“People who comprehend a matter in all its depth seldom remain true to it forever. For they have brought its depths to the light; and then there is always much to see about it that is bad”. Nietzsche - Human, All Too Human 489.

There is much to admire and be fascinated by in Japan. Most of all - it is the level of control. The philosophy of liberal individualism is no better implemented than in Japan. The notion that one’s autonomy and self-determination can form one’s identity free from external interference. But the ideas have to be taken from somewhere. The Japanese are masters in the art of appropriating others ideas and practice. Using them as a means to an end. In all that is external to the function of the mind - this is palpable. Clothes, fashion, technology, design, food, music and entertainment. But some things cannot be changed through choice. They may not even be wanted to. Things like personality or spirit. This is seemingly beyond total control i.e. beyond the individual’s power to systematically and completely overall and decorate. This is not applicable merely to the Japanese. But they provide the best and biggest empirical case study for the hypothesis that the individual can choose who and how they want to be.

There are many foreigners who are fascinated by Japan, almost to the extent that they themselves want to be Japanese. A person that thinks much is not suited to membership and allegiance – he thinks himself through and beyond. Do the Japanese have anything that we as Westerners do not? Something important like a better ‘way of life’? Buddhist principles ad practice perhaps? Third person attributions of psychological experiences are enabled and facilitated by behavior, which includes language. The most evident Buddhist practice in Japan, although not mastered, is a form of mindfulness. Being mindful that the wrong kinds of thoughts and expressions of such are an obstruction and are unhelpful in trying to achieve something greater. Saying what one really thinks and feels, if of negative consequence, is not encouraged. They practice control. But the thought does not disappear. Patricide and matricide is a common occurrence in Japan. Remember the war? Manchuria? Kokoda? Buddhism is used as a means to an end also. Power and control is the end. Japanese are proud of that which is Japan. Even more so than Australians. Honor, at times in their history, has been more important than life and love. Absurd. But that is also what makes it fascinating. The absurdity of it all. Japan is like a caricature of the West. All our cultural and spiritual complexes and quandaries are exacerbated within that tiny island.