How is Japanese culture different than American culture?

Question:

What are some ways that Japanese culture is different than American culture?

Has anybody been to Japan, or lived there?

I've always been really interested in Japan and want to learn as much about it as I can.

Answer:

In terms of family, it is tradition in Japan that the elderly parents live with their children. It is the children's responsibility to take care of their parents when their parents are old. But there are some elderly parents who live alone and away from their children and continue working. My grandparents are living away from us because they are still working and do not want to retire. They are 80s.

In USA, as far as I know, elderly parents are either put in to retirement or nursing homes and their children visit them during holidays or special occasions only.

In terms of society, a vertical society structure is still common here in Japan. Are you familiar with the kohai-senpai system? It's like that. It can be found in schools, work, family, clubs, etc.