In Japan, the fundamental belief is that outcomes come from effort. If you succeed, it is because you worked hard enough.
If you fail, you did not try hard enough. This is not just a nice idea—it is how Japanese people actually think the world works. The consequence is that effort is within your control, which means achievement is within your control.
When you face difficulty, the answer is to try harder. The word ganbaru—to persist, to give your all, to push through—captures this completely. You will hear gambatte (do your best!) constantly because Japanese culture believes that maximum effort is the right response to any challenge.
This also means that failure carries moral weight: if effort determines outcomes, then those who fail did not try hard enough. Success is earned; failure reflects insufficient dedication.
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