The Great Diplomat: A quiet mission, an open invitation.
Dear reader,
At Deep Japan, we see something special in the way everyday life quietly unfolds here. There is unspoken cooperation in Japan—the calm even on a crowded train, the way people keep public spaces clean without being asked, and the small, thoughtful gestures, like picking up a lost scarf, neatly folding it, and placing it where it won’t be stepped on in case the owner returns.
All of this reflects one of the most important values in Japanese society: wa, or harmony.
People in Japan are keenly aware of how their actions ripple through others and are devoted to preserving—never disrupting—the harmony of the whole. Why? There are numerous influences at play—from pivotal moments in history, when cooperation was crucial for survival through natural disasters and centuries of national isolation, to the teachings of Japan’s two main religions—Shinto and Buddhism—which underscore the interconnectedness of all things.
As a result, Japanese people are natural diplomats—not in the political sense of governance or power, but in its purest form: striving to nurture harmony by listening twice as much as they speak and living out the quiet work of connecting people.
At Deep Japan, we aspire to honor and carry forward the Japanese spirit of wa. By sharing genuine stories from people around the world who have glimpsed the essence of Japan beyond what meets the eye, we hope to build bridges—connecting cultures through understanding, not just information.
With Japan at the heart of our diverse community, the role of “The Great Diplomat” serves as our north star.
Fittingly, the word wa can also mean “circle”—a beautiful visual symbol of interconnectedness and inclusivity.
So, as this letter comes to a close, we would love to invite you to join the Deep Japan circle (pun intended). Whether you are interested in becoming a writer and sharing your one-of-a-kind Japan stories with the world, or have ideas for how we might collaborate and grow this mission together, we can’t wait to hear from you.
With gratitude,
The Deep Japan team