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All human communication occurs within some physical and percep­tual environment. The environmental context includes the physical-geographical location of intercultural communication and how interactants think about it. How we see the physical world around us is very much influenced by our individual psychological perceptions, which, in turn, are shaped by cul­ture. People from all cultures project their mental perceptions onto the physical environment and act as though what is projected is, in fact, the true quality of the physical world. In other words, even the physical environment is subject to cultural interpretation. A major component of the perceptual environment is time.

1. Video Link: Japan’s ultra-tiny home

Description: Recall from Chapter Four that a relatively new housing phenomenon has emerged in Japan in the past 20 years: kyosho jutaku, also called microhomes or ultra-small homes. Some of these microhomes are built on lots literally the size of a parking space—some homes as tiny as 300 square feet. In the YouTube video of a CNN report, you will take a tour of a Japanese microhome that was built on a parking spot in central Tokyo at a cost of $500,000.

2. Video Link: Tour of a Traditional Japanese House

Description: In addition, and in stark contrast to, Japanese micro homes, Chapter Four presents the details of a traditional Japanese home. The video gives a tour of a traditional Japanese home.

3. Video Link: Our Converted Railway Carriage at Dawlish, Devon

Description: A family shows their living quarters made from a converted railway car. The video provides an example of alternative living quarters.