Poll: What do other countries think of Japan?

[RicoGrey]

This thread is not making fun of the other one about USA, but is in fact inspired by it.

So I went to the Bahamas something like 10 years ago, and was exposed to quite a few different nationalities while there. A young German guy made fun of a Japanese family by talking in Japanese "gibberish". It was at this time I realized that other countries had similar stereotypes of the Japanese as Americans did. Also that Germans were more open about their racism(this is a joke, relax).

So that is what I always wondered, how do other countries view other countries. In this thread specifically how do you view Japan?

Don't forget to mention what country you are from.

Fellow Americans feel free to share your views too.

And Yes, I will probably make another thread about other countries too, I am thinking Mexico next.

 

[ChupathingyX]

I think they have an interesting history and have produced some really great video games, movies, shows and visual novels over the years that have kept me greatly entertained.

I haven't been there so I don't have much to say about culture or anything like that.

Australian.

 

[dyre]

Mostly stereotypes, but they seem to be hard working, pretty smart, and good with technology, but have a xenophobic streak. And as a Chinese-American, I'd like their government to apologize for the Nanjing massacre.

 

[JimB]

I disapprove of their stance on gay and women's rights, but other than that I don't care enough to form an opinion.

 

[StormShaun]

I really like their culture and food it feels really nice and it is really tasty.
Oh and we can't forget about anime, manga and visual novlels, some of my favorite things about Japan.

And also I can't forget about video games, they invented Mario and I think Persona?

I wouldn't mind going there someday from Australia. ^_^

 

[DarkRyter]

I don't really believe in Japan.

 

[SomeRandomFaggot]

I love their history and culture though they still seem a little too odd.

 

[Zeckt]

I don't care enough about them to form an opinion anymore. Sounds too crowded anyways.

 

[Craorach]

I'm looking forward with my wife on our belated honeymoon one of these years.

The low crime rate sounds nice, I'm not sure about the overcrowding though.

Being somewhat Goth, the stuff I see coming out of that particular subculture in Japan freakin amazes me.

Also, may I play an order for a dozen catgirls, plzkaythx.

 

[mParadox]

It's over crowded, from what the statistics tell me.

The people are over protective of their traditions, you come across the occasional stories about Japanese being hostile towards foreigners who desire living there. But then, it's not an isolated case, so no worries I suppose.

Their anime industry has kept me entertained throughout, even though the anime boom is now finally waning and while the industry is painting itself in a corner by depending on well known anime to sell their products, I sincerely hope new anime continue being made.

Their subculture is borderline insane. The stuff that comes out of there is disturbing to interesting.

The low crime rate is nice but the news reports I read daily are getting ridiculous[footnote]Man asks school girl for directions, girl panics and reports to police. Police starts searching for man city wide.[/footnote].

It's a weird place really. Their overall stance on several issues are something I disapprove.

On the plus side, Japan is getting Pakistani Mangoes during the summers, that'll get some desiness in their systems. >.>

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

I think it's a pretty cool place, I guess. Never been there, and I don't really plan on going there. Anime's nice, but from what I've heard y kind of anime is actually more popular in America or in less appreciated circles, so I suppose that I may as well stay here as far as that is concerned. I like how tiny they are, because I like being taller than everyone I know. Apparently they have some rather crazy social views, which is a bit worrying, and they apparently have a pretty big conformity issue. Low crime rate must be nice. I suppose the thing I like most about the country itself rather than its media is the trains. I don't have a solid public transportation system where I live, though I've been curious about them since my childhood. I always thought it would be cool to ride the train to work.

 

[Dr. Pepper Unlimited]

I don't really have a stance. I like and dislike certain aspects of the culture, but not enough to really side one way or the other.

 

[Don Savik]

I disapprove of their stance on gay and women's rights, but other than that I don't care enough to form an opinion.

I knew the issue with gender roles was worse than America, but are they really that homophobic? That's pretty disheartening to hear, but then again its a pretty tradition bound background they come from, so its not too weird to imagine.

I think the country is alright. They made good video games but not really any lately. They make the occasional 1 out of 1000000 good animes/mangas. I'm not a fan of the conformity either. And when it comes to weird, they outclass most countries without even trying. I'm neutral about it to be honest, when I was younger (im 19 but im being relative here) I thought it was the shit because their media makes them look amazing, but in the end their just another weird country like the states, still having problem with their backwards traditions and upbringings.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

I don't have much of an opinion on Japan since I know very little of it.

 

[DrRockor]

I don't really believe in Japan.

Japan isn't like the lockness monster you know. We have photographic evidence and everything.

 

[Nickolai77]

I like Japan, it's one of those countries, like Germany, which decided to build it's economy on making things rather than juggling money like we do in the UK.

Of course though i'm aware Japan's got piles of debt, but there's some great Japanese companies which have made very impressive products like the Sony Walkman, Subaru rally car or the Nintento Gameboy. The countries also something of an entertainment powerhouse, which is great because too much of the worlds media is dominated by America. So watching animes is something of a breath of fresh air to me.

 

[Rednog]

I like their sense of comedy/humor, but the general group over individual mentality just seems to make them appear uptight.
Also I think they're slightly crazy considering some of the stuff that comes out of there (the whole 'only in Japan' thing).
Also...wait give me a second to put this on...ok flame shield equipped, sushi is horribly overpriced and overrate for what it is. Don't get me wrong it tastes just fine and I enjoy it from time to time, but the price that people charge for it and pay for it is absolute nonsense and the fact that some people treat it as the pinnacle of cuisine just blows my mind...I blame weeaboos.

 

[Guffe]

Samurais, Ramen and Hentai! (joke)

Interesting History, food culture completely different from my own. Overall I have the stereotypey thought that Japanese and Finns (I am from Finland) are pretty similar... No idea why. One country I would like to visit really.

 

[Vault101]

I think aspects of their culture are really really cool

like katanas yakuza, martial arts, asthetics and such