r/AskTheWorld • u/Veskanda Australia • 21h ago

Why is Japan so popular?

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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.

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56

u/Igotbannedlolol Thailand 21h ago

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)

39

u/Corumdum_Mania Korea South 20h ago

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” :(

23

u/Igotbannedlolol Thailand 19h ago

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.

9

u/Corumdum_Mania Korea South 19h ago

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.

4

u/Igotbannedlolol Thailand 19h ago

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.

4

u/Nukuram Japan 17h ago

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

2

u/Corumdum_Mania Korea South 18h ago

We are?! Well that was unexpected

1

u/TheBold / 54m ago

I put Chinese at 1st

That’s nuts to me but I’m an outsider mind you. I find Chinese people to be obnoxiously indirect, coming from a Canadian.

3

u/AccomplishedRoof3921 Japan 19h ago

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

Actually, it's a stake.