Psychology is becoming more culturally diverse. After decades of a predominant focus on Western-European and, to a lesser extent, East-Asian populations, recent calls for more cultural diversity in psychology have stimulated new research in other regions of the world for a better understanding of human psychology (see Arnett, 2008; Krys et al., 2025). Increasingly, researchers turn their attention to previously understudied contexts, continuously expanding and challenging our understanding of the role of culture in psychology. Advances in information technology (e.g., high-speed internet, translation tools, video conferencing) and open science practices have further catalyzed global collaboration, enabling researchers to integrate fresh perspectives. As a result, a reconsideration of established models in cultural psychology as well as a synthesis with new findings is becoming increasingly necessary. In this symposium, we take a new look at how Japan fits within this new diversity in psychology. Each speaker is going to present and discuss findings showcasing new developments in the field from a Japan-based perspective. The presentations will be about: the differences and similarities in patterns of establishing and maintaining social relationships in Japan and in Brazil (de Almeida), a systematic comparison of socio-cognitive characteristics and processes between Japan and various Mediterranean societies (Kirchner-Häusler), a comparison of emotion tendencies between Japan and the USA (Taylor), comparative analyses of Japanese and Korean samples on within-region diversity in self-construal, cognition, and cultural values in East Asia (Park), and how Japanese social contexts reframe moral conviction expression (Ali).
Almeida et al. (Wed,) studied this question.