Japanese—A Model of Peace

Mr. Khushwant Singh inquired about the legal profession in Japan. He was informed that law practice in Japan is not as lucrative, primarily because when disputes arise, people prefer resolving them through mutual discussion rather than taking them to court. When individuals are willing to acknowledge their mistakes, conflicts rarely escalate. Often, conflicts persist because one person places one-sided blame on another, provoking stubbornness in response and causing the issue to grow. However, when one party admits their mistake, it creates a sense of conciliation in the other, leading to a swift resolution. This realistic approach has provided Japan with a significant advantage: trust among its people. In countries like India, business agreements and correspondence typically require experts skilled in using precise language that adheres to legal standards. However, the Japanese do not waste time drafting such detailed documents. In the United States, there are around 50,000 lawyers, whereas in Japan, there are only about 11,000, and the demand for legal experts is minimal. Most Japanese business institutions rely on verbal agreements. While this practice initially prevailed only within Japan, foreign traders now also trust that a Japanese businessperson’s word is reliable. The benefit of freedom from legal constraints is that work proceeds swiftly, without unnecessary formalities impeding efficiency. This approach has fostered unity among the Japanese, which is undoubtedly their greatest strength. A Japanese culture expert summarized Japan’s success in these words: