I recently returned from a three-week trip to Japan, where I visited seven cities.
While experiencing the sights and culture was incredible, what stood out most was the deep-rooted emphasis on kindness in Japanese society—a stark contrast to my experiences in other parts of the world.
In Japan, children aren’t just taught core subjects; they’re also immersed in lessons on empathy, consideration, health, and community. This focus on kindness begins early, with practices like cleaning classrooms and helping each other, fostering a sense of responsibility and teamwork among children.
In contrast, while kindness is valued in Canadian education, the approach can be less consistent. There are programs promoting character education, but they often compete with academic and athletic pressures, leaving less room for dedicated kindness training. Canadian classrooms do promote compassion and teamwork, but the culture, especially in extracurricular activities, can sometimes become toxic. The deep-rooted cultural practices seen in Japan may not be as prevalent here.
A personal experience during my trip highlighted this cultural difference. While navigating the busy streets of Japan, our stroller tipped over a few times from our heavy shopping bags when my youngest son decided to walk instead of sitting in it. Each time, multiple people rushed to help without hesitation. This spontaneous act of kindness was noticeably different to our return to Vancouver, where similar situations were met with indifference—many people just walked past or stepped over us.
It’s important to recognize that while these acts of kindness in Japan are ingrained in the culture, they may not always come from a deep emotional connection. Instead, they often reflect a societal norm where helping others is expected and taught from a young age.
My experiences in Japan reinforced the idea that a culture of kindness, starting with early childhood education, can lead to a more compassionate society. As educators and parents, our challenge is to create environments where kindness is not just encouraged but actively practiced, leading to a better world for everyone.
