In Japanese, ba means “place” or “field.” However, it has so many other meanings that it is difficult to find a single English word for it. Furthermore, it is associated with the Japanese belief that a person's behavior is induced or actually caused by the place in which that person is situated. Thus, ba not only indicates a physical space, but also illuminates the Japanese notion of accountability. When it is applied in the analysis of social relationships, ba explains how Japanese groups are organized.