Japanese American Cultural Considerations

Japanese American Cultural Considerations The majority of Japanese immigrants began arriving in the United States toward the middle part of the 19th Century. These first Japanese immigrants passed down many characteristics of historic Japanese culture to subsequent generations, and these characteristics still abide in the Japanese American psyche (Easton & Ellington, 2010). Today, Japanese culture is prevalent in many areas of the Western U.S., most notably in the cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle. It is important for providers to understand that features of the historic Japanese culture remain within the mindset of Japanese Americans, and that these cultural characteristics influence the values, the communication practices, and the health care
By recognizing differences in communication style, providers can better interact with clients and in turn be in a better position to understand client needs. Understanding differences in views on alternative therapies and death can help a provider to better create care plans and to initiate appropriate interventions. This recognition and understanding helps providers provide culturally competent care to ensure the best possible health outcomes.

References
Easton, S. E. & Ellington, L. (2010). Countries and their culture: Japanese Americans. Retrieved March 29, 2010 from http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Ha-La/Japanese- Americans.html
Fackler, M. (2009, December 17). At Japanese cliffs, a campaign to combat suicide. New York Times. Retrieved March 29, 2010 from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/world/asia/18japan.html?_r=1
Hoffman, M. (2009). Recognizing the warning signs of suicide. Retrieved March 29, 2010 from