Bridges in Action: How Japanese and Lithuanian Youth See Each Other

by Agnė Jankauskaitė, Brand Ambassador of the DBJW

Read the first article of her series here.

A year ago, I decided to study abroad in Tokyo for one semester. I had no second thoughts, as I knew I wanted to explore a non-European culture, and Japan’s safety, uniqueness, and popularity made it an easy choice. Although traveling and exploring were the key reasons behind my decision, I ended up taking so much more from this experience than Instagram pictures of new places. I could never have thought that adapting to a completely new culture would lead me to learn so much about myself and find little bits of my home country, Lithuania, there. Connecting with others from my home country led me to many shocking findings and made me feel truly welcome in a place far away from home. Although Japanese and Baltic youth share many differences, we are more similar than we think, bridging the gap between our countries. In the end, we share similar aspirations, deal with common challenges, and our shared online presence opens many paths for topics of discussion.

From personal gallery: Lithuanian Embassy and Lithuanian community in Japan constantly foster intercultural connection. In November, 2025, Lithuanian singer Andrius Mamontovas performed in Tokyo alongside his Japanese friend. The event was the largest gathering of Lithuanians in Japan and also attracted a Japanese audience interested in Baltic culture.

Interacting with people around me was definitely the core of my stay in Japan, as I learned a lot by observing cultural differences and was welcomed with curiosity and grace. I met most of my friends at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS), where all Japanese students study a language of their choice and specialize in a related field. It caught me by surprise to meet so many students speaking the languages I know or have heard during my travels in Europe. Some students, in their free time, had even picked up Lithuanian, and their genuine interest in my culture was truly heartwarming. Some had an academic interest in Lithuanian culture and knew about our traditional music instruments. Some were able to sing Lithuanian songs, which has become one of my favorite memories.

Each time I introduced myself to a professor or a fellow Japanese student, they all knew where Lithuania is located. It might be due to TUFS’ multicultural environment through academia and informal events but such a simple gesture by Japanese people made me feel welcome because when I told them where I am from, I was met with a smile rather than a question mark. While it may seem unusual to always have Google Maps ready to pinpoint Lithuania, I find it necessary, since many Europeans frequently misidentify its location or mistake it for a neighboring country.

From personal gallery: Tokyo University of Foreign Studies during its annual Gaigosai festival celebrating various cultures all around the globe. During one week all students prepare national dishes, dances or activities for visitors to get to know different cultures.

My very first Japanese friend is Miyuu, a second-year student majoring in German who will be coming to Germany later this year for a study exchange. She was my ‘buddy’, a friend automatically assigned by the university to each foreign student, so newcomers can easily adjust to Japanese culture and a new environment. We quickly became friends and had many meaningful conversations, from discussing our favorite music to exchanging intercultural insights.

As I first introduced myself and where I come from, the main thing Miyuu knew about the Baltic states was their geographical location and history. Of course, she knew much more about Germany, and our talk continued on German food culture, which is one of the reasons she is passionate about studying German. German breads and cakes took over the chat, as I personally felt desperate at the moment, trying to find anything close to the bread I used to eat every day in Europe, now in Japan.

But food was not the only topic of ours. Going more deeply, we shared how differently we view the people themselves, as these differences sometimes would become visible even during our one-on-one conversations. Miyuu shared ‘I feel like German people speak their mind more clearly and straightforwardly than Japanese people. Japanese value politeness and Europeans value honesty’. I could not agree more with her, however, a bigger personal cultural difference was the general politeness between shop staff and customers in Japan. A small bow or a head nod is a standard greeting and is always followed by a big smile. People usually use a slightly higher pitch in their voices and pass money or receipts to each other with two hands. It can never go unnoticed, and personally, I truly appreciate the level of respect shown in the most mundane interactions at grocery shops or train stations. Traveling in the largest Tokyo stations was a big challenge at first, so I had to ask strangers for help a lot. Although some people whom I approached did not know English, they always did their best to help, and it was so lovely to see. Thus, adapting to certain greeting or interaction etiquette was not a challenge, after receiving so much politeness, you automatically act accordingly back.

As global interest in Japan has been growing and tourism increases, with over 42 million visitors from overseas in 2025 (https://www.tourism.jp/en/tourism-database/stats/inbound/), I talked a lot about the overall perception of this Asian state with my Japanese friends. Most of them had a lot of international friends and shared a similar point of view to Miyuu, that Japan is idolized too much by foreigners, from how girls dress and act, to the lifestyle the country offers. From personal experience, I do see some downsides to Japan. Especially as a foreigner, it might be challenging to make friends with whom you can be truly close. It is harder to foster close friendships because Japanese people tend to be quieter and more emotionally restrained in showing mutual respect. This creates a public facade, which might make foreigners feel isolated and lonely. From soon-to-be graduates, I heard a lot about Japanese culture and how little personal free time it leaves. Hangouts with the boss after work are often expected, attire and relationships at work are usually formal, and overtime is common. All of it may lead to burnout and unhappiness. This is one of the reasons why Japan is known for its high suicide rates. One of the biggest shocks to me was learning why my train line home was closed several times, making it difficult to travel around the city. My Japanese friends shared with me that JR Chuo Line is commonly known as the ‘suicide line’ due to historically high rates of personal injuries and deaths registered on this track. This fact being shared so easily felt like an understatement, as suicide is a tragic and emotional topic in my home country, and made me realize that Japanese society is not ideal as any other place in the world. It has some downsides that are difficult for foreigners traveling around Japan or learning about it online to notice.

I recommend that anyone takes a semester abroad, whether in a neighboring country or on a different continent. It will be a truly unique and enriching experience through which one can get to know not only a new culture but also one's own country and better understand oneself as a person. Connecting with people around the world can show how connected we are to one another, even when living hundreds of kilometers apart.