What we know as Asia is an area that sits on the Eastern side of the landmass of Eurasia. Asia is the largest continent covering a staggering 18 million square miles. Custom is a part of the human life and culture, and as we know, can be classified according to different geographical locations. Cultural backgrounds from different countries can help us know people’s religion, governments and their mindsets. Likewise, Asia is a home of a variety of cultures with some aspects which are similar and others that are different. For example, there are many differences and similarities between China and Japan such as the manner in which people relate to one another, their eating and drinking, character, language and the fashion of the two nations. These different groups or ethnicities between Japan and China, have their own history that was formed over time. When these groups are combined, they give Asia more than one past, and they arise into a comprehensive and complex history characterized by diversity of experiences. The essay will examine the similarities and differences between two countries in the Southeastern Asia (China and Japan), and explore the diverse experiences between the two countries. In regard to that, there is no single Asian past; as a result, we must delve into every experience so that we can comprehend the prolific and the wide ranging history that falls under the banner of ‘Asia’.

Each country within Asia has its own geographical connection with other cultures and nations. These links were expanded by trade routes, missionary venture and exploration. These main routes paved way for the cultural influence to move from one country to another, resulting in each country in Asia getting different influence from the next. In turn, this led to diversity amongst the individual countries in the southeastern Asia. These networks were invaluable since they facilitated the relationship between cultures, and created the groundwork for a history of communication. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the foundation of Asia is based on class, gender, race, religion and kinship, which were unique in their arrangements. Asia as a whole being similar, has many contrasting characteristics such as the differences between China and Japan.

There are characteristics that have been used to identify the similarities between Japan and China. According to the location of both China and Japan, we both know that they are from Asia. Nonetheless, it is common that if you are born with black eyes, have yellow skin and black hair, that is to say that you belong to the yellow race. Also, in eating style in countless ways are similar between the two countries. Traditionally, Japanese have a balanced diet that is prepared in small portions of different foods; something raw, something boiled, something fried, something pickled, and yet, all are part of the same meal. On the other hand, though customs and the types of food eaten by Chinese differ according to religion, it is usual for the Chinese families to gather for three meals per day. Japanese also share the same eating habit. Not only is the eating similar between the Japanese and the Chinese, but also, the tools that are used when they are eating are the same. Both Japanese and Chinese do not need fork and knife; instead, they manipulate chopsticks to dining. The only thing they need is a pair of chopsticks, a saucer and a flat-bottomed soup spoon. The business of giving and receiving is not only important to Chinese, but also, same to Japanese. In the simplest term, Chinese and Japanese exchange gifts more frequently than other western countries. For instance, work colleagues, families and friends buy often buy gifts for each other not just for just on special occasions, but even when they are travelling on business. They also buy gifts for their friends when they return from a trip, especially on a special day such as the Valentine’s Day. However, despite all these similarities, the history between the two countries has caused them to diverge in the modern civilization. The great cause of this divergence has been the evolution of each country’s economic policy.

Chinese civilization is known to be one of the oldest in the world, for example, the Xia Dynasty, which was china’s first, was in existence for as long as 2200 B.C. Until the early twentieth century, china remained the world leading country in arts and science. After World War II, Mao Zedong introduced a communist dictatorship that made China to become sovereign but limited people’s rights to a greater extent. In 1978, Deng Xiaoping who was Mao’s successor moved China’s economy from planned economy to market socialism. As a result, socialism led to its enormous economic growth.

Meanwhile, Japan’s history influenced its civilization in a different way. As a result of its geographical isolation on an island, a lot of its history existed as a closed cell. After restoration Meiji’s restoration in 1860s, Japan started adopting western technologies to sustain its growth. After being devastated by World War II, Japan began experiencing unbridled growth which was facilitated by the unparalleled collective work ethics, the new found technologies and the ability of the government to collect capital from international sources. After economy began to stabilize in 1999, Japan has been a constitutional monarchy with the emperor still in power as a figurehead to protect the surviving tradition. Moreover, much of Japan’s power lies in the hands of the politicians and the business executives.

For China, the value system was based on the philosophy of Confucianism that profoundly influenced the China culture. The Confucius pattern of thoughts was significant in informing the national identity of Chinese people. Confucius ideas may have helped to form a strong moral code in China; however, they were an impediment to the evolution of the Chinese economics. First, Confucius emphasized on agricultural production while allocation commerce an inconsequential role. Secondly, he viewed profit making as a selfish act and that those who practiced competition in market were portrayed as sinful. The way prescribed by Confucius in forsaking assets in pursuit of life led to the inept economy that preceded China’s revolution.

On the contrary, Japan’s value system was as a result of the inherent emphasis on refined work ethics. As a result, this value system worked to promote the economy rather than to hinder it; since it stemmed from the internalized sense of self-validation and working for the sake of one another’s well being. Japanese citizens worked as a family, participating in a social group. For example, when they were away from their work, they identified themselves as belonging to the same company which was different to those who worked elsewhere. Since work and family are so similarly configured in life, they cannot help but equate to some extent, their membership to each other and savor the ties in the same way.