Poll: What do other countries think of Japan?

[Axolotl]

They're just another country really, better than most and they make a lot of good movies and their animation industry seems much better than most countries.

On the other hand their complete refusal to acknowledge any of their past human rights abuses and warcrimes prevents me from liking or respecting them as a country.

 

[wooty]

As a brit who lived and worked in Japan for 6 months, even during the "dark times" of last year. I love them.

They were always open, friendly and polite despite me being some weird giant blonde mutant freak. They often understood when you got their customs wrong but were never rude about it, they take so much care and pride in their country and I challenge anyone to find litter swarming around the streets of Tokyo.

Even the apartment block I was staying in had a girl who lost a family member in the tsunami and she kept asking me if I was alright and coping. She thought all westerners were scared of the radiation as an awful lot of my "kin" jumped onto the first planes, ships and giant cardboard wings just a day after events unfolded. Definitely a true sense of unity between people and even strangers over there.

 

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

American here.

I have the utmost respect for the Japanese. Through wars, natural devastations and nuclear fears, they have shown amazing resolve, courage and empathy. If only my fellow countrymen and women could learn from their actions. An example - during the aftermath of the tsunami and the subsequent reactor breach, I watched as some Americans mindlessly spewed their hatred in saying "That's revenge for Pearl Harbor!" when forgetting that the atomic bombs we dropped during the war was the "revenge". It reminded me of the heartlessness that was spewed from Rush Limbaugh and evangelist Pat Robertson when the disaster in Haiti occured - utterly dispicable. More importantly, I watched as the Japanese gave a solemn and harrowing moment of silence for the fallen and then watched them pool their strength as some of their elderly showed courage beyond which I have scarcely seen as they would willingly sacrifice themselves working in extremely dangerous conditions"..so that the young might live." Never has a phrase struck me so emotionally as that while reading up on their struggles. It is something that I hope everyone on this planet can take note from. I'm sad to say that some Americans wouldn't be so generous and selfless - during a string of tornadoes that wracked the southern United States, members of the police force were dispatched to some areas. Not to aid those that might be injured or those that needed other such assistance; no, they were there...to prevent looting!

Although, that being said...those Japanese have some weird friggin cultural practices that just make me (and Yahtzee, apparently) go "WTF, guys?". Better than hatred spewing, mindless, soulless bigots, I imagine.

 

[Rheinmetall]

I'm from Greece. Generally I like Japan and the Japanese people. I respect them as pioneers in high technology and I'm grateful to them for evolving and perfecting the video games medium. I also find Japanese women very cute. What I don't like about the Japanese is that they are profoundly pro-American. I also hate what the Japanese fishermen do to dolphins- I had seen a relative video on the news and I think I will never forget it.

 

[IamQ]

I really like Japan. Sure, their slight xenophobia can be disturbing at times, but their just so happy. Seriously, watch a japanese game show. Not only is it completely off the wall, but it's also filled with noise, bright colours, and there's not a single frown to be found.

While some might be hesitant towards them, due to some of their strangeness, which at times I can understand (they have machines that dispense used panties), I still like them. Their extreme strangeness is what makes them so charming.

 

[JimB]

To those who have asked me: Homosexuality is not itself illegal, but gay marriage is, and sexual orientation is not a protected status, so there are legal loopholes that allow you to be physically violent against gay people without breaking the law.

 

[Kyber]

i love their culture

 

[RustlessPotato]

Any country that can produce films like "Zombie ass: Toilet of the Dead" and "Big Titted zombies !" scores pretty high in my book xD.

But seriously, it's very different than my western Belgian world. I've been there a couple of times.

 

[Kyber]

i think the name of the monster comes from the lake it is said to reside in, Loch Ness

 

[Soviet Steve]

They're too submissive to authority, too proud in authority and the whole "We did no wrong." post-war attitude that they permit in the upper echelons of government is disgusting. I'm not a fan of seafood so I'm a bad person to ask about their cuisine.

I can see plenty of parallels between Japanese history and European albeit with the omission of the barbarian invasions and dark ages. Their ability to industrialize with so little fuzz was impressive however.

Overall I'm leaning towards negative.

 

[SckizoBoy]

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.

Depends where you are... for the most part, though, they tolerate it, even if they don't like it, but there's relatively little open hostility towards it. However, they put great stock in marriage, so in a rather bizarre twist, gay people who are in a straight marriage are looked better upon than straight unmarried people of the same age... '

OT: Ah, yes, Japan, the home of Yakuza... who are more morally ambiguous than most capitalist (and legal) institutions, Hardgay and the uncanny valley.

Still, despite being Chinese, I'm OK with them. *shrug* Not much more to add...

 

[Leadfinger]

The ladies are very nice. BTW, I live there.

 

[DoPo]

I don't really believe in Japan.

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

Sure, and we have photographic "evidence" for talking mice, clowns and old guys with moustaches and beard who invented chicken. I think it's pretty clear that "Japan" is a hoax perpetuated by a bunch of businessmen so they can justify tentacle porn and katanas.

OT: I'm Bulgarian and the general opinion is "They are all right guys" (this is when people don't confuse Japan with China, in which case they would probably say something about Bruce Lee and Kung Fu). Personally, I kind of like Japan, at least as far as world countries go.

 

[Chemical Alia]

How did I know this thread was going to pop up..

As for Japan, it's not among the countries I'm very interested in or wish to visit.

- Not really into Japanese history and culture (compared to other countries), don't find their historical isolationism or modern xenophobia/gender roles/work ethic very charming. Not apologizing to China isn't very nice, either.

- On the whole Japanese food is my least favorite among East Asian cuisine, nothing to get excited about there. Too much seafood, and not spicy enough.

- Don't care for Japanese pop culture or their obsession with "cutesy" things.

- Not into crowded cities and small living spaces. My sister lived over there for quite some time, did not envy her. You have to live in a "guest house" and can't lease an apartment unless you have a citizen "vouch" for you.

On the whole though, it's got some weird aspects and problems, just like any other country. A lot of people adore Japan for whatever reason and I don't feel compelled to agree. But although it might not be my ideal travel destination, that doesn't mean the things I'm not into are bad or anything.

Except anime, lol. That needs to go.

 

[Crazy Zaul]

The same thing everyone thinks about Japan. Ahhhh! tentacles!

 

[TheVioletBandit]

"At least their not Americans." really? and you didn't even spell Americans right.

 

[ace_of_something]

I still see Japan as this really bizzaro world alien place that is so different from america I can't begin to wrap my head around the average person's mentality. Especially their porn. I've been to China (which is really very different from Japan) and I still imagine Japan as a very strange place.
Also, I know a lot of the 'history' people love about japan is manufactured romanticism. Which makes me all the more confused by Japan.

My brother in Law, who is french and moved to the USA at about age 18, is fucking obsessed with Japan his townhouse is decorated with a mishmash of everything stereotypical Japanese and/or anime. He has only made me think Japan is even more alien.

 

[sagitel]

well japan is one of the few countries im dying to visit. i love their culture, food, history, architecture. and they may even teach me how to work hard!

 

[DrRockor]

I don't really believe in Japan.

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

Sure, and we have photographic "evidence" for talking mice, clowns and old guys with moustaches and beard who invented chicken. I think it's pretty clear that "Japan" is a hoax perpetuated by a bunch of businessmen so they can justify tentacle porn and katanas.

I think it's clear that those things are also real. I met a talk rat. He was called dave

 

[RedDeadFred]

They are OK with me. Most of the entertainment they produce I am not a fan of but I do think they have an interesting culture.
For instance: in their hip hop, I noticed that there is way more songs about food.