By: Ali Syarief
I am the first who coined the term “Hippo Jin.” This term is not merely a play on words or an empty phrase without meaning, but rather a reflection of a significant idea I discovered in understanding Japan’s social dynamics. Hippo Jin is another term for “New Japanese,” which I found among members of the HIPPO Family Club, whose ultimate orientation is to lead its members into a more open world and open mind. The background of this term’s creation stems from a fundamental question: how can Japan face the challenges of globalization without losing its identity? In my search for an answer, I found the concept of “New Japanese” as a solution for Japan, which has long been perceived as a closed and inward-looking society, struggling to embrace external influences.
Why Is Japan Considered Closed-Off?
Japan, despite its technological and economic advancements, is still regarded as a relatively exclusive country in social and cultural aspects. Many say that Japan finds it difficult to accept foreigners as part of its society. Historically, the sakoku (isolation) policy during the Edo era symbolized Japan’s deliberate choice to shut itself off from the outside world. Although this policy ended long ago, remnants of this mindset can still be found in Japanese society today.
For instance, in the workplace, foreigners are often seen as “guests” even after living in Japan for many years. In local communities, foreign residents often have limited involvement. Even in education, the system tends to emphasize homogeneity over diversity.
However, in today’s era of globalization, such an approach is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Japan faces major challenges such as population decline, economic stagnation, and the need for foreign labor. Therefore, a fundamental shift is necessary for Japan to continue thriving.
The Concept of “New Japanese” and Hippo Jin
In seeking solutions to these issues, I formulated the concept of “New Japanese.” This idea is based on the notion that for Japan to survive in a global era, it must adopt a more open mindset toward diversity and eliminate social exclusivity. “New Japanese” does not mean losing identity, but rather an evolution in mindset that allows Japan to remain strong in a more inclusive manner.
From this concept, the term “Hippo Jin” was born. The word “Hippo” originates from a philosophy of flexible and fluid language learning, as seen in the Hippo Family Club—a community that promotes natural language acquisition through interaction and cultural exploration. Meanwhile, “Jin” (人) means “person” in Japanese. Thus, “Hippo Jin” refers to individuals who possess openness, adaptability, and readiness to engage with global realities without losing their Japanese cultural roots.
Hippo Jin as Japan’s New Bridge
Hippo Jin is not just a theoretical concept; it is also a social model that can be implemented in various aspects of life in Japan. In the workforce, Hippo Jin means accepting foreign workers not just as temporary laborers but as integral members of society. In education, Hippo Jin promotes a curriculum that embraces diversity and global interactions. In daily life, Hippo Jin encourages more inclusive relationships with international communities in Japan.
With this concept, Japan can remain a country that preserves its identity while no longer being constrained by exclusivity. Hippo Jin provides a middle path between maintaining traditions and embracing change, allowing Japan to become more adaptive to the challenges of the 21st century.
Conclusion
Hippo Jin is not just a term but a new paradigm for understanding Japanese society in the modern era. Japan, long perceived as a closed-off nation, can find a solution in the concept of “New Japanese,” where openness and flexibility become key to a more inclusive future. By becoming Hippo Jin, Japan does not have to choose between losing its identity or isolating itself from the world; rather, it can transform into a more dynamic, strong, and relevant nation within an ever-evolving global order.
ヒッポ人：日本への概念的な答え
私は「ヒッポ人」という言葉を最初に生み出した人物です。この言葉は単なる言葉遊びや意味のないフレーズではなく、日本の社会的ダイナミクスを理解する中で発見した重要な概念を反映しています。「ヒッポ人」は「新しい日本人（New Japanese）」の別名であり、私はこの概念をHIPPO Family Clubのメンバーの中で見出しました。このクラブの最終的な目的は、メンバーをより開かれた世界へと導くことです。この言葉を生み出した背景には、「日本はグローバル化の課題にどのように対応しながら、自国のアイデンティティを失わずにいられるか？」という根本的な疑問がありました。その答えを模索する中で、長年閉鎖的で内向的と見なされ、外部の影響を受け入れるのが困難だった日本社会に対する解決策として、「新しい日本人（New Japanese）」の概念を見つけました。
なぜ日本は閉鎖的と見なされるのか？
日本は技術や経済の発展にもかかわらず、社会的・文化的側面では比較的排他的な国と見なされています。多くの人々が、日本社会は外国人を社会の一員として受け入れるのが難しいと考えています。歴史的に見ると、江戸時代の鎖国政策は、日本が意図的に外の世界から閉ざされた選択をした象徴です。この政策はとっくに終わっていますが、その考え方の名残は今でも日本社会に根付いています。
例えば、職場では、外国人が何年も日本に住んでいても「ゲスト」として見なされることが多いです。地域社会においても、外国人の関与は限られがちです。さらに、教育システムにおいても、多様性よりも均質性が重視される傾向があります。
しかし、グローバル化が進む現代において、このような考え方はますます時代遅れになっています。日本は人口減少、経済停滞、外国人労働力の必要性といった大きな課題に直面しており、持続的な発展のためには根本的な変革が必要です。
「新しい日本人」とヒッポ人の概念
これらの問題の解決策を模索する中で、私は「新しい日本人（New Japanese）」という概念を提唱しました。この考えは、日本がグローバル時代に生き残るためには、多様性を受け入れるより開かれた思考を持ち、社会の排他性をなくす必要があるという考えに基づいています。「新しい日本人」はアイデンティティを失うことではなく、より包括的な方法で強さを維持するための思考の進化を意味します。
この概念から、「ヒッポ人」という言葉が生まれました。「ヒッポ」という言葉は、HIPPO Family Clubで採用されている、自然な言語習得と文化交流を通じた柔軟で流動的な学習哲学に由来しています。一方、「人（じん）」は日本語で「人」を意味します。したがって
