THE «NON-STANDARD» JAPANESE

Abstract

Japan is one of the most prosperous and richest countries in the world. The standard of living of the Japanese roughly corresponds to the standards of developed European countries, and at the same time there is no significant stratification of the population by income. Such phenomena as poverty, unemployment, mass strikes are far in the past. Japan is also distinguished by the punctual operation of transport, high level of sanitation and hygiene, very good service, low crime rate, etc. In other words, there are all the basic conditions for a decent and comfortable life. However, against the background of general well-being, there are groups of the population whose lifestyle does not meet the standards and norms of behavior in accordance with which the absolute majority of Japanese people build their lives. Because of these deviations, we call the people in these groups «non-standard» Japanese. These groups can be found both among young people and among the adult population. The article presents the main characteristics of these groups, shows the reasons that prompted these people to change their usual way of life to a «non-standard», describes the measures taken by the state to support such citizens. The article also shows that people whom society for one reason or another does not perceive as ordinary, «normal» citizens can be found outside the groups of «non-standard» Japanese. The author comes to the conclusion that describing Japan as a prosperous country, at the same time it should be borne in mind that there are many citizens who do not fit into society’s ideas of «normality». At the same time, many of them are well aware of their «specialness» and the vulnerability of their position in society, where it is customary to «be like everyone else».