First thoughts upon hearing "Japan".

[Combustion Kevin]

bushido.
also, the funny accent.

 

[fenrizz]

My first thought was:

Those crazy, crazy Japanese.

 

[Something Amyss]

My first thoughts are a pastiche of a rich culture, tentacle rape, samurai, and giant monsters. I probably need help.

What comes to mind first when I think of Japan...

Okami

Hmm, that's a toughie.

Okami

I may have to think about this one.

OkamiOkamiOkamiOkamiOkamiOkami

Maybe if you try a little harder, it'll come to you.

Why am I suddenly thinking "Okami?"

 

[Mr.Squishy]

Highly advanced robotics. Because they're kind of the world leaders when it comes to that.

 

[Something Amyss]

Poor Iron deposits (origin of the myth of awesome swords, the blades are pretty good but they're designed to a way different spec than western ones as they didn't have large quantities of armour to deal with, and nothing like the heavily armoured Knights of Europe) and this:

Fat Man and Little Boy.

Correct; its often forgotten that Katana's were also for use against lightly armored opponents; not men in Steel.

Bah. Katana can cut through tanks. I saw it in a anime documentary.

 

[Yopaz]

Very first thought. I tend to identify what we're talking about first.

After that, Mt. Fuji. And then a lion and a phoenix, though I'm not sure why on those.

Thank god, someone else thinks Mt. Fuji is iconic for Japan.

Mt. Fuji is the first think that comes to mind when someone says Japan because my mind works on getting an image as the first association for almost any subject. When the subject is a country then most of the time I will think of a landmark that I find beautiful.

My second thought was anime, which I guess comes from having watched a lot lately.

 

[GrandmaFunk]

...the ones that took what was supposed to be a lonely shut-in slur, dropped the actual meaning, because fuck it, and made it into some kind of badge of honor, and would probably be honored if Japanese people in the street called them Otakus.

Which is also pretty much exactly what has happened with the terms "nerd" and "geek".

so.. it's more of a general culture thing, rather than one specific to japanophiles.

 

[Baron von Blitztank]

For some reason my mind immediately goes to a Gundam.
I haven't seen any of the shows yet this is the first thing that pops into my head

Yes, I know about the statue...

 

[Smolderin]

Hentai unfortunately...but after that...God-freaking-zilla....and then after that...Samurai's.

 

[alphamalet]

My first thought:
Awesome RPGs

 

[Living Contradiction]

White flag with a big red dot in the middle. Sorry, but that's the first thing that popped in there. Shortly followed by "VIDEO GAMES COME FROM JAPAN". Thank you, Internet.

Weeaboos.

I loathe weeaboos.

I wonder...do weeaboos wobble but they don't fall down?

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

I think Videogames, so not exactly negative Also, snow monkeys.

Spoiler: Dat hot spring

And this awesome collection of Edo period xmen designs I just saw on facebook. I didn't think it was possible for Gambit to be hotter...

http://www.themarysue.com/edo-period-x-men-redesigns/#8

I wonder...do weeaboos wobble but they don't fall down?

Quote of the year.

 

[Aetherlblade]

The book Shógun by James Clavell. It's awesome!

 

[Proeliator]

Oh you Japanese, you so crazy!
What will they think of next?

 

[Sassafrass]

Surprisingly good at football/soccer.
Then tentacles.
Then "Why don't you ever see a fat Japanese dude who isn't wearing a suit?"

 

[RobfromtheGulag]

Weeaboos.

I loathe weeaboos.

I quite like Japan, though. Most of the "weird" stuff that the internet tells you about it is either completely false, or incredibly overblown. [footnote]Due to weeaboos, and a fundamental misunderstanding of Surreal Humour.[/footnote]

Yes and yes.

Spent upwards of 2 years there now, and the differences between US and Japan are minute in contrast with other places you could go.

 

[Bomberman4000]

I always think of Nintendo whenever I think or Japan. Then it's wrestling. I like watching New Japan Pro Wrestling even if I can't understand a word of what's being said.

Then I think of all the games they get to enjoy that never see the light of day here in the states. Makes me sad and jealous.