The world is rich in an array of different cultures, organisms, and plant life.  Many cultures are disappearing, the same as many types of animals are threatened or extinct.  The world would be a richer place if people could keep the diversity that exists in cultures of the world. Before deciding whether to the government should protecting cultures through legislation or funding, the question must be asked “Which cultures to we protect?” and “Who makes the decision?”. In biodiversity, people decide which certain species are put on the endangered list. Some species go completely ignored and dwindle and disappear.  In this decision, I must ponder whether all cultures should be preserved?

Around the world, there is a plethora of cultures.  Some cultures still practice cannibalism.  Another culture believes in karma.  When Mother Theresa first went to India, the people of the country tried to run her out; they told her not to help the poor, starving people as it would interfere with their karma.  According to karma if the poor don’t suffer in this life, they won’t progress in the next life.  Mother Theresa helped anyways, and would not suggest funding to preserve the existing culture of letting people suffer. 

My questions remain “Should all cultures who are threatened with change be preserved in some kind of cultural bubble?  Should we preserve the cannibals as they are, so that their culture isn’t lost? Should we have made laws to stop Mother Theresa from interfering in Indian culture?”  I think not.  The United States does not interfere in domestic issues of other countries on matters of culture.  The military is not used that way.  Our government’s primary job is to protect its citizens not to police the world.

Of course, I could be wrong.  Maybe our government could pass legislation to support some cultures like it does the arts.     The loss of culture and languages is said for all of us.  So much time is spent by archaeologist trying to discover what ancient cultures were.  However, I don’t believe that our government should seek to preserve all cultures. The scope of preserving culture is too broad.  Culture changes all the time. All cultures go through change, as people marry and move around.  Even with new technology our culture changes daily.  As much as preserving the cultural knowledge is important and makes the world a richer place, I don’t believe that our government should interfere.  If our government did interfere, being asked over for dinner might have a whole new meaning.

Before the Tokugawa period, Japan was an isolated country. During the Tokugawa period Japan was altered by Western Influence and was affected by globalization.


   Globalization has affected Japan in many ways.  After the Plaza Accord in 1985, the yen appreciated greatly compared to the US dollar and other currencies.  As Japan has become more industrious, Japan’s trading partners and direct investment has shifted from the US to East Asia. Investments, financial transactions from abroad have increases.  Another factor, Japan has had to face competition from developed countries and newly industrialized countries.  Often goods are produced in East Asia and South East Asia where labor is less expensive.  Japan’s wage levels and employment have been affected by the competition.  In order to remain competitive, Japan has had to reduce the number of employees, and the wages are stagnant. (Yoshida, 2003).  Another effect of globalization is the demise of the system of lifetime employment. The economy has become more westernized with globalization (Webster, 2001).

Some of the differences, I noticed is in the social impact.  Women have entered the workforce, and gained more rights.  Japan imports a large amount of oil and agricultural products, and exports electronics and automobile parts.   Without the ability to import oil Japan's industry would not have sufficient oil to continue production.  The US economy relies on electronics and automobile parts from Japan.  When the tsunami hit Japan, shut down Japan's nuclear reactors, the effect was felt in America.  Certain products and parts were not available to the consumer in America.   Japan produces a large amount of rice, but due to the lack of land, it imports a large amount of agricultural products like wheat.  The economy in Japan is interdependent on productsfrom,  and trade with other countries

Webster, F. (2001, March 20). Globalization does its work on japan. Retrieved from http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2001/03/20/books/globalization-does-its-work-on-japan/

Yoshida, S. (2003, April 16). The impact of globalization on the japanese economy and industry. Retrieved from http://www.glocom.org/special_topics/colloquium/20030416_yoshida_impact/index.html