“Attitude of superiority” hindering understanding

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32525, 8 February 1971, Page 14

“Attitude of superiority” hindering understanding

The European’s attitude of superiority towards Asian peoples was hindering the development of a better understanding among the nations of the area, it was said in Christchurch. 1 Mr H. Noto, a newly appointed lecturer in Japanese in the University of Canter-

bury’s Department of Asian studies, said during an interview that unless more interpersonal attempts were made by Europeans to understand the peoples of Asia, the obvious geographical links existing in the area were of little use.

"Certainly, New Zealand should develop its contacts with Asian and Pacific nations, but I wonder if you will ever really see yourselves as part of Asia,” he said.

For New Zealand to achieve this goal, an understanding of the traditions of Asian peoples was paramount.

“You see, it is a matter of a person-to-person recognition of each other’s special contribution to world culture that is important,” he said. This could not merely be achieved by fleeting official visits but only through deep study and frequent personal contacts.

An example of the way in which Eastern and Western cultures had come together in Japan was the average young Japanese. “They act, dress, and live much like their counterparts in the West, but still their roots lie deep in the traditional Japanese approach to life, with its accent on hard work and application. We, too, understand that people of New Zealand have a tradi-

tional British culture—and so you see there are several bridges to be crossed,” Mr Noto said.

One of the obvious ways in which a better understand' ing of the Asian nations could be established was through a study of their language and culture by the West. “For too long, perhaps, this is an area that has not been developed,” Mr Noto said.

Appointed to his position for two years, Mr Noto has joined Professor D. S. Willis, who arrived late last year from the United States to set up the department of Asian studies.

Mr Noto, who is 24, has spent the last five years studying linguistics at the Tokyo University of Education.