Can boys be friends with girls in Japan? Japanese boys answer

Is friendship between girls and boys possible in Japan? Can Japanese boys be friends with Japanese girls in Japan? We did a street interview in Tokyo to ask the young Japanese generation about their honest opinions on friendship between girls and boys.
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Ask Japanese is interviewing Japanese and Foreigners in Japan, about life in Japan, dating Japanese, tasty foods, anime, manga and more. Through our interviews, we try to bring Japanese culture to the world!(=✧ω✧=)
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[@Sergeantpaprika]

Love the first couple. They seem super chill but and have some healthy communication going on, that’s awesome

[@lyndsaybrown8471]

Same!

[@JonathanAnimate2]

The first couple seemed pretty cool and reasonable with eachother.

[@princessthyemis]

yeah they are so cute!

[@dribbeldiejustiz]

That's how a real relationship work, most ppl ruin their relationships because of jealous behavior or because they can't talk openly with their partner

[@playmakersmusic]

Why are people saying first couple, when there are only one?

[@Raquel96]

That first couple has such a healthy relationship wow, I admire it

[@robertryan3571]

Believe it or not, I understood what the last guy meant about not throwing away friendships for casual flings or dates. To me, a friend is ideally a friend for life--there are plenty of new strangers out there to meet for romance rather than 'raiding' from my circle of friends.

[@Rokudaimedono]

I can't seem to keep either...Never been in any relationship, or had any flings or dates, but I've also yet to have any friendships that have lasted most of my life...I have some that I've had around half of my lifetime, but they've all become much weaker friendships compared to before, ever since we all became adults a long time ago, basically...I'm envious of people in relationships, but I'm even more envious of people who have really close friends that they've been friends with for a very long time. Things like childhood friends or the like is something I've never had.

[@robertryan3571]

@@Rokudaimedono Cherish the friends you do have, Roku Daime, regardless of how long they've been around. I have no remaining friends from childhood either because my family moved when I was 14. It doesn't matter even if you only have a few friends because all you need is the acceptance of a few people. Remember: you are a unique and valuable human being and life isn't a popularity contest, right? Love yourself and others will love you, and sooner or later you will find a romantic connection, too. There isn't just one potential soulmate in the world for everyone, but multiple ones; you've just got to keep looking. 🙂

[@jackculler1489]

@@Rokudaimedono You don't really need friends, just acquaintances is enough to get you through life. by the time most people are 40 most people will have 1 - 3 loyal friends by the time they are 80 most of their friends are dead. This is subjective though, i'm introvert and with social anxiety so I'm fine being alone and i never felt lonely i just enjoy my own company. You should focus on your own growth.

[@lifekunsex-girlfriend4364]

A friend isn't a guarantee for life. It's the same as any other relationships in life. It's not guarantee for life but it could last. I don't understand why people put friendship on a pedestal like It's better than other relationships. Same with family. It's all human interactions in the end. It's a bit toxic actually to think that way.

[@Czechbound]

Bros before Hoes ! ha ha, I haven't thought of that silly phrase in a long time !

[@sayeolamaeve3729]

"Friendships last forever. Relationships can break up" Yes, dude. You right. It's sad seeing people treat their bf/gf of two days way better than their friends of 10 years.

[@dbp-wv1hs]

That guy's t-shirt "LIFE SUCKS" with a happy cartoon bear below it. lol

[@blue_cameron]

Must be some shirt vendor messing with Japanese people who can't speak English or something

[@chrisawge1378]

It is a funny shirt but that isn’t some random printed shirt, it’s from a brand called supreme, it is apart their fall/ winter collection from 2018. Hope this helped

[@unchozen]

@@blue_cameron na, have you ever heard of yami kawaii? its a popular harajuku style

[@denmarkgirlb2092]

The first couple are such a good match 🤗

[@UltraBebo]

Ask about best friends. I've fallen for multiple best friends over the years lol. Starts off normal but then something happens and I fall for her, even if I didn't find her attractive at the beginning of the friendship.

[@Aeyaoo_11]

Here in Spain If my friends need a hug because they're having a bad day or they just want a hug I won't hesitate to hug them. I have a boyfriend and most of them have partners too, I guess it's just okay.

[@missynabellez]

Same in my country . culture really varies i guess.

[@6kaulia190]

Yeah but thats not okay in japan especially they're have a partner

[@Bobbylopezcreative]

Friendship is possible but there is usually at least one person who wouldn’t mind going further. Women have friends, men have hopes. -NYC.

[@poppyseed5270]

"You can travel with another woman for work but you better buy me pancakes" love that girl's focus on breakfast food, gives me Leslie Knope vibes 🤣😂

[@tomriddle887]

I am a married woman with male friends. Most of my male friends are into men, so there’s no threat. My other male friends are also happily married, so my male friends and I have absolutely no interest in each other. My husband knows and understands that. He has female friends, too, and it’s just friendly. My husband and I are very much into just each other so any friends we have, there’s no jealousy.

[@twixie__5651]

So is it normal for Japanese guys to make friends with other girls? Or if they ask a girl out it means he is interested in the girl? Sometimes I’m confused with the Japanese dating style and just casual friendship

[@user-c3jdf9lylzse]

it depends on the individuals. some have friends from opposite sex and are cool with it, some dont just like the rest of the world.

[@sdlion7287]

that might just happen in their environments, being school, workplace, shared hobbies, etc. Even in a one-gender-dominated area, even if the ratio is 2:30, those two most likely are going to make friends. And like they said, going out with a friend would be normal because they have been hanging out for years, most likely even before they meet their current partners.

[@dawnriddler]

OMG can totally relate to the last guy. I always put friends first and above ppl I am dating, and some just can't understand it. When you are young and not planing on having anything serious in the period of x years, there's no reason to give up on people you can be long term friends with for someone you've been with for several months or less. Because there will always be people for dating, and they all come and go, but true friends are for life!

[@Lawol]

I'm sorry but your viewpoint on relationships is very sad then... Not all friends are for life trust me...They come and go too only a few stay for a longer time on top of that your whole life, I mean you're very lucky if you are friends with someone for many years. Relationships are not always like that either and if you always put your friends first above your partners then I'm not surprised that they don't stay for long lol... If you're just casually dating someone with no plans for future then maybe there is some truth to that but if it's really that special someone then putting your friends over him/her is just absurd and disrespect I guess they are not special if you do that then. You can have many friends but only one partner (they are special) unless you're from some poligamic culture. You don't spend your lifetime and grow old with your friends you do that with your partner because these friends also have their own lifes and their own partners and problems, in the end they don't care about you they care about themselves first, especially when you get older, have kids etc.

[@dawnriddler]

@@Lawol I see your point but I don't agree, I very carefully select my friends. This is why I wrote "true friends", I have friendships even from kindergarten, so ofc that person is gonna be more important to me than someone I just met. This is why I wrote "several months or less". If I am with that person for several years, the situation is different, but the point is, until you start to get serious with them, there's no reason to disregard everyone else. Also as the guy said I agree that sometimes if I really like the person, I would much rather stay friends with them, than be romantically involved, but that's just because I value friendship more over romantic relationships.

[@powbobs]

dawnriddler That’s weird . No offense meant.

[@RosieyMarie]

If you know you want to be single and just have fun, i don't understand why you'd date somebody. I feel bad for that person.

[@soonersciencenerd383]

(I) couldn't trust some people, and trust flew away. i have just a couple of friends, but can't travel to get more (do want more, though)

[@sherlockholmes539]

This is a question whose answer changes with the age of the person answering, I think. It also depends on what people define as "friendship". The difference between acquaintance and friend.

[@JZHassan]

I love みどりさん and his girlfriend, they are so darn cute.

[@Barmiley]

Here in the Philippines when they are single and saw a couple PDA they already have a voodoo doll for the couple or written their names in a death note.

[@user-mm9kv9nn5w]

Philippinos are in another level xD

[@user-cw7nb7kk4f]

Another things that I believe still exist between boys and girls 1. Friends with benefit 2. Secretly in love *sorry if there's grammatical error..

[@tardueful]

I am a man. And 80 percent of my friends are women. It is very normal....

[@powbobs]

G Yes. Those exist. But no benefits if either of us is dating someone.

[@nho335]

Is there anyone other than me who is bothered by his shirt being stretched? I was staring at his shoulders all the time 😂😂

[@kalyani7769]

The first couple: couple goals

[@YaminiZouren]

Here in Germany I welcome my friends always with a hug and normally every friend of my friends, too. It's my way of saying hallo. Same is with holding hands, it's just a easier way to walk around and don't lose a friend in a crowded area. The gender doesn't make a difference here at all. Me and my boyfriends both have friends of the other gender and sometimes visiting them alone or together. With one friend I also traveld to a festival (WGT) and shared one room. It's totaly fine for us, because we trust each other. Partnership is more of an emotional thing, I think. If you miss the person, when he isn't around and he just let's you feel more happy, when he is around. And having goals together. And I think, friendship can broke the same way relationships does. If you can't trust the person or he is treating you like shit for whatever reason, it will break.

[@BaghNakh1]

I liked the first couple, they seem to have an open and healthy relationship. Although for what I understand the way they see things is a bit rare on Japan. I've heard from a lot of people that once you're on a relationship, it is kinda "expected" that you stop talking to people from the opposite sex/gender. What is more common for Japanese? Something like the first couple or more like "ok you're my boyfriend now so you no longer have any female friends anymore"?

[@rusukebordones]

I agree with body touching. I witnessed it myself with my ex doing things with my best friend. We are in the same circle of friends but when you're in a relationship, both parties should be more careful and sensitive with their actions. I love the first couple!

[@xtantaudio1]

I know this is an older video, but I think the first couple is one of the most honest and open people we have seen on the channel. very refreshing.

[@tomiechandesu]

The first couple is so fuuuun! And Cathy Cat brings out the fun when she’s interviewing. 😍

[@fifasbass2228]

3:05 Very quick reaction from the blond guy. He's definitely a Ninja.

[@maudquemeneur8010]

This episode was way cooler than I had anticipated it. Yaaaayyy!

[@angylouv]

In my country you can't even tell if they're just friends or dating, people here don't really have boundaries which can be a lot of trouble when they have a partner

[@Czechbound]

That first couple were super cool !

[@Dr.Frasier_Crane]

Dude at 0:08 seems like the coolest guy in the world. I saw him in your other videos. My man

[@Flymurd]

United States here. I'm a male who hangs out with female friends. We go eat, go to a movie, concert, or whatever together. Some touching is fine. A hug upon greeting each other or departing is common. I know others who hang out with opposite sex friends, too. It's not unusual in this country.

[@TcS_deathdealer]

Yea its actually more common than what most people think

[@Daelaron]

Friendships and touching each other like with bearhugs is 100% fine here in northern Germany... I disagree with the last guy a bit. If I ever am to consider someone my girlfriend, she has to be my "girl (female) friend" first...My best friend in fact. And in addition she has to be my type. How could I ever wake up every day and love her, if I don't consider her the most precious person in my life? Not wanting to risk a friendship is kind of immature. Just take a chance... if it does not work, just don't be childish, and remain casual friends. Friendships also break just as easy as love does.

[@krisztinaczegledi3780]

could you please do a ‘do you envy half japanese people’ part 2? please!

[@harshmnr]

In America boys and girls can definitely be friends! But same with Japan, a lot of body touching and traveling together would be kinda weird. ~:~

[@ntwadumela374]

women : "he's just a friend" me : "GTFOH" hahahahhaaa!!!!!

[@twooharmony2000]

The interview in 9:00 your giving choices and him choosing I realized I could learn phrases more commonly used in speaking Japanese. Just letting you know.-Ernie Moore Jr.

[@Kibouo]

Did you enjoy 9:44 - 9:54? Haha that guy was pretty cute!

[@tender0828]

3:03 it's Barney. Only a real bro will fly to Japan and drive a truck blasting a creepy doll song to save another bro from such a sticky situation.

[@b.c.4426]

He must have asked, if it was okay for their girlfriends to have friends, he focused more on whether it was okay for men to have friends, there is already a video that talks about it. I have seen a lot of videos that of friendships between Japanese men and women, but they always ask girls if they are okay with those friendships, but hardly a video about what guys who have girlfriends with friends think, would they get jealous?

[@sleepymari1275]

No problems here in Portugal. Depends from person to person and what they're most comfortable with but some people greet friends with a kiss on each cheek. Some greet with hugs. Some with high fives, handshakes, whatever. It's not usually an issue even if it's between two people of the opposite gender and even if they are dating other people.

[@ageguyera]

I love Green Guy. So stylish.

[@izwanroslan9361]

There are differences between mature adult and grownup teenagers😅😂

[@emb21982]

The first couple have a healthy relationship and are a good example for others 💖

[@theprinceofhwy5022]

The Couple in the beginning seem like fun people.

[@pluviophile1988]

The only male friends I had that stayed male friends without ever trying to make a move even if we hung out one on one often, and respected the friendship were only JAPANESE GUYS! Every single time I hung out with American guy friends, they always tried to make it romantic and start dating alwaysssssss!! Wtf!

[@flyback_driver]

I'm certainly not an expert in life but I've been around for a minute and every relationship I've been in the only person concerned about my friends of opposite gender where the ones that cheated. I'll tell my partner where I'm going and who I'm going with but simply because I choose to do that out of respect. I tried the whole introducing my girlfriends or ex wife to any of my friends and it doesn't go anywhere. Most of my friends have a career in some discipline of science and our bonding is through the enjoyment from science/math/engineering. However, I tend to get into relationships with women of the exact opposite so my friends never get along with my romantic interest. Another red flag for me now is if someone I'm dating asks what is and is not okay with a friend of the opposite gender. You are a grown woman and you already know just as much as I'm a grown ass man and understand what is not acceptable for me to do. I live in a small farming town in bum fuck nowhere USA so when I find people sharing an interest in similar things I refuse to cast them aside for a romantic relationship. However, there are times my partner has stepped in to correct something I didn't notice and vise versa. If your partners "friend" is trying to weasel their way in sometimes it's hard to see if it's your friend but plain as day for your partner. So if someone I'm dating says a friend of mine is doing this I'll cut ties with that friend because I trust the person I'm with. I guess what this rant really gets down to is trust. If you don't have it the relationship will be a miserable experience.

[@The_Nightrider_]

男女の友情が成立しなくなる境界線は、自分が相手からされた行為に対して異性を意識するかどうかだと思う。

[@xxwallzxx4509]

For me: Having a guy friend is nothing really.. Going out on vacation with only a guy friend is questionable. It depends. Also would be weird for me if I find out that she was in a sexual relationship with a dude and he is still around. I guess thats it. 🤔 But also, we broke up and she is not my type. 😋 So even if they were in a relationship or not. It would always be a no and I don't like her or trust her. Also over her. 👍 The touching like the Japanese said is also a no in a way. At least in playful flirting and cheating ways.

[@rozerindeniz2499]

9:52 he embarrassed.

[@dai96]

Not a problem here in Finland, boys and girls even hug eachother as a friends here

[@JonathanAnimate2]

I've been caught out by this in Tokyo, so, very interesting .

[@duncanfirth]

Hilarious I love it.

[@nrvlcrt]

The first couple will get married. They're a perfect match

[@7Lee7]

Quite normal here in the Netherlands. But there will always be exceptions, more jealous people or those that never really grew up and can't distinguish the two.

[@justraven7526]

German girl speaking to Japanese for english viewers !

[@ageguyera]

I've always thought about how strange that is. The people you put the most trust in, that you are the most vulnerable with can turn ON A DIME when you break up. People find someone else. Whereas friends can pick up the friendship years later as if nothing happened. And with romantic relationships, that baggage can be too much to bear. It ends up being easier to say Goodbye forever. :(

[@peach816]

The first couple are good and healthy relationship

[@MassoudAdamAbdel]

It's all fun and game when you are single, but when it's your partner you feel completely different.

[@lauramoreracampos702]

I've been with my partner for more than two years now and we both have friends of the opposite gender. It's never been a problem. If you are insecure then that's on you lol.

[@branphloe-mixes]

I’m not sure how to describe USA I just make friends no matter what age really, I have some friends from my teenage years and younger but I really get social with adults as well.

[@user-cj4uq6dh2v]

別れを覚悟して友達の境界を越える。 敬意を持ち続ける別れもあります。

[@OllamhDrab]

A lot of things do seem to vary regionally as regards what kind of touching and in what context means intimacy of that sort in the US, ...Back home in Boston, there was a lot less physical affection shown usually even in families, and any PDAs kind of often did connote 'yes, we're together that way,' but with all kinds of exceptions based on maybe ethnicity or subculture, (definitely in punk rock scenes there was kind of reaction to those rules. ) Personally, I've always kinda done tomboyish things and most of my very oldest friends are boys. If there's a 'one of the boys' attitude about you in a group, usually it tamps down on jealousies and the like, also, their partners have met you and know anything that was going to happen would have happened a long time ago. (From the other end, anyone dating *me* knows how damn hard to get I am in the first place, so someone's got a real jealousy problem indeed if that's an issue. Not that it hasn't happened. ) Basically a lot depends on actually knowing people, and body language is ...often kinda subtle compared to trying to set 'rules.'

[@julie5558]

I have many female friends they all try to fixe up with someone they think il like.but sometimes I wish I could date one of them but I do not want to mess up our friendship.

[@xsteveconwayx]

Is Thrasher really popular in Japan? I keep seeing Japanese people wearing Thrasher t-shirts.

[@serge470]

Can the Lion be friend with antilope? ..well...yes.. possibly.. till some point.

[@kurte632]

白湯の男性 やっぱり 性格いいな

[@paigekeller3233]

I live in North Carolina, America. We have a Huge LGBTQIA+ community. I am a married woman and have found that regardless of gender I can have quite a hard time making friends who simply want a platonic relationship.

[@k4mish1r09]

subtitles in Spanish please we are several Latin American subs

[@Raphanne]

I'm often confused with the difference between friendship and romantic relationships in Asia. I live in Korea and a guy friend of mine asked me to go to Jeonju with him on a trip. I've known him since 2016 and we've been friends. I heard that trips between two friends of opposite sex are weird in Korea though so I don't know what to do. Even in my country, I've never been on a trip with a guy if he wasn't my boyfriend. I asked him if we could invite another friend as well.

[@danshakuimo]

Are you Korean? That might make a difference I think.

[@Raphanne]

@@danshakuimo no, I'm French

[@kortaffel]

sex is fine as long as there are no feelings: "It's just assisted masturbation" Holding hands: "OMG YOU CHEEET ON MEH! DIE~"

[@Hamza-qu3yp]

Can u make a video about winter weather in Japan

[@user-ee7yd6yo2e]

The opinion of the two men is not the general opinion in Japan. The man on the right is talking about something quite strange as if it were a general opinion. This is the opinion of Japanese people.

[@pluviophile1988]

Also, will you do a video on what Americans/foreigners prefer about Japanese culture etc than their own countries? That would be interesting. For example, I am American, but I hate how boastful Americans are, or how unhealthy much of the food is here, the crime rate is high, most Americans I meet don't know anything about other countries or cultures or speak another language.. There are many things I prefer about Japanese culture Of course there are good things about the US but many cons for me.

[@maita6228]

お願いがあります。日本語字幕の白文字が薄すぎて非常に見難いです。 早急に白文字を濃くして頂けるよう願います！！

[@crakr02]

Did I see a Thrasher shirt? Legend..

[@missynabellez]

The last guy ... Please be friend with me . T.T

[@n0ra758]

0:12 that laugh tho

[@PllayList_Music]

Lol hahahha

[@Boss-gx6rz]

🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🌺🌺🌺🌹❤️❤️

I have heaps of female friends. We go to dinner parties, movies, concerts, sex, restaurants, shopping, etc. It's all cool.

[@humbertojimenezvalencia]

11:52 time traveler detected 😮

[@Lucas_Tulic]

Here in Argentina we are the complete opposite. We touch all the time. Physical contact between family, friends and, obviously, boyfriends/girlfriends are expected and encouraged by both parties. We tend to give hugs and kisses (on the chick) to complete strangers. For example, a couple of days ago I sell a couple of books to somebody on a platform similar to ebay. When this person came to my house to pick up the books, it turned out it was a woman, and she leaned towards me to give me a kiss on the chick, and I did the same when she left. For Japanese people I guess that would be shocking, but here is an everyday occurrence.

[@IrfanAli-fy4hq]

Hiii

[@TheTishbite]

I have always had female friends. If I was dating a girl and she took exception to that that would be a negative thing. In many circles, even here in the US, people don't understand that and are negative about it. I have an exceptional wife who is real good about that, that is the main reason i am very careful.

[@MrKevin486]

Stares in Uzaki-chan

[@theshadowman1398]

No

[@lalabear11]

11:52 That's creepy hahahaha

[@powbobs]

Japanese people seem much more chill than Korean people. Korean people are super possessive and controlling in my experience.

[@pluviophile1988]

日本語の字幕も置いてくれればいいのにね。。 話すスピードちょっと速いし日本語を勉強してる人に全部聞き取りにくいんですけどね　TT　笑

[@papagigo1]

Why do you interview people in such loud places , very distracting when reading subtitles

[@ruffgook]

This is the reason why cheating is so common in japan

[@0mahami0]

Imma say that guy is in love with his friend

[@DajuOnYoutube]

Yeah Sweden is pretty "progressive" compared to the rest of the world and have been for a long time so people generally treat people pretty equally here and that kinda naturally includes not only being able to treat people of the same sex as a potential friend. I love almost everything about Japan and my dream is to be able to move there but the gender norms are my biggest concern honestly and it kinda bothers me how devided many things are, what you expect from people and how you treat them based on gender. I mean it's even showing up all the time on this channel in the form of "What do boys/girls think about [topic]?"but I also realize that there's a reason for it because of the fact that they're so devided that their perspectives on questions might differ alot.

[@DajuOnYoutube]

@paco garza Much less only guys or girl groups and activities because everyone can be friends.

[@thomasblanks1323]

I live in America boys and girls can be friends.

[@mikahasselmann8293]

When I'm going to Japan next year, I'll try to introduce hugging to new made friends, cause it's the best thing to hug a friend when you're feeling down.

[@mikahasselmann8293]

I am aware of that, but I'd like to "introduce" it to "FRIENDS", which does not implie to force someone to hug me, nor me just hugging people without talking about it beforehand.

[@dawnriddler]

@@mikahasselmann8293 don't do that, if they want to hug you they will..i hate when ppl assume i want to hug them and just go for it, it always feels so awkward, and i really dislike hugs

[@kuponki33]

Japanese people might go along with it because you are a foreigner and just assume you don't know how to act respectfully in Japan. Japanese people will often try to avoid saying things like "No, I don't like it" to your face if they hope to stay friends. I guess you could also see it like this; what if someone from another country came to you and said that "kissing your friends on the lips every time you meet is the best thing when you feel down". Japanese people will maybe possibly hug you if you'r close with them and they will probably be more ok with it if you are the same sex, otherwise you will also risk your friendliness being misunderstood.