Japanese Culture

[Codelyy 1,286]

I have heard a lot of things about Japanese Culture and how amazing it is and better then the rest of the world but i never really took any attention to it till now.

 

Their Culture is just so amazing to me and how much more respectful there is in Japan compared to the rest of the world. An example is something a youtuber called Blunty said about the reason Japan has so many vending machines everywhere is because everyone has respect for other peoples property so things are not instantly stolen from or broken in less then 24 hours.

 

 

Not to mention that a lot of people in Japan have much more common sense and are kinder then other people in different country's. I mean Japan are even more advanced then any other country's in technology.

 

(I did think i would have a lot to say about this but I've forgotten it all XD) 

 

Well what do you think of Japanese Culture? 

[Lisa 5,553]

It's pretty cool. I mainly find their religion (Shinto) interesting.

[Osiria 142]

I have friends from Japan and I speak Japanese, I love Japan. The history, food, and Japanese people are amazing in general. But sadly I know Japan has many problems, high suicide rates, too much competition in school and work, subcultures that shows some of Japanese's misogyny and extensive obsession of sex....

I think they are in a transitional stage, modernism vs tradition, like America experienced in 60's or so. 

Edited November 27, 2015 by Osiria

[DND 2,355]

I've always loved Japan's culture, the food, the architecture ...

 

However I should definitely add that in one area Japan lacks respect in is women's bodies- feminine-exclusive objectifying advertisement is virtually everywhere in major cities or cities otherwise- the public transit stations are especially prone to assault stories- in numbers of prominence.

[cmarston1 5,959]

From what I've heard about Japan I have to say that I find the culture to be rather interesting.

And it would be cool to actually be able to visit the country.

[Guest]

I find a lot of people obsess over how "great" Japan is from a fan standpoint. A lot of people first discover Japan through anime and video games and then will look up its culture and marvel at it. However people seldom realize that there are parts of their culture that are exaggerated, untrue and other parts which are never talked about. My brother-in-law lived there for 3 years and to be honest with you, a lot of what people say about Japan's culture is false. Such as the slurping while you eat thing? That's not true at all.

 

Another issue is Japanese people actually aren't as respectful as you think. In Japanese society, you are pressured to be successful and the ideal Japanese citizen. Fat people are discriminated far more heavily in Japan, gay marriage is not only illegal but gay unions are not even recognized, and suicide rate is sky high due to the high pressure society people live in. While Japan may be technologically ahead by 5-10 years, they are behind as a society by nearly 40.

[galaxysquid 2,122]

I've always found Japanese culture extremely fascinating. I've also found the food and the architecture marvelous. 

 

One day I would really like to go on a trip to visit Japan.

[Envy 6,162]

I enjoy anime and manga, but I most certainly don't see Japan as a perfect, role model culture. In fact, if you want me to be honest, I don't even have any wish to visit there. It seems just as rife with misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and racism as the US... If not even more. Also, I don't think I could eat their food. lol

[Limeblossom 482]

Another issue is Japanese people actually aren't as respectful as you think. In Japanese society, you are pressured to be successful and the ideal Japanese citizen. Fat people are discriminated far more heavily in Japan, gay marriage is not only illegal but gay unions are not even recognized, and suicide rate is sky high due to the high pressure society people live in. While Japan may be technologically ahead by 5-10 years, they are behind as a society by nearly 40.

I think they still live in some kind of isolation. Not completely isolated since they export their products.

 

A few months ago I've read a journal about the game developers in Japan and damn, they're really falling behind. Some of them still haven't discovered the Dual stick function . And because of the rethoric "yoge kusoge", they didn't see the evolution of gaming in the west.

[Gestum 2,493]

Meh, the people are nice, the food is good and the nature is beautiful But that doesn't make up for the homophobia, the racism and the fact that they haven't owned up to their war crimes during WW2. '

 

Also as someone who was a member of WSJ 2015 I can safely say that Japan can't plan scout camps if it would save it's life.

[Limeblossom 482]

Also as someone who was a member of WSJ 2015 I can safely say that Japan can't plan scout camps if it would save it's life.

So for them it's actually:

 

 

and the fact that they haven't owned up to their war crimes during WW2. '

The Netherlands and Japan had a for centuries good relationship. Their actions during WW2 was a nasty stab in the back and it's still a hot issue in my country. While the relations between them are restoring little by little, for many Dutchmen it's still an uneasy page in the book of history.

[Sunny Fox 5,950]

I'm currently living in Japan. If you have questions, feel free to ask them. I'll answer as well as  I can.

[Codelyy 1,286]

I'm currently living in Japan. If you have questions, feel free to ask them. I'll answer as well as  I can.

How many Vending Machines do you see per day? XD

[Sunny Fox 5,950]

How many Vending Machines do you see per day? XD

Dozens.   It's true, they are everywhere. Between my apartment and the train station, a ten minute walk, there are about 10 along the way. And about 5 more in the station itself. Mostly selling various drinks. You can even get ice creams from vending machines.

I find a lot of people obsess over how "great" Japan is from a fan standpoint. A lot of people first discover Japan through anime and video games and then will look up its culture and marvel at it. However people seldom realize that there are parts of their culture that are exaggerated, untrue and other parts which are never talked about. My brother-in-law lived there for 3 years and to be honest with you, a lot of what people say about Japan's culture is false. Such as the slurping while you eat thing? That's not true at all.

 

Another issue is Japanese people actually aren't as respectful as you think. In Japanese society, you are pressured to be successful and the ideal Japanese citizen. Fat people are discriminated far more heavily in Japan, gay marriage is not only illegal but gay unions are not even recognized, and suicide rate is sky high due to the high pressure society people live in. While Japan may be technologically ahead by 5-10 years, they are behind as a society by nearly 40.

Honestly, they're not that technologically ahead even. I'm a teacher, and they still use blackboards in the classroom. Debit cards are virtually unheard of, most payment is done in cash. As for the slurping when you eat, that's generally only done when eating noodles. Although my vice principal slurps his soup every morning around 11. Drives me round the bend! 

 

Perhaps I should clarify: I don't live in Tokyo, I live in Sendai. Still a large city, though, so I don't think it'd be much different living in Tokyo itself.

[Bird Mom 900]

I really want to visit with one of my friends. I can speak the language and write it. I heard that they have entire stores dedicated to just CANDY! In South Carolina I rarely ever find on and when I do it's just a small business.

[Jokuc 8,173]

Such as the slurping while you eat thing? That's not true at all.

Yes it is. I have a friend who is from Japan and he says it's true. I think it has to do with where you are and what you're eating.

 

I don't even have any wish to visit there. It seems just as rife with misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and racism as the US...

Who cares if you're just on vacation? Every country has that.

 

 

I love Japanese culture, I think it's all just very cool. The buildings, the music, the traditions way of living and not to mention the food. I kind of like they way they behave as well for some reason.

 

I'm probably going to visit Japan for a month or so next year with a couple of friends. ..And since I like Japanese culture I think it'll be fun to not live at a normal hotel but in one of those "classic" japanese homes with tatami mats and futon bets on the floor. ...So I am very excited for that.

 

However, I wouldn't want to live there for a long period of time. Just as Key said, Japan isn't perfect. There are a bunch of things that would bother me if I stayed there for longer. Also, I already like Sweden. ...But who knows maybe I'll fall in love with the country when I go there

[Odyssey 5,716]

Well on one side, I love learning about the traditions and mythology of Japan. The mythology especially, I love learning about various yōkai and deities. I know that many other countries have folklore stories, but there's something about Japan that feels unique in it's own way. The nature and buildings also look really gorgeous. You don't get to see that sort of stuff elsewhere, so to see stuff like cherry blossoms and whatnot there is a real treat.

 

But on the other side, there's something about the attitude of Japan that rubs me the wrong way. I see many people say that the people there are polite, but I've heard from various people that they're very homophobic, and to a lesser degree xenophobic. When you create a law in which gay marriage is banned, you know that you're not being that polite. But then again, Japan is a pretty religious country and have had the same attitude since World War II, so why am I expecting for them to legalise that sort of stuff? Oh, and to top it all off, I don't care for anime at all. Most anime is too crass for my tastes.

 

So overall, while I do think that it's a really fascinating culture, I do feel as if it's way too loved. Because of this, I much prefer many of the other cultures in different countries, but of course I'm not saying that Japan is the worst place ever.

[Envy 6,162]

Who cares if you're just on vacation? Every country has that.

 

I'm just saying I have no interest in every visiting there. As much as I hate to put it this way, I'm just not fascinated with eastern cultures. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with their cultures aside from things like homophobia, sexism and the like. I just don't find their styles (like architecture, music, food...definitely food) as appealing. I'm not saying I would hate going to Japan, there are certainly things to like there... But I'd much rather spend my time and money going through Europe.

 

I know a lot of that sounds terrible, I really do not mean it in a devaluing way at all. There is much to appreciate for example with their architecture, the style just doesn't appeal to me personally. Seeing the gorgeous architectural styles of Europe's history comes first for me, definitely.

[Jokuc 8,173]

I'm just saying I have no interest in every visiting there. As much as I hate to put it this way, I'm just not fascinated with eastern cultures. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with their cultures aside from things like homophobia, sexism and the like. I just don't find their styles (like architecture, music, food...definitely food) as appealing. I'm not saying I would hate going to Japan, there are certainly things to like there... But I'd much rather spend my time and money going through Europe.

 

I know a lot of that sounds terrible, I really do not mean it in a devaluing way at all. There is much to appreciate for example with their architecture, the style just doesn't appeal to me personally. Seeing the gorgeous architectural styles of Europe's history comes first for me, definitely.

 

That's understandable, but the way you put it made it look like you think "I like the culture but since people are racist I'm staying away".

[Twiggy 2,966]

My apologies to the OP, but even facing the risk of this thread being locked or sent to the debate pit, I feel that this needs to be said.

 

Just because Japanese culture doesn't conform to Western standards doesn't make it a bad thing. There are more women in the workplace not than ever before. There's a 40% wage gap, but I'm certain that the same mitigating factors that apply to the one in America apply there as well, making it in reality much smaller. They are nationalist, not racist. You don't see roving gangs of Japanese skinheads going around messing with minorities. They just want to keep Japan Japanese. It's not a bad thing. And as far as homophobia and transphobia go, it's the older generation in the government keeping things that way. The majority of citizens are in favor of LGBT rights.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Japan

[ARagY 1,152]

I wish other facets to Japanese culture were paid attention to other than things like Naruto :\ It's sad to me that a silly ninja show seems to make some people more interested in Japan than their amazing sword-making. Have you seen a Japanese sword-making video? You should do that.

[Codelyy 1,286]

Keep this a friendly discussion guys, It's meant to be a discussion and not a debate. The last thing i want to do is tell "myself" that I'm moving my own post to the Debate forum.

[Twiggy 2,966]

Keep this a friendly discussion guys, It's meant to be a discussion and not a debate. The last thing i want to do is tell "myself" that I'm moving my own post to the Debate forum.

Lol sorry. I didn't even realize you were staff at first.

[BritishBrony2012 809]

Things I like from Japan are some/few animes & mangas (most are not for me) and Babymetal. Their cultures are intertesting, do like to visit.

 

Some people know Japan from their interest of Anime and manga like me.

[EpicEnergy 23,218]

I haven't been to Japan before and I haven't studied their culture much either, so I can't really give my opinion on this. From pictures I've seen of Japan though, their buildings look cool!