Talking Japanese

Talking Japanese

From Kompas

I recall when Japan launched a protest against Indonesia's national car policy, the Minister of Industry Tunky Ariwibowo explained the matter to Japan, and then Japan seemed to understand the Indonesian government's ruling. But later Japan wanted to take the case to the World Trade Organization, although it has now postponed its move.

Why did this happen? We know from experience that Japan might have reacted (in Japanese): hai, wakarimashita, ga...("Yes, Your Excellency, we fully understand your point, but..."

This kind of comment or response is typical to the Japanese. In other words, behind the "Yes, we understand," there is still a but... And they don't usually say what follows after but. It is the job of Indonesia to interpret or sense what the Japanese had in mind.

It is precisely like the Javanese expression: Ngono yo ngono, ning ojo ngono which can be roughly translated as "It is rightly so, but don't do so". How can we grasp the exact meaning of this type of expression?

M AMIR SUPADI

Jakarta