Japan

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JohnBM01

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Other than my native country, Japan is one of my favorite countries. I've never travelled outside of my homestate (Texas) in all of my life. If I had a chance to go international, I would first want to go to Japan. I've raced my favorite city (Tokyo) in three different games, I've seen pictures, but I have school to deal with, so I cannot go right now. If I can't go to Tokyo, I'd surely like to visit Osaka, and maybe even Sapporo. Miyagi Prefecture (which many know for the Sugo circuit), appears to be a very lively and very lovely atmosphere. Hiroshima is still a very lovely place despite World War II's devastating aftermath. Then you have Oita, which is known for the Autopolis Circuit that the JGTC raced last year before Suzuka. Oita has another nice atmosphere and after learning about the history of the Autopolis Circuit, it was a shame that 1.) the proposed F1 race there never happened, and 2.) it didn't turn out to be the Monte Carlo of Japan- that is, a playground for the rich. Sapporo is very far from Japan, and seems more like a very nice city from the big city.

This thread is dedicated to where Anime was born, the kimono was born, where drifting is the newest craze, and of course where GT4 is still being worked on. Come on in and let's talk Japan.
 
Personally I don't like Anime at all. In fact I cant stand it.

I wouldnt like to visit Japan. Firstly their baths would be about large enough to soak my feet in, and secondly I hate crowded places. The fact that the average height of a Japanese citizen is about the height of my hip is irrelevant, although I do like to intentionally walk into irritating people in malls.
 
I hate Japanese fanboys - unless they have a legitimate reason for liking the place. Being the birtplace of stupid cartoons of girls with overly huge eyes, the AE86 and drifting are not legitimate reasons.
 
Lived there for 2 years at Yokota AB. I had a blast! Everyone was so friendly to me, it was so odd. Then I get back to the states after my duty was up there and I'm sitting around Phoenix thinking "Damn, these people are all jerks". I guess you get spoiled when you go to McDonalds and they bring you your food and place your drinks in a bag.
 
On a somewhat related note, today I got my british (Euro. Union) passport, making me a dual citizen of England and Australia. It also means I can go to europe and stay there as long as I like. Unlike my friends who can only stay for like a year at max. I plan on going to germany in the near future.
 
Some japanese d00ds are so pathetic. They have these pillows that have a picture of an anime girl printed on them. The pillows are like a softcore version of the inflatable Barbara doll.
 
The only good things to come from Japan are video games and sushi.
 
Japan is an interesting culture, but I think much of today's Western youth sees it through giant roundeye rose-colored glasses. It is not just a land of urban-chic, cigarette-smoking, street-racing ronin nightkidz. In many ways the culture is strictly controlled and very intolerant of nonconformity. Rebellious youth tends to rebel in certain prescribed ways and strongly identify with yet another conformist group (even one that sets itself at odds with the larger conformity). And many personal choices are dictated by either societal and family pressures, or limited by the available education/career paths. Competition is fierce both for employment and status.

That's not to say that every culture doesn't have downsides. But it seems that Japan is currently being presented as a model of modern coolness when in fact it is a society with many drawbacks as well as advantages.
 
I've been interested in Japanese history for the past couple of years, and if I had the time, I would love to read some books on medieval Japan, since the lifestyle and traditions of the Samurai are something I would love to learn about. But if anyone here is into medieval Japanese history, I'd highly recommend you find a DVD copy of the miniseries Shogun, very interesting look at how Japan was at that time in history.

As for modern Japan, I admire their ability to rebound after WWII (with help from the US), and the quality of their cars and electronics today. As for anime, I could care less about it.

If I could choose a two week vacation right now, Japan would certainly be near the top of my list.
 
Originally posted by Shannon
I hate Japanese fanboys - unless they have a legitimate reason for liking the place. Being the birtplace of stupid cartoons of girls with overly huge eyes, the AE86 and drifting are not legitimate reasons.
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Ditto.
 
Originally posted by Shannon
I hate Japanese fanboys - unless they have a legitimate reason for liking the place. Being the birtplace of stupid cartoons of girls with overly huge eyes, the AE86 and drifting are not legitimate reasons.
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Well said. :cool:
 
I've been interested in the Japanese Culture for a very long time. Japan to me, from what i have seen in books and pictures, is an extremely gorgeous country. The Traditions, the History, and the pasttimes are all so appealing to me.
If i could go to Japan i would visit Kyoto first, then travel north and make my way around the Gunma prefecture. I'm in love with mountainous areas, and the more valleys, and little mountain villages there are, the better. Ive known about Ikaho since i was in grade 5 since i did a project on it....and only last year have discovered that it is the town initial D is based in....so my reason for visiting that place is not inspired by mere manga....
One of my Major goals in life is to learn 2 languages fluently over the current two i already speak. Japanese is a language i hope to learn and master. The whole place is just soo appealing to me, anything Japanese to me is just soo attractive. whenever i see pictures of Japan i just get soo excited. I cannot wait for the day i go there....i have a hunch that i will feel very "at home"...
 
For the people in America who didn't know the channel exists, PBS had a special about feudal Japan. I didn't see all of it, but it was quite intriguing to learn about Japan in the past. Beautiful place Japan is. Sakura trees, lovely Mt. Fuji, I think Tokyo and Osaka are just impressive, and such. I mean, imagine seeing some old shrine with sakura petals falling from the tree and into ponds as you gaze at the wonderful sunrise. I'm not saying I've been there, but it would be incredible.
 
Did you know...
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi recently visited North Korea (2nd time) to chat with Kim Jong Il about the abductions by North Koreans of Japanese citizens. As a result, five abductees came home. For this, Japan agreed to give North Korea aid of medicines and food.
 
Originally posted by neon_duke
In many ways the culture is strictly controlled and very intolerant of nonconformity....And many personal choices are dictated by either societal and family pressures

But it seems that Japan is currently being presented as a model of modern coolness when in fact it is a society with many drawbacks as well as advantages.
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Finally, someone gets it!

Although I've never been to Japan, in my various studies of the language and culture, all I can say is the more I've learned about it, the less I understand it. However, it seems that conformity is something that occurs as a youth, and just like Western culture, you break away into cliques in your teens and in college.

You're basically supposed to drop away all that uniqueness when you enter the "real-world" of getting a job. And you basically keep that job for life, because many attachments like your new friends, your social status, and even your whole neighborhood are centered around that corporation. Your friends are related to your work, and you most likely wouldn't even socialize with anyone working for a different type, let alone a rival company. Companies are in bed with one another, and it's not uncommon to have a lot of your choices laid out for you once you work for a large company.

It's both fascinating how that keeps social order, low crime, and low unemployment; yet certain privliges related to status and power literally make footstools of the rest of the masses is very different than what us Westerners are accustomed to. You wouldn't speak out your opinion to your boss, not even when asked. You'd use a very different manner of speach to your boss, your collegues, and your "underlings" at all times.

On the other hand, there's a beautiful, historical, and unique culture that isn't always found in the major cites, and that's the Japan I'd like to visit. However, I'd really have to brush up on my speaking skills (about nil, nowadays; enough to introduce myself to the occasional Toyota/Denso rep who's come to visit, and that's about it)...

But don't ask me, ask oosacker's probably better equiped to tell you all about it. I'm just repeating what got me a decent grade in my courses...
 
Originally posted by F.Zamataki
One of my Major goals in life is to learn 2 languages fluently over the current two i already speak.
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And you're learning English too? How brave.

Mastering Japanese? Not happening. Even Japanese people keep a dictionary on their tables so that they can read the newspaper in the morning.

I learned Japanese - and the culture and history intrigues me. However I hate anime with a passion, and I'm fully aware that, while it may currently be the "cool" vogue, it's not the best place for everything it's made out to be (that's Britain, obviously). I'd like to visit though.
 
Originally posted by JohnBM01
Other than my native country, Japan is one of my favorite countries. I've never travelled outside of my homestate (Texas) in all of my life.
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Originally posted by F.Zamataki
The whole place is just soo appealing to me, anything Japanese to me is just soo attractive. whenever i see pictures of Japan i just get soo excited. I cannot wait for the day i go there....i have a hunch that i will feel very "at home"...
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Eeeeesh. How predictable.
 
Japanese youth: The Wildcard of traditional japanese families. Western influence is now most dominant among the public, not a downside to the matter yet interesting. It is not uncommon to see a young men in biker gangs resembling their American counter parts. Hogs Leather and all. The music? HUGE R/B similarity not seamed with asia. These waves still blow over after a couple months :/. Same same for western countries (the import explosion) Im proud to see this generation can expand beyond local horizons.

Nobody mentioned the mountain town of gotemba? My second home, theres a F1 race school held at gotemba raceway..one day *sigh* 1.5 hrs west of yokohama on the tomei express.
 
Originally posted by kirkis9
Im proud to see this generation can expand beyond local horizons.
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I'm all for the mixing of cultures and absorbing eclectic influences. That makes for an interesting and diverse person and world. And don't kid yourself; it is not just this generation that is looking beyond local horizons; it is every generation. I've been interested in Japanese design, and by extension Japanese culture, since my days as an architecture student in the '80s. But I have looked at both sides of the picture with the best understanding I can.

But this generation of Western youth, and particularly North American youth, seems to have bought the myth of Japan lock, stock, and barrel. They have over-romanticized the culture based on the images in glossy magazines and trendy movies. Blind love for everything Japanese is no better than blind hatred for everything Japanese. Ignoring the drawbacks and obsessing about the good points is never a very wise path to choose.
 
Here is a nice website that shows you the 47 prefectures of Japan:
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1002.html

The one I liked most was the Miyagi Prefecture. Lots of lovely and colorful plants and flowers. You can also look into some of the cities of Japan such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, Shizuoka, Yokohama, Oita, Sapporo, and many more cities. From that site, you pick a prefecture either from the list or on the map. Then you can pick which official website you want to check out. Nice site. If you like Japan or want to know more about Japan, this is a good site.
 
I HATE Japanese music! I can't stand those singers! They all sound like they're strangling cats! Take the 5,6,7,8's from Kill Bill vol. 1. You could go crazy listening to the ooh ooh-ing. I also can't stand the songs that are sung in FF games. :mad:
 
Yay, Japan. Always wanted to go. Yes i like anime, and drifting, but I enjoy the culture. yet i have my doubts. Im getting to the point of learning the language, however its a daunting task and i question wheather or not it makes sense. hopefully ill make a decsion wheather or not to do so.
 
I've seen "Kill Bill." Now, first of all, don't assume that Japanese music is that horrible number from KB. Don't assume that Anime is a crock of crap and the decline of American civilization. I mean, I'm more of a fan of melodic music. I'm even trying to come up with melodic-type music on my Casio keyboard. I'm not naming any, but there are some songs that really have an American flair. For one, the Gospellers are one of the best male groups in Japan other than Chemistry and Exile. What makes the Gospellers different is their style of R & B. Just listening to "Forgive Me" made me think that these guys (I think there are 3 or 4 in the group) are probably the second coming of Boys II Men. And I've always thought that in terms of neo-classics, Boys II Men was one of the best, and one of my favorites of the 1990s. Some say Chemistry and Exile are like the Backstreet Boys of Japan. Both have good vocals, and I got into Chemistry more than Exile. But after listening to Avexnet TV (now defunct, I believe) over the Internet, they have some good music.

I mean, if anyone sounds like strangling cats, that would have to go to Ayumi Hamasaki. I haven't been a real fan of hers, even though I've come across many who love her music. From her, "Close to you" was a nice song.

In terms of non-JPOP, Keiko Matsui's style of piano jazz is quite natural and even relaxing and beautiful. She brings a Japanese aura to almost all of her music, and it is always a wonderful touch. I think anyone into soothing music should give her a listen. I have three CDs from her, wanting to make it four by picking up one from 1996. So, there is an all-music reply from me.
 

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