Why do people who've never been to Japan like it so much?

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Speedjak

It's all about the porn. I dare you to say otherwise. . . .

nootherway48

Well, may be because he or she knows (a little) about Japan. And they do not know anything about other countries. The little knowledge comes from TV, books, and ads. & Japanese products.
Many people decide what they like or not with very little knowledgeâ€™s (reasons).
I was born in Japan (lived for 24 years); also I lived in China for 8 months after I made trip to China over 20 times. (I am living in Canada over 30 years) You get to like any country as you get know better. Donâ€™t you think so?

Trek

Simple: The grass is always greener on the other side.

they like it here because they never been here and do some long term living / working here with real japanese in the real japanese environment.

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Norsehawk

Looking outside into Japan, people see all the high points, none of the downsides, they see the anime on the tv and think that anime, comedy shows, and hard gay are all that are on tv in Japan.

They see pretty Japanese women/girls and think everyone is like them and dresses in Gothic Lolita style all the time and are completely subservient to men, They also expect hordes of hot Japanese women to jump onto their amazing gaijin 'member' the whole time they are there.

They see so many video games that come out of Japan over to the states and want to go to the source of the games they like.

---

I have been to Japan, and I didn't have super high expectations, but I did have some, and since I didn't have the super high expectations, I really enjoyed myself and loved exploring.

The most surreal experience I had was sitting in one of the outdoor spas at Spa world in Osaka in a wooden tub with the chilly autumn air swirling around, nice and toasty in the warm water with a nice view of the sky, while below and out of sight the whole city was rushing around during rush hour.

twikfat

Japan isnt defined by anime, but there are many gaikoku otaku that love it. Maybe that is one reason?
Why do so many Japanese people like overseas if they have never been? I think its because it is something different, something different from their own world.
I like Japan but I live here, so that doesnt really count. I know people who love Japan who have never been here are dont understand the language. To them its not really a fad, but something they are interested in.
Yes it does annoy me when someone says "I have never been there but I love Japan and want to go there some day I am 13" because they dont know what they are talking about - no offence.
But it is the same in Japan with school kids "gaikoku ni ittemitai na" its the same right? It goes both ways. Its just a matter of what people are interested in. Why does it bother you?

zAnZaN( ^__^ )

well, i lyk japan because of the language. and of course, when i start studying korean, i will naturally lyk korea too.
simpl as that.

oh and i lyk the kimonos. i think they're pretty.

Bearded Rusty Tater Â©

I think it's all of those beautiful Japanese ladies that make Japan so popular !

æ–‡é–

Well, to me the Japanese culture is very intriguing. I've always liked Japanese culture.

ioana

They love the Japan they have read books about and heard stories about. The image of Japan from outside is quite different from the real thing. I realise that may sound like...Japan is beautiful only from outside......which, belive me, I would never say, but the Japan seen from outside is made up of tradition, modernity, manga, geisha and so on, whereas from inside otis so much more. You really shoul be proud of the fact that so many people are fascinated by your country. I know I am when I hear abou people fascinated by mine.

shagdeluxe

Yep, the grass is always greener.

Why are Japanese so obsessed with John Lennon, Audrey Hepburn and Paris?

eatmyworld

I think most of the people who've never been but say they "love" Japan don't really mean they "love" Japan. I think the correct interpretation in this case is they are "interested" in knowing more about Japan. They're just not using the correct words.

So in that case it's interest and although it maybe considered faddish at the time, I think with more interest comes more understanding so I'm all for it.

Of course when they say they love" Japan and the only reason is because they think Samurai's and Ninjas are cool and they lose interest the moment they learn they don't exist in current day Japan then that is a bit idiotic.

Adam

Japan is so exotic and different to someone who has never been here.

I think I know what you mean - it's a bit worrying when people start RAVING about a place they've never even been to, and it's worse when they assure you that "I know ALL about Japan, I've watched lots of anime, and I've even looked at the pretty pictures in manga once or twice...!!! Oh, AND I know that hello in Japanese is IDAHO...!!"

I'm not criticising these people - but I worry that if they ever DO get here they might be disappointed. They have such high hopes and unrealistic expectations..! They even think they can learn fluent Japanese by comparing the speech on anime with the English subtitles..!! NOT a good idea considering the accuracy of translations AND the differences in grammar!

Wenielyn

yes..and once they got here they just got bored..

they dont know what ind of loneliness are waiting for them here in Japan

that's why the highest rate of suicidal is Japan

Well, it's like saying :

'why do many Japanese people have a fascination for the U.S when they have never been there before?'

During my time in Japan, and being half Japanese - I can't help but notice the (i hate to say it) obsession with U.S flags on clothes... (Just to give you an example)...

I read about a lot of women getting plastic surgery - opening their eyes wider to look less Japanese... Dyeing their hair blonde / orange etc .. I know that's a little far from what you are saying, but it is related in some way... I can easily say this 'fad' has been popular in Japan for many years now....

- most of the time it is just for the 'look,' many perhaps don't ever go there!!

I will say that 'asian - bohemian fashion' in general still tends to be very popular at the moment (in western countries) ... That covers Indian, Moroccan, Japanese, Chinese, Thai...

Whereas in Japan, it's perhaps the opposite --- they are trying to get away from the traditional Japanese and become more westernized...

Don't you think that's a valid point to make? ;)

Even if it is a fad, it's doing wonders for the tourism industry and filling positions for English teachers etc....

B.

Looking for the truth...

The stereotype most people have of Japan is that it is an electronic gadget paradise where men are waited on/served hand and foot by beautiful geisha-like women.

A place where foreigners are almost deified, and treated accordingly.

Who wouldn't like it?

I hate hippies

I wish I could have seen this question earlier. You phrased it very well , I would have been way more harsh.
Let me first state that I passed my 3 year anniversary of living in Japan as an American just two days ago. The reason young folks think Japan is the greatest place in the World is understadable. After all when I was 16 and was sporting a Mowhawk and Combat boots I thought that the U.S would bow down to anarchey. That is what being young is all about.
Let's first destroy the myth that Japan is the most advance society when it comes to electronics.
I ask anybody reading this to come up with JUST ONE THING THAT'S ELECTRIC" that Japan has come up with, I'll even throw in an animation (sorry" OTAKU" I meant Animee) Did the Japaneses come up even with that...Sadly no it was Walt.W.Disney and his production of "Steamboat Mickey" that started animation.
Back to electronics and the things that wouldn't be avalible without electricity (Thank you Ben franklin an American by the way) allow me to list stuff that is available today and you the reader can guess who came up with it. Quettion marks should follow the rest of my points.
1. The Car
2. The Telephone
3. Internet.
4. Video games (Before you reply to this research)
5. Annimation.
6. The Airplane.
7. The Submarine
8. The VCR
9. Computers
10. Helicopter
11. Stereo.
12.CD
13.MD
14.DVD
15. Neon

16. The combustion engine
17.Cement
18. Concrete
19. Asphalt
20. Steel.
21. Alluminon, alluminumm (darn I can't spell that stuff cans are made of)
22. Speaking of cans...The can opener..
And on and on..Washing machine..dryer.. blah,blah
You see.. young people today think that if you put a digital clock on something you have come up with a great invention.
Now lets move on to everyday life. First lets view it through the eyes of "Otaku".
I got up today an hopped in my ultra modern auto that whisk me off into the "Skyway of tommorow" there was no traffic, evrybody was courteous and waved me passed them, the Japanese are so polite and friendly. At the toll booth "Doreman" took my money and a bunch of Samuri smiled and waved at me. After a quick tea ceromony I stopped off at a "Bonsai garden" for some meditation.
Translation: I woke up to some van with a big speaker blasting some nonesense about some poltical party I should support. I wonder how this land of tranquilty could be so full of noise pollution. I force myself out of bed and fight my way through the lines at the local train station. I get pushed, and shoved in every direction until I find a 2 inch by 2 inch spot and start my commute. I do my job I come home, I eat , I watch really crappy TV and i sleep, The end
That's life here.
I know I didn't answer the question but I feel better...

Wait to answer your question all those people you asked about in your question "Why do people who've never been to Japan like it so much?" Is they have no clue.
BRING ON THE THUMBS DOWN OTAKU

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