Ba no kuuki wo yomu

In Japanese culture, “Ba no Kuuki wo Yomu” (場の空気を読む) is a phrase that can be translated as “understanding the situation without words” or “sensing someone’s feelings”. The literal meaning is “reading air”. It can be understood as situation awareness in the Japanese context.

Sensing and practicing “Ba no Kuuki wo Yomu” is considered social manners or social intelligence in Japan. Unlike the individualistic and expressive cultures in Western countries, people in Japan are expected to think collectively, understand situations without need for explanation and behave based on their position accordingly. If one does not “read air” in business, he or she is not only unable to become a successful business person, but will also find it hard to function as an employee in an organization.^[1]

Collective team work in rice farming and the islands’ geographical location may have developed “Ba no kuuki wo Yomu” culture in Japan. The ability of “Sensing someone’s feelings” generates thoughtfulness in Japanese culture and “understanding the situation without words” can contribute to build strong organizations in business.

• Kuukiyomi: Consider It, a series of games based on this concept.
• Abilene paradox
• Situation awareness