• You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community, you will have access to additional post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), view blogs, respond to polls, upload content, and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free, so please join our community today! Just click here to register. You should turn your Ad Blocker off for this site or certain features may not work properly. If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us by clicking here.

[INFJ] INFJ and Japan

hideki

New member
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
19
MBTI Type
INFJ
I forgot somewhere on the web INFJ is like the main personality type for Japan. Anyone know anything between INFJ and the country Japan?

Also, any INFJs experience encountering japanese people? Everytime I go to this japanese restaurant everyone always smiles at me, and I get treated so nice...it's one of those INFJs experiences (being called weird/not here)
 

Wyst

lurking....
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
1,662
MBTI Type
INFJ
Enneagram
4w5
I've studied Japanese for about 5 years, have lived in Japan for almost 2 and a half years, studying and teaching English, and have also worked as a Japanese translator at a Japanese company in the States.

The super-niceness you're getting is something that all guests, visitors, and/or customers get. It's part of the Japanese culture to be effusively welcoming. But that courtesy only goes so far.

I experienced 8 months of being treated so nice and people being very interested in me while I was an exchange student. When I went back to Japan 2 years later and worked as an English teacher it was a totally different experience. Visitors and 'stayers' get totally different treatment.

Same thing when I was translating. My Japanese boss would usually not return my 'good morning' when I came to work.

I'd be interested in hearing more about where you read that about INFJs being really common in Japan. But based on my years of experience, I don't think the 'niceness' you're describing can be attributed to MBTI.
 

Economica

Dhampyr
Joined
Apr 23, 2007
Messages
2,054
MBTI Type
INTJ
FWIW:

A close friend of mine who I believe to be an INFJ (though he tests INTJ) has spent studying a year in Japan after having obsessed over Japanese stuff for years (notably Neon Genesis Evangelion and other anime). He loves it there and wants to return to Japan later in life. (I miss him already just thinking about it. :cry:)

&

Edward Norton, who I believe to be an INFJ, studied Japanese in college and after graduation worked in Osaka for some time before returning to pursue acting.
 

Blackwater

New member
Joined
May 29, 2007
Messages
454
MBTI Type
ERTP
I miss my INFJ-friend in Japan as well :mellow:

---

As I understand it, Japanese courtesy is Fe applied in a somewhat introverted, reserved manner. I certainly understand how this might appeal immensely to INFJs who all too often get "run over" by the pace and recklessness of Western socialising.
 

Lightyear

New member
Joined
Jul 3, 2008
Messages
899
I went to Japan for two weeks this February and I absolutely loved it.

I think there are a lot of INFJ characteristics in Japanese culture: Organisation, general kindness, passive-agressive behaviour, quirkiness, depth


A French guy I met in Japan said that Japanese people might appear at first very reserved, as if they don't have any emotions, but if you look closer just their ways of showing emotions are far more subtle, they have deep feelings but you need to know the culture to pick up on that.

Because they are so tuned in to recognising subtle signals they also pick up really quickly how other people are feeling even if they might not show it. The French guy said that living in Japan has made him far more sensitive towards other people's feelings. >> That sounds pretty INFJ to me.

However one thing that an INFJ might find annoying about Japan is the Japanese trust in rules and doing things not because you understand them but because a rule tells you to do them. Also Japanese people might appear unauthentic to us since they will cover up their true emotions and put on a happy front.
 

Shaz

New member
Joined
Aug 14, 2008
Messages
5
MBTI Type
INFJ
My brother is an INFJ too and he's been living in Japan for almost 10 years now. I've always thought it was very adapted to him as a country. He teaches French there and seems happy about it (he's also married to a Japanese extrovert who acts more French than he does:D)

I'm also very attracted to it culturally but I don't think I could live there. Too individualistic for the whole group mentality thing. And I need space.
 

edcoaching

New member
Joined
Jun 30, 2008
Messages
752
MBTI Type
INFJ
Enneagram
7
The data we have on Japan (there's an official Japanese version of the MBTI and a very active type association) is that the most common type is ISTJ. They also consider their country's archetype (the type mode that is encouraged by the culture) as ISTJ. I heard the head of the Korean type association, which also has ISTJ as their archetype, talk about their societal rituals, including generosity with strangers and their version of Thanksgiving, as methods to make sure that their very T society pays attention to F.

The French type association president described just the opposite--how having Reason as the goddess of the French revolution and heroising DesCartes is a very Feeling culture's way of trying to infuse Thinking.

Makes typing other cultures very difficult if you're on the outside...
 

Shaz

New member
Joined
Aug 14, 2008
Messages
5
MBTI Type
INFJ
The data we have on Japan (there's an official Japanese version of the MBTI and a very active type association) is that the most common type is ISTJ. They also consider their country's archetype (the type mode that is encouraged by the culture) as ISTJ. I heard the head of the Korean type association, which also has ISTJ as their archetype, talk about their societal rituals, including generosity with strangers and their version of Thanksgiving, as methods to make sure that their very T society pays attention to F.

The French type association president described just the opposite--how having Reason as the goddess of the French revolution and heroising DesCartes is a very Feeling culture's way of trying to infuse Thinking.

Makes typing other cultures very difficult if you're on the outside...

That's really interesting. Are there internet sources for the French thing? I'd like to read about it. We're definitely passionate people, in the good and the bad sense...

In my brother's case I was mainly thinking of I (he's a strong I) and to a slightly lesser extent, J.
 

naddoooo

New member
Joined
Aug 18, 2008
Messages
9
MBTI Type
INFP
The data we have on Japan (there's an official Japanese version of the MBTI and a very active type association) is that the most common type is ISTJ. They also consider their country's archetype (the type mode that is encouraged by the culture) as ISTJ. I heard the head of the Korean type association, which also has ISTJ as their archetype, talk about their societal rituals, including generosity with strangers and their version of Thanksgiving, as methods to make sure that their very T society pays attention to F.

The French type association president described just the opposite--how having Reason as the goddess of the French revolution and heroising DesCartes is a very Feeling culture's way of trying to infuse Thinking.

Makes typing other cultures very difficult if you're on the outside...

Thats so interesting to think about. It makes you wonder about american culture and the way that super-friendliness (expressed feeling) and extroversion are so highly valued within it. Though I guess in our culture its not to make up for the overwhelming amount of T in the populace.
 

hideki

New member
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
19
MBTI Type
INFJ
that's funny that ISTJ is japan. that's INFJs super-ego. maybe they wanted to be them so badly...
 

Nonsensical

New member
Joined
Aug 2, 2008
Messages
4,006
MBTI Type
ENFP
Enneagram
7
I don't know, I see them as ISTJ's, but I'm probably wrong, I can see INFJ too..
 

wedekit

New member
Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Messages
694
MBTI Type
INFJ
It's funny that you guys know so many INFJs that flock to Japan! I personally would LOVE to visit Japan. I love their culture.

Some of you might find this book interesting: Amazon.com: Where in the World Do I Belong?? Which country's culture fits your Myers Briggs personality type?: Brent Massey: Books

It describes Japan as being ISTJ at one point, but then goes on to assert that Japan is ISFJ. It concentrates on the strong preference for Si. The book claims that it can be seen through their preference for tradition (gender roles, respect for the elderly, etc.) and even through their preference for "familiar change" that is specifically an improvement or variation of what they are traditionally used to. Change for the sake of change is uncomfortable to them.

ISFJ also means they have a preference for Fe, which can be seen in how they are accommodating and accepting of others (which I think might conflict with another poster's experiences) and it is through this that they form a system of trust and belonging. Japanese companies take the time to hear everyone's opinions, and accommodate opposing opinions (this of course means it takes longer for them to make final decisions). Japanese products even have extra features attached to them for the convenience and comfort of others. An example given is that all Japanese cars have rain shield wrapping around the top of the window, that way you can still roll down your window a little while without getting water inside you car. The point the author makes is that Japanese innovations are more people-centered than America (the author thinks America is ESTJ, and thus prefers Te). What's also unique about Japanese is that if there is an invention that the majority likes, it seems they all switch to it overnight.


These are just things I picked up on while reading the book. I find it interesting.
 

Chris_in_Orbit

New member
Joined
Jul 7, 2008
Messages
504
MBTI Type
ESTJ
Well I don't want to spend any money....soooo...Wedekit, what does the book say about where INFps belong? :)
 

wedekit

New member
Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Messages
694
MBTI Type
INFJ
Well I don't want to spend any money....soooo...Wedekit, what does the book say about where INFps belong? :)

It seems Nepal would be the country for you. :)

I should also take the time to mention that no country has been typed for INFJs. The book mentioned that a very small number of people type Hungary as INFJ, but the book supports the opinion that it is ESTJ (which is a huge difference). There are no countries for INTJ or INTP either. Looks like we don't belong anywhere in the world. :(

Who knows how accurate this book is, though, lol.
 

niki

New member
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
210
MBTI Type
INFP
see, this is what i still don't understand,
i thought Personality Types is supposed to be spread diverse accross the areas in ANY country, meaning there'll surely be a 'balanced' percentage of STJ, NF, NP, SP ?
then how come there can be a "dominant" Type in a certain country, like this Japan, for example, with dominant type INFJ ?
what factors determines it?
how does it get formed? (ie: many people can 'automatically' or 'nurturedly' become an INFJ?)
isn't Japan supposed to have 'fair' percentage of other Types too (not only INFJ), just like in ANY other country?
enlighten me please..
 

wedekit

New member
Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Messages
694
MBTI Type
INFJ
see, this is what i still don't understand,
i thought Personality Types is supposed to be spread diverse accross the areas in ANY country, meaning there'll surely be a 'balanced' percentage of STJ, NF, NP, SP ?
then how come there can be a "dominant" Type in a certain country, like this Japan, for example, with dominant type INFJ ?
what factors determines it?
how does it get formed? (ie: many people can 'automatically' or 'nurturedly' become an INFJ?)
isn't Japan supposed to have 'fair' percentage of other Types too (not only INFJ), just like in ANY other country?
enlighten me please..

This is not to say that there is only ISFJs in Japan, it is to say that the popular culture of Japan seems to take on an ISFJ mindset. I can understand how it might be a hard concept to grasp, but I really don't know how to explain it further than that. Maybe this:

* While some types would be less likely to care much for the elderly if left to their own devices, the ISFJ culture of the Japanese expects them to show the highest respect to the elderly, and so they most likely will.

* While some types might not naturally see the value in tailoring their products for the convenience/comfort of people (like the examples I mentioned in my previous post), society expects them to. If they don't meet these ISFJ-esque expectations, then they have significantly decreased their chances of their product becoming the "next big thing" in Japan.
 

Chris_in_Orbit

New member
Joined
Jul 7, 2008
Messages
504
MBTI Type
ESTJ
Well... that makes sense, but isn't it also fair to say that introversion and extroversion tend to run in the family? (i.e. some genetic component?)

I only suggest this because almost all the guys who I am related to by blood are introverts of some sort.
 

wedekit

New member
Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Messages
694
MBTI Type
INFJ
Well... that makes sense, but isn't it also fair to say that introversion and extroversion tend to run in the family? (i.e. some genetic component?)

I only suggest this because almost all the guys who I am related to by blood are introverts of some sort.

Well, I'm not sure if where you're coming from on this. I'm in no way asserting that someone's culture determines their type. I personally believe it has more to do with genetics/predispositions, but I don't know if there is much evidence for any kind of "origin of personality" as far as the MBTI goes.

It's interesting that most males in your family are introverts. Would you say that because of that your family tends to be tolerant to their introversion? I come from a family where the majority are extraverts, and in turn our "family culture" dictates that I should be willing to be social and available at all times. In sum, they expect me to be "outgoing and gregarious," or, more like an extravert.

My family's culture is comparable to American culture, because Americans typically expect introverts to be "gregarious and outgoing" too. What I was saying above was that in Japan they don't have these kind of expectations for introverts. In fact, it could be that they expect the opposite: They expect extraverts to be more quiet and reserved.

Am I being a little more clear? And like I mentioned before, I wouldn't bet my life on the accuracy of this book in typing countries. It's just interesting and I thought I would share.
 

Chris_in_Orbit

New member
Joined
Jul 7, 2008
Messages
504
MBTI Type
ESTJ
Oh, I wasn't trying to question you particularly...it was just something I found interesting. Basically I was just pushing that introversion might be more common in Japan for instance because there may be some genetic component to it.

Its interesting that your family expects you to be more outgoing. My mom and her boyfriend are the only people who seem to push that mindset on me (an ESTJ and ESFJ respectively) Most of my family makes fun of me for being "lazy" and not having loads of friends but its all out of good fun because for the most part we are all the same way in that respect.
 
Top