Some Japanese women are, however, beginning to follow independent, long-term careers. More are entering the medical and legal professions. There is little tradition of teenage rebellion in Japan. While the young still tend to follow their parents' lifestyles, some are questioning established attitudes. They are less likely to want to work for the same company for life, and less willing to give up evenings and weekends to entertaining company clients.
Social form remains extremely important in Japanese society.
Respect for elders and social and business superiors is still strong. After years of limiting its role on the world stage to that of a minor power rather than that of one of the world's most powerful economies, Japan is starting to make its influence felt. Its eventual aim is a seat on the UN Security Council, which would be in keeping with its economic influence. Tentative moves were made in 1993, with Japanese forces joining UN peacekeepers in Cambodia. The lobby that fears a resurgence of Japanese militarism is still strong, however, and wishes to avoid foreign entanglements.