why is everyone so interested in going to japan??

[prolly]

just for science's sake, i did some looking around and nowhere else are there as many forums directed at young people going to another country (good luck finding a pseudo fucked-dutchman forum).

the mystique of guys wanting to bed tons of asian lovelies can't be everything; it's easy for a foreigner to get laid in most other countries, too.

are 99% of the people who so desperately want to go all anime freaks who will entertain the fantasy, even take language classes, but ultimately never leave their hometown? and they'll post their geek asses off on japan forums?

i also read where the proliferation of such forums (like this one, but not specifically this one) are just publicity machines designed to attract foreign workers to Japan (tech, mostly) with tales of Roppongi girls and other exotic advertising disguised as "forum gossip"

[Guile]

I took a comparative political science course and one of the countries we studied was Japan. The political system seemed interesting. One party rule, corruption etc...

I feel sorry for fans of anime. I really do (no offense to anyone on these boards). From who I know, they are excruciatingly short on social interaction skills. Cartoons aren't for me. Anyway, I'm not a technology geek, I could care less about fancy cell phones or computers (Again, no offense to anyone on these boards).

I just want to move as far away from home as possible, live on my own, have a steady income and see what happens. Oh yeah, bukkake, that's why I'm going. I almost forgot.

We'll see how I like it when I get there in the spring.

I'm pretty confident I can get laid right where I am so I'm not going looking for girls. I'm not one of those guys who thinks all Asian girls are hot. There are a select few who jump out at you, but in my opinion, if you want hot chicks go to Brazil.

Who knows, all this could change, I pray not, after being in Japan for a year or so.

I think the reason that there are so many forums directed at young people in regards to Japan is because many go to teach English after getting their undergrad degree. It's realatively easy to find a job it pays a steady income. I'd like to belive it will be a jumping off point for success in my post-academic career, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[Kyuuketsuki02]

First of all, your references to people who like anime are slightly offensive, since you obviously deem yourself too "good" for "cartoons." Not to mention references of anyone who is interested in Japan, anime, or technology as a geek, as though, again, you are somehow superior. But that's fine, other people's refusal to allow other's interests as not inferior to their own preferences has never bothered me much. I like anime, I like Japan, I like technology.

As to answering the question of this thread, I'd have to say much of your wondering or whatever you wish to call them are based on callous assumptions. Are there people who wish to go to Japan based upon rediculous notions like Japanese women climbing all over them? Surely. But I don't hold any such belief. But going to Japan is still one of my goals. Why? Because I'm a technology-hugging asian-girl-fetish anime-freak? If that's what you choose to believe, then there's not much I can say that is likely to change your view.

I, however, have been interested in Japan since long before I had even heard the word 'anime,' and long before I had any sexual longings for anyone. I love the medieval period of Japan - samurai and ninja. I don't have any lack of understanding that samurai were violent and oppressed the working-class, or that ninja weren't superhuman. But then, what area and/or period of human history could I be interested in where there wasn't violence and oppression?

In any case, it's Japanese culture and history that interests me. Do I think Japanese girls are hot? Some of them are, just as some of all nationalities/races are. Have I taken language classes? Yes. Have I left my hometown? No, though visiting Japan is still a goal of mine. I'm thinking of possibly studying Japanese seriously in order to get a job localizing software from Japanese to English.

Call me whatever names you like; I got quite used to it when people were doing the same thing back in kindergarten. I like Japan, and I want to visit it. Guess I'm just not up to such standards as people like yourself.

[Guile]

I meant no harm. I have friends that like anime and as I said, they lack social skills and I do feel sorry for them, but I'm not going to try to convert them away from their passions by any means.

As for "geek" I view that as being a compliment these days. I wish I knew how to set up all this Pearl Script and back end stuff for fancy web pages, but I don't. I see a lot of people who are into this stuff and see Japan as a tech mecca. I consider myself a political science geek.

For school I have/am written/writing essays on Japanese nationalism, The battle of Midway, Japanese trade barriers, and the practicality versus the aethestics of technology in Tokyo.

I'd say that if you're into the pop culture aspect of it, then that's great, but I wouldn't move somewhere for a hobby alone. My hobby is politics, but that's not the sole reason.

I never said I was too good for cartoons, they're just not for me. Some people like to hug when they greet others, I'd rather shake hands. That doesn't mean I think I'm better; it's just not me.

Edit: To answer the question. I came to this site after I learned that I was going to be hired so I decided to bone up on current events and any cultural peculiarities that I've heard that can take place. I've been reading blogs and message boards etc. I've read a few posts on boards that say things to the effect of: "I need to go to Japan now! I love anime! How do I get a visa?" and then they're crushed when they find out they need a four year degree. I have found this forum to also be useful in finding sources for researching my papers for school.

[prolly]

Kyuuketsuki02: did i hit a nerve? not everything is about "you", y'know. i almost think you were so busy being blinded by disdain you didn't read my post properly.

anyway, take a look at other japanphile forums, like i did, before defaulting into insulted mode. ever look at anime boards or youngdudes?

-------
what i was asking is, why do you think there are so many internet sites about people going to japan (compared to any other place)? and then proceeded to note some of my own observations. this forum is slightly different since it's geared towards people already living in Japan, so I'm sure the users see all sorts of repetitive threads by people asking about the Japanese Adventure.

[edit] I'm interested because - why not? I know the language already. It's equal parts curiosity and challenge, like going to any other place -the difference is that Japan seems more accessible to a foreign introductory-job market than, say, Sweden.

[Molokidan]

Cartoons aren't for me.

This coming from the poster who has an avatar of the face of one, as well as named himself after said character?

Sure, a lot of people go to Japan for anime, and a lot of them are total failures are integrating into Japanese culture. But oh well. Some of them also fit in quite nicely. And an obsession with cartoons is just like an obsession with porn -- an obsession. Everyone has one, whether you like it or not.

I think that the whole english-teaching gig is really luring a lot of people into it, because, frankly, it is pretty much a breeze. Also, have we looked over the fact that Japan is nuts? I personally know a bunch of people who want to come to Japan just because it's famed as a "party country" and just generally insane from their point of view.

Whether they're right or not, isn't really the case. . .

[Guile]

Cartoons aren't for me.

This coming from the poster who has an avatar of the face of one, as well as named himself after said character?

Absolutely, I spent an all-nighter in Grade 5 playing Street Fighter and my friend and I kept mispronouncing Guile's name as "Gooile." The mnemonic stuck and it was the first thing I thought of when it came time to register on the boards. Now, I'm assuming that Street Fighter is a Japanese game. In my opinion, "Guile" has much more panache than say, "KoizumiLikesElvis."

[mercutio]

You are not special. You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake.

Once again, ultra, you have managed to crystalize an issue in perfect clarity with a single line..... and make a good movie reference

I like the exchange student stats... although our new friends dont seem to want to reply...hmmmmm

[Guile]

Please let's not rehash the same old anime haters discussions. So many of you anime haters come off the same way as people who are aggressively homophobic...it seems like you're in denial and have something to hide. Or maybe you have some other real issues that you're avoiding by focusing your energy on hating cartoons.

If you don't like anime, that's fine. If you have an extreme hatred of anime and an insatiable need to express it, then that's your own problem. It's up to you to get over it.

I'm not an anime hater. Honestly!

I have, in fact, tried to like anime. My aforementioned friends have given me plenty of opportunities to watch anime with them. I end up thinking to myself: "perfectly healthy 21 year old watching cartoons." So, I've tried and I can see why they're attracted to it, but it's not for me.

[djgizmoe]

Please let's not rehash the same old anime haters discussions. So many of you anime haters come off the same way as people who are aggressively homophobic...it seems like you're in denial and have something to hide. Or maybe you have some other real issues that you're avoiding by focusing your energy on hating cartoons.
If you don't like anime, that's fine. If you have an extreme hatred of anime and an insatiable need to express it, then that's your own problem. It's up to you to get over it.
Also, let's not go down the "I'm interested in Japan for far nobler reasons that thou" road again.
You're reading Fucked Gaijin FFS, you must have at least a passing interest in Japan. What is the deal with these obsessive personalities who feel violated if anyone shares their interests?
*sigh*

Here, here. I think it's safe to say that nearly all of us who live here were attracted by one aspect of Japanese culture before we came here, be it history, martial arts, Godzilla, anime or something else (though others just came for a little random adventure, cash or teaching experience). That initial 'geeky' interest motivates us to get here, then we find it's usually pretty safe, comfortable and (if you're somehow able to activate those vistidual social skills centers of the brain) a helluva lot of fun.

As for the implication that FG is a "publicity machine designed to attract foreign workers", you'll have to talk to Asskissinger about that. He's in charge of the "BULLSHIT" department around here...Seems to me that many J-forums (Big Daikon, JAPANic, etc.) are actually whinge boards for lonely FGs, which ain't the kind of publicity anyone needs.

And as for the stereotype that all anime fans are overweight, bespectacled, cosplaying, Akihabara-crawling misanthropes, it just isn't so. After DJing at my cooler-than-shit drift-racing pal's Halloween home party in Ibaraki last weekend, we went shopping in Tokyo where he admitted a secret fascination...with Macross model kits!

[Watcher]

To answer the question originally posed, I suspect it's a question all of us have asked ourselves at one point. Why or How did I go from womb to 1R (one room) in Japan? Well, for me, it's rather simple to explain. I had travelled Europe and done North America. I was bored with my job and wanted to travel again. Asia always held some mystique and influence for me seeing as how I grew up playing with Transformers, watching Astroboy, wearing Seiko watches, and listening to my Sony (Aiwa, actually) Walkman. Nothing in my life came from Korea or China (except Taiwan... but then they were just making things for Japan so my young mind associated them to a "Japanese Mexico"). As well I had friends who were Japanese when I was growing up.
But to get to the brass tacks of why Japan... money. They pay the most for doing something that I, as a fresh BA graduate, was qualified to do; teach English. And I took my vacations in places like Thailand and Bali for about a week's salary. Life was good.

[Mulboyne]

what i was asking is, why do you think there are so many internet sites about people going to japan (compared to any other place)?

Honestly, I suspect your findings only reflect your own interest in Japan. If, for example, you were a true Francophile, I'm sure you could find many more French-related sites than a casual search by an uninterested observer.

The closest thing I have seen to the FG in Japan experience is with New Zealanders and Australians in the UK. There are a number of magazines, websites, bars all geared to helping guys from those countries deal with visa issues, work, foreign exchange/banking. There is also constant turnover so the same questions always come up. Very similar to what you find here. Also, the Lonely Planet franchise developed from an initial guide to South East Asia which was directed at (largely Australian and Kiwi) backpackers.

But Prolly isn't completely off target. I can't support or refute the claim about internet sites in general but the basic point about Japan occuping a slightly different space is one that comes up often in academic circles. You don't find studies of French poetry, Dutch social policy or Brazilian football which completely ignore the "local" view or literature but there is a huge amount of work on on Japan which happily does just that. For whatever reason, a lot of people do first learn about Japan through the prism of another foreigner (Lafcadio Hearn, James Clavell, Arthur Golden, Sophia Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott, Frank Miller etc etc) rather than through Japan itself. It can often develop beyond that but, often, it doesn't. I can ramble on about this and, in fact, here's one I prepared earlier:

FG Thread: Japan Anthropologist Studies US Japan Anthropologists

[cstaylor]

You are not special. You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake.

[Maths Dude]

My original intention was to go Japan for a holiday, just a few weeks. Got offered an english gig and stayed 5 years. Now I'm back in my home country I want to go back. Why? Because it's quiet. I lived in a crap apartment for 3 years and never heard anyone stero or TV and shit like that. In Australia the moronic sheeple play their friggin steros at all kinds of hours. Basically they don't give a shit about thier neighbors, where in Japan they do. Japan is like what Australia was 20 years ago. I just hope the selfish 'western' ways never take hold in Japan, and that they always respect other peoples right to peace and quiet.

[Taro Toporific]

Now I'm back in my home country I want to go back. Why? Because it's quiet.... in Japan, and that they always respect other peoples right to peace and quiet.

Japan quiet?
Sure, but China is quieter.

[oyajikun]

wa, women and great bars.

[Skankster]

-
-

You are not special. You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake.

Quite addicting isnt it.
I just thank god that I feel special when I go back to the US too.

[kamome]

I have always felt that there are practical reasons for moving to Japan and impractical reasons for doing so. It's not so much a "holier than thou" attitude, but rather a pragmatic view--why the hell would you subject yourself to live as an FG without an exit strategy or a safety net? I actually did that to myself and wound up suffering professionally for it (of course, I also have a lot of fun).

That's why I always say that there are better reasons than others for going to Japan--better in the sense that you don't wind up f*ed if you have a good game plan.

(Sorry for talking in abstractions, but I am in the midst of putting things in boxes to change my fucked-ness as we speak).

[GomiGirl]

Who knows and honestly does it really matter???

but my two cents (it is a slow news day again)

But as much as Australians are exposed to US culture via TV etc there is as much British culture as well as Japanese culture via games, electronics and martial arts - I mean who didn't know somebody taking Judo classes at the age of 10? I took Japanese study at my high school from the age of 13. But also we were all exposed to the Rotary japanese exchange students and found out first hand that these kids didn't have two heads and eat live chickens for breakfast.

Plus Japan is different but considered safe and civilised so why not travel here? I first came to japan at the age of 16 and backpacked by myself for a month with my parents consent.

Also, look at things like fashion, design and even homewares - it was fashionable in the 80's to have the sleek minimalist look in your house. Japanese style is quite unique. Sushi was the fave lunch of the yuppies.

So all things considered, it is not that unusual to want to visit somewhere that you have had some exposure to.

I do like my home country but I wanted more - now I have the best of both worlds...

[Maths Dude]

Yes Taro, it was quiet. Very quiet. Obviously you have never been woken up at 2 am by death metal being played by neigbours from hell. I've moved twice since I've been back, and I get the same crap. Maybe I got lucky in Japan (kasugai), but man it was good! I'll be back in about 4 years (if I'm not in gaol (not jail :P ) for bumping off some death metal lovers he he!)

[prolly]

aside from the people who thought i was bashing anime, these answers are helpful. yes, i saw the stats for studying abroad (but studying abroad is not the same as post-college working abroad, and does not reflect and disproportions in potential-gaijin to website usage).

after looking through this forum, it seems Japan has the "youth culture" hook - from childhood judo classes to samurai movies to Akibahara (sp?) to hentai, and so seems both unfamiliar and exciting at the same time for people coming out of school unsure of what/where they're going. The UK does, too, but then there's less of a language barrier (if you can read this, you can get by over there.)

as for my singling out anime fans, I apologize if I came off as demeaning them. but after searching through 'Japan forums' you inevitably run across anime boards and time and again I kept read things like, "I want to go to Japan soooo bad!!!11!" during their discussion of whatever they were watching. Time again allusions were made as to how great i would be to live in Japan like a school student and have (non-tentacle sex)adventures like in the shows.

[aquamarine]

as long as they don't mind a bit of hazing....

Don't worry Guile. Somehow I managed to duck that much! MWAHA! Try and haze if you dare! ... Then again, I might have the same Japanese stalker girl showing up at my window again. Time for a new post!

[AssKissinger]

Yes Taro, it was quiet. Very quiet. Obviously you have never been woken up at 2 am by death metal being played by neigbours from hell. I've moved twice since I've been back, and I get the same crap. Maybe I got lucky in Japan (kasugai), but man it was good! I'll be back in about 4 years (if I'm not in gaol (not jail :P ) for bumping off some death metal lovers he he!)

I guess it depends where you live. Except for election time you could hear a mouse fart at 1000 meters where I am now but where I used to live in Aichi was bosozoku Hell coming by every night at 1 am 2 am 3 am 4 am 5 am. And you should tell your neighbors to make the jump from death metal to black metal (666) http://www.fatalexception.org/spin_article

[nigerian_nampa]

You don't find studies of French poetry, Dutch social policy or Brazilian football which completely ignore the "local" view or literature but there is a huge amount of work on on Japan which happily does just that. For whatever reason, a lot of people do first learn about Japan through the prism of another foreigner

That could possibly be because of the Japanese belief that their culture somehow can not be explained to foreigners, that only they are capable of understanding it. I usually don't feel I can trust a Japanese appraisal of their own culture, since they're giving me the edited-for-television gaijin version.

As for why I came to Japan, well it wasn't because of any particular interest in Japanese culture (though that has developed since coming here). I simply wanted to do something really different, get away from home and family, and have some crazy experiences. I had visited a buddy who had been living in Japan as a Nova teacher, and I found Japan to be a very clean, stable, safe, and convenient place to live. I didn't have that same impression of Korea or Hong Kong, etc. so I chose Japan.

[Kyuuketsuki02]

Prolly: thank you for quite exaggerating my level of insultedness. And you also mistook my speaking from my point of view as an indicator that I think everything is about me. I was speaking from my point of view because that's the point of view I'm most qualified to speak from. What was I supposed to do? Speak on behalf of everyone everywhere?

I do apologize to Guile, though, since he seems to be at least honest and (mostly) non-judgemental.

I do realize that there are many, many stupid anime-lovers who have immature and absurd notions of Japan. But then there are many, many stupid people in general. I try to ignore them as much as possible.

My reasons for wanting to go to Japan are: a genuine interest in the language, culture (both modern and traditional), and history. Also, my current career direction would require at least a visit to Japan, as there are too many dialects and cultural references for anyone who wanted to seriously translate to get right without actually being in the country.

[dangermouse]

i came here to recover from drugs.my mind and body was so spent after college that i couldnt even look my own family in the eyes while speaking to them.japan seemed exotic, strange and distant.the perfect rehab.an escape from my reality.somewhere my weirdness and sickness would go unnoticed.the japanese i guessed, would not be able to figure out which foreigners were together and which werent...i believe this is how i got a job.i ran away from england.in england, they know a junky.here in japan, a junky is just another guy to fuck with in the classroom.
my rehab is over but i have encountered a whole new world of enemies barring my return to home.sirens singing to me whenever i go to work.DAMN THEM!!!!they creep outta street alleys and blink at me.big eyes, makeup, chirpy little voices.grouping togetha and chatting in little feminine melodious voices.sirens.we dont have em in the uk.this place is crawling with friggin sirens.how can i get away from them?

[kotatsuneko]

heh is your real name Danny? do you wear lennon specs? (ex triad?) ex h addict?

[Ketou]

my rehab is over but i have encountered a whole new world of enemies barring my return to home.sirens singing to me whenever i go to work.DAMN THEM!!!!they creep outta street alleys and blink at me.big eyes, makeup, chirpy little voices.grouping togetha and chatting in little feminine melodious voices.sirens.we dont have em in the uk.this place is crawling with friggin sirens.how can i get away from them?

Ahh....so you've noticed them. How do you get away?? You don't!
Your f*cked laddy!!

[puargs]

I guess I was the only one originally attracted to Japan by Speed Racer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dragon Ball, Three Ninjas, The Karate Kid, and a whole bunch of other Japanamerican products. Growing up, I thought Japan must have some CRAZY shit going on. Fucking mutants and ninjas and giant animals running all over the place. I thought it rocked.

Of course, over the next 20 years you grow up and realize that there's easy money and fine women to be made from your previously-was-just-an-interest. There's nothing wrong with that. It's a great country, and we're all interested in it for a multitude of reasons. One way or another, we're all genuinely attached. Why is there any big deal about it? People will love what they want to love, and despite how they talk about it, everyone here at FG loves Japan. So get over it.

I still love ninjas, though. Sweet!

[Taro Toporific]

THEM!!!!they creep outta street alleys and blink at me.big eyes, makeup, chirpy little voices.grouping togetha and chatting in little feminine melodious voices.sirens.we dont have em in the uk.this place is crawling with friggin sirens.how can i get away from them?

Ahh....so you've noticed them. How do you get away?? You don't!
Your f*cked laddy!!

Hell no! Invite the voices.sirens. yes all them to dance with you on the subway platform....


.big eyes, makeup, chirpy little voices-crazed youths invade London stationThe Register &#187]It's 6:45 pm on a drizzly Wednesday evening at Waterloo Station. The main concourse is crowded more than usual due to train delays. Anxious faces stare at blue screens hoping for their cue to sprint to a platform in the hope of a seat. The middle aged lady with handbag in one hand and mobile phone in the other looks down for a second and stares in bemusement at two young ladies who begin dancing to the sound of their personal stereos. She shakes herself to check her senses are not playing tricks as a Conga line streams past behind her with 20 or 30 people listening to their own personal stereos. Other commuters look on dumbfounded.
Welcome to the world of Mobile Clubbing. Simply, mobile clubbing is turning up at a pre-arranged public place on mass where you begin to dance to the sound of your own personal stereo.[url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/04/mobile_clubbing/]....more...