Cultural Influences on Personality Types: A Cluster Analysis of HEXACO Traits in Japan

This study aims to identify personality types among Japanese individuals using the HEXACO model, employing cluster analysis based on over 13,000 data points. While research on personality traits has made significant advancements, the existence of personality types remains a subject of debate. To overcome the limitations of existing clustering methods, we applied a combination of Ward’s method and k-means clustering, identifying seven distinct personality types. These types correspond to those suggested by previous studies, while also reflecting unique characteristics of Japanese culture, offering new insights into the personality structure of Japanese individuals. Additionally, the importance of the Honesty-Humility factor within the context of Japanese social norms was highlighted, illustrating the influence of cultural factors on the formation of personality types.