Western Attitudes Towards Japanese Culture

[boyash]

It's really interesting to notice the great cultural divide between the difference of opinion regarding what is 'normal' or 'strange' by western people and Japanese people.

So I've been dating a Japanese girl for about 6 months now, and I'm always interested to hear about what she has to say about Japanese culture. She asked me recently "why do you always point out weird things about japan?" I guess it's a fairly common assumption for westerners to make that japanese culture is 'weird'.

And so this got me thinking...

Why is there such a great divide in Japan and the west about what is considered normal or not.​

It seems that the west is a little bit uptight about sexual things. Do you think it's because most western countries have a strong christian history and therefore feel uncomfortable about sex?

I think it's very interesting the obsession with U-15 idols. That it's ok to admit and express your attraction (even if it might be considered a little unsavoury)

Let me know what you think.

also, this is my first post here so hello to everyone.... especially those who reply to this post

cheers
ash

 

[aquamarine]

Well if you're obsessed with U-15 idols, good for you, but that stuff doesn't fly in most of North America. I'd love to see the reaction to most people if you say "I collect pictures of 12 year old girls! Videos too! They're SOOOOOO SEXY!!!" . . . . . Reminds me of that CSI episode where the pedophile almost r***ing a 7 year old and his defense was "it was her fault... she was flirting with me."

What other things have you pointed out?

One I've noticed that is that Japanese women LOVE to get married and pump out kids as soon as humanly possible. Quite opposite from the gaggle of Chinese lady-friends I have (and I'm not talking Chinese-Canadians/Americans). The hyper-obsession of the Japanese with education was a little frightening to me when I first arrived, but I've grown used to it (as I walk past several cram-schools between my station and apartment).

I don't blame your girlfriend for giving you hell for pointing out what you consider strange. I did the same to one and got in trouble over it. It's quite insulting to constantly be pointing out the differences. For the sake of your relationship, focus on the similarities. "Hey, we do that too! We're such a great match!" etc etc etc. After-all, she's a woman, not a cartoon character in X-Change 3.... ........ right?

 

[Axandra]

What is "normal"? Then, what is "weird"? More, what was / will be "normal" and "weird"? History and Science-Fiction both come up with all sort of facts and speculations.

To my humble knowledge, there aren't clear-cut answers to the questions above, and generalizing the problem surely doesn't help. Aside from some hard-wired and apparently universal sets of values (i.e. the golden rule), everything else seems to be subject of change and variation in both geography and time, following the rise and falls of civilizations. And nothing could better certify to that than sexual activity.*

So, to keep this reply short, your Japanese girlfriend might have a point with her remark, but she seems to lack the perspective. Have her see the world and live among strangers for some time, she may end up find her annoyance a little exaggerated and perhaps unfair.

Meanwhile, don't feel guilty about experiencing a little bit of a cultural shock: it is absolutely natural. Well, your response to it may indeed determine how you are being perceived by your pairs so, if anything, that's where you need to focus. Otherwise, keeping as much an open mind as possible should be enough to let you enjoy harmless** cultural variety and interesting differences.

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[*] See for example, how the acceptance of different sexual behaviors, now deemed as deviant, has changed through history. Also, a greatly interesting topic is the appearance and usage of the word "pornography" in the modern English language.
[**] Let's keep this related to the topic, OK? For example, I'm not interested in death cults and suicidal communities

 

[midion]

I have always been interested in the differences between cultures. I like the Japanese culture but also alot of other cultures. I do think the US is really uptight about sex. I think it has alot to do with Christianity and how the US was founded.

 

[NoriHiiro]

I have always been interested in the differences between cultures. I like the Japanese culture but also alot of other cultures. I do think the US is really uptight about sex. I think it has alot to do with Christianity and how the US was founded.

Sigh. Christianity is the bane of America. Sooo many good Christians, unfortunately it's the boneheads in charge who have odd views of it and can force it on all of us. Liiiiiike Bush. I'm gonna invade Iraq and kill thousands cos of teh oil, but I won't sign a UN accord condemning laws against homosexuality. Guess penis' are sacred and shouldn't get poop on them, but the lives of others aren't sacred at all.

 

[elastick]

'Couldn't exactly disagree with that...

On the one hand, according to what I've observed during my various trips (mostly Germany, Spain, USA, Canada), prejuged ideas of a culture often act as a brake for understanding the countries, mainly because people don't really take the time to open their eyes and ears.
For instance, on a trip in NYC, a guy from New Zealand said he wouldn't have imagined what he was just seeing i.e a german and me (I'm french), speaking each in the language of the other, making jokes and so... "Aren't you ennemies?" - Well, then I was myself flabbergasted by his question! ^^
I can understand why he was saying this (although I suspect that people from NZ also have not-outdated History books), but WWII isn't the first this I think of when I meet german folks; plus, certain frenchies and germans may not love each other - whatever!

On the other hand, prejuged ideas (even some stupid ones) may help you get some clues about a country if you can read between the lines.
For example, if you are interrested in the japanese modern conception of work, you'd be said (let's say) they work with many pressure and consider their company on the same plan as their family.
This is wrong to reduct it to this aspect, but this is a clue, and if you try to understand why this prejuged subsists, you would learn unsuspected aspect from (let's say ^^) the social structure there and the application of the Toyotism doctrine throughout an economic actor.
Ok, this adds perjuged ideas, but if you're smart enough, and try to understand a little more than what you're just said, that can add you so much more for your culture.

One day, eventually, I'll go on a trip to Japan (thought of a Working holiday Visa, but prefer to go there on holiday trips first, because one can only be given one "PVT" permit)...
And I wouldn't like to waste too many time in comiket or in Akiba though I looove anime. That just has not much interrest from my PoV.
Plus, 12yo idols probably aren't universally accepted in the japanese society (may it be right... :dunno.

 

[guy]

I'm going to give you a completely different point of view regarding the gap that divides Western (American) and Japanese culture. Not that it's compeltely accurate, it's just a different way to think about things:

The West won the war. They were the victors. As a result, the last few generations have had the luxury of "being on top", and because the accompanying stupor, lots of moralist groups have been able to push their agenda on the public (ie: the "Red Menace" that was Soviet Russia was replaced by all kinds of other "evils": premarital sex, animal abuse, marijuana, etc).

Of course, Japan lost the war. But they didn't only lose, they also suffered history's only nuclear bomb attacks. I'm not saying Hiroshima and Nagasaki are entirely responsible for shaping Japan into what it is today (though it's impossible to ignore that it's a part of the Japanese mentality); I'm saying it just to highlight the fact that within a very short time period, Japan has gone through a great number of tumultuous changes, and has often had to break down and rebuild parts of society in order to survive. There is thus a great deal of hypocrisy and "loose ends" in modern Japan, which may very well be normal to an average Japanese person as it's "the Japan that they know", but would certainly appear eccentric/weird to foreigners.

 

[elgringo14]

I personally think that the events that shaped modern Japan should definitly include the Meiji restoration period, which saw the brutal transition from a isolated middle-age state to the industrial revolution and opening to the world (especially western countries), within one or two decades, and this was not done without troubles.

As you may have seen in the News section, some contemporary issues still date back to this era. This is one of the most important events in the history of Japan, if not the most important one.

 

[chrisfallout]

let add some 2 cents on this subject. some people do not like to talk about home land since bring back bad memory's. people do not understand why people are fantasize about Japanese Culture. some hold grunge to westerners want to ask question about that too. since we came over did that nasty thing to them. some country's do not like our western ideas. but will not say no if where will to come over to help them out when in need but please do not make become like your ideas. we love way we are but do not want to change to your ways. all we want is hand in need. not for make be like you. some people can't get over the fact westerns love learn others Culture that are not like theirs. why do learn about when way your country runs is better then ours. or looks like snooping around.

 

[aquamarine]

Grammar, do you use it? Please make your post ledgible in comprehensible English.