In Japan, saying “Sumimasen” or “I’m sorry” is more than just an apology. It’s a way of showing good manners. When you say “Sumimasen”, you’re telling others that you’re thinking about what went wrong. You’re not just saying the words because you have to.
This way of apologizing is a big part of life in Japan. Everyone does it – from everyday people to famous celebrities and big companies. Even the government says “Sumimasen” when they make a mistake.
Apologizing is usually something we do on our own. But in Japan, it’s also about understanding how we all affect each other. It’s about recognizing that we’re all part of a bigger group.
So, why is saying “Sumimasen” so important in Japan? It’s because it shows respect for others. It’s a simple habit, but it has a big purpose. It helps to keep peace and harmony in society. That’s why the Japanese take apologizing very seriously. It’s more than just saying “I’m sorry”. It’s a way of life.
Japan’s Apology Culture – Why Apologize?
In Japan, being kind is very important. People there are known for being very polite. This is partly because of something called “groupthink”. This means that people in Japan try to live in peace with each other. They put the needs of the group before their own. They try not to cause trouble or bother others, understanding that their actions can affect the people around them.
Saying “sorry” is a big part of this. For example, someone might say “sorry for the late reply” even if they only got the email a day ago. Or they might say “sorry for keeping you so long” after a short chat. When they say “sorry”, they’re not always asking for forgiveness. They’re just being humble and polite. These are qualities that are very much appreciated in Japan. So, saying “sorry” is more than just an apology. It’s a way of showing respect for others.
Apologies in Business
Lately, more companies are saying sorry when they mess up. In today’s digital world, companies need to be careful about what they share with people. In Japan, admitting mistakes at work is like a samurai protecting his honor. If the media finds out about the mistakes first, it can make the company look bad.
Saying sorry is important in our daily lives, but it’s even more important in business. It’s the first step to fix trust and rebuild relationships with customers. Even governments have said sorry in public, to their own people and to others. People pay close attention to the words used in these apologies.
For instance, a former Prime Minister of Japan, Tomiichi Murayama, made big news when he used the word ‘owabi’ in his apologies for Japan’s past wrongs 20 years ago. ‘Owabi’ is a very formal way to say sorry and it’s not used often.
Apologies in a Variety of Forms
Japan’s language reflects its well-ordered society. The words people use can change based on who they’re talking to.
Some words can be very polite or very rude, depending on the situation. So, it’s not surprising that there are many ways to say sorry in Japanese. The level of formality changes based on the situation. For example, if you make a big mistake at work, you might say ‘moushiwake gozaimasen deshita’, which means ‘it was inexcusable’. But if you’re with friends, you might just say ‘gomen ne’.
‘Sumimasen’ is another word for sorry. It’s used when you would say ‘sorry’ or ‘excuse me’ in English. It means ‘sorry for bothering you’, and it’s used more often than ‘arigatou’, which means thank you. For example, if someone holds the door open for you, you might say ‘sumimasen’, which means ‘sorry for making you hold that door open for me’.
Apologies and bowing
Bowing is a common way to show respect in many East Asian cultures, including Japan. Just like with words, there are different levels of formality in bowing.
When someone bows and says sorry, the bow is usually longer and deeper than other bows. For example, if a company makes a big mistake, the people in charge might bow all the way to ninety degrees. This deep bow can last five seconds or more. It’s their way of showing they’re really sorry and they take the situation seriously.
Extreme Apologies
In 2015, a big problem called the Takata Airbag Scandal caused millions of cars to be called back. This happened because the airbags didn’t work right and might have caused at least ten people to die. From 2012 to 2015, these airbags were put in over a hundred million cars. The president of the company, Shigehisa Tanaka, made people upset when he didn’t quit his job.
The next year, the president of Toshiba said sorry in public after the company admitted to saying they made more money than they really did. Eight people on the board of directors quit their jobs, including the CEO and president, Hisao Tanaka. Earlier this year, an actress named Atsuko Takahata said sorry in public because her son was accused of doing something very bad. Mrs. Takahata said she was partly to blame for what her son did, just like a boss takes responsibility for what their company does.
