Ishin-denshin

The Japanese idiom "Ishin-denshin," which can be literally translated as "With mind, transmit contents of mind," means "Interpersonal communication through unspoken or tacit mutual understanding." It can be seen as a form of telepathy, mostly occurring in face-to-face interactions, and has been developed since ancient times in isolated Japan. In various situations, Ishin-denshin is commonly used among close Japanese groups, and children are unconsciously taught to read facial expressions, sense the atmosphere, and understand what is left unsaid. This custom has played a significant role in shaping the Japanese language, making it highly context-dependent, with verbal communication relying on an implied understanding of the situation. This reliance on context might be attributed to the comfort zone that comes with a racially homogeneous nation. However, in today's era of freely flowing information, people, money, and companies crossing international borders, Japan is facing significant challenges when it comes to communicating with non-Japanese speakers. The country finds itself in a difficult situation due to these changing circumstances.

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