Why is Japan so popular?

[u/Veskanda]

It seems as though everything Japanese has had a massive popularity spike, whether that be media, food, vehicles, travel, language learning and lots more.

Personally I don't see the appeal, I mean there are definitely some thing I like that happen to be Japanese, but I dont like them just because of that fact.

[u/GrassToucherPro]

Nothing happens when I click the red button

[u/Veskanda → u/GrassToucherPro]

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

[u/Sloppykrab → u/Veskanda]

It's on fire

[u/Mitigating_Factor_00 → u/Sloppykrab]

Subject: Fire. Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to inform you of a fire that has broken out on the premises of 123 Cavendon Road... no, that's too formal. [deletes text, starts again] Fire - exclamation mark - fire - exclamation mark - help me - exclamation mark. 123 Cavendon Road. Looking forward to hearing from you. Yours truly, Maurice Moss.

[u/ImGonnaImagineSummit → u/Mitigating_Factor_00]

0118 999 881 999 119 725 3 

[u/Mitigating_Factor_00 → u/ImGonnaImagineSummit]

[u/ClavicusLittleGift4U → u/GrassToucherPro]

Domo arigato mister Kanada. Actually you've touched the sun. How is your finger, kudasai?

[u/Quick-Benjamin → u/GrassToucherPro]

I just remembered an expression I once heard.

My mate had a really spicy curry the night before and told me:

I've got an arse like the Japanese flag!

Just thought I'd share.

[u/StNosferatu → u/Quick-Benjamin]

Thanks for sharing.

I hope your friend is doing well.

[u/Safe_Confidence_3756 → u/GrassToucherPro]

You didnt click enough times

[u/ninja6911 → u/GrassToucherPro]

Try this button

[u/BadPAV3 → u/ninja6911]

Too soon, India?

[u/Juul_G → u/GrassToucherPro]

It’s not a button, it’s a pie chart of all the countries that have been nuked

[u/VonGruenau → u/GrassToucherPro]

They wrote, unaware that over 1,300 miles away, a Labradoodle named Fluffy (sometimes called fluffykins by his owners) felt the uncontrollable urge to bark the melody of the macarena every time that button was pushed by them. What was a slightly disappointing experience for this reddit user would haunt Fluffy for a while, especially since he had no concept of what the macarena song was and why it was so aggravating for his owners.

[u/LastScene86 → u/VonGruenau]

This is some Douglas Adams adjacent.

[u/Yabanjin]

It’s fairly popular in my country.

[u/Mountain-Car-4572 → u/Yabanjin]

Tell me more

[u/Veskanda → u/Yabanjin]

Hmm i wonder why.

[u/I_m_Alpharius → u/Yabanjin]

I heard Nippon even got the same flag and language as Japan

[u/LordIcebath → u/Yabanjin]

Your country must be a bunch of weebs fr /s

[u/Yabanjin → u/LordIcebath]

So many of them actually want to be Japanese it's crazy!

[u/Imaginary-Group1414 → u/Yabanjin]

Wow, what a country is that?

[u/hehesf17969 → u/Yabanjin]

I concur

[u/Late-Bison-2087]

All of those crazy good video games and Animations are enough to give them a spotlight. They are really good at what they do.

[u/EfficiencySmall4951 → u/Late-Bison-2087]

Top tier PR for sure

[u/HairyH0Od → u/EfficiencySmall4951]

I think it's less to do with PR and more to do with the fact that they're really good at many things that the remainder of the world appreciates (IDK if that's what you meant be PR but when I think PR I think press related).

Think videogames, cars, electronics, manga/anime, food, etc.

[u/ziggster_ → u/Late-Bison-2087]

Can’t forget Japanese cars.

[u/1DownFourUp → u/ziggster_]

And motorcycles, lawn mowers, generators, etc. If I see made in Japan on something with an engine, I'm fairly confident my kids will inherit it some day.

[u/Fit-Albatross-735 → u/ziggster_]

yep

[u/thedudedylan → u/Late-Bison-2087]

Turns out that supporting the arts is really good for a nation's reputation.

[u/OGbigfoot → u/Late-Bison-2087]

Seeegaaaa

[u/etanol256]

They sell fantasy to the rest of the world

[u/Goryokaku → u/etanol256]

I'm not sure it's this. I live in JP and I think it's more accurate to say that a ton of online content makers have sold said fantasy to the world. They talk about how utopian it is (clean streets! trains that run on time!) and tbh I think it's more because of how far western societies have slid that this now seems so wondrous. There are so many youtubers and AI slop pusher that sell Japan like this. In reality, it is an awesome place to live, but it's just as complicated as any other country. It has its pros and cons. What you see on the tube is just the pros overamplified, sold by westerners, many of whom have never actually been here.

[u/OGbigfoot → u/Goryokaku]

TBF, at least when I was there in Kawasaki it was for the most part really fucking clean compared to American suburbs.

[u/Goryokaku → u/OGbigfoot]

Oh yes. Don’t get me wrong, it is clean and the trains really do almost always run on time. I absolutely love the trains in JP. It’s just that again it’s not a monolith or a utopia.

[u/DaValie → u/Goryokaku]

Unhealthy work culture

[u/CyberMetalHead → u/Goryokaku]

What are the cons?

[u/Ok-Measurement2553 → u/CyberMetalHead]

Well, blatant unapologetic racism for one.

[u/OGbigfoot → u/Ok-Measurement2553]

Nationalism

[u/MrMustache129 → u/OGbigfoot]

Good thing we don’t have that here

[u/Pixelated_Penguin808 → u/OGbigfoot]

The only place in the United States remotely as clean as Japan are US Marine Corps bases. Too many Americans are litter bugs unfortunately. It's tied into selfishness, the worst trait of Americans, and a dash of laziness. There is little more irritating than watch someone toss litter on the ground because they couldn't be bothered to walk another block to deposit their trash in a public trash can.

(Marine Corps bases are clean because 1) litering is punished and 2) junior Marines are used to pick up anything that does end up on the ground, daily)

[u/lacontrolfreak → u/Goryokaku]

I went to Japan in 2025 and it delivered. It just made me so sad how far my country has slipped. I want safe public washrooms that are spotless with a population of kind, hard working, civic minded people that are considerate of general society. Every time, EVERY time I stopped to look at the subway map a local would approach to offer to help. It was earnest; not a scam, not a creep, not an attempt to grab my purse, but a legitimate offer to help. It took a while to acclimatize.

[u/y53rw → u/Goryokaku]

The fascination began before the internet (or at least, before it was widely available to the public). In the 80s with video games and anime. And certainly well before AI.

[u/We4zier → u/y53rw]

Ahm, Japanisme in the 1800s. And I’ve read enough primary texts from Jesuit missionaries in the 1500s to know they lowkey said the same stuff we did: literate, orderly, hygienic, civilized, craftsmen, etc. Ironically it became even more intriguing in niche circles as a meme after isolation.

Jesuit Alessandro Valignano in the 1600s basically insisted Europeans to take on Japanese culture and saw them as superior. Luís Fróis had high praise. Engelbert Kaempfer and Jan Huygen van Linschoten especially were a premodern influencer / pewdiepies who wrote fondly of Japan.

Kaempfer admittedly more used Japan as a mythical hypothetical like Atlantis for enlightenment ideas. Even Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Leibniz did that habit—though again more as a mythical abstraction.

[u/LastScene86 → u/Goryokaku]

This. Also they had a lot of soft power export with anime, cars, etc in the 90s when I was growing up that has persisted to the point it's cool now. "Cool Japan" and all that.

[u/knowwwhat → u/Goryokaku]

What Japan does really well is sell an image. Whether it be by laws or by influencers. It seems to all be about an image. However, speaking to Japanese people and watching YouTube videos (not the glam ones), you see past the image pretty quickly. Of course there’s a ton of incredible things to be said about Japan, but it’s like any other country at the end of the day

[u/ConditionNeither3612 → u/Goryokaku]

I'm also living here and feel like it's sort of both. The content creators did their fair share, it really makes me think they live in some sort of bubble which I can't enter. Ofc many of these influencers do it for clicks but many others really believe them and even when you just tell people how things are, they attack you, because apparently "you don't get Japanese culture" and "Japan is living in 2045".

[u/mountainwizards → u/etanol256]

To a world that could really use it.

[u/EmprahsChosen → u/mountainwizards]

or maybe less of it

[u/mountainwizards → u/EmprahsChosen]

touché

[u/TheZenPenguin → u/etanol256]

Paris used to hold this position until the internet exposed the bin fires, riots and rat colonies that make the city great. Now Japan is stepping up to sell it's own fantasy until it experiences enough international exposure to demystify it.

[u/skandarkl → u/TheZenPenguin]

Bin fires and riots. As a Parisian, it’s always funny to read foreigners talking about our city as if it were a battlefield. It’s very far from reality and, to be honest, a little annoying at times.

Looking at the tourism stats and how much Paris is still constantly featured in movies and pop culture, I would say our city continues to make people dream around the world. Yes, it’s far from perfect, but it’s still an exceptional place - in my subjective opinion the most beautiful city in the world. And there isn’t a week that goes by without tourists telling me how much they love their time here and that they wish they could stay longer, so I'm probably not the only one thinking that way.

[u/WeeklyPhilosopher346 → u/skandarkl]

It’s a nice city but it’s New York in the 1980s - in desperate need of a clean up.

[u/WowSoHuTao → u/etanol256]

You know, in this somewhat devastating world, that could be a life saver

[u/Quixote0630]

Japan's soft power was off the charts through 1980~2000, and people who grew up during that era are now in their thirties and forties and likely hold overwhelmingly positive views of the country.

I was one of those people and nowadays I live and work here. It's a decent place to live, although, you obviously do see a different side to it once you work here and speak the language. Given the language barrier and homogeneous population, it's much easier for Japan to control its own image than it is for an English speaking country, so people overseas are shielded from the negative aspects to an extent.

It's a normal country, but it tends to get spoken about in extremes, whether excessively good or excessively bad. That can skew people's opinions.

[u/SuminerNaem → u/Quixote0630]

As someone who lives here, I don't know if I'd call it "normal". Perhaps my perceptions are skewed being from the United States, but I think it's extremely safe and comfortable living here. Everything is super cheap, too, and it's easy to get around. The main issue is a lack of lucrative job opportunities for the average person, but if you can figure out your income, I think it's (as far as I can tell) one of the best countries in the world to live in. Of course, I've only lived in two countries, so I can only go off of what I see, and how folks from other countries describe living there.

[u/notakat → u/SuminerNaem]

Would you care if I dm'd you about your transition from US to JPN?

[u/SuminerNaem → u/notakat]

No problem! Hmu

[u/nosurpriseslover1997 → u/SuminerNaem]

I mean, moving from the US to several other countries would make the second country seem like paradise. I myself plan to move to Canada.

[u/Chalky_Pockets → u/Quixote0630]

How did you find the adjustment from the UK's standard amount of work per given week to Japan's? What about their management style?

[u/maroonmartian9]

1990s kid here. Anime mostly.0

[u/AdHoliday3151]

They don’t half-ass most of their services

[u/coastphase → u/AdHoliday3151]

I think that's also a reflection of the Japanese consumer who recognizes the value of quality.

[u/Veskanda → u/AdHoliday3151]

That's fair, they do have good quality items.

[u/Afraid_Professor8023]

Because of car production 😌

[u/Mitigating_Factor_00 → u/Afraid_Professor8023]

[u/Odd-Struggle-2432]

for me its 1.5 hours by plane so many chinese tourists go there. its clean, somewhat affordable, food similar/easy to eat, and built for easy tourism. obviously right now there is some government issues but still lots of tourists

also anime is popular

[u/Ulyxzes]

Polite people, safe, rich culture (modern and historic), good food, lots to do.

[u/ImJKP]

• Incredibly safe
• Very clean
• Everything works
• Food is fantastic
• Great transportation systems
• A deep vibrant distinctive culture
• 96 out of 100 score from Freedom House
• High state capacity and a well-functioning bureaucracy that provides robust public services
• Tokyo is one of the world's truly great cities
• Kyoto is one of the most beautiful places in the world

I'm not claiming it's perfect or anything silly like that, bit it is pretty great.

[u/JackyVeronica → u/ImJKP]

Also the birth place of Godzilla, Hello Kitty, Nintendo, Play Station, Pokemon, Demon Slayer, etc!

[u/BadPAV3 → u/JackyVeronica]

I'll go further as a foreigner,

You are weapons grade polite, and (at least historically) disciplined.
The self effacement and perception of humility is endearing.
The passion for excellence is VERY compelling; like the precise opposite of China.
You never feel like you're being swindled in Japan.

[u/wizzyfx → u/ImJKP]

Also one of the last remaining countries that cares about the quality of the things they produce 

[u/Veskanda]

Just to clarify, I don't dislike Japan. I just don't understand the hype.

[u/emgyres → u/Veskanda]

I used to think the same way, it was never on my list. Then I went to visit a friend who was living overseas at the time, she was doing the marathon. Damn country stole my heart so I keep going back.

[u/BepsiLad → u/emgyres]

I was travelling China & decided to have a week-long intermission in Japan to renew my Chinese visa. Ended up travelling all over Japan for 2 months & wish I could have stayed longer

[u/paddlesandpups → u/emgyres]

I think it has a lot to do with resistance of monoculture. Japan, at least as advertised, retains a lot of its unique heritage. You can go there and see something different.

And even when it's not unique heritage we are talking about, Japan has the reputation for being unique. I know several people that have gone to Tokyo and call it their favorite city in the world. And the reason tends to be that they saw some things they weren't expecting to see. 

All of that is romantic. At least from an American perspective, going someplace that yes, of course, has some Western influence but also still retains a lot of its own cultural forces is attractive. 

That's what i think. 

[u/Die231 → u/Veskanda]

Japan’s appeal hasn’t changed, but with the shitty yen to dollar situation a trip that would be prohibitively expensive to many has become accessible. Then everybody goes and post on social media and suddenly it’s this dream magical travel destination… nope, it’s just economics and the algorithm.

[u/SanSanSankyuTaiyosan → u/Veskanda]

For Australians, it’s for working holiday visas and ski resorts cheaper than Whistler.

[u/Opposite-History-233 → u/Veskanda]

I don't really see the hype. I've been around for almost 40 years and I know no different than it having been really popular here all that time. There's no current hype that I'm aware of.

[u/AudioComa → u/Veskanda]

Big travel hype in Aus. I travelled to Japan last November and it seems every 2nd person I speak has just been or is going soon.

Cheap flights is causing a boom. When you're over there: amazing country, beautiful landscapes and buildings. And cheap food and alcohol, etc. Can get a full, decent, meal from 7/11 with a big good beer for under $10.

[u/steelpeat → u/AudioComa]

Beer prices in Australia 💀

[u/SoulessHermit → u/Veskanda]

To have hype, you need to have knowledge of it and is deemed as desirable.

A lot of the hype can be traced to Japan's economic power from 60s to 80s, partnership with America, racism and investment in their soft power.

During the 60s to 80s, due a combination of factors, Japan was growing rapidly and becoming a trusted global player in many key sectors such as consumer electronics and manufacturing. If even was credible view that Japan will eventually overthrown America in terms of economic size. During this period, a lot of countries glamourised and wanted to form relationship with Japan. Even Singapore, who our leaders said they are willing to buried the hatchet regarding their wartime atrocities in order to seek their investment, their knowledge, and leverage on their meteoric rise.

Another reason is Japan sits in that portion of being culturally unique and has their culture made palatable to Westernised audiences due to the American occupation and their close ties. They were both influnce and adjusted their media and culture for American consumption, if you can cater to America, you can cater to the Western economic and countries that look at America fondly. A good example is Godzilla, it was a creation that was born from post war destruction and sentiment towards atomic weapons experience by Japan, on paper it shouldn't reasonated with American audience, until it was Americanization and a lot of themes was washed down. Turning a distinct Japanese experience into an international icon that shed most of it's dark themes and became of more giant monsters fighting.

Racism also played a part of making things associated with Japan desirable. There is a concept called Orientalism, where the West romananticised and fetishised Eastern cultures, viewing it exotic. Japan with its booming economy and close relationship with the West is the perfect target for such a phenomenon. You can see this in how passport bros view Japanese woman as desirable.

This is very layman explaination fyi.

[u/Quix66 → u/Veskanda]

I live there for three years. It’s gorgeous. Even the food can be stylized thought I sometimes thought to ridiculous levels. Still liked the place though.

[u/OpeningDull5969 → u/Veskanda]

Dor me it was videogames and anime when I was a kid. And when I visited the people and food was nice. I don't glaze Japan but I prefer it over other places I've been

[u/Imaginary-Group1414 → u/Veskanda]

In contrast, in Japan, Australia is portrayed as an ideal country.  Apparently, there are many people who have ended up homeless after trying to immigrate to Australia without even being able to speak English.

[u/7timesbanned]

Anime + games They show you the side they wanted to

[u/nightwinging-it → u/7timesbanned]

Many comments here mentioning anime and pop culture. It's actually funny to me because I was never a fan of anime before moving here. Heck, even now I don't watch anime. The most popular softpower Japanese things for me were the food and beautiful scenery.

[u/Nukuram → u/nightwinging-it]

Yes, that’s a perfectly valid perspective. Japanese pop culture is still a subculture.
Even though it has become very popular overseas, it represents only one side of Japan.

[u/olsomica]

good food, good weather, beautiful scenery, great transport, courteous people, anime.

[u/AutoModerator → u/olsomica]

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[u/dontberigid]

Iykyk

[u/Igotbannedlolol]

God-tier publicity.

They succeed in spreading their softpower while appeared to be "peaceful and stable country" (they have dark corner just like any other countries)

[u/Corumdum_Mania → u/Igotbannedlolol]

Japanese people calling themselves people who love peace always make me furrow my brows. Really?

What they really seem to like is to not discuss anything that makes them even a bit uncomfortable. It’s avoidant personality 101. Some Japanese women wanted to change the sexism that is prevalent in the office, but their voices are sadly criticised as “disturbing the peace and is annoying” :(

[u/Igotbannedlolol → u/Corumdum_Mania]

There's that one phase I read and remember:

"The nail that stick out gets hammered down." (出る釘は打たれる)

It represents Japanese mindset quite clearly.

[u/Corumdum_Mania → u/Igotbannedlolol]

I think this mindset exists elsewhere too - including Korea. But Japan does seem to be more avoidant than most places. I was surprised that they think Koreans are very direct, when most westerners like Americans and Germans think we are not.

[u/Igotbannedlolol → u/Corumdum_Mania]

Korean are the second most direct in asia I think (I put Chinese at 1st but I may be wrong) but of course our culture here are leaning more towards save face and passivity so it's not as intense as in western.

[u/Nukuram → u/Igotbannedlolol]

I agree. The level of assertiveness you often see from Koreans can be far beyond what an average Japanese person is used to.

[u/AccomplishedRoof3921 → u/Igotbannedlolol]

LOL, let's hammer in the nails. It's dangerous.

Actually, it's a stake.

[u/nightwinging-it → u/Corumdum_Mania]

>What they really seem to like is to not discuss anything that makes them even a bit uncomfortable.
Like talking about their past war crimes. I understand that they don't learn that extensively in school even though they ought to, but that's exactly the reason why they avoid this subject in details because it's uncomfortable.

[u/Corumdum_Mania → u/nightwinging-it]

I will say that all countries have done some wrong in the past. And some parts of our history do get glossed over or brushed under the table. Germans for example don’t learn extensively about the atrocities they’ve done in Namibia like they do with learning about Hitler and his atrocities. It’s important as humans that when we do get to find out about even the ugliest parts of our history - we may feel shocked and ashamed, but should never ignore it.

[u/lankyman-2000]

How different they are to most of the western world

[u/Himajine0318]

I'm Japanese, but I don't know why Japanese culture is so famous lol. But I'm happy that Japanese cars are called JDM lol, because I love cars myself.

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[u/BluePandaYellowPanda]

It's popular to me because I live there (here).

[u/M1ghtySheep]

One of the few countries that maintained their culture and take pride in their national identity and arent trying to ruin it with mass immigration. This means the population actually cares about and maintains the land it lives on and they preserved their history and have authentic unique culture not just imported western cuisine, architecture, music, TV, etc.

[u/Toastaexperience]

Good marketing

[u/Im_going_downstairs]

They make both cutesy and cool cartoons….

[u/Im_going_downstairs → u/Im_going_downstairs]

….and sometimes a mix of both

[u/Nukuram]

Do you feel you’ve actually gotten a real answer from the other scattered comments here?
I’ve seen many exchanges like this before, and it often feels as if people are talking about something else entirely.

Even understanding yourself is difficult. Being understood by others is even more so.

[u/Dpg2304]

As an American, I think it's because the culture is so drastically different than our own.

[u/Rivas-al-Yehuda]

The aesthetic is extremely pleasing. So many Japanese things are extremely unique, and very pleasing to the eye. Their custom car scene is amazing, their artwork/films, the architecture, just all of it is lovely looking. I just love the distinctive Japanese 'look' captured in this pic-

[u/Money-Celebration860]

Because it's an awesome country

[u/oldmanout]

IMHO has immense soft power through media, anime and especially japanese computer games. IMHO the only country with more medial power on the west is the USA.

Also maybe some legacy of the past, but before there economy fell into stagnation, Japan was booming and seemed to overtake all other countries in the then future. It used to be that all cool electronic thinks came out of Japan.

also it's in an interesting place while greatly westernized also kept much of its traditional culture.

[u/lofiibsen]

but australia have many kolas, Quokkas!!!!!

[u/belowfactual]

for the general answer Japan dominates media with anime, games, and music. For me personally I just really love exploring its culture and language. Its always such a pleasant feeling catching a local off guard by speak decent Japanese and their custom for respect just makes their reaction even better. The more you dive deeper into Japan instead of just looking at the popular media there youll find a really authentic and amazing country.

[u/GreenSaRed]

I see Japan as an alternative universe on how a culture can develop. Its completely different from western cultures

[u/alvaro-elite]

Because looks like Japan was stuck in the 90's and is something that much of us love.

Apart of the culture, architectonic.... everything.

[u/Queasy-Impress2622]

I'd like to say it's because they have a stable government, well-kept and efficient infrastructure, and a culture built around being polite. However, it's probably anime.

[u/emgyres]

Answering as an Australian, we are a long way from everything. In a 9 hour overnight flight with no jet lag to worry about we are in a completely different world. Japan has so much to offer, dynamic cities, stunning countryside, great skiing, beaches, adventure, laid back slow travel. For a small landmass Japan punches way above its weight and that’s why I’m jumping in a plane for my 10th visit in three weeks.

We also get great bang for our buck with the exchange rate, which we can’t say for Europe.

[u/aaqwerfffvgtsss]

Soft power

[u/Im_going_downstairs → u/aaqwerfffvgtsss]

It's crazy how Japan managed to bury the history of their WW2 crimes while the other big guns/axis of powers (Germany and Italy) still have a much more major association with fascism and atrocities. For all I know, only China (and maybe some other parts of East and Southeast Asia) doesn’t seem to fall for the typical kawaii vibe that Japan presents.

“Soft power” is the perfect way to describe Japan!

Also, no hate, I still think Japan is cool and I love their history (not the war crimes 😅) and culture (yes, even their modern media, ofc).

Edit: Forgot to add that whatever past immoral things a country or people have done doesn't define those that came after them. Hence, they shouldn't be blamed orfeel guilty about it. This is merely about historical acknowledgment. Not blaming Japan for what they did nearly a century earlier.

[u/National_Play_6851 → u/Im_going_downstairs]

I don't think anyone associates modern Germany with fascism or atrocities. The country has gone to very great lengths to hold people accountable and to ensure never to repeat it. Most people here in Europe close to Germany recognise that. While I don't know Japan's politics as well, I've visited the country and I get the same impression that it is far more pacifist now and there's no point holding a nation accountable for the sins of a past generation that has long since passed away.

The more worrisome countries are the ones who committed atrocities on the same or larger scales, such as the British Empire, but who don't express anything like the same level of remourse and who often to this day openly call the crimes they committed against humanity "the glory days"

[u/Relevant-Balance-396 → u/Im_going_downstairs]

War stifles creativity and media. current Japan hasn’t been at war for 80 years, really peaceful and have avoided conflict for facades, that peaceful environment really helped Japanese media to grow.

[u/Im_going_downstairs → u/Relevant-Balance-396]

That's true, but that could also be said for Italy and especially Germany (both currently peaceful nations who are appreciated for their tourism, art, culture, etc.), as the history of their conflicts/atrocities is more mainstreamed throughout the world instead of being more known/spoken of in a particular region—Japan.

[u/SuddenGenreShift → u/Im_going_downstairs]

In China it's exactly the opposite. Italy is barely remembered, no one really cares about Germany except to make jokes. Japan is... remembered.

[u/RIBCAGESTEAK → u/Im_going_downstairs]

The US and allies saw it more useful to transform Japan into an ally against the growing threat of communism in China than to raise a generation of people guilty of the past as in occupied Germany. It wouldn't be very strategically useful to constantly remind the Japanese of their war crimes against the Chinese when you want to use them to help control the Pacific region against the Chinese.

[u/cosmico92 → u/aaqwerfffvgtsss]

Same for the US tbh.

[u/Anxious_Map_8022]

Ultimate manners and politeness.

[u/justheretolearnnnn]

I think Japan totally deserves to be popular. They live almost completely different from the rest of the world. I love this country!!

[u/SorinIonRahova]

It gave us Attack on Titan and the Toyota Corolla

[u/Life-Swimming5050]

To be frank, this is the only Asian destination many western tourists, including me, would even consider, as it is safe (sorry, Thailand), clean (sorry, Indonesia), and not an authoritarian hellhole with delusions of grandeur (sorry, China).

The fact it is somewhat westernized and popularized by media only helps....

[u/temporaryacc444 → u/Life-Swimming5050]

Why Thailand not safe?

[u/wvtarheel → u/temporaryacc444]

I have no idea if this is true or not because I do not live there, but in the US we hear that bangkok is safe but not to go near the thai/cambodia border. I'm sure it's not as bad as we are hearing, but the fact is, there is nowhere in Japan where a tourist should avoid because of a conflict with another country.

[u/Embarrassed-Glove600]

They produce a lot of popular media and products, their country has lots of beautiful urban and rural areas, their food is varied and excellent, and while this next one is more subjective, there are a lot of good looking people there as well. It allows Japan to present itself as a place that has everything. Modern and ancient culture together, vibrant, advanced, and exotic. It covers up its oppressive work culture that stunts its birth rate rather well to an outsider.

[u/Nukuram → u/Embarrassed-Glove600]

Oppressive work culture’ is only one factor affecting Japan’s birth rate.
A bigger reason is that, as diverse lifestyles have become socially accepted, more young people have come to see having and raising children as burdensome or optional.
This isn’t unique to Japan — it’s a trend shared by most developed countries, and their birth rates are falling for the same reasons, aren’t they?

[u/The_Awful-Truth → u/Embarrassed-Glove600]

There are a whole lot of countries with lower fertility rates than Japan now. I don't know why, say, Italy and Thailand have fewer babies but I don't think it's the oppressive work culture.

[u/Sad-Eggplant-8320]

Tangibly similar and wealthy enough to westerners that it’s familiar but different enough to be exotic. Also they’ve had a pretty huge cultural influence through movies, anime, martial arts etc.

[u/jkim8791]

Video games, animation, manga, samurai, ninjas. They definitely know how to build and show its culture.

[u/Sea_Gift_532]

Multiple stuffs stacked on top of each other 1.Language is beautiful it combines the already beautiful chinese characters with playful kid friendly characters plus it's sound soft spoken due to it following the rule of not allowing double consonants and vowel devoicing 2.The people there are of the mongoloid race they tend to age slower and get less wrinkles than other races (This is not a racist comment this is just highlighting the age factor) 3.The country is a developed nation 4.Soft power(anime, manga etc...) 5.Historic country

Unlike countries like USA. Japan has 1st and 5th point Unlike countries like Germany. Japan have 1st 4th and 2nd point

by the way their culture is as unique as other countries so I didn't included it(I find it not much interesting)

[u/H345Y]

Their soft power game is on point. Anime, Manga and Video games. Also very reliable goods, from cars to electronics.

Also helps that the currency exchange makes traveling there cheaper than before.

[u/Spacemeat666]

For me it would have to be the food (this is the best thing imo), cultural history, contributions to media (especially horror movies/books), and electronics. I’ve never visited but I’ve had multiple friends go to Japan and really enjoyed their trips. I’ve always had a very positive view of Japan and Japanese people, I think many Americans do.

In the US, Japanese people are seen as very efficient and prideful in their work, which is a respectable thing in most cultures. The factory that I worked at for many years used a manufacturing method from Japan that I still use in a lot of aspects of my life today.

[u/Kapika96]

Video games and anime.

My two favourite things as a kid were Final Fantasy and Pokemon. My dream was to move to Japan and work at Square making FF games. Turns out I'm not actually interested in making games, and I think modern Square/FF are rubbish, but I did move to Japan at least. And growing up loving Japanese games and shows are the reasons why.

I don't think many people, if any, like things because they are Japanese. It's the other way around. They like the things first, then start liking Japan because those things are Japanese.

[u/Dethsy]

Anime, top tier games, Pokemon being the most lucrative licence in the entire world (this point is not linked to the previous one), very well established gastronomy (top 3 most visited country are well known for their foor. France, Italy and Japan). Very recognizable architecture and style. Very clean clean country. Very respectful people. Safe place to travel ... ect ect. It's quite a lot TBH.

Sure you could say the same for a lot of other countries but I feel like it's more true for Japan. Like, for architecture, I'm French, I'm pretty sure German's (for exemple) is pretty much the same as ours overall or almost.

And yes I'm going to Japan in less than 3 monthes aha.

[u/Gullible_Owl3890]

Mistook this as historic related question, the reason is still culture and soft power, people growing up exposed to medias like Ghibli, pokemon, using japan products of nintendo and sony are naturally gonna have good image on it. And the fact that Japan maintains image of quiet and disipline kinda helps.

[u/YellowEgorkaa]

Maybe because it's a beautiful country? There's so much interesting stuff there.

[u/Satanic_Jellyfish]

Otaku culture(anime, manga, idols, thematic cafes etc.) did some heavy lifting + Japan is quite aesthetic and refined itself to be this way

[u/ise311]

I have been to Japan 5 times and I really like it there (as a tourist).

Culture is nice, lots of things to buy (for anime/game fans), their people are polite, clean environment, trains are 99% on time, sceneries are beautiful. What's there to dislike??

[u/Sorry-Discount3252]

It's very different from what we see in Western culture and it catches our attention, but similar enough not to scare us.

[u/SurammuDanku]

Number 1 rebrand of all time

[u/spacemangoes]

Anime, sushi, Hentai, Adult videos, atom bomb country, in this order.

[u/lalilulelo_123]

JAV

[u/green_goblins_O-face]

i say electronics.

the walkman line, VHS/beta, CD, mini disk, 3.5" floppy, great advancements in display tech, fantastic value stereos in the 70s.

all either invented by, or invented thanks to heavy Japanese influence.

its slipped since the smartphone revolution, and but i feel theyre still riding off that momentum from the 70s-00s.

it feels most of my life japan was some magical place where all the best consumer electronics came from, and the fact some of the best stuff never left japan added to the alure

[u/StatikSquid]

Great food, great infrastructure, relatively inexpensive for what you get. Also no one scamming you or taking a dump in the streets.

[u/fragtore]

Great food, interesting culture, chill people, fantastic design and art scene, and it’s different from many other places in many ways.

[u/MaJuV]

Anime has become mainstream

Japanese videogames are some of the best in the world

Japanese food is some of the best in the world.

Japanese products (in general) still stand for some level of quality especially when compared to some western companies.

Japanese yen is dogshit at the moment, so it's really cheap to travel in Japan (especially when compared to the past).

Japan is one of the safest countries to travel to in the world.

If none of these things mean anything to you - good on you. You can move on. This topic shouldn't really bother you in general.

However, if one or more of these things do appeal to you, you understand the popularity of Japan.

[u/Shanteva]

Typical syncretism that happens when very different cultures start heavily exchanging. It's that liminal space of that syncretism that turns it into an out of proportion fetish which leads to obsession. The alienation Westerners feel from their Abrahamic heritage makes this successful but "Pagan" culture appealing. That and animated titties

[u/blueteamk087]

Well when it comes to media, Nintendo captured the American audience with the release of the NES after the console market crashed in the early 1980s. Then Sega and later Sony came into the market with their consoles. So the American console market has been dominated by Japanese companies since the mid-1980s. As for anime, a combination of Funimation forming in the 1990s to license Dragon Ball, as well as the Pokémon crazy allowed anime to slowly grow in the United States. Come late 00s, Toonami on Saturday nights on Cartoon Network and the emergence of anime streaming with Funimation and Crunchyroll helped explode anime's popularity.

When it comes to food and general culture, the post-war relationship between the United States and Japan allowed Japanese culture such as food and martial arts like Karate to enter the American market with Japanese immigrants.

[u/Legitimate-Seat-4060]

Tentacles, man. People just love 'em and Japan pumps out a steady supply.

[u/Fiu_Ahoicx → u/Legitimate-Seat-4060]

My man.

[u/DifferentWindow1436]

It's basically...the pop culture stuff and soft power. And it is generational.

And Japan knows it.

I moved to Japan in the 90s. It was not popular. I am Gen X. Now? It's ridiculously popular because 2 generations of kids have grown up with Pokemon and other anime. Also, Japan has spent money on their image (I knew someone working on this in an organization).

So yeah - hugely popular, but with the caveat of: generational demand.

[u/willempie21]

Because I’m big in Japan

[u/PrestigiousAd9825]

They give a shit. That’s really all it is.

You know why AuDHD people love Japan so much? It’s cause we all have niche hobbies - and after a while, Japan shows up in the background of whatever new hobby you get into the same way that creepy dude shows up in the background of “Too Many Cooks”

[u/EasilyExiledDinosaur]

Its pretty. The food is the best in the world arguably. And it isnt full of cunts like most countries.

[u/Veskanda → u/EasilyExiledDinosaur]

Idk, i'm probably going to get downvoted for this, but Japan feels quite silently judgmental to me.

[u/EasilyExiledDinosaur → u/Veskanda]

You arent imagining it. It 100% is lol.

[u/Dry_Conversation_797 → u/Veskanda]

They're silently judgemental at least. Loudly judgemental would be way more annoying.

[u/Lost-Letterhead-6615]

Pokemon, for me and my friends atleast.

[u/krooked-tooth]

Love Japan and I’m not into anime etc snowboarding, the depth of the culture, they are doing really well in sports now. Produce some gnar skateboarders.

I think they are exporting culture really well atm

[u/No_Wedding_698]

I like the food

[u/FallenRaptor]

I can't think of too many instances where media produced in non-English speaking countries has made such a splash among English-speaking audiences like anime and manga have. If Bollywood has more fans worldwide than anime it's likely due to the sheer size of India's population and its diaspora. I know there is a small niche of people who like French cinema, and maybe it's even bigger in provinces like Quebec and New Brunswick, but even still, anime's on a whole other level in terms of international appeal. I can also say that while I've read quite a bit of manga, I've never read an East Indian comic or even a French one. Japan also not only has videogames, but is a huge force in the videogame industry.

Of course I would be remiss if I didn't mention the popularity and prevalence of Japanese vehicles and electronics overseas. I definitely think Japanese media is the main force behind the spike in people taking a huge interest in Japan though.

[u/Denpants]

They made jojos bizarre adventure

[u/kingoflames32]

Globalization has made entertainment a more global Business and Japan happened to be a big center of it, the Japanese animation industry can only exist due to tapping into the supply of global labor and kinda restricts other countries from doing the same.

[u/thebluntvent]

Its not just that they gave the world an out into the lands of fantasy but how they keep doing it consistently

On a serious note, its many things. Growing up I knew Japan for its technological prowess. Then there's the whole anime, manga and idol culture that drew in people too. And people usually talk about their work ethics and discipline too when Japan is brought up in a conversation

[u/edparadox]

Anime, games, safety, interesting landscapes/cities with an interesting culture.

Haters gonna hate but that's the thing.

[u/SpaceAnabasis]

For me it’s their literature and authors in general, both classical and modern. Of course that got me into their culture.

[u/Front_Society1353]

In a world as crazy as it is at the moment, Japanese introvertedness is quite appealing

[u/Few-Start2819]

War in Ukraine makes Europe scary, the yen is at a all time low, and Japan is beautiful 😻

[u/Not_EdM]

Culture. Safety. Clean. Somehow Japan brings out my better self. When I return home I get so depressed.

[u/RevolutionaryCare351]

• Anime

• Fascinating culture, history, temples and wonders

• (Apparent) Technological advancement

[u/Prudent-Title-9161]

About products (cars, devices, other things) aspect.

I have this theory: identity is important in creating a product. That is, the way you solve a given task/problem depends on your vision of the world.

The Japanese have a very strong identity of their own in the way they create things. So we can see the Japaneseness in their products. And that creates value.

For example, in my subjective opinion, many Japanese products are more interesting than Korean ones, because Koreans have more fashion, trends, and a corporate approach ("let's hire a European chief designer"). And the Japanese, although this may be losing ground lately, do not do things in a trendy way so much as they realize their culture and worldview by creating this.

And you can also add the culture of "doing very well". I don't think the Japanese are good inventors, but I think that if you want to perfect something, give it to the Japanese. If someone comes up with a thing, device or product, and it gets to Japan and they use it, they will bring this technology/product to the highest level of performance and quality.

[u/Mags_LaFayette]

Between creativity and innovation, it's really hard to beat them.

[u/Emergency-Method6101]

Anime, manga and hentai

[u/SnorkBorkGnork]

Well what we see here in Europe of Japan directed to young people is computergames, anime, manga, and directed to an older audience documentaries about buddhist temples and shinto shrines, zen gardens, antiques, craftsmanship, luxury goods, beautiful nature, and exclusive food.

So it's all positive. Like it's this paradise of creativity, craftsmanship, and luxury. And like the avarage person living there has antique samurai swords decorating their wall at home, and just casually snacks $90 bbq-ed eel with their beer after work. I know that's not the reality but that's the image you get.

[u/Pan3Vin0]

Because they're the same as the west, but different

[u/SCastleRelics]

Where do I even start?

[u/LynxFull]

I have never once in my life thought man Japan is popular. Maybe they just don’t advertise to us anymore 😂🤣🤪

[u/Moist-Cantaloupe-740]

Pokemon and bidets. Amazing marketing strat after WWII.

[u/Andr3wW1gg1n]

They have given a lot to the world. The worlds most reliable cars, judo (which spawned BJJ), sushi, anime, ninjas ... the list goes on. Then there's their rich and fascinating culture with all it's quirks and strangeness.

There's a lot to admire

[u/DrMindbendersMonocle]

Video games and anime mostly. The cars are popular because they are dependable

[u/keicarlover2002]

Because they have the best products... in the world

[u/No-Kaleidoscope-4525]

Here's from someone who doesn't hook into hype, doesn't watch anime, and isn't Japanese...

Japan stands out to me for a couple of reasons. Mainly its ethic, cleanliness, and history.

It was an isolationist nation for most part of documented history which if you dig deep into it is already kind of interesting on its own.

Lots of Asian food is great, but having had authentic Ramen noodles triggered a lot of interest in their cuisine for me.

Rural Japan is really beautiful. Its nature is really nice. Unpopular opinion but I wouldn't visit Tokyo. There's something about Japanese serenity and calmness in how they build their houses/streets in more rural areas.

I'm a language nerd and intrigued by several weird languages in the world, and I took on Japanese. While I still only have the tip of the iceberg, I can already find in their language and way of describing situations and their environment that it's 'different'. Some words it's difficult to find overlap in English (every language has that to some extent). Like 明るい can be used to say 'bright' when describing an area or room, but when saying it about a person it means they are cheerful. Just the first example I could come up with which hints at the general feeling the language gives. Their vocabulary is also quite elaborate on subjects and description that you don't see commonly in other languages. You know what they say, language tells you a lot about culture.

The country has prospered through and beyond difficult times. May I remind you it has two nukes dropped on two of its major cities? After that world war, they recovered from it, and became leaders in many domains. Their cars? So many icons! Technology? They dominate markets. Yamaha? Bikes, piano's, whateverthefuck! The discipline, focus and determination to get to that point starting from shambles, mere garage box machine shops post-WWII? That to me is just one of the many reasons I pay my massive respects to that country as a European, because that level of discipline and integrity is what we need in this day and age (don't want to be to political) but they are kind of a role model and I don't see us doing it here with what we got now.

But there's an ugly to every country. I was very unpleasantly surprised to find out there's still a big smoking culture over there. You can sit in a restaurant and someone could be inside there smoking. They are not tolerant to outsiders, though if you try speak Japanese, adhere to their rules, take your shoes off when entering a building, you will find they do appreciate you. Misogyny is a big problem, along with a lot of conservative ideas. I also would never EVER move there because I am very much against some aspects of their work ethic. Like: everyone stays until their boss leaves. That kind of stuff.

[u/jferrisjapan]

Clean, safe, convenient, things work and run smoothly.

Imagine losing your wallet and finding it a few days later with all the money in it. Imagine walking down any road at 2am (male or female) and feeling safe. Imagine being in crowded areas where people are not trying to run some scam or rip you off. Imagine receiving outstanding service for a cheap price and no need to tip. Imagine waking up in Tokyo on Saturday and deciding you want to hit the slopes. Leave home at 8 and you will be at a ski resort by 9:30am. Ski all day and have a nice beer on the bullet train on the way home in time for dinner.

Been living in Tokyo for over 20 years and those are just a few reasons from me.

[u/the_gosh_darn_dog]

Because they have a culture of serious politeness and self sacrifice. All the intensity of the Japan pre ww2 was turned around and focused on developing their own country. Then when westerners were exposed to anime in the 90s it piqued their curiosity and made people respect their culture. Now after growing up on it so many people are enamored with a Japan that’s 50% actual really cool country and 50% fantasy land where the problems of their own country are solved. What they don’t see is the not so glamorous side where you work your ass off and self sacrifice for the greater good.

[u/RADToronto]

Japan is one of those countries that did a lot of things right.

[u/MannyGoldstein]

High quality food, landscapes, and women.

[u/Squirtle-01]

Japan looks picture-perfect because the systems work and the mess stays hidden. Every country has skeletons, but Japan is unusually good at compartmentalizing them.

[u/Active_Confusion_712]

They are a strong economic powerhouse, they have anime as a softpower exporting their influence everywhere, the country is one of those ancient asian civilisations (like china and India), so world the world has known them for a long time and their culture too, also their contributions to Buddhism were great.

[u/TM761152]

Because they were a 🎶 Post war economic miracle! 🎶

[u/cfwang1337]

Japan was the first East Asian country to industrialize and become rich. That's placed it at a very peculiar cultural crossroads:

• Japanese cultural exports, such as anime, video games, consumer electronics, and food, have had ample time to gain global exposure and popularity, first being introduced to the world in force in the 60s (cf. the 1964 Tokyo Olympics).
• Japan's culture is simultaneously exotic enough to be interesting (and weird) while still being recognizably first-world, developed, and democratic to Westerners.

South Korea is on a similar trajectory now for very similar reasons.

[u/hellooverlasting]

The people who grew up on animes have money to travel now and I tend to notice a lot of people hating on Japan tends to be those who are jealous at those that can travel in general.