Non-Japanese people often point out that the things Japanese people say can be rather vague and as a result it’s hard to know what they’re thinking. From the Japanese point of view, non-Japanese, in particular Westerners, seem to be extremely self-assertive. This seems to depend on the national character, which if investigated thoroughly, shows the difference between racially homogeneous monoglot nations and multi-racial polyglot nations. In racially diverse nations like the U.S.A., language is the main means of communication. Here, others from different cultures will not understand unless you clearly explain yourself. In contrast, since they are mostly racially homogeneous and share the same language, Japanese people can generally sense what others think, without them having to state it explicitly. “Iwanu ga hana” (literally: Not speaking is the flower) or “better leave it unsaid” is one of the expressions that represents the Japanese character very well. There are other similar sayings, including: “me ha kuchi hodo ni mono wo iu” (the eyes can say just as much as the mouth). “Silent speech,” that is that what is not said can have even more impact, is often seen as a form of expression in the world of literature and art. MATSUO Basho, the most well-known poet in the world of haiku, expressed the beauty of Matsushima Islands thus: “Matsushima ya, Ah Matsushima ya, Matsushima ya.” In the world of art, the expression “leave some blank space” is used; if all of the space is not filled, there is room left for the imagination of the viewer. In literature, there is the saying “read between lines,” that is to read the true aim and meaning of the author in what is not written. These expressions, are not only designed to be vague, but can be viewed as a way to draw out the subtle sensibility of the Japanese.