The Japanese Stereotypes.
It is going to be difficult to hide my fascination in the Japanese culture and the Japanese people. I grew up knowing that almost everything I am using is “Made in Japan”. The Sony VCR, my Casio watch, home Casio alarm clock, dad’s Toyota, Sony TV, Casio Radio and the list goes on. If I am to describe the Japanese people, I would quickly say polite, intelligent, efficient, hard-working… Unfortunately, I have never got the chance to visit Japan, nor learn the Japanese language and interact with one of my favorite and most admired “people”. Therefore, my opinion is merely based on my interactions with very few Japanese individuals, the things I’ve heard about Japanese people while growing up and finally my intensive research on the “Internet”, reading what people are saying and what people think.
Japanese girls (Sweet and Cute)
so here comes my favorite topic, Japanese girls. Let me walk you through my research (with great pleasure). If you go to the image search in Google and type Japanese girls, you will probably get a lot of beautiful girls in bras ( don’t get me wrong, this is good, but not quite what i’m looking for). First problem is that we don’t actually know if these girls are Japanese?
A Beautiful Japanese Girl
Photo from Flickr, User: takasuii
Original: http://flic.kr/p/bmpTdD
A Beautiful Japanese Girl
Photo from Flickr, User: Oraz Studio
Original: http://flic.kr/p/8sKJCF
Cute Japanese Girls
Photo from Flickr, User: Mathew Kenwrick
Original: http://flic.kr/p/9BLCSb
Japanese Girl In Moscow (Possibly Japanese/Russian)
Photo from Flickr, User: Vadim Pacev
Original: http://flic.kr/p/49BhsZ
Another Japanese Beauty
Photo from Flickr, User: Michał Huniewicz
Original: http://flic.kr/p/dLQDKP
Another Japanese Beauty
Photo from Flickr, User: Michał Huniewicz
Original: http://flic.kr/p/dLB5ET
Japanese Girl In Moscow (Possibly Japanese/Russian)
Photo from Flickr, User: Vadim Pacev
Original: http://flic.kr/p/49BhvH
According to the “Internet wisdom”, the girls in the Flickr pictures above are Japanese and they are certainly very beautiful, but I need more evidence.
I have a theory related to girls. Usually the most beautiful girls in a nation are those playing Tennis. Below are Kimiko Date-Krumm’s pictures, a professional Japanese Tennis player. The girl looks sweet and cool, she is very cute, but I wouldn’t say she is beautiful.
Japanese Tennis Player Kimiko Date-Krumm
Photo from Flickr, User: Thomas Chung
Original: http://flic.kr/p/4VXZV2
Japanese Tennis Player Kimiko Date-Krumm
Photo from Flickr, User: Thomas Chung
Original: http://flic.kr/p/4W1Mrb
So here is my final research tool, I would like to introduce to you Japan’s volleyball team, the ladies are tall, sexy and sweet :), probably one or two of them are beautiful.
Japanese National Volleyball Team
Photo from Flickr, User: Gary Howden
Original: http://flic.kr/p/cWSeiS
But here we are, the final verdict is ready: Japanese girls are beautiful, but If I am to describe them in three words, I would say Japanese girls sweet looking, cute and beautiful.
Perfect Wives
Rumor says that Japanese women are extremely dedicated to pleasing and satisfying their husbands (confirming or denying the rumor probably takes extensive research, lol). From what I heard and read, I do believe this rumor to be true and I like to add the following: If the perfect wife does exist, well my friends, she is probably Japanese.
Which reminds of this so very old joke
In hell you have:
a Japanese house
a Chinese salary
an American wife
a British cook
In heaven you have:
a British house
an American salary
a Japanese wife
Chinese cook
Japanese work ethics and Quality Standards
Where do i start and Do I need to say anything about this topic at all? The Japanese reputation speaks novels about the excellence of the Japanese Industry… Canon, Toyota, JVC, Honda, Panasonic, Sony, Casio, Komatsu, Fuji, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Nissan, Omron, Pioneer, Sega, Suzuki, Yamaha are just few of many hundreds of companies that confess the quality of the Japanese Standards.
So how did the Japanese achieve this excellence? Intelligence, efficiency, tireless work-ethics, less chit-chat more work, punctuality… I have a friend who works with a Japanese company; she told me that “no” is the only answer you cannot give to your Japanese boss. You are always expected to work hard, try your best, keep trying till you succeed. If you give a commitment to do something in 3 days, then you would better do it within the promised time.
Car Factory in Japan
Photo from Flickr, User: ykanazawa1999
Original: http://flic.kr/p/g8KWqt
Earthquakes in Japan, an inspiring story
The fact that the Japanese people through out history were able to cope with the strongest Earthquakes on Earth and make necessary adjustments in their building architecture, daily school and work life is a true inspiring story. Many nations, if under the effect of a natural disaster, crumble in chaos, theft, crime, hunger, homelessness and poverty. Not Japan!!! The Japanese have learnt continuously and tirelessly, to dust off the damage dealt by nature, remove the wreckage and rebuild… again and again.
Japanese People are an inspiration to me… and should be an inspiration to everyone in the world.
Polite and shy
Just like most Asian cultures, the Japanese have built an unshakable reputation of being polite. Japanese individuals are usually shy and not so out spoken. In Japan, unlike many other cultures, people try to blend in the crowd rather than boldly draw attention to themselves.
Why is this good? Some might argue that it is not, but it certainly is the kind of place I would like my children to grow up in. I feel I can connect to individuals with Japanese qualities (shy, polite, hard-working) and I think that Japan is one of the places that would make me feel as if I am living where I belong.
Japanese Tea Room
Photo from Flickr, User: Yuki Yaginuma
Original: http://flic.kr/p/nocS9
Japanese love technology
A common stereotype is that all Japanese are tech savvy, well, to address this point, I had to get some help :). Here is an article about Japanese Stereotypes from a Malaysian student doing his studies in Japan and in his article he says on this topic, Quoting here:
If you look at the daily life in Japan, you really will be surprised by how advanced technology they are using for every day event. For instance, automatic parking system, vending machines everywhere, food order vending machines at the entrance of restaurants, high tech toilet with many different functions buttons, navigator system in almost every car, and etc.
However, there are many Japanese who don’t even know how to turn on a computer. Except the people who are taking IT major in their education, many Japanese seem to start learning how to use computer from their 1st year in college.
Though, they are all very good users of cellphone/smart phone. Seems like Japan has cell phone culture more than PC culture. They type like lightning when using a cell phone, but when using a Computer, they are like a girl who is hesitating to shop – can’t decide to type a long time.
End of Quote. So apparently, just like anyone would expect Japanese do Love technology; However, saying that doesn’t mean they are Japanese all computer savvy. The general population seems to be in love with smart phones, tablets, cameras… I remember seeing countless photos of the Japanese youth burying their faces in their cameras, smart phones and tablets, here is one:
The high-tech Japanese Culture
Photo from Flickr, User: aelena
Original: http://flic.kr/p/4L54bg
Japanese get married late, have one or two children at most
That is not surprising at all, the Japanese population had almost no growth since 1991 and is on the decline since 2006. I would like to deliver a message to the Japanese people: Your race has a lot to offer humanity, out of love and respect, I really hope you would have more children, :).
Weird games and Weird commercials
One picture is worth thousand words, so one video is worth a million words? 😉 Please watch the videos below 🙂 and you will know what I’m talking about.
Japanese are generous and love buying gifts
It is true :).
The shocking stereotypes which are probably false.
Here are some Japanese stereotypes which seem to be pretty common on the internet and which actually do surprise me a lot and I am not sure if it is true or not. Perhaps, I will get some comments from the humanbreed readers to help me out here 😀 :
- Love Karaoke and Love taking pictures: a reputation which i mistakenly thought was exclusive to Philippines, seems to be an Asian reputation (too early to make the call?).
- Heavy smokers & heavy drinkers? Well the rumor seems to be pretty common, but I find it hard to believe. I believe the general Japanese population is very health conscious and probably doesn’t adopt such destructive habits.
- Party Lovers and love socializing. I am not entirely sure about how accurate this stereotype is. It certainly doesn’t go inline with the typical Japanese character (being shy and not so outgoing).
- Have extreme (even sadistic) sexual preferences. I doubt this being true. I believe the general Japanese public is not different in its sexual preferences than any other nation. The stereotype maybe originating from a couple of Japanese pornographic videos floating on the internet which display some forms of torture.
- Japanese don’t care much about their outer appearance (clothes, shoes… etc). Is it true?
- Japanese like slow paced hobbies like golf and fishing. 🙂 I don’t have enough evidence to support or deny this Stereotype.
- An obsession with Animated characters and school girls This Stereotype is one of the Stereotypes I found to be pretty popular throughout the Internet, So I haven’t really been able to confirm its truth nor track the source of this reputation. Are you Japanese? What do you think? 🙂
Japanese School Girl
Photo from Flickr, User: Masahito Oku
Original: http://flic.kr/p/ayrFC
Japanese School Girl
Photo from Flickr, User: Aswan Suzuki
Original: http://flic.kr/p/5ncYq2
ai shite ru!!! 😉
the 6.Japanese like slow paced hobbies like golf and fishing. it is true. 🙂
U can find special stores with golf stuff everywhere here. This hobby is the most common among older ppl.
Anime one is not true. I am Japanese and I do see people come into contact with anime but its not like they’re otakus. They have a life. Although some people do become otakus as well. The general term for otaku is mistranslated and flawed in the western perspective. Western world thinks that otakus are only anime while the correct Japanese term for this is someone who is obssesed in a particular thing or act.
I am Japanese-Peruvian and I suppose it kind of counts as both, well, I am shy, kind of polite, and like technology. About caring for appearance, I personally do not mind for mine much, but I believe Japanese women are really self-conscious about their clothes and makeup. Another stereotype might be that most are skinny and flat, which I am not XD But it is probably because I live in Peru and not in healthy Japan.
I am fascinated with the Japanese people and their culture too, they are polite and always speak with a smile. Please have more children .
I agree, the world needs more Japanese babies 😀
Hello again , I think am gettong addicted to this blog .Thank you for answering my question about indians , I chose to thank you here because it’s filled with angery people out there and thanking you may irritate them more . I found out people are crazy I posted some realy beatiful images about japan in my facebook bage and gets only one like can you imagine ?evengogorgeous girls in kemono gets a singl like am devastated .
haha Now you see. I am not just a Filipino. I am JaPinoy.
well sad to say most Japanese, particularly men are heavy smokers. you usually see it on their movies and television series too.
Japanese women are fashionistas. and tend to over dress up anywhere. If compared to Filipinas, some dress up with just tshirts and short and sneakers. Japanese women are opposite. They usually go to salon first before going to malls. They dress as if going to a party, always.
Japanese people are also party goers. This is commonly known as “gokon” or group dates.
They have strict table manners. They only use chopsticks and spoon(for ramen and soups). You should wait for everyone to join you on table before starting to eat. When eating, you should atleast say oishii which means delicious. It is not appropriate for Japanese to use too much soy sauce as dips or pouring it over rice. You should not stick the chopsticks too deep on your bowl of rice as they see it as if you are serving food for dead people. And when drinking, you should pour drink on your partner’s cup and he or she will do the same on yours too.
Japanese are too sadist on cooking. Not negatively. But they usually add too much spice on foods so beware haha.
They are not open that’s why they are known as polite. They dont show their true emotions on public. Even if they get angry, they just smile. That’s why they have this saying:
A person have three character:
the first which you show to the whole world
the second which you show to close friwnd and family
and third, only you who knows your self. 🙂
Japanese also believe in “ichigo iche” which means savor every encounter you make with strangers, as it will never happen again.
what else?
you should learn to read and speak their language. mind you both hiragana and katakana have 50 alphabet letters and kanji have over 50. and mix it all for you to read a newspaper.
not all are anime lovers but most Japanese are manga addicts. but only gives time to it on their days off.
Even on gifts, they give and accept gifts with both hands as sign of respect. and when opening gifts, they dont tear it up. that’s disrespectful for them.
bowing is also a sign of respect.
They call names and end it with san for elders of somebody whom they respect or “kun” for youngers. Sample: Natsuko San, Natsuko Kun.
Always say “arigato” and smile to them after every encounter with them.
🙂
Just wondering, what did you mean by
” First problem is that we don’t actually know if these girls are Japanese?”
What else could they be? Photoshopped? 😛
Japanese may not have as much cosmentic surgery as Koreans, Brazilian and others but working in TV and Advertising will say they have that special ability to be so beautiful by the grace and elegance in which they behave and body language.
They dress impeccable and that both men and women.
I am a white male from the USA.
Thank you for the blog!
PS- Natsuko above the last comment above me has explained Japan and its people very well!
This is quite interesting. May you please do one on Africans?
Yeahhh… Perhaps Rwanda stereotypes
Japanese are the most cultured and civic minded people on Earth.
We have a lot to learn from them about humanities.
Sorry, but all of those stereotypes are more or less accurate to the majority of Japanese people i’ve met. Both abroad and in Japan.
I hate to break the news, but this post is quite superficial.
Someone acknowledged that what one sees of Japanese is what they show the world and inside there exists other persona. That is true. Which explains why most of this article is inaccurate.
Japanese women are not the sweet, cool, cute creatures people think. Once you get to know them the truth comes out.
Japanese wives are as haggard and ‘modern’ as American wives and quite angry, throw things, cheat, scream and act irrationally.
Japanese politeness goes through the door if you actually have a request, ask for a favor or depend on a Japanese person.
Again, sorry to disturb the apple cart, but I have married a Japanese, know many Japanese and spent many years in Japan. If What I wrote clashes with your fantasies of Japan then please ignore and go back to your fantasies. Seriously: I know I am being a killjoy.
Japanese do like to do karoake it is very popular