How do Japanese people express embarrassment
Japanese people commonly express embarrassment by bringing a hand to the back of their head. This gesture indicates that they feel embarrassed or awkward and is often accompanied by an awkward small smile on their face. It signals to others that the person may want to change the subject or is feeling uncomfortable in the situation. This expression is a culturally recognized nonverbal way to show embarrassment or upset feelings in Japan. 1, 3
In addition to the gesture, the Japanese language has specific words to express embarrassment or shame, such as 恥ずかしい (hazukashii), which means “embarrassed” or “ashamed” and is commonly used to describe such feelings verbally. [4]
Thus, embarrassment in Japanese culture is shown both through subtle body language and language cues.