ie | Japanese family system

is a family system which was abolished by the US during the occupation as being too feudal, but the Japanese displaced these sentiments, projecting them instead onto corporate life.

The U.S. occupation did not just abolish the Imperial system and introduce a new constitution after the war; it also revamped the formal, legal status of the ie household. “The Americans thought the ie too feudal, so they tried to destroy the system,” Kawai said. Rather than abandon the concept of ie, however, the Japanese displaced these sentiments, projecting them instead onto corporate life. “We began to believe, ‘I am part of the Matsushita ie or the Sanyo ie,’” Kawai said. This deep psychological transference helps explains the slavish devotion of many Japanese to their companies ahead of their own families. “Everyone is eager to spend so much time and energy for the company, because if the company continues, their identity remains the same,” Kawai explained.

is different from family. If one’s son proves himself incapable, one can simply abolish him and adopt another son. It's about ensuring continuation of the name, not necessarily a blood tie.

Ie is different from family,” said Hayao Kawai, president of the Association of Japanese Clinical Psychology and an advisor to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. “The Kawai ie is important, not my family. It's about clan. If my son proves himself incapable, I simply abolish him and adopt another son. It's about ensuring continuation of the name Kawai, not necessarily a blood tie. This was the Japanese system before the war. I would easily sacrifice myself because I'm not important. Maintaining the ie is important.”

ie japanese family system, n.All

ie japanese family system