Sontaku (忖度) was the buzzword in Japan in 2017 that gained significant attention. It refers to a concept similar to “conjecture,” although explaining its true meaning to foreigners can be quite challenging. As individuals from Japan, we may not even realize when we find ourselves in a Sontaku situation. While some may simplify it as merely being a “Yes man,” I personally believe that such a description fails to capture the full essence of Sontaku.
Sontaku is more than just mind reading, it’s based on empathy, respect, and harmony.
Sontaku is a deeply rooted aspect of Japanese culture and is applied in different areas of society. In personal relationships, sontaku helps people navigate social situations smoothly by ensuring their actions align with others’ expectations and needs. It is a way of showing respect and consideration, as anticipating someone’s desires shows a genuine interest in their well-being.
Furthermore, the concept of “sontaku” is important in the workplace. In a hierarchical society like Japan, employees are expected to understand and meet the implicit expectations of their superiors. By practising “sontaku,” employees can show their loyalty and commitment, which can result in enhanced trust and chances for advancement within the organization. “Sontaku” also contributes to maintaining a harmonious work environment and preventing conflicts, as it enables individuals to proactively address possible issues before they become bigger problems.
To illustrate the concept of Sontaku, I would like to share a recent incident that occurred surrounded me.
Sontaku in an English school
My partner, Aussie is working at an English school (Eikaiwa school) in Japan. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we are supposed to wear face masks. One day, the CEO of the English school paid a visit to the school for an important meeting. Even before greeting him with a simple “Good morning,” the school manager reminded my partner to wear an additional face mask on top of the one he was already wearing.
Naturally, my partner questioned this request, thinking it was quite ridiculous. However, the manager simply informed him that “the boss is on his way.”
Interestingly, the boss himself did not enforce the rule of wearing two masks. Nevertheless, the Japanese managers firmly believed that adding another mask on top of the existing one would make the boss feel safer during meetings. Despite the confusion and disbelief expressed by my partner and other foreign teachers, they felt obliged to comply and wore double masks.
I cannot confirm whether wearing two masks can effectively reduce the risk of contracting coronavirus, as I am unaware of any scientific evidence supporting this claim. Nonetheless, they all wore double masks during the meeting in the presence of the boss. Even as a Japanese national, I found this story surprising. It truly encapsulates one of the most remarkable Sontaku situations I have encountered in recent memory.
Sontaku in a book production company
When I was working on creating a corporate profile for a client’s company, I made a misprint. The sales figure should be 564.5 billion yen, but it was mistakenly written as 5,645 billion yen. This error occurred due to the difference in the units of Japanese yen and dollars.
The client gave me the right information, but the designer didn’t see that the unit had to be changed. Even though both the client and I checked the PDF thoroughly, we didn’t realize there was a big mistake. This happened because the sales figure was shown in a big font, which made us miss the error. Neither the client nor I expected to make such a clear and important mistake.
After printing and several months, one of the client’s members noticed a misprint. They sent me an email stating, “We found a mistake and please provide us with an estimate for a modified sticker to correct it.”
And in the second paragraph, they wrote that,
“We gave you the correct information at the beginning and we have printed 460 copies of the report. Please consider it”
They implied that they didn’t want the actual estimate in that case. Instead, they want the modified stickers without any charge.
As I anticipated, they accepted my apologies and received the sticker without any cost. Even though we had to offer a discount for the project initially, my company still needs to cover the expenses for the stickers and designers. That is a good example of taking advantage of our sontaku feeling.
Advantages of sontaku
Sontaku offers several advantages in personal and professional settings:
- Improved communication: By anticipating the desires and intentions of others, sontaku helps bridge potential gaps in communication. It allows individuals to respond proactively, ensuring that their actions align with the needs and expectations of others.
- Enhanced relationships: Sontaku demonstrates a genuine interest in others’ well-being and fosters deeper connections. Anticipating someone’s desires shows care and consideration, leading to stronger relationships built on trust and mutual understanding.
- Increased efficiency: By preemptively addressing potential issues or fulfilling unspoken wishes, sontaku helps streamline interactions and processes. It reduces the need for explicit communication, saving time and effort.
- Promotion of harmony: Sontaku plays a vital role in maintaining harmony and avoiding conflicts. By understanding and meeting the unspoken expectations of others, individuals can navigate social and professional environments with finesse, promoting a sense of unity and cooperation.
- Career advancement: In hierarchical societies like Japan, practicing sontaku can contribute to career advancement. By demonstrating the ability to understand and fulfill superiors’ unspoken wishes, individuals can showcase their loyalty, dedication, and commitment to the organization, opening doors for growth opportunities.
Disadvantages of sontaku
While sontaku can be a valuable skill in Japanese culture, it is important to acknowledge that there may be some disadvantages associated with its practice:
- Assumptions and misunderstandings: Sontaku relies on the ability to anticipate the intentions of others, which can sometimes lead to incorrect assumptions or misunderstandings. Misinterpreting someone’s desires or intentions can result in miscommunication or even unintended consequences.
- Lack of direct communication: Relying too heavily on sontaku may discourage or inhibit direct communication. If individuals consistently try to anticipate the needs of others without explicitly expressing their own desires, important information may be left unsaid or unaddressed.
- Potential for exploitation: In hierarchical settings, where superiors are expected to be understood without explicit communication, there is a potential for exploitation. Those in positions of power may take advantage of the practice of sontaku to manipulate or impose their desires on subordinates, without providing clear guidance or accountability.
- Cultural and contextual differences: Sontaku is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, and its effectiveness may vary in different cultural contexts. In multicultural environments, where norms and expectations may differ, relying solely on sontaku may lead to misunderstandings or misaligned actions.
- Limited individual expression: Constantly prioritizing the desires and expectations of others through sontaku may limit individual expression and autonomy. It can be challenging for individuals to assert their own needs and preferences if they are consistently focused on meeting the perceived desires of others.
It is important to strike a balance between practicing sontaku and encouraging open, direct communication. While sontaku can be a valuable tool for navigating social and professional settings, it is essential to remain mindful of its limitations and potential drawbacks. By combining sontaku with clear communication and mutual understanding, individuals can navigate relationships and situations more effectively.
How to cultivate anticipatory thinking
While sontaku may seem like a mystical ability, it is a skill that can be cultivated with practice. One key aspect of sontaku is active listening. By paying close attention to verbal cues, body language, and even subtle hints, one can gain valuable insights into the desires and intentions of others. It is also important to develop a sense of empathy, as understanding the emotions and perspectives of others is essential for accurate anticipation.
Another important aspect of sontaku is cultural sensitivity. Different cultures have varying norms and expectations, and being aware of these differences enables individuals to anticipate the needs and desires of people from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, maintaining open lines of communication and building trust with others can further enhance one’s ability to practice sontaku.
Sontaku for enhanced relationships
In a world where direct communication is prioritized, the concept of sontaku offers a different perspective. However, it can sometimes lead to lower-ranked individuals feeling depressed. This is one of the issues. Nevertheless, by embracing sontaku, we can develop stronger connections and understanding in our relationships. Being aware of others’ unspoken desires enables us to respond thoughtfully and considerately, strengthening bonds and promoting harmony.
