How to Practice ‘Hansei,’ the Japanese Art of Self-Criticism
By: Kaki Okumura
Tags: Succeed, Live, Personal Development, Self Improvement, Self

How to Practice ‘Hansei,’ the Japanese Art of Self-Criticism

After living in Japan, I realized there may be danger in the American tendency to over-celebrate every victory

Photo: David Lees/Getty Images

“All right, everyone! Time to gather for our hansei-kai,” our teacher announced.

Why? I wondered. Our event had been a success.

It was my first year attending a Japanese school after moving from New York to Tokyo at age 12. In Japanese, the term hansei translates to “reflection” or “introspection,” but this direct translation doesn’t convey the connotation of the word, which is used in a critical sense. It means that we fell short of our full potential and that there’s room for improvement.

Our class had just finished hosting our school’s annual winter festival, an event that was filled with food, games, and good times with our friends. The day went so smoothly that I couldn’t possibly imagine what we needed to talk about. Couldn’t we just go home and rest? Why spoil the happy mood by focusing on our weak points?

But as my classmates made their way to the center of the room, they shared none of my grumblings. Students eagerly raised their hands, pointing out what we could’ve done better and what we should take note of for next year. The discussion was completely objective — nobody got emotional when their work was criticized, and we all ended up with great feedback. It was unlike anything I had experienced in an American classroom.

The term hansei implies that nobody and nothing is perfect and that criticism is a necessary and valuable part of growth. This belief is present at all levels in Japanese society: at home, in the government, in the workplace, and in school. Japanese organizations are built around the philosophy, placing a high value on the iterative process of reflecting, analyzing, and improving. Hansei is used not only when things fail but also when they succeed. Anything can be made better and more efficient.

America is a celebratory country, one that firmly believes in the importance of feeling good about our achievements. When Americans win, they break open the champagne and cheer. Success is marked with energy, optimism, and confidence.

Japanese people also acknowledge their wins. But when they do, they always leave space to talk about what could be improved. They understand that over-celebrating every victory and failing to address that there’s room for change can create a culture where criticism is a mark of loss, shame, and failure instead of a source of inspiration for greater potential.

These days, it’s easier than ever to avoid the kind of objective self-evaluation that hansei provides. The internet gives all of us the opportunity to instantly confirm and validate any belief we may hold. The constant stream of images and articles displaying those with seemingly perfect lives only makes that opportunity more appealing. Fueled by frustration and jealousy, we turn to “evidence” that blames institutional systems or circumstances for any of our shortcomings. When things don’t go our way, somewhere online, we can find someone assuring us that it isn’t our fault.

But an acceptance of criticism is important because it gives the individual greater autonomy. True power lies in the understanding that we are not entitled to perfection but that we can work toward it. Embracing criticism gives us the control to achieve our desires.

A short exercise

Want to see how good you are at critical self-evaluation? Answer the question below, writing down your answer on a piece of paper.

How do you feel when someone you don’t know very well declines to do you a very easy and simple favor?

Once you’ve finished, look back over your response for a key word: “because.”

If your response did not have a “because” in it: The question didn’t ask for it, so it’s normal to not consider why you are reacting to rejection in a certain way. But an important part of self-reflection is considering the “why,” a habit that will help you absorb criticism from others much more easily. I would encourage you to take on this habit of adding “because” clauses to the statements you make to help you hone the ability to reflect upon your own assumptions and reasons.

If your response did have a “because” in it: Although the question didn’t prompt for it, you have an explanatory phrase in your answer. This is a sign you have a good habit of reflecting on your own assumptions and reasoning. Recognizing why you might’ve reacted a certain way is an important part of self-reflection and a habit you should strive to continue when you find yourself in a frustrating situation.

This exercise, of course, isn’t wholly conclusive. It’s only meant to help you recognize the thought processes driving how you react to non-ideal circumstances. Hansei is meant to question our assumptions about the kind of control we have over our lives and grants us the power to be better. The ability to reflect and take on criticism will not only help us become more accountable for our own actions but create opportunities for growth, success, and joy as we take our lives into our own hands.