 years ago; battles were fought abroad; no civil war history |
| Detachment from politics | Politics is often seen as taboo; voter turnout is generally low |
| Single language & religion | Japanese only; religion is syncretic (Shinto + Buddhism), little conflict |
| Administrative borders | Prefectural boundaries feel symbolic; regional differences are minor |
| Sense of nationhood | No real fear that "the country might disappear" |
| Feature | Description |
|---|
| Experience of nations collapsing | Yugoslavia broke apart → Croatia, Bosnia, Kosovo, etc. emerged |
| Neighbors turned enemies | Ethnic/religious differences sparked war (e.g., 1990s ethnic cleansing) |
| History/politics in education | Stories of war and survival are passed down within families |
| Return to tradition & religion | National identity often rebuilt on conservative, traditional values |
| High political engagement | Even youth are well-informed, opinionated, and politically active |
🗣 Real Example: A Croatian Friend
Even as a young person, they watched the news every day, knew a lot about politics, and had clear opinions.
They were critical of LGBT rights and emphasized family and tradition.
At first, I found their views overly conservative, but I realized they came from a society where “defending your country” is a lived experience.
That made it all make sense.
🇪🇺 The EU: Between Unity and Division
✅ Benefits of EU Integration
- No tariffs, single market, shared currency (Euro) boost economic cooperation
- Schengen Agreement allows borderless travel within Europe
- Small countries gain leverage and security through collective strength
❌ But National Identity Remains Strong
- Even with shared currency and trade, there’s no shared language, religion, or history
- Conflicts over immigration, security, and social values persist
(e.g., Poland/Hungary vs Western Europe)
- Economically unified, but identity remains firmly national
🧊 “Open” vs “Closed” Nations within the EU
| Type | Examples | Traits |
|---|
| Open (Liberal, Western) | Germany, France, Netherlands | Welcoming to immigrants and diversity; embrace EU ideals |
| Conservative/Nationalist | Poland, Hungary, Croatia | Emphasize Christianity, family values; cautious about LGBT & immigration |
| Neutral/Economy-driven | Switzerland, Austria] | Non-EU or semi-aligned; prioritize neutrality and sovereignty |
🧠 Final Summary: The “Weight” of Nationhood
| Perspective | Japan | Civil War/EU States |
|---|
| Existence of nation | Taken for granted | Fought for; some saw their countries disappear |
| Feeling of borders | Barely felt (like prefectural lines) | Clearly divided by language, religion, history |
| Political engagement | Low interest; often avoided | High awareness; strong personal opinions and participation |
| National identity | Maintained through shared culture | Proud to preserve uniqueness, not mix with others |
| EU integration | Little public awareness or impact | Ongoing tension between national pride and EU structure |