Kenminsei: Differences In Personality Among Japanese From Hokkaido, Tokyo And Okinawa

Now that pandemic restrictions have uniformly been eased around the world, many countries have opened their borders, including Japan. Some of you may be raring to visit the Land of the Rising Sun to partake in its great scenery and even greater food. We tend to think of Japanese people as a homogeneous race. They are typically described as serious-minded, polite, earnest, kind, and diligent, among others. But the Japanese themselves don’t think so. They are of the opinion that Japanese hailing from one prefecture will differ significantly from their counterparts in another prefecture. This belief is so widespread that a term, “kenminsei” (県民性), has been coined to denote the characteristics of people who come from a particular prefecture. So how are people from these three popular prefectures like?

Hokkaido People

Hokkaido people are known to have the entrepreneurial spirit (in fact, there is a katakana phrase that captures this explicitly: frontier spirit). Not only are they independent, but they also gravitate towards new things. Perhaps this openness of heart is due to them being immersed in vast stretches of open fields and clear skies; this makes them not want to conform to jobs that bind them to be salarymen. Instead of being tied down by their jobs, they rather forge their own path and come up with some business they can truly call their own. On the consumer front, this means that companies always introduce new products (“shinhatsubai”) in Hokkaido as a way to gauge market sentiment.

Hokkaido people’s openness of heart also extends to their relationships with people. Because the ancestors of many Hokkaido people migrated there from elsewhere, you won’t find a lot of properties that belong to established, long-standing families in Hokkaido. This means that Hokkaido people are less likely to be concerned with your ancestral roots than their counterparts in other prefectures like Kyoto. This makes interacting with them more pleasurable as Hokkaido people are known to be generous.

Hokkaido people tend to have close relationships with Mother Nature as they grow crops and rear animals for food. This need to coexist with nature has also led them to be environmentally conscious. Lauded as some of the most environmentally friendly people, they take it upon themselves to separate garbage thoroughly. This means that when they visit other prefectures, they are more likely to abide by the host prefecture’s waste management practices.

Last but not least, after work, Hokkaido people like to drink and socialize, as can be seen by how they are ranked fifth in terms of whisky sales, according to a 2016 survey study by Statistics Japan. All this means that the way to breaking the ice with Hokkaido people is go for drinking sessions with them and praise good things about Hokkaido!

Tokyo People

Tokyo needs no introduction since it enjoys a stellar reputation for being one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the world. Leading businesses have their headquarters stationed here; talented youths make a beeline for this bustling city, hoping to make it big. This is why appearances matter rather significantly because you are supposed to bring your A game here. This suggests why Tokyoites are fashion-savvy and care about looking smart and sophisticated. First impressions count, especially when everyone around you is dressed to kill. Of course, having more disposable income than most other Japanese in other prefectures could contribute to Tokyoites being able to afford stylish clothes.

During the Edo period, the best and most talented Japanese congregated in neighbourhoods known as "shitamachi'", contributing to Tokyo's booming economy through their unparalleled craftsmanship and shrewd eye for aesthetics. This perhaps explains why their descendants today are typically known to have a strong sense of pride because of their forefathers' solid credentials. Hence, if you are working closely with Tokyoites, you may want to avoid displaying your frustrations with them plainly. Another reason is that Tokyoites are known to have short tempers. In fact, conflicts among Tokyoites were said to be so rampant then that an expression ''Fights and Fires are the Flowers of Edo'' was etched in the vernacular. In any case, logic appeals to Tokyoites, so pointing out their mistakes in a non-antagonistic way will serve you in good stead.

It is not necessary to shun away from Tokyoites though. City people are typically stereotyped to be cold and reserved people, but despite Tokyoites' composed exterior and penchant for rationality, they display warmth and empathic concern for others. So have fun connecting with them on your trip to Japan!

Okinawa people

Okinawa is affectionately known as a paradise on earth, and it isn't just the idyllic beaches and warm weather that make it such an attractive place. In Japan, things run on clockwork, and while punctuality is a virtue we should all practise, it is also refreshing that Okinawa strolls along on its own rhythm. Once you make your way around Okinawan attractions, you will be amazed at how carefree the locals seem. Shop assistants will happily engage you in long chats, brushing aside any reference to busyness or schedules with a proclamation of "Okinawa time". Similarly, they tend to have casual attitudes towards time-keeping. Unlike the rest of Japan where it is considered rude if you do not show up for your appointment ten minutes before the set time, Okinawa people are not so particular about punctuality - and may be the ones who arrive late for appointments themselves. This relaxed attitude towards punctuality is also seen in other areas of their lives. Okinawa people are said to be big-hearted people who don't sweat the small stuff. Sounds like a bunch of pleasant people to hang out with!

Perhaps due to the easy-going atmosphere Okinawa emanates, Okinawa people love their hometown and fellow men. Prizing relationships above other things, Okinawa couples don't break a sweat when they organise wedding ceremonies, typically inviting 300-400 people to share in their joy. By comparison, couples in other prefectures tend to be more conservative, carefully curating a list of 100+ people for their wedding ceremony. Parties are seen as a great opportunity to indulge in alcohol and yummy food, so Okinawa people care more about having a good time with their loved ones than financing their future spending plans. Prioritising connections could be one reason why they are among the longest-living people in Japan.

On the flip side, the unemployment and divorce rates in Okinawa are higher than in many other prefectures. Okinawa people do not just have relatively relaxed attitudes towards time and money, but typically do not like to think about complicated issues. This suggests that they are likely to call it quits when they have to grapple with a difficult job or marriage.

Have a blast of a time

As you reunite with Japan and interact with the locals this year, perhaps some of these generalisations from this article will come to mind and help you understand them better. Of course, we are unique composites of our cultures, beliefs, attitudes, and experiences, so it may be the case that the Japanese whom you encounter in these three prefectures may not fit nicely into such pigeonholes. If that's the case, have a good time telling them about these cultural stereotypes and laughing it off together! Bon voyage!

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