So for cultural reasons, Japanese makers are at a disadvantage when selling to Western markets.

ECONOMIST: Why Japan lost the mobile-phone wars

Being Chinese, a cultural advantage at home, may be a disadvantage elsewhere.

ECONOMIST: Chinese internet companies

Illiteracy rates are substantially higher among indigenous women (about 40%), due in part to entrenched cultural practices which often put the girl child at a disadvantage including less parental support to access education.

UNESCO: Bilingual Literacy for Life