Wabi Sabi

Faik Erdemli

The Japanese have a beautiful definition.

Wabi sabi.

Accepting things with their flaws.

A profound Japanese aesthetic and life philosophy that means appreciating the beauty within that which is flawed, impermanent, and incomplete. 

Wabi expresses a quiet peace found in solitude, humility, simplicity, and naturalness. 

Sabi represents the wear, aging, traces of lived experience, and beauty that time leaves on objects. 

Instead of seeking perfection, it is about accepting and loving the naturalness in the flawed, impermanent, and incomplete states of life, objects, and the moment. 

It is one of the life philosophies adopted by the Japanese to build a calmer, more balanced, and meaningful life.

The Japanese are different people in every sense.

For the Japanese, character and moral education come first in every field, including at the beginning of schooling.

My article about Japan attracted a lot of attention from everyone.

How did Japan become one of the world's leading countries after World War II?

On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

Exactly 1 day later, on December 8, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan and entered World War II.

6 days after the US dropped atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with a 3-day interval between them,

Japan announced its surrender on August 15.

Japan, which has the world's second-largest economy after the US, is a country known worldwide for its many superior

qualities and cultural richness.

When we compare Japan, which experienced World War II, with Turkey, which did not, there are many reasons why

Turkey has remained behind economically and intellectually.

The biggest difference between the two countries stems from the education

system.

In our country, sufficient education is not provided, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The education system in Japan is built on discipline. It is systematic and perfectionist. In Japan, which ranks high in the world in education, students are equipped with analytical thinking and problem-solving skills from an early age.

R

investments in our country are limited. There are no sufficient incentives.

Japan is among the leading countries that invest the most in R

These investments have made Japan one of the world leaders in the field of technology.

Although the number of universities in our country has increased, the quality of research is very low. The number of world-renowned academic studies is almost non-existent. The number and quality of universities and research centers in Turkey are behind those of

developed countries. Japan's universities are recognized worldwide and are world leaders in research and innovation.

Brain drain is quite common in our country. Our talented young people raised in Turkey prefer to go abroad to find better opportunities. This

causes a decrease in innovative thinking and intellectual capital in our country.

Japan, on the other hand, offers better opportunities both economically and in terms of quality of life to retain the skilled workforce it trains.

Turkey's industrial production generally consists of low value-added products. This reduces our country's

economic competitiveness.

The Japanese are world leaders in the production of high value-added products. Products manufactured in the automotive and electronics sectors ensure Japan's strength in the global economy.

We are also far behind Japan as a country in terms of culture.

The importance given to critical thinking, art, and science in our country is very limited.

The Japanese have a culture that supports discipline, perfectionism, and innovation.

And of course, the most important difference between the two countries is political and economic instability.

Frequently changing policies in our country also negatively affect economic growth.

These comparisons will help us better understand why Turkey has fallen behind Japan.

Turkey has a lot to learn from Japan.

Most importantly, honesty, discipline, and hard work.

In our country, we must raise our children not with a focus on winning, but with a focus on honesty and perfectionism. 

We must instill honesty and hard work in our children in primary school within our education system. 

Only then will we not ask why there is such a huge gap between us and Japan.