Japanese Opinion of Americans

[LovableLeo]

I'm just wondering if anyone can give me an idea of Japanese feeling towards Americans...the guidebooks I've read have given an impression of them thinking you're a wierd novelty, or that you're very strange and not too bright. I also wonder if there are any feelings carrying over from WWII I should be aware of? I'm traveling to Japan in July for two weeks as an exchange student, and I'd like to know if there are any negative feelings I should watch out for. It'd also be interesting to know what the Japanese think of my country. If anyone can put in their two cents, I'd appreciate it! :-)

[ArmandV]

I've been there 4 times and never encountered any hostility.

[nurizeko]

The Japanese considor France and the French the height of civilization and culture.

[yukio_michael]

I kind of agree with nurizeko on that one, solely based on historical reasons mostly centered around the French langauge... a lot of people from the states make the mistake of thinking, "Oh, the Japanese, especially Japanese girls, are all really into Americans... they should love me...", I wouldn't be surprised by apathy.

That said, I've never seen any open hostility, quite a bit of wary looks from mothers & old women at the gaijin (me) in their prefecture, and of course--- you tend to stick out when you aren't Japanese... but you're not some sort of hot comodity.

[MeAndroo]

Like the rest of the posters, I never encountered open hostility, except for in certain seedy areas and among drunk louts. The thing that stood out were some of the assumptions some people made regarding American attitudes towards the rest of the world...which isn't an exclusively Japanese things of course.

On a two-week exchange, I wouldn't expect anything but politeness and congenial small talk.

[godppgo]

The Japanese considor France and the French the height of civilization and culture.

This is one aspect of Japanese society that has puzzled me. I really don't know where the all theses French affections originated from...

[sl0thmachin3]

click me! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-Japanese_relations)
click me too! (http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/france/index.html)

Godppgo san, these links should help some in showing why the Japanese are fond of the French.

Throughout history, Japan and France have a cordial relationship, each culture being extremely curious about the other. This is true even today. My guess is that it's a case of opposites attracting or two entirely different cultures being attracted to each other.
:-)

[godppgo]

click me! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-Japanese_relations)
click me too! (http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/france/index.html)

Godppgo san, these links should help some in showing why the Japanese are fond of the French.

Throughout history, Japan and France have a cordial relationship, each culture being extremely curious about the other. This is true even today. My guess is that it's a case of opposites attracting or two entirely different cultures being attracted to each other.
:-)

Thanks for the link sl0thmachin3 san!
I was under the impression that historically Japan only had close relationship with European countries such as Holland, Protugal, and Britain. I guess I need to brush up my Japanese hisotry!

[nurizeko]

I kind of agree with nurizeko on that one, solely based on historical reasons mostly centered around the French langauge... a lot of people from the states make the mistake of thinking, "Oh, the Japanese, especially Japanese girls, are all really into Americans... they should love me...", I wouldn't be surprised by apathy.

That said, I've never seen any open hostility, quite a bit of wary looks from mothers & old women at the gaijin (me) in their prefecture, and of course--- you tend to stick out when you aren't Japanese... but you're not some sort of hot comodity.

Theres been a few times when this woman in the same apartment building as my girlfriends place was comming downstairs or up with her kids and would look at me almost wide-eyed as if she thinks im going to pull a knife on her...lol i just found it funny...stupid woman.

Everyone else in Japan didnt take much notice of me, but im fairly short (for a westerner) with black hair and brown eyes so i can blend in easier then some.

[yukio_michael]

Theres been a few times when this woman in the same apartment building as my girlfriends place was comming downstairs or up with her kids and would look at me almost wide-eyed as if she thinks im going to pull a knife on her...lol i just found it funny...stupid woman.I remember cringing every time there was a news report, always sensationalized on televsion about a certain gaijin committing a violent crime, I knew that I might get a few extra stares that week. :okashii:

[nurizeko]

I've just thought of an awsomely amusing Gaijin event.


For one day, all gaijin wear a black T-shirt and plain jeans, no fancy hair-do, and on both sides of the T-shirt printed in white lettering, it reads "Murderer" in Japanese.

That'd be amusing, but i dont know if the Japanese would appriciate the western sense of humour... :p

[Dutch Baka]

I've just thought of an awsomely amusing Gaijin event.
For one day, all gaijin wear a black T-shirt and plain jeans, no fancy hair-do, and on both sides of the T-shirt printed in white lettering, it reads "Murderer" in Japanese.
That'd be amusing, but i dont know if the Japanese would appriciate the western sense of humour... :p

I am western, and don't see the humour in this :souka:

[pipokun]

Tell your fellow Scotish wearing a GOUKAKU, "success in an examination", Hachimaki headband is not an appropriate one, Hisshou 'surely win' is better, now in the football match, Scotland v Japan, though I like his sense of humor.

[FrenchMan]

The Japanese considor France and the French the height of civilization and culture.
The Japaneses peoples are extremely wise...

[FrenchMan]

This is one aspect of Japanese society that has puzzled me. I really don't know where the all theses French affections originated from...
Why this question it is soooo obvious:
After the invention of Cinema, hot air balloon, Dom Perignon, Human rights, the modern of olympic games. La deux-chevaux, statue of liberty etc....
There is also these famous people:
Charles de Gaulle
Louis Pasteur
Abb・Pierre
Marie Curie
Coluche
Victor Hugo
Bourvil
Moli鑽e
Commandant Cousteau
ﾉdith Piaf
Marcel Pagnol
Georges Brassens
Fernandel
Jean de La Fontaine
Jules Verne
Napol駮n Bonaparte
Louis De Fun鑚
Jean Gabin
Daniel Balavoine
Serge Gainsbourg
Zinedine Zidane
Charlemagne
Lino Ventura
Fran輟is Mitterrand
Gustave Eiffel
ﾉmile Zola
S忖r Emmanuelle
Jean Moulin
Charles Aznavour
Yves Montand
Jeanne d'Arc
Mar馗hal Leclerc
Voltaire
Johnny Hallyday
Antoine de Saint-Exup駻y
Claude Fran輟is
Christian Cabrol
Jean-Paul Belmondo
Jules Ferry
Louis Lumi鑽e
Michel Platini
Jacques Chirac
Charles Trenet
Georges Pompidou
Michel Sardou
Simone Signoret
Haroun Tazieff
Jacques Pr騅ert
ﾉric Tabarly
Louis XIV
David Douillet
Henri Salvador
Jean-Jacques Goldman
Jean Jaur鑚
Jean Marais
Yannick Noah
Albert Camus
Dalida
L駮n Zitrone
Nicolas Hulot
Simone Veil
Alain Delon
Patrick Poivre d'Arvor
Aim・Jacquet
Francis Cabrel
Brigitte Bardot
Guy de Maupassant
Alexandre Dumas
Honor・de Balzac
Paul Verlaine
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Maximilien de Robespierre
Renaud
Bernard Kouchner
Claude Monet
Michel Serrault
Auguste Renoir
Michel Drucker
Raimu
Vercing騁orix
Raymond Poulidor
Charles Baudelaire
Pierre Corneille
Arthur Rimbaud
Georges Clemenceau
Gilbert B馗aud
Jos・Bov・
Jean Ferrat
Lionel Jospin
Jean Cocteau
Luc Besson
Tino Rossi
Pierre de Coubertin
Jean Renoir
G駻ard Philipe
Jean-Paul Sartre
Catherine Deneuve
Serge Reggiani
G駻ard Depardieu
Fran輟ise Dolto

[FrenchMan]

there is nothing more to say

[xerxes99]

I find it very amusing that when someone asks me a question about what its like in America, the first questionn is almost always about food.
:-)

[leonmarino]

I find it very amusing that when someone asks me a question about what its like in America, the first questionn is almost always about food.
:-)
Yeah the Japanese like to talk about food.. No wonder really, as the Japanese cuisine is so good! Especially compared to our deep-fried culture..:(

Anyways, I am sure all Japanese people will be polite to you as an exchange student, but I know many Japanese people that would rather see all Americans, or other foreigners for that matter, leave Japan. But it's really a personal question and I'm sure you'll notice zero hostility; even if someone wants you dead he or she probably be polite and not show it..

[Minty]

The Japanese considor France and the French the height of civilization and culture.

That explains why I heard stories of Frenchmen being chased by Japanese women, my husband is one of them!:p

In France, there are indeed lots of Japanese tourists, but then again in France we get tourists all over the world.

[gaijinalways]

Interesting how this thread turned. I don't think the hostility, if any is necessarily directed to Americans (except in some parts of Okinawa, where bases overrun the land), but rather to foreginers, especially people who look non-Japanese. Japan is not quite the land of enlightment when it comes to dealing with foreign 'visitors/residents', but generally is a benign tolerance as long as you don't plan to stay too long (hey, that's my impression anyway).

[ricecake]

This is one aspect of Japanese society that has puzzled me. I really don't know where the all theses French affections originated from...

This goes back to Meiji Restoration Era,Japanese ruling elite decided JAPAN SHOULD MODELED on French for art and culture,MODELED English for democratic political process,and lastly MODELED Germans for sciences.

Japanese,Chinese,and Koreans generally see Europe as THE GENUINE Western CIVILIZATION.

[ippolito]

This goes back to Meiji Restoration Era,Japanese ruling elite decided JAPAN SHOULD MODELED on French for art and culture,MODELED English for democratic political process,and lastly MODELED Germans for sciences.
Japanese,Chinese,and Koreans generally see Europe as THE GENUINE Western CIVILIZATION.

Yes there is a lot of difference btwn us and europe i would like to understand the japanese opinion about the difference btwn these 2
different western style of life
Europe is an ancient and traditional world meanwhile Usa is a modern country....perhpas we european are a little closer to Japan than Us
especially in culture and history....Us is a young country a mix of european central and south America cultures

[yukio_michael]

I find it very amusing that when someone asks me a question about what its like in America, the first questionn is almost always about food.
:-)Followed quickly thereafter by, "Can you eat sushi?"

[ippolito]

Followed quickly thereafter by, "Can you eat sushi?"

Most of western are eating for pleasure and taste
as i am italian I like pasta and 100s of fish plates or meat etc
we have marwelous ice creams that foreigners enjoy a lot
in Us you have burgers kfchiken french fries potatoes etc
almost a big push for cholesterol and heart deseases...
also for us wine cakes etc....
meanwhile in the orient expecially in Japan and Korea the meal has also a meaning for the health for this reason is important for them in a different way.

[caster51]

Japanese ruling elite decided JAPAN SHOULD MODELED on French
:wave: :wave: :wave:
According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau ,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Jacques_Rousseau

he said
" If I choose my home country optionally,I would choose The country where the interest doesn't conflict between the monarch and the people.
However, there is actually no such country. Therefore, I unavoidably choose the democracy country as the alternative thing. "
The monarch is always conflicting with people's interests at the dynasty of
Europe.
However, Japan never includes the confrontation of the
interest etc.

[ArmandV]

The Japanese considor France and the French the height of civilization and culture.


How anyone can feel that way about a country who worships Jerry Lewis is mind-boggling.

[ricecake]

The monarch is always conflicting with people's interests at the dynasty of
Europe.

However, Japan never includes the confrontation of the interest etc.



This has to do with " structural differences " of European and Japanese monarchies.

Japanese Emperors " never ruled " politically or philosophically through out much of Japan's history,except for one notable 7th century Emperor XXXtakashi ( 673-686 ) with utmost executive powers during his reign according to my Chinese language translated book titled " Chronology of Japan's Royal House " written by Hidehiko Kasahara.

[Silverpoint]

2 words: Bush, Iraq

Japanese people don't dislike Americans, but any unpopularity America may have as a country is for the same reasons as in most other countries right now. Whether or not this is justified depends on your politics.

[GodEmperorLeto]

2 words: Bush, Iraq
This isn't directed at you, personally, but...

I really wish people would quit beating a dead horse about this crap. Christ. I'm starting to wish we would just pull out and let the country rip itself apart just so I can stop hearing people blathering on about it.

This has to do with " structural differences " of European and Japanese monarchies.
European monarchies have their roots in the military. The feudal European monarchies were essentially militaristic in nature, and more similar to the samurai class structure. Japan, unlike the West, had a separate caste of administrators and courtly nobles who stuck around. However, with the establishment of the office of shogun, they became politically impotent. As a result, they were evolved to be much more authoritarian.

Japanese Emperors " never ruled " politically or philosophically through out much of Japan's history,except for one notable 7th century Emperor XXXtakashi ( 673-686 ) with utmost executive powers during his reign
Actually, there were some emperors who did have a great deal of power, which they exercised through religion. That's why many retired Emperors who lived in Buddhist monasteries still pulled strings back in the court at Kyoto.

If you really want a Western analogy, the Catholic Church hierarchy and its relationship to a European king/emperor is kind of like the Japanese emperor's relationship to the shogun, in theory. In practice, well, the pope was pretty damn powerful, and sometimes the shogun could outright refuse the emperor's bidding.

[Silverpoint]

This isn't directed at you, personally, but...
I really wish people would quit beating a dead horse about this crap. Christ. I'm starting to wish we would just pull out and let the country rip itself apart just so I can stop hearing people blathering on about it.

The OP's question was about what Japanese people think of Americans. I answered the question by pointing out 2 key issues that affect the Japanese peoples' judgement of America (and therefore the American people). I didn't make any judgements nor expressed any kind of opinion. I didn't bash you, criticize your politics, or make any suggestion whatsoever about whether or not Bush did the right thing. It was just a statement of fact to answer the question at hand.

If you would prefer people not to answer threads honestly and accurately because it offends your sensibilities, or you think we'd all just be better off burying our heads in the sand, feel free to follow your own advice. Personally I would rather have a debate that accurately reflects what is happening in the world, even if beats a dead horse.

If you asked what do other Europeans think of Germans, you'd find that there still exists a degree of resentment about the Second World War, despite the fact that it happened 60 years ago and most of the people involved are dead. This is a horse with considerably more flies on it than your President or current military engagement, but it doesn't stop it being true, or contributing to the image of one group of people which is held by another.

[Veidit]

If I may ask in this thread, what is the "general" Japanese opinion on swedes and Sweden?

[changedonrequest]

If I may ask in this thread, what is the "general" Japanese opinion on swedes and Sweden?

I would suggest that it might be a better idea to start a thread on your own.

This thread would turn into a question(s) about "What is the "general" Japanese opinion on(Fill in the blank with your country). :relief:

[Veidit]

I would suggest that it might be a better idea to start a thread on your own.

This thread would turn into a question(s) about "What is the "general" Japanese opinion on(Fill in the blank with your country). :relief:

Ah yes you are right, :-)

[Silverpoint]

I think it's easy to settle this one quickly. If you asked the average Japanese to point to Sweden on a　map, they'd probably have trouble finding it. I'd say there's no "general opinion" about Swedes, because generally there's no opinion at all. Sorry if that sounds rude, but there aren't that many countries outside of Asia that figure prominently in the Japanese mind.

That's not to denegrate the Japanese. It's the same anywhere else in the world. You tend to have the strongest opinions about the countries nearest yours, plus the USA by default because it's so prominent.