Why You MUST NEVER Stand Out in Japan

[@LetsaskShogo]

Are there anything else you would like to know about Japanese society?

[@tikateeqa4825]

Good evening, Shogo-san. I'm a new subscriber to your channel and I really enjoy your informative videos. I would like to ask about the legal age in Japan. A friend of mine, who is a Japanese, said that the age of consent there is 21 but other sources stated that its 13. If its true that the legal age there is 13, why is it low compared to other countries and what's the opinion from the Japanese society. Did it caused some issues regarding with "those" sort of cases in Japan. I will appreciate if you could explain this issue in detail. Thank you for your time and I wish you and your love ones are doing well during this pandemic

[@OllamhDrab]

On the conformity thing, might be interesting to hear more about what people are expected to conform *to* outside of say school and job-hunting rules. Some may seem obvious to folks that have been there, but it's hard to tell what's important say just walking down the street or such. :) It's interesting a lot of that conformity has to do with 'what if disaster,' ...here in the West oftentimes disasters and emergencies are a way we notice people who seem very different *coming together,* even if we might be separated or suspicious at other times. :)

[@blackbloodcell5147]

New sub here im curious is there any mosque in kyoto or how kyoto peeps view muslim tourist sorry bad english

[@briancrosby152]

Can you talk about the family dynamics please?

[@watchWorld100]

Continue revealing the truths about Japan and continue pursuing the changes you want to see. I love it. I have subscribed.

[@plasticoddballs2404]

Anime protagonists: "I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that."

[@kazumakiryuu2668]

anime is designed by japanese to express themselves. because they are repressed.

[@adettessubs444]

Ikr😂

[@agrippa2012]

Some animes do talk about this stuff. One example is ichigo from bleach that mentioned how he would sometimes getting into trouble in school due to his natural orange hair. Pretty much every "gyaru" manga /anime talks about this stuff too

[@IchigosBestFriend]

@@agrippa2012 my boy

[@izzaniistighfar6971]

@@IchigosBestFriend Sir, did you want to chase Ichigo again?

[@bangtwice966]

I would just simply say: Never romanticize a country just because the movies/shows told you so.

[@0doublezero0]

And unfortunately, there are a lot of anime fanboys/fangirls that beg to differ. They think just because the anime is multicultural that the country is such when it's far from the truth. Japan even goes as far as creating incentives for foreign Japanese to leave their countries.

[@joaopauloduartedasilva4101]

I actually think that people who romanticize Japan based on anime or movies is just not paying attention. If you look closely you'll see a lot of bullying and passive- aggressiveness and many kinds of repression in the world around the characters and in the characters themselves. You don't need to look for it, it's just there. It has always been.

[@Chaos-bq6mc]

It's not the shows, it's the people watching them who make the decision on whether or not they wanna go batshit crazy and devote their entire life to glorifying a country simply because they make good shows.

[@AL-jn6ww]

Dude i am surrounded by people wanting to go to japan because they watch naruto, WTF?

[@jairusjackson7799]

You would think that would go without saying.

[@_Adie]

I guess that's why anime, games, or any other art coming from Japan is the way it is. People can't really express themselves, so when they finally have a chance, they "explode" with that expression.

[@silverwind9906]

Huh. that really does makes alot of sense

[@maliksuraihsuweco3964]

Now its all make sense

[@chinoncv1634]

Its the same with music. A genre called Visual Kei exploded during the 90s in Japan and is still relevant today, some of the styles/aesthetics of these bands are crazy

[@nakedbeekeeper9610]

How is that "expressing yourself" thing working out for you in your dystopic western societies?

[@tylermech66]

@@nakedbeekeeper9610 pretty decently.

[@bhanson4917]

I had a friend who was mixed Japanese/caucasian. She went to live in Japan and hated it. People assumed she didn't speak Japanese (she was fluent) and would often talk about her while she was in restaurants, public transit, etc, and call her an abomination and all sorts of cruel things about her because she was obviously mixed race. She came back to Canada and cried when she talked about her time in Japan- swore she would never go there again in her life.

[@Young-bn8wt]

I just came across this channel myself. It's horrible she had to go through that... I hope she's living a happier life in Canada.

[@xRayzzxx]

!remind me one second

[@MrAqr2598]

I'm really sorry for what your friend had to go through. I hope her QOL is better now.

[@WhiteDragon689]

Maybe its one of the reasons that japan is in decline as a society. At this rate, they may be gone in a couple of generations.

[@Lenn869]

wow this is so based

[@KLeeFMVs]

"Hi, doctor, yeah I just need a note to prove my hair is my natural colour". I just can't imagine wasting a doctors time like that, lol.

[@antivirusdictionary]

I wonder do black people need a note that their skin is black or do they need to wear white makup?

[@nepnep8444]

@@antivirusdictionary reminds me of a fashion subculture in Japan forgot what it was called but it definitely had shiro in it and you'd cover your face in snow white makeup it was pretty interesting ngl

[@Ultra289]

Imagine if that was said during a pandemic

[@cat.2558]

@@antivirusdictionary 🧍🏻‍♂️. . .

[@percycat213]

This same issue happened where i live in Malaysia, asian girl with light brown hair was hassled by her school because the thought she had been dying her hair. Also, the uniform rules are the same here.

[@dcss89]

Everything makes sense now! I finally know the reason why all animes are full of characters with green/blue/pink hair. It's like a scream of freedom!

[@elena4439]

Yes you are so right

[@EnigmazGuide]

school rules is normal indeed thats our school rules as well im in Southeast asia. lol its called obedience to rules. it teaches people to learn and follow rules

[@eradjjalu972]

In my country rules are made to be broked

[@bokirtua5231]

@@eradjjalu972 where re u come from?

[@Latinarama]

Anime is one giant scream for freedom. That's also why it's so "weird". Japanese people are incredibly repressed.

[@wavestation999]

Makes sense why anime and games from Japan are so crazy and expressive. Its like their only outlet, unfortunately.

[@daphnemorales7907]

I never thought about it that way.

[@XvLarvavX]

Yes.

[@plaugeninja1229]

Man, that is depressing.

[@suyashalva2452]

Draymond, what are you doing here?

[@timetravelingjukebox]

That is so depressing 😔

[@ninjakannon]

"The nail that stands out gets hammered down" was a phrase I learned when I visited Japan.

[@grimmsleeper3602]

That sounds extremely oppressive.

[@rickowensdude6030]

@@grimmsleeper3602 it is

[@Kumigumi101]

Yup, that’s one I quickly found out when I moved there initially.

[@drippychoco3057]

I find it weirdly interesting that this is a popular saying in Japan

[@RE-D1]

@@Kumigumi101 how was your experience so far in there if I may ask? What are the ups and downs of living in Japan from your perspective?

[@boeuf-in9oe]

Japanese culture reminds me of when I was in the army. Everybody calls each other by their last name. Hiearchy and conformity is everything. You never question and only follow orders of those above you in rank. Anyone who sticks out will be punished.

[@boeuf-in9oe]

@@darassylmoniakam but I guess on the bright side if you fit in naturally then it's paradise

[@carso1500]

@@boeuf-in9oe diferent styles for diferent folks, but theres a reason why the suicide rate in Japan is soo high

[@amsyarzero]

@@darassylmoniakam You okay mate? You seem to have a vendetta against Japan and its people. Sure, this is a problem that's present in one aspect of its culture, but the way you commented on most things here is like the whole culture is problematic.

[@darassylmoniakam]

@@amsyarzero only against japanese. i have been manipulated by many japanese , on youtube of course i have a vendetta and stop talking to me ikle if i would be crazy

[@darassylmoniakam]

@Miss Asian Peach too expensive.

[@ichiroutakashima4503]

And people wonder why an anime setting has such an "unrealistic" setting. i.e. short working hours and no overtime. It's a dream of every Japanese employee relayed into an anime because they think it is fiction.

[@thevarietychannelofyoutube4769]

I have a question about anime, actually. If most people in Japan agree with the extreme conformity and think that standing out is bad, why is there so much anime that seems to sympathize with people who stand out and are different? Doesn't the fact that these anime exist and become successful imply that there's plenty of people in Japan who secretly don't like having to conform as much as they do? And does the, "you can never have any opinions ever" thing encompass your whole life? Or is that only in school?

[@unoriginalname9556]

It's also why so many animes are set in a high school setting, for most Japanese people that's the best time they had in their lifes

[@N0noy1989]

@@thevarietychannelofyoutube4769 that's escapism for them. Can look at the popular light novels. Tons of salarymen getting transported to a new world or something to be a fantasy hero. Pretty weird to have "salarymen" as target demographic for fantasy story, right? But if you take into account Japanese work culture, it makes more sense

[@RongDMemer]

;-;

[@XenonKirito]

That's because work and school culture in Japan can be pretty toxic. Especially for kids as well. Imagine being born as a blond or someone with brown hair through ancestry. But the enforces strictly that everyone must have black hair. Crazy right? Imagine wanting change to happen but no one is wanting it to happen at the same time. Which is one of the reason why they are one of the countries with one of the highest suicide rates.

[@seanfernandolopez9139]

I understand now why Anime is a cradle of Japan and have flourished. Animes always portrays extreme personalities, often extroverted personalities. The reason Japanese is fascinated with animes is because they can fantasize a fictional world where people are very expressive, visually and verbally.

[@taknaknak4957]

Yup, so that they could dramatize the content such it's never happened in real life

[@dinidusamaranayake3266]

yessir

[@miaccount9504]

@El Lorenzo The opponent? Unless you have enemies, being extrovert shouldnt be much of a problem

[@miaccount9504]

@El Lorenzo Well, humans are humans after all

[@agentmilton6585]

That'd be really cool if someone starts researching on that issue

[@danielcastro5653]

That's the reason i'm such a huge fan of rockabilly, psychobilly, metal japanese bands and people. They have the guts to not give a f*** about society.

[@pm2886]

Brilliant ... well, how's that working out for America?

[@comradekenobi6908]

They're just rock bands

[@whathell6t]

@@pm2886 Are you being serious or joking with that question?

[@StockpileThomas1]

@Bucket Seeing gism mentioned completely took me by surprise. Keep the underground alive!

[@toastwell6488]

@@pm2886 ???????

[@Roxilou]

I don't like job hunting season in Japan. I see all my students quickly turn into clones of each other.

[@LetsaskShogo]

Thank you so much for leaving a comment! Are you a teacher in Japan? I don’t like the season either...

[@Roxilou]

@@LetsaskShogo Yes I teach here in Tokyo! It's sad to see individuality stamped out of people. I know it's a cultural thing but in my opinion it's sad 😔

[@idleeidolon]

@@Roxilou i really don't think that either individualistic culture, or collective culture is better than the other. however, I do acknowledge that the excesses of either culture can be quickly identified and are quite detrimental. in the individualistic west you see sins of the ego. where people think they're above the community. where there's so much worship of celebrity and the monetary success of the individual person. in collective japan, you get what is outlined in this video. i hope both cultures learn from each other to help balance out the excesses that both suffer from. to minimize the cons of each, and maximize the pros.

[@Roxilou]

@@idleeidolon I wasn't suggesting any culture was better or worse. But to see people have their individuality stamped out of them in ANY culture is sad. Japan has celebrity worship (look into idol culture), and sins of the ego happen wherever there are people 🤷🏼‍♀️ In any culture where people are forced to change to fit in it's sad. This also happens in individualistic cultures

[@victorc7421]

@@darassylmoniakam Every culture has social issues. Many are far worse than Japan's.

[@isseym8592]

I'm Japanese, but I've lived abroad for half of my life and luckily developed a mentality of not giving a crap about what other people think about me. I standout a lot here in Japan and even i myself can notice it. Some people like me because of it and some people don't. In Japan, it's really hard to "be yourself". You are always taught to blend in with the crowd. But I've always refused to live that way and Im happy being who I am.

[@A.J_inJapan]

stay like this.... forever. :)

[@Jukeboksi]

Been excluded a lot, included a lot too. One of the most common things people regret when they are dying, is to have been more honest with their opinions and not to have lived so much through doing things for other people. If you actually adopt this way of thinking, you will run into conflicts with tribe-brained people. Actually…I honestly think that no matter what you do in life, every person will eventually meet dangerous tribe-brained people. So it would only be prudent to learn self-defense at some point, learn how to fight back, just an inevitability.

[@LostBear.]

Outcasts tend to find other outcasts and form a group like this. Be who you want to be.

[@pleblep2741]

Respect to my fellow people that learned to just not care and may or may not have an ego big enough to feel beloved by themselves and be happy with that

[@michele33s68]

👍🔥

[@autistictyranitar414]

The fact that the entire school, teachers included, can bully and outcast you over hair color and it's viewed as normal feels sickening

[@mr.knight5604]

Welcome to asia

[@icannotcomeupwithanything4609]

Me who has blonde hair: ☹

[@Demoneye097]

Well asia

[@mode3763]

And nobody can't even change it cause the first they speak up they'll get banished

[@HideorEscape]

Hair racism

[@RG-uj2lc]

As a student who wants to experience what high school is like in Japan after this school year, I am now having doubts :/ but since my relatives in Japan already agreed to sponsor my education there then I have no choice. Wish me luck next year!

[@shoocakadoo]

Have Fun!!!

[@theapexfighter8741]

Have fun, and be careful

[@dromalloma2651]

Best of luck!

[@YouLose]

!Remindme 2 years

[@anitanurulfatma1729]

Be careful and have fun

[@moinmahmud6265]

Telling someone not to stand out is like saying to someone not to live

[@medusaspupil]

We are all different, some of us hate standing out.

[@kursad8725]

I like your Higurashi pfp!

[@moinmahmud6265]

@@kursad8725 thanks

[@chkara]

Yoshikage kira would disagree

[@normansmith9009]

I wouldn’t go that far. Not everyone is that desperate after attention

[@dropTHEskull]

Im a “Hafu”(half Japanese/African American) living in japan. The vast majority of my hafu friends were bullied in either elementary school or middle school because they aren’t “normal”. But then when we hit high school people become chill and glorify our western looks, athleticism, or body structure. It’s hella weird.

[@sunshinecherries]

Shunned, and then put on a pedestal to be fetishized. I'm so sorry you went through that, it must have felt suffocating

[@SusieBlup]

@@wireshrub Economic/social decline.

[@dropTHEskull]

@@pedoslayer what are ya trying to say? Make it loud and clear for me.

[@Bruh-fy1jk]

Literally Jotaro. Makes sense

[@renge5589]

That's messed up

[@rainyatsu4588]

I feel like this is one of the reasons why anime high school features colorful and eccentric characters, as a way for the writers and artists to express themselves in ways they never could while they were in conformitive school environments

[@ezequieloliveira6826]

Good to see you again lol

[@realhumbug]

I think that's exactly the reason honestly.

[@katsuito1083]

That’s how they wish the people of japan will be someday, expressive and colorful

[@ThisIsAUsername69]

Yup, I wondered about it when getting into anime at first, but the more I watched and learned, the more it made sense. xD

[@realhumbug]

@@Thanatos124 This man seems like a perfectly sane individual. I don't know what the problem is.

[@rdpcl]

Years ago I learned about the "gyaru" trend and the girls were praised as "very brave" for tanning and wearing blonde wigs. I didn't understand why following a fashion trend was such a big deal, but now I do. I can't imagine having to get a certificate that my hair is natural.

[@adhamal-jawad9763]

I hear about girls with the type and personality of Gyaru, but what about the other types, where can I find out about them?

[@mikilikesbread]

​@@adhamal-jawad9763 wdym by "other types"? Do you mean gyaru sub-cultures/styles (kogal, mamba, ganguro) or other Japanese alternative fashion styles? (Lolita, Ouji, Jirai Kei..)

[@dwagincon4841]

Other countries: *discriminates against skin colour, race, religion, political stance, etc.* Japan: let's add hair colour to the list

[@ugurkaraarslan25]

also hair shape

[@Shackospeare]

In some places of Argentina, and probably the rest of latin america, kids bully other kids because they're blonde

[@maikeru7549]

@@Shackospeare yeah, no lol being blonde in latin america is a chick magnet

[@Shackospeare]

@@maikeru7549 you clearly didn't live in my part of my country, blondes are really discriminated.

[@maikeru7549]

@@Shackospeare if you know the story of how blondes existed in Argentina maybe you would get the whole "discrimination" you are talking about but yeah blondes here literally never get discriminated.

[@marekcalcote1]

All of this is 100% true. Born and raised in Japan for over 35 years. Worked in multiple Japanese companies as well. As a guy who is half white and Japanese, I have to say that the hardest thing I’ve experienced was “being normal” and “not standing out”. I even had to stand up for myself because I could be verbal in my opinion and Japanese didn’t like that. No matter where you go, whether it’s your work life or your private life, Japanese would always say “Everyone is doing it so you have to act like that as well.” This pissed me off so many times because that’s the only thing they could say and when I say back at them, “What’s YOUR opinion on the matter?”, they would respond “It doesn’t matter, that’s how everyone operates.” and I can’t say anything after that. Omg this was so frustrating. Now that I’m living in America, I feel liberated. I should’ve came here sooner since I was an American lol It’s sad that Japan is only known for Anime.

[@warrior_of_da-Tetragrammaton]

And hentai… don’t forget hentai

[@Crashgen]

Sorry you experience that, in my experience in America I've experienced that in a different way but similar. Everything feels so segregated, you can't speak about your own opinion because people will vilify you. It really feels like in America to me discussion is lost and everything is an uncivil discourse, especially if you talk about politics here

[@hanhbuik15hl2]

@@Crashgen you're right

[@markigirl2757]

I would agree at america it’s a bit better but also if u stand out a bit too much and not in a way people will like u, then u will get bullied but it’s definitely not at the level as Japan of course

[@marekcalcote1]

@@Crashgen Hmmm… interesting 🤔 I’m experiencing the opposite of what you’re experiencing. I could only say that once you’ve worked for a Japanese company surrounded by full of Japanese people for a very long time, you will feel much “liberated” because Japan is extreme. There are many pros to a Japanese culture but cons as well which not that many people talk about unless they have lived and worked in Japan for several years. I’m tempted to write an entire essay in detail regarding political, economical, education, jobs, work environment, hierarchical system, real estate, senpai&kouhai relationships, you name it but I’ll stop here before I get out of hand 😂

[@mskempinsky5111]

This is why I could never live in Japan like a Japanese person does. I want to visit this country through and through and hopefully make some friendships with people from that country, but I'm eccentric even by Western standards, it would be especially hard for me over there.

[@wavestation999]

I always hear people say that visiting Japan vs living in Japan is a night and day difference. This must be a big reason why

[@2120musiclover]

Visiting is completely different. I’m a tall black girl with tattoos and hair that is multiple bright colors and I had a blast! The people were super nice and I made friends I still talk to til this day!

[@khamba6713]

@@2120musiclover in Japan??

[@DenSoua]

I wanna stay there for only 5 years so I can learn how to make my own manga business but then return back to America to make a family. I never trusted the Japanese school systems in the first place cause you even got the teachers bulling the students

[@noe4354]

same

[@kasvinimuniandy4178]

This makes a lot of sense. I've always thought that Japanese people are highly disciplined because they can't afford not to be. I'm from Malaysia, a truly fortunate piece of land that's protected from natural threats. We have almost no natural disasters except for flash floods and the 2004 tsunami. Our way of life is more laid back and we welcome diversity as differences improve our quality of life. Many of our historical cities were port cities so migration played a huge part in shaping our society. Our previous prime minister had introduced a Look East policy to learn the discipline of the Japanese. We look up to the educational emphasis on values practiced by the Japanese.

[@zephdo2971]

Southeast Asians value diversity and Uniqueness. East Asians value harmony/oneness

[@fatehruzman9280]

Also, we have a bit problem with immigrant where there too much even the local barely have any job

[@cloudbyx9970]

i lived in kelantan & i dont think people accept 'uniqueness' here due to religion rules

[@oO0yuu0Oo]

I'm malaysian too nice

[@aoieste2503]

I read this with faline sans voice, I respect Malaysians tbh

[@MIKE-yq1co]

If you guys have ever seen the show “Erased” I understand why kyo was so quiet about being abused or even being quiet when she was being accused

[@maliksuraihsuweco3964]

The first anime that show bullying in japan that i watch

[@darklightmotion5534]

I loved that anime

[@TecTitan]

It didn't get boring when like halfway through you get to figure it all out?

[@darklightmotion5534]

@@TecTitanyou know almost from the first flashback scene who it is. Its about the humanity and the adventure

[@hollyleavves]

Isn't that the same anime where a whole family falls apart for just a chocolate bar?

[@briancrosby152]

I respect Japan & it's culture, I do wish Bullying & discrimination became a thing of the past. I do hope things get better in japan. No one should feel like dirt. These school rules should change some of these rules are too extreme.

[@Osprey1994]

It will, but change takes time.

[@darassylmoniakam]

this will never change. japanese are stuck in the past , they're too culturally arrogant to improve their lives

[@bokirtua5231]

U should change it by ur self bat man,I know u can...u re hero, aren't u....

[@user-mp5po2pt8d]

Considering how most Asian societies tend to work...this won't change even after 1000 years.

[@user-ys9io1ir2q]

Another black person in japan getting treated with respect. God bless the Land of the Rising sun

[@dinathefossilfighter]

My dad had a coworker who moved to Japan for his job. He brought his family to Japan too. Apparently his children would constantly get in trouble in the Japanese school because American kids are rowdier and tend to be more touchy when they play (although, the American schools I went to as a child was also against physical contact, even high-hives and hugs). And apparently the coworker and his wife were seen as weird. Sometimes the coworker would fetch a beer or something for his wife. It was seen as weird because, according to what I heard, the wife was expected to be in the kitchen and get the food for the husband, not the other way around. Now I kind of feel bad for the coworker and his family.

[@Sly-Moose]

No surprise there that Japan is misogynistic 🙄

[@LeetTron5000]

​@@Sly-Moose that word doesnt really exist over there. It also barely exists here and doesnt apply to general social trends. ITs not mysogynistic when a man thinks he needs to provide for his wife and family but all of a sudden is when he thinks she should provide in the kitchen? Its not to be looked down on its about being at home for the family and you will get respect for being trustworthy and competent mother to potential children. You dont have to be in the kitchen and jobless but there are many women out there that want this role and many men that want that or also want a career driven wife.

[@LeetTron5000]

@Michelle Castillo yeah thats what i meant, it doesnt exist bc they dont believe in it. its just the norm there and straying from the norm is frowned upon. Theres Probably alot more legitimate mysoginy aside from societal norms.

[@guilhermediniz6084]

Now think: here in Brazil, we are ALL TOUCHY. We express our feelings by touch, it's normal to us, children in special, to be grabbing each other all the time. Here sometimes it's a PROBLEM if you aren't touchy. And we don't have a much delimited social space too. It's normal for us visit people without warning, make parties and invite strangers, etc. As a brazilian myself, i cannot see the problem with high-fives and hugs. Here, women work hard, and many husbands cook and take care of children. My question is, where is the middle ground? There is a "right" way of living?

[@MCheshire]

@@guilhermediniz6084 nossa eu odeio esse negócio de brasileiro ja ir chegando e abraçando estranho, não conheço a pessoa e ela me trata como se me conhecesse. É bizarro

[@TN-ol2rw]

I took japanese class in high school for 4 years. Of course I was a teenager and had no idea what Japan was like outside of anime, but when I started to learn the language and the culture, my perspective of Japan really changed. I remember my Japanese teacher explaining what is and isn't allowed once the students went to Japan (It was an exchange student thing). She explained things like the tattoo rule, hair/hair colour, what to wear, that people will call you foreigner, ect. I remember her saying at the end that in Japan they have this saying "the nail that sticks out get hammered down." 😅 ever since I've taken that class, I've been scared to go to Japan.

[@aoieste2503]

I read a manga, I only came for the plot, I thought it was just some typical drama and I didn't know anything but anime, the saying 'the nail that sticks out gets hammered down' really applies to their society

[@rokuraku00]

@@aoieste2503 title??

[@tanaka7758]

It's not like someone is harassing you. They just aren't very familiar with other cultures, languages, and appearances. It may make you feel uncomfortable. But most Japanese love people who come to Japan. So please don't worry.

[@lilyblack1979]

It make sense how isekai is so popular. Japanese a fed up with their reality and want an escape.

[@senhorincognito2243]

But why is always death by truck?

[@rasch5552]

@@senhorincognito2243 bcoz "mushoku tensei" popularize it and become trend in modern isekai

[@Normal_Boii]

There are so much isekai mangas where (supposedly author's) bullies get obliterated by the mc with cheat powers

[@420cs2]

"that thang bleeding P" wocky slush

[@leehongjin6884]

Truck-kun strikes again

[@murkywaters1931]

This is horrifying.

[@pog428]

For you but hardly for them

[@agrippa2012]

@@pog428 you should watch the episode where he talks about bullying in japan and how high the suicide rate is lately...

[@evian6673]

@@pog428 a lot of my friends in Osaka and Fukuoka hated school, many said they were under extreme pressure and couldn't really express themselves.

[@Meta9871]

Funny, having come from a culture in Europe that's almost the complete opposite, this doesn't strike me as all that horrifying.

[@justiceempire1170]

Even in love they barely are expressive unless paired with a romantic and affectionate race.

[@autumngalix4616]

That's why anime doesn't properly represent the culture! It's an explosion of repressed souls!

[@devaxionrl8189]

Yes ma’am

[@Mr_Jester980]

Yes.

[@furinick]

@@julinaonYT americans sure want to be european monarchs it seems

[@bellla6831]

I’m mind blown by this comment. I never thought of this way

[@waffelo4681]

@@furinick maybe bcos all white americans come from Europe? Lmaoo

[@SkyEcho751]

Wow, I'd love to see an anime that shows how bad the culture is in Japan with these aspects in mind. Like people getting kicked out for disagreeing with what to say in an interview, or getting bullied by the whole school for having a natural perm.

[@f2pcoder92]

Psycho pass

[@xboxoneyes7734]

@@f2pcoder92 didnt Know psycho pass did that

[@f2pcoder92]

@@xboxoneyes7734well not directly but it shows japans conformist/collectivist society to its most extreme and it encompasses the whole society so yeah schools included. To be honest i thought i would like japan but seeing how they treat and see foreigners and whole pletora of problems their society has most notably their justice system and 99% convicition rate i never want to set foot in there.

[@anythingyoucando1546]

The Netflicks cartoon Aggretsuko addresses the common office problems that the current culture has developed.

[@xboxoneyes7734]

@@erenyeager317 shimoneta does that in a pretty extreme way ngl,Since they are trying to Make people have kids,Banning Stuff like that Would have the Opposite Effect

[@wraithu9231]

In one episode of Bleach Ichigo said "If I cared about what others think I would've dyed my hair black long time ago" This video made me understand it more

[@erwins_arm]

damn lmao

[@parfaitcell3067]

what is Ichigo based hair color?

[@erwins_arm]

@@parfaitcell3067 i think white, you heared of google tho?

[@mystic_spider]

@@erwins_arm Are you sure _you_ have heard of Google?

[@erwins_arm]

@@mystic_spider ...?

[@ronw484]

I lived in Japan on and off for 9 years throughout the 60's and 70's. As a foreigner, I never experienced any overt discrimination. The people were very friendly and open. As for schools, a Japanese friend told me that you weren't allowed to have opinions and you just had to accept everything the teacher(s) said without question. Doing otherwise would apparently make the teacher(s) angry and result in them attacking you with sarcastic comments. Other students would apparently consider you an "opinionated trouble-maker" who was "disruptive" who needs to shut up. He was amazed when I told him it was the opposite in American schools- that teachers wanted you to express yourself, have opinions and discuss things. Anyway, maybe it goes back to the old Japanese saying, "the nail that sticks up will be hammered down."

[@thevarietychannelofyoutube4769]

Does this just apply to schools? I was able to find a lot of evidence of protests and political activism that goes on in Japan. Both of these things are having opinions and standing out.

[@ronw484]

@@thevarietychannelofyoutube4769 It takes a lot to get Japanese angry enough to protest- politics is one issue that will always result in disagreement. Or something like the government taking away farmland to build a new airport outside of Tokyo. When that happened the Japanese landowners were livid that farms that had been in their families for generations were taken away. Even the Chukakuha (Japanese Red Army) got involved in that one- they even used baseball pitching machines to launch molotov cocktails at the police. Lots of groups also protest US military bases usually led by communist factions. However, outside of things like that, the old saying of "the nail that sticks up will be hammered down" applies. Conformity is pretty much expected and reinforced.

[@thevarietychannelofyoutube4769]

But you get that people being able to protest and do political activism without it ruining their lives comes across as a contradiction to the, "you must always conform and never express opinions" thing right? Also, do most Japanese people like the system of having to always conform and agree with it completly? I'm asking because a lot of anime seems to sympathize with people who stand out and are different, suggesting that there are plenty of people in Japan who disagree with it, even if they won't say so. If there wasn't, these things wouldn't have an audience right?

[@intermilan9731]

Doesn’t sound much different than the Western unis and schools these days. You have a differing opinion, you are ostracised as a “nazi” or “conservative” student. Where biologists and socialists clash on gender issues. The West is another suppression regime.

[@thevarietychannelofyoutube4769]

@@intermilan9731 "You libtards call everyone you disagree with a Nazi" is a bad faith argument. Just because you don't identify as a Nazi, doesn't automatically mean you aren't one.

[@user-cr9zo5yo9k]

Never sacrifice who you are because of others. Always be yourself.

[@philipearakaki]

Unless you can be jack frost. Than you Hee Hoo

[@user-cr9zo5yo9k]

@@philipearakaki indeed that is the only acceptation Hee hoo

[@PinaaaColaaa]

Thanks, Jack Frost.

[@thichinhphan4010]

@@user-cr9zo5yo9k What are you talking about you low level demon ? Black Frost is the best frost :)

[@bruhsznz4370]

unless ur way too different 🤮

[@oimarcelolevi]

I love your video! I dont feel like "addiction to justice" makes sense. It is more like "the fear of not being accepted" that makes them being violent. If they didnt had the liberty to be themselves, probably they will opressed others as well to deal with that frustration. Congratulations to talk about this topic ❤

[@adolfchangchrist7975]

I think if you're a foreigner visiting or living in Japan it's futile to try and blend in because you never will. The most you can do is know enough about the culture in order to remain polite.

[@holypopy]

It's like trying to transform 1 Dollar bill to a 100 Dollars Bill by drawing zeros with a pen . It's the same number but not the same thing with the value

[@abhiverma9316]

Exactly , but my friend believes he can "Katon goukayuu" his way through these things... He wants to go to Japan.

[@adolfchangchrist7975]

@@abhiverma9316 I don't see the problem. Why can't people just temporarily live in Japan and visit the place with the acceptance that they are foreigners and they are going to be seen that way? It's not like Japanese people are rude to foreigners. People are so bloody entitled and weird these days.

[@youagli9071]

I always laugh at the "weebs" who say they wanna go live in Japan and start describing it like it's some anime wonderland.

[@missylarsson3517]

@@adolfchangchrist7975 Um because you are referring to someone who is just there temporarily while many people want to stay permanently. It can be quite tiresome if you are married to a Japanese person, living in the country for most your life etc and always be seen and treated as an outsider. You are talking about different things.

[@keneodoe4226]

Weebs: I wanna move to Japan because it's like a slice of life anime Japan:

[@waifu1275]

This subject has been brought up in many KZbin comment sections so I’m just going to summarize it: Japan isn’t anime

[@ericmm1335]

@@waifu1275 ngl from what i have seen from japonese movies and other stuff, i thought japan just took respect to another level and treated everyone equally, welp there goes down my expectations of me actually finding someone that is japonese to respect tourists.

[@articulouno8472]

until they move, live and work here. Good luck.

[@Void_from_Abyss]

😂 right

[@spookygh0st846]

@@ericmm1335 I know right? In anime the students always idolize foreigners or people with blonde hair. Its very different.

[@madnessoverload7824]

HR guy 1: "So, which of these students should we hire?" HR guy 2: "I have no idea, they all answered the same thing."

[@lukashenrique4295]

Let's throw all curriculums in the air and choose the first one to reach the ground

[@xheralt]

"Tiebreaker round: which one has the closest familial relationship to our CEO?"

[@Papada00]

They will pick student with the highest score.

[@Mysticgamer]

That's why eenie meeni mynnie moe exist.

[@daikigamess]

@@xheralt every HR in every country ask that

[@lc6033]

No matter where you are.. remember to always be yourself... but always respect everyone else too. This is what everyone should be teaching their kids.

[@jackknight1899]

Anime MC: “Handsome, smart, strange hair, harem dude/girl,…” Japan real life MC: “Bullied”

[@TheHaloring7]

It's pretty common for protagonists to start off being bullied or generally disliked ngl

[@shiranails0137]

Imagine watching harem anime... Bad taste

[@harryloulen3959]

I think addicted to “conformity” is a better term than addicted to “justice”

[@XxROBATOxX]

Yeah "justice" is a weird word here.

[@ildesu789]

Japanese authors thrive making up "natural" concepts to justify the way their society has turned out just recently. Japan in the second half of the 20th century was a lively and diverse place.

[@annalisam9999]

@@ildesu789 diverse how

[@redox6548]

@@ildesu789 Japan is anything but diverse. Walking in Tokyo was like Playing GTA: looks just keeps repeating even the clothes and haircuts it's nuts.

[@IRON--MAN]

@@ildesu789 Japan is even diverse today....just in formal/official workplaces, it enforces strict rules. But for sake of tourism, they have adapted alot to Western/European culture but somewhat in their own terms.

[@BikeNEPA]

When I visited Japan I was blown away by how structured and orderly everything and everyONE was. Train station ques are neatly lined up and allow all passengers to exit before entering the train, escalators are filled with everyone standing to the right in a perfect sequence and there is an overwhelming serenity compared to any other train stations I've been. It's like it's all choreographed. Even the in the center city of Tokyo I was blown away with how quiet it was compared to other major cities. No one stood out and nothing was out of place. It's by far the tightest conforming culture I've been in.

[@cristobalpalmero3299]

Harmony rules in Japan, not the individual

[@KneeCapHill]

@@cristobalpalmero3299 "but muh individualizm"

[@dyr_glpsn4209]

We could learn a thing or two from them in some instances.

[@reno82]

They have security and order, but not happiness. What is the point?

[@joshuamorales1095]

I wonder where the balance is, is the west too individual and the east too conformist?

[@abutamim2342]

My Friend went to Japan to study we are Arabs He told me he was shocked that many Japanese were racists They called him names and make fun of him bully etc, I still can't believe it.

[@Rosecloudlyrics]

Wow :(

[@maryamz.1772]

No wonder why every anime villain/hero's come up with very wise quotes about a harsh society :(

[@Daniel-ko9kh]

That actually makes sense..

[@Anonymous-Wolf]

Family

[@kizurra9648]

Wait

[@praisethesun.praisedeussol6051]

Amogus

[@COMEMELAVERGA]

Cringe

[@thedevil9487]

No wonder that in anime, everyone who isn’t relevant to the story looks the same

[@maamyy]

😧 u right tho

[@marietreec]

That's most cartoons. Look at Spongebob

[@v.cutsman4566]

@@marietreec dafuq? Every sidecharacter has a different look in spongebob. The only fish which look all the same are the anchovis in the first episode.

[@moisttowelettes3640]

No way anime has background characters 😱😱😱😱😱😱

[@RajSinghTanwar_]

Bruh thats like every cartoon/movie/animation

[@deadcaliph6414]

Teenage girl with natural brown hair = an act of injustice Man robbed and beaten badly by the Yakuza = it can't be helped

[@aeroanosupremo]

It's like the whole government works like a goddamn school

[@carlossssssss5492]

@@aeroanosupremo damn this is so true

[@lly_09]

That's true but yakuza can't be handled that easily

[@RedLancerMoto]

@@lly_09 Because of corruption?

[@boi-august5959]

@@RedLancerMoto the yakuza make up a huge amount of the country’s economy. So the gov let them be , as long as they don’t go over the top. The brighter the light the darker the shadow .

[@thirteen2978]

After living here for a year I’ve learned that: Japanese people aren’t any nicer than any other culture, they’re simply more polite and passive aggressive. It’s also important to note that it’s a lot of the older people that are stuck in their ways, most of the younger adults and below are more open. Finally, I treat everyone here I come in contact with with respect and if they don’t reciprocate I simply move along unbothered. They stay miserable while I continue to enjoy my day-it’s a win-win🤷🏾‍♂️ I’ve met wonderful people and had wonderful experiences in Japan because I choose to. Hopefully I get to see Shogo in person!🥳🎉

[@alittlebirdi]

Anime makes a lot more sense to me now. Of course one would want the characters in their fiction to look eccentric, unnatural and/or hyper sexualized when you live in a culture that frowns upon non-conformity.

[@subhankarbaral9236]

Seriously, makes me sad for the people in Japan. That's why they try to find comfort in anime.

[@bucketsmahou2175]

Im not really sure about the "hyper sexualized" part

[@tofu_it981]

@@bucketsmahou2175 that's probably a Sjw rant

[@bunnyrabi]

@@subhankarbaral9236 I think anime is still somewhat niche in Japan... I will be honest this video tried to be informative but it seems people are taking this info the wrong way and now saying a bunch of generalizations lol

[@awsomeboy360]

Anime is an entire medium, why do you treat it like a genre? Television is also the same thing here in the US.

[@bored8321]

Japan: A great place to visit, but living, heh.

[@collinspecht6725]

Or getting stationed there. I hear my fellow soldiers tend to do well in major cities. Though they came across anti-foriegners the more rural out they went.

[@cestalia]

I thought the same thing.

[@Bori.1776]

@@collinspecht6725 Well, so I really need to explain why marines are hated over there? Americans aren’t exactly the most respectful people when it comes to other cultures.

[@0rurin]

still beats my country by miles

[@hasanmuttaqin464]

that sum up pretty much every place

[@gaellestanhard2339]

now I understand all the suicides

[@gilnahnu]

yep.

[@lilialalia4836]

Same...

[@1LuvMLPFiM]

:(

[@Freakbob_disciples]

The sucide also came from the parents high Expectations and pressure

[@shodiqalibaqir6508]

Yup

[@sings7664]

I live in Japan and it’s honestly exhausting and depressing to me. Does anyone have tips to overcome school anxiety in Japan?

[@meeyan4345]

I feel it! How easy that would've been if I could just be normal there... I faked through myself until the end of highschool. It might be so hard right now but believe me, school days are so so limited. Once you're free from it, things get more flexible and you can get to walk the path you feel more normal for you.

[@sieevansetiawan4792]

Have close friend(s) who you can share anything openly with them. They will not be easy to find, but will greatly impact your life once you find them.

[@lishasalimrosetta]

Read Quran

[@Lenn869]

@@lishasalimrosetta yes just pretend youre a desert person FREAK, that´ll get people to like you

[@sarahchan5604]

Read and study Bible

[@user-uo8mx3cv5k]

Some dude: Has Blonde hair Japan: This guy would cause all the volcanoes to kill us all!

[@chimi_churri_sauce]

not even a joke because it's so true. they are literally petrified of blonde haired people!

[@flwrskie]

@@chimi_churri_sauce why?

[@chimi_churri_sauce]

@@flwrskie like in the video Japanese people are taught to keep their hair black during school, so they think of blonde hair as rebellious/aggressive or sth. Also it's simply rare. well, this is mainly about the countryside areas tho!

[@flwrskie]

@@chimi_churri_sauce oh got it, thank you :) (english isn't my first language so the video was a bit confusing for me)

[@GamingPenguin3838]

Must have been goku

[@lauravturner]

This is probably why Jotaro is one of Japan's favourite characters. He is the ultimate fantasy - being a good guy and a delinquent... all the way down to accessorising a school outfit. I hear people from the West often saying he is their least favourite JoJo because he is quite bland and rude, but to the Japanese, he isn't just rude... he is practically unthinkable as a real person. It's on a pedestal similarly to how the Americans see The Joker... a larger-than-life comic character that is so against societal norms that they are cathartic to watch and indulge in, even though you will probably never know anyone who could be that way in real life.

[@olivermorin3303]

I see the point you were going for, but there's also a severe difference between the two: Joker was never meant to be somebody you could cheer for. Most of his depictions are unrelatable; any relatable incarnation is always portrayed tragically and cast as a victim. Maybe a better comparison would be Jack Sparrow, since he's got the same basic structure: irrepressible and very rough around the edges, with a heart of gold and an ironclad moral code.

[@rockification]

u lost me when u said the joker

[@RTU130]

Jrt

[@DarkSignal59]

So that's why people are so obsessed with the Joker? I never really got it, always considered him (and Batman) to be very overrated characters.

[@theblaze5530]

@@olivermorin3303 This

[@weirdreportt]

"出る釘は打たれる" or “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.” This phrase summarises Japan's culture on staying low and keeping that "normal" profile in the society. It's very deep rooted, from family up until to work environment. And has been going on for years! This is why I barely stays to Japan nowadays as being different and wanting to stand out there is disrespectful and unwanted in some ways. Japan is strictly a collectivist society rather than a country that values Individualism.

[@Osprey1994]

The younger generation is changing as they are exposed to foreign values.

[@carso1500]

@@Osprey1994 exactly, i love japanece culture but some of it's ways do have to change, globalization and everything

[@wiktoriarynkun3673]

Oh, that's interesting, we have a similar saying in Poland: "przyjedzie walec i wyrówna" which roughly translates to "a road roller will come and flatten everything", even though we're a less strict nation by far.

[@darassylmoniakam]

@@carso1500 it can't change

[@theatheistbear3117]

@@carso1500 Globalism isn’t the solution. It is actively hurting western society.

[@specialnewb9821]

Honestly there are benefits and difficulties in the way any society is organized. It's always tough to critique your own society and always appreciate this channel doing so. I know this video was a long time ago but I still think this is valuable

[@psy__]

This partly explains why suicide rates are so high in Japan.

[@adelehammond1621]

yes but also the extreme work culture people work themselves to death via injuries or via suicide

[@pedroivantaveraferreira3037]

The world used to be very simple in the old days. You had few hobbies to take and very few ways of life. Nowadays the world is complex and diversified. When a kid stops being told what to do and must realizes who it is and what it wants to do it is overwelming. Now take a nation that forces this lack of choice until the 20s when the young adults must have opinions and tastes while also having no way to have opinions and tastes ... it is a recipe for disaster.

[@Feimicha]

@@pedroivantaveraferreira3037 Well said my friend, well said.

[@SoftisNelaris]

@@pedroivantaveraferreira3037 *"Nowadays the world is complex and diversified. When a kid stops being told what to do and must realizes who it is and what it wants to do it is overwelming."* I really felt that one...

[@pedroivantaveraferreira3037]

@@SoftisNelaris I hope the day come that it won't happen anymore. I want to help this world come to be. My current plan is to try to become the mayor of Sao Paulo and from here (one of the biggest cities in the world) I'd try to balance the perception of LatAm on infancy and the world. I hope I have the strenght to achieve such a high place and the perseverance to still mind it when I get there ... I wish I could have more than hope for now

[@lerigan]

I treasure individualism far too much. This particular aspect of Japanese culture sounds like utter hell to me.

[@poppymoon4122]

True. But you took that idea of individualism way too far in the west.

[@erigor11]

@Kyoko and Maki - my waifus Individualism in the form of dangerous competitiveness is a quite harmful trait. Although that also happens a lot in Japan, so it's not something only seen in the "West" (whatever that is).

[@erigor11]

@Kyoko and Maki - my waifus Respect is far from being the only important thing. This kind of individualism I'm talking about is one of the sources of many negative things that plague our societies worlwide. Having freedom to be ourselves doesn't mean that we should forget we're part of a society and that we have certain responsibilities towards it. Putting yourself over the rest of society is reasonable and even healthy if seen as a matter of preference, but actively being detrimental to the rest of society just for your own sake is certainly unacceptable. That mindset is what leads to corruption, for example. And it not only hurts other people, but even the planet itself, which is quite an urgent issue... so that's one of the negative aspects of individualism that I'm referring to.

[@erigor11]

@Kyoko and Maki - my waifus Yes I would. Just kidding. Of course not. But that's why I began my first comment specifying which kind of individualism I was speaking about. I was not correcting you or opposing what you said, I just made my comment to clarify that some traits about "Western" people loving individualism include some negative factors. But of course individualism has also very good things and can make life much better (both for the individual and the society).

[@Max-ru4lp]

sorry to meddle in this but i found both of your points of view interesting, the other day i was talking about the limits of freedom in today's society with a coworker, he said something interesting, freedom with awareness, like, you can do whatever you want, as long as you don't hurt or offend anyone, in Japan, i read once in an article i found on scielo (papers database) that "normal" people (those we saw in this video) tend to isolate and dislike the outstanding and different people, like what its happening in China with a certain credit app. Reminds me of Brave new world of aldous huxley

[@hughneutron8620]

"I'll never forgive the Japanese!" - Grandpa, probably.

[@Votaru]

Josefh jostar 🗿

[@sivvinod3187]

How tf does yasuho survive in Japan?

[@azimochaa]

Joseph Joestar!!

[@AirSkyyy]

JOJO!

[@sayogayo]

josefu,, jOsta-san

[@CommieCatgirl]

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people call me and like-minded people weeaboos when we're just interested in the culture I don't wish I was Japanese and I don't have any plans on moving to Japan I just like the food the architecture the myth the art the culture

[@milkape7363]

Right but at some point it goes too far, so many other countries have amazing cultures but due to the bulk of the people who like Japanese culture it's way easier to think they're weeaboos. Having a Japanese name and profile picture doesn't help your case either

[@dianewood2430]

@@milkape7363”sigh”

[@kurodon8533]

That's why I love my group of friends. We're all heavily tattooed, but Japanese and foreigners, so no one even expects us to try to act normal in the first place. We're all friendly people, but there always seems to be less expectation for us to conform in any given situation, which usually leads to pretty interesting interactions and responses :D

[@mk_gamíng0609]

Yes but you will find yourselves being potentially passed up on for opportunities at work

[@Majin_Fuu]

@@mk_gamíng0609 then start their own business. To hell with being a cog in the machine.

[@skylerthompson8046]

@@mk_gamíng0609 you are so weak you are desperate to serve instead of finding your own value. Because you have no value of yourself, you are desperate to work for someone who doesn't care about you.

[@mariokuschel00]

@@skylerthompson8046 i think for the start, its not weak nor bad working for others. Expands the mindset and experience.

[@jayflow3745]

@@skylerthompson8046 my nigga I need money

[@anshpatanjal]

Now I know why Main characters get isekai'ed 😅

[@amanekaze]

Y e a h . *i s e k a i e d*

[@Ieatpaste23]

Shows what Japanese people think about their fellow asian drivers when everyone in anime gets hit by a truck.

[@wangxian4907]

Lmaooooooo

[@emmaleehettiarachchi9338]

@@Ieatpaste23 *truck-kun

[@Primal-Pr1me]

yeah its like they want to escape.

[@Written_in_the_Starss]

Japan is a beautiful but a sad country.

[@clueless5803]

more like depressing

[@Written_in_the_Starss]

@@clueless5803 Yeah..and overall SAD

[@terryechoes3192]

This phenomenon sounds borderline totalitarian, deeply prejudiced, and philosophically unhealthy, not to mention suspiciously incongruous with the media produced by the country. Thank you for your informative video.

[@ooooneeee]

It's very much a remnant of their fascist empire I think. They need to work on healing their traumas and confronting the atrocities they committed.

[@taistelusammakko5088]

@@ooooneeee you just watched a video that told the primary reason why japan is like what it is, did you?

[@dmanzawsome]

"I am addicted to justice" "oh cool how do you show your justice?" "Oh i just treat other people like robots with no human uniqueness" "... not sure you really understand justce"

[@saidi7975]

Yeah I think it's less justice and more mindless conformity...

[@Ieatpaste23]

@@saidi7975 Japan is what happens when Lawful Neutral takes over a country.

[@lordpeanut5095]

It's ironic that Japan is addicted to justice, yet they won't dish out the correct punishment for absolutely horrific crimes. One such example was when a low-ranking mafia member condemned someone to a fate worse than death, but wasn't even jailed for 20 years even though his actions should have had him imprisoned for life if not executed.

[@Ieatpaste23]

@@lordpeanut5095 Their idea of justice isn't the guilty are punished, and the righteous are rewarded. It's "be like us and you won't be shamed". In other words, they don't know what justice is, just like they don't know what being selfish is. In anime simply caring for someone else, and not going with the group is called selfish. Re:zero is terrible about that. Subabru, "I want to find a way to help her." Half elf chick, "You're being selfish!" Me, "Yeah, he's right up there with Stalin, and Mao."

[@lordpeanut5095]

@@Ieatpaste23 That would explain why there's so much apathy in Japanese and other East Asian cultures. Japan is a truly awful country.

[@leasagna2202]

my heart goes out to all the autistic teens in japan. I live in germany and i was bullied for my autism. i cant believe ehat it's like for autistic people growing up in japan

[@evanorizam5388]

Ooof. I have autism too. Luckily I was homeschooled tho.

[@nichy7734]

Shouldve been bullied more for pfp. But my heart does go out for those in japan

[@dongola6399]

@@nichy7734 LMAO

[@murilopereira7186]

@@nichy7734 wrf

[@splits8999]

@@nichy7734 lmfao they have a dope pfp but this was too funny not to like

[@zoloftdependant5246]

the best theory as to why Japanese people are so conforming has to do with agriculture. Growing rice requires more cooperation than growing wheat or living off of game. This is why Hokkaido is more western than the rest of Japan, and people are generally more individualistic than the rest of the country

[@wavestation999]

That's a very interesting theory and could explain the root cause of all this

[@BakaryD]

Ah yes. In the west we were hunter gatherers and did things ourselves.

[@iminformedbecauseisawabunc9402]

Wtf then why is the philippines so ill-disciplined then? we grow rice too.

[@blancka4200]

@Your Majesty, Literally. Yaha to sab chill hain😂

[@joshuaneoangelobersales1807]

@@iminformedbecauseisawabunc9402 in the Philippines you deal with the bullies yourself, get a hard piece of wood and fight, our bullies are different since they also fight back, schools in the Philippines are one of the most chaotic places I know of and the walls resembles prison walls with barbed wire and all.

[@northseahero3387]

Recognizing problems and shortcomings within your home country while also loving it all the same and wanting the best for it is extremely admirable.

[@robbyantonius2418]

It's ironic, Japan is very advanced country with state of the art technologies but with very very ancient mindset LOL

[@Geckotr]

I think there's a logical reason that they have this mindset. I wouldn't judge them so quickly

[@eden9536]

Like South Korea.

[@wrybreadspread]

@@eden9536 ...and North Korea also is no haven for nonconformity

[@eden9536]

@@wrybreadspread North Korea is not really developped only Pyongyang

[@Ahrone1586]

@@Jess-737 u dont nothing

[@DallyLama93]

Weeabs: OMG I wanna to go to school in japan cuz it's like in my animes Actual japanese person: Bruh...

[@Dtzeo503]

Or Actual Japanese person: Ya'll gonna learn today. Taste the real Japan.

[@actioncomicss]

Ahahah fr

[@piss5000]

The school rules in Japanese schools are almost same as my school rules

[@actioncomicss]

@@piss5000 where are you from

[@enilehcodramramlised8716]

Lol totally

[@thejesman]

America's almost the opposite in a weird way. You're expected to pretend to be different, but only in really predictable ways. IE listening to Black Flag instead of Justin Bieber and stuff like that. If you're ACTUALLY different, then they treat you like you have a disease or something.

[@midgetwthahacksaw]

I can attest to this.

[@thejesman]

@@midgetwthahacksaw I can too, unfortunately.

[@SarahAbramova]

@@midgetwthahacksaw same unfortunately

[@spaghetti5914]

As a gifted child who is outcasted and knows another outcast with aspergers, can confirm :( except in my country people are very neutral on this topic

[@Bambotb]

Humans are cowards

[@TheGman901]

To this extent, it appears to me that this is exactly why we, as foreigners, see Japan as a force of power on earth. Stability, technology, discipline, order, structure, engineering, speed, reliability, economy, manners, music, culture, teamwork, respect etc.... And the list goes on. They raise their populace from birth to be exactly as one another so they can be one perfect team (populace) operating at the rate of one perfect beat together. A machine constructed perfectly that not one bolt nor screw is out of place. No one is better nor more special than the other because that would physically/mentally disrupt the process of the entire machine/teamwork. It is the perfect example of the double-edged sword, where you win a magnificent country that becomes a force to be reckoned with but you lose and even destroy the mental well-being and psyche of your individuals that will get lost in the sea of normalcy, routine, stress, sadness and eventually depression...

[@dracotitanfall]

Don't romanticise extremist collectivism...

[@TheGman901]

@@dracotitanfall It's not 100% romanticism, i'm generally pointing out the strong points and the weak points. I respect Japan and the japanese populace but it does not mean i'm a fan of their system. All i'm saying is that it made them a better country.

[@Candyy248]

I do not see them as a force of power... I see them robotic and powerless 🤷

[@lucysmum1895]

Thanks for discussing this, Shogo. I fled Japan as a young woman and now have lived in the UK, for half my life. I went back to my old home in 5 years ago for my late mother’s final year. I had a few local temp jobs and know how you felt as a returner. For example my colleagues then made a face when I told them I was a vegetarian. Unlike any canteen meals in the West, there was no choice of menus of the day in workplace. I’m glad being back in London I call my home and where I can be myself. Good luck on your mission and please make my country a better place for both the natives and foreign residents. June

[@510235]

I hope you dont meet uncle roger in the UK 😂

[@Gr3nadgr3gory]

As a vegetarian did you still eat fish? I know many still do because it's a very healthy meat.

[@cameraman4549]

@@Gr3nadgr3gory All meat is healthy if it ain’t poisoned

[@SkyReaperOne]

Everything in moderation. Including moderation. XD

[@Gr3nadgr3gory]

@@cameraman4549 some proteins and fats are healthier than others.

[@sgshaday]

Interesting. Coming from an art school in the US, looking "normal" is actually what makes you stand out. Die your hair, be a little crazy and you become part of the "sameness" so to speak. I stopped dying my hair and took a "normal" look and found that I stood out often for the better. Strange how things work.

[@basketcase1235]

if everyone is different then nobody is.

[@alaster1403]

@@basketcase1235 well said

[@reecedeyoung6595]

@@basketcase1235 a meaningless statement. Only true if everyone diverges from some idea of normal, but are different in the same way, but that just means the norm isn't actually the norm.

[@TXIN-zz8km]

cause in america everyones thinks theyre the main character so they force themselves to be weird when ironically it makes them just like the rest, the truly unique people just want to be treated normal

[@aikasan5900]

This is why I hated art school; everyone felt this bizarre need to look as tacky as possible, even when it made no aesthetic sense (you’re going to school to learn how to make visually appealing stuff, why do the opposite with your body). Like, it’s possible to be “different” without needing 100 visual markers x_x

[@schweinefleischteinvonreic5573]

Woah, so anime is basically an SOS call?

[@BBWahoo]

That's disturbingly the case. Yes, the reason a lot of anime is outlandish at times is because a lot of artists use it to vent.

[@namenlosNamenlos]

I feel sorry for them.

[@mrluthfians01]

An

[@shizukagozen777]

@@Paramore_your_Decode I'm an anime fan but I totally agree.

[@shizukagozen777]

@Giamm Lieddack When people talk about anime, they lowkey also talk about manga and its other forms like doujinshi. Dolls ? 🤔

[@alf3526]

As a person who experienced living in Japan for a year, I feel like their past military culture also contributes to their obsession with uniformity. A person who is used to conform into rules without question is seen to be easy to work with, etc.

[@silvergiovanni5336]

Theres a reason why Japan is only good when you're visiting But not staying

[@duragonsithlord8569]

I would probably be chased after like in those old monster movies being 6'5 and heavily tattooed lol. So its probably one country i should avoid.

[@Torikushion]

I’m really tall to and I’m under 13 but I’ve stayed there and my life was no different there the people are nice and they won’t care about your height and ethnicity but tattoos oh yeah u don’t see dat often there

[@softestribbon]

Not for BIPOC.

[@duragonsithlord8569]

@@Torikushion I mean it seems the people in japan are pretty cool at least the younger generation. Id be just afraid that people would look at me like id be a big problem for people. Ive been told i look kinda mean but im actually pretty nice which i think confuses people.

[@duragonsithlord8569]

@@softestribbon Well its not like most people can tell if your Bi just by looking at you unless and i mean no offense by this i just dont know how else to put it. Unless you turn up the flame 90% of people probably wont even know.

[@ella-ok2wf]

me, who always wanted to visit Japan: **laughs nervously in red hair**

[@BrianOblivionB]

Oof looks like yer gettin a beating

[@praisethesun.praisedeussol6051]

Well ether way no soul

[@gonkong5638]

If you are white/black/non-Asian you are exotic creature and they will throw themselve at you. If you are Asian then you are just weirdo-stand out wannabe. The Best you want to be are White-Green/Blue eyes-Blonde Hair or Black and Muscles with curly hair .

[@spaghetto9836]

@@gonkong5638 It's disturbing how accurate I find that to be.

[@hafnium.]

**doesn't regret having black hair**

[@ninjaboyjames]

So this is why anime and manga are hella creative. It's one of there only ways to escape reality. I knew Japan wasn't a perfect heaven to live but dam thats ruff

[@Ieatpaste23]

Not really. If you watch enough you'll realize it, too, is the same.

[@aber1812]

@@Ieatpaste23i think he means that mangas often try the craziest idea, even though i don't read much manga, I've noticed too that usually they are way more creative than western comics or TV series

[@Ieatpaste23]

@@aber1812 The problem with western stuff is it's gone woke. It craps on itself, and tries to find ways to ruin fandoms.

[@unoriginalname9556]

Well yeah games, manga and anime is pretty much their most used form of escapism.

[@Sizdothyx]

This stuff is literally the reason my friend's mom divorced his dad and moved them to Australia. To this day, my friend thanks his mom for making that leap.

[@fuumaxkamui]

“Obsessed with justice” Junko Furuta (and every other victim of the yakuza) would have words to say about this. Seems like this societal concept of justice only goes after the lowest hanging fruit, ie vulnerable young people.

[@Morichan2512]

Exactly

[@2712animefreak]

Probably because it is the easiest way to fulfill the obsession.

[@sunnyrawal656]

Oh man I researched that case 2 days ago. It’s traumatizing even for me.

[@ostrichlord9097]

It wasn't even a case directed by the Yakuza, but instead one that had subtle ties to it. That alone is enough for such an atrocity to be ignored. Smh

[@yuy2375]

it's like all the self righteous countries. living ppl have human right, but not the dead.

[@kitebabe05]

that's very extreme ... actually more like military. reminds me of the chinese era of mao....now i understand the creative explosion in games, animes and mangas... but your Explanations makes sense. thank you for the for deeper insight in the japanese culture. very interesting video, arigato gozaimasu.

[@darassylmoniakam]

it's miltarized dictatorship

[@garden3818]

Japan, like most countries, is still the same country it was in 1945 underneath

[@ChicStyleReese]

This is scary accurate and I have lived in Japan as a poc. I remember wearing jeans and heels once to go out and ppl were staring and pointing and it was so oob for me because even to go out most Japanese people don’t really plan fits. I saw a lot of people clubbing with work clothes on.

[@Obergfreighter]

Man, I can't even imagine paying zero attention t'yer aesthetic when you go out on the town...

[@aureliaavalon]

...clubbing with sweaty work clothes on?

[@katherinesullivan9647]

Huh that’s interesting, kind of makes me think how visual kei has a formal aspect to it hmmm

[@samanthabb7648]

“Lived in Japan as a poc” ???? I get what you meant but ?????

[@noahamankwaah9802]

@@samanthabb7648 What's so confusing about what they said?

[@PassiveSmoking]

What about people who can't help but stand out? People with disabilities, missing limbs, etc? How do they cope in such an environment?

[@McHoneyBunnyLPs]

Interesting

[@SonicUnleasher1]

I can't believe that the young girl with natural brown hair had to suffer like that. I genuinely thought that the harsh aspect of criticism only existed in anime like most people believed but after seeing this, I can't help but be saddened by how it is quite ACCURATELY portrayed now. Shogo-san, if you intend to be a trigger of change, I'm with you all the way brother. You've got a like from me

[@bunnyrabi]

There has already been for years small, really small movements of change and opening people's mind, usually through media and in the form of social rebellion. This youtuber is just letting us that don't live in Japan understand some issues that been going on.

[@SonicUnleasher1]

@@bunnyrabi Thanks so much for filling me in. My heart can take it easy somewhat

[@bunnyrabi]

@@SonicUnleasher1 yea, for sure. Young people especially are a lot more open in any society these days, and those that stick to their grandparents ideology are sometimes seen as being too traditional/conservative. The reason there hasn't been immediate changes is because old ideology still exist with the old people still alive and growing older. However with in the next decade or so, I promise many countries will have huge societal changes. That's just natural evolution

[@kiloklavdi1185]

@@bunnyrabi Now I know why Corona dropped

[@cloudybookcase9189]

Wigs exist

[@altformusic]

I have extremely short, blonde, curly hair and I can’t imagine wasting a doctors time JUST to get a certificate for my hair.

[@ellanica]

Everyone adores Japan for the food, the sights, the entertainment. But there's a reason for the high suicidal rate, I suppose.

[@michaelmorse4444]

Beatrice?

[@Stealthful_]

You suppose... alright.

[@user-mm9kv9nn5w]

Got some rezero vibes, I suppose.

[@Endersoul-tx1of]

@@user-mm9kv9nn5w I suppose so.... I suppose.

[@patzchan1900]

Probably something else theyre doing for the sake of public image besides the comically civilized behavior is pushing themselves to perform at you best even when you go "karoshi".

[@eiramanin5604]

I feel like I can't breath watching this, the whole situation feels suffocating

[@avocado3-in-182]

Bruh, so being a “Japanese normal” is everyone’s personality in Japan.

[@enilehcodramramlised8716]

have you ever dealt with exchanged students from Japan, it was a total dead giveaway. After watching all those anime and stuff you should’ve gotten so interested enough to do research to the point of seeing how they really interact and real life. They are 1000% far different from the anime.

[@jotarothanos9862]

@@enilehcodramramlised8716 Yeah they seem just very empty, can’t help but feel sad, they deserve to live life the way they want.

[@nguyenhamy5591]

Wow... Imaging someone sensitive like me being a citizen growing up in Japan, I think I would just collapse from stress from both school and work. It's really scary!

[@TheGlory16]

@Kyoko and Maki - my waifus Same

[@thomascircle245]

If a bunch of foreigners all moved to Japan at once, likely it would trigger some change. Or a wave of xenophobia. But I find myself doubting that many there would hate the foreigners more than their own authorities, since as has been noted, much of Japan’s culture is extremely at odds with its values.

[@thomascircle245]

@@ShaferHart You say that, but if this came naturally to people it wouldn't be enforced. And as has been observed here, lots of Japanese culture runs counter to these values. However this is perceived within Japan, it IS perceived, so it's not fair to say conformity is all people have ever known.

[@ohdaUtube]

@@ShaferHart exactly

[@ohdaUtube]

@@thomascircle245 that's not what shafer is saying. Every norm differed from country to country, even region to region within a country. Can't point and say "that's weird" when they would say the exact same thing about our tendencies. Every culture has a positive and negative. If choose their positives any day compared to other countries.

[@dangerouspie0319]

Making a certain hair color mandatory seems almost like racism.

[@Travelling_Heart15]

Colourism it is

[@lienomzekon4763]

your pfp is the perfect definition of a balance human

[@dangerouspie0319]

@@lienomzekon4763 How do you mean?

[@SusieBlup]

@@justajackal3574 Yeah, almost, bc they're all japanese

[@dangerouspie0319]

@Yahargul The video says that some Asian schools make black hair a requirement.

[@OmniCausticInfidel]

very nice and informative. this helped me correct my negative bias towards these aspects of Japanese culture by understanding a logical reason why

[@KevinJennissen]

This is pretty messed up. No wonder there's a suicide epidemic... Also, it's sad and ironic that a culture "addicted to justice" refuses to acknowledge their own past atrocities and continues to brush them under the rug.

[@Croconator]

Cough cough Nanking

[@Dragoncam13]

Have you not heard about the Kamikazes?

[@FingerSpazm]

@@Dragoncam13 who hasn't? Both comments don't get any indication they haven't...

[@tobiahrowswell2928]

@@Dragoncam13 not that either should be rated but I'd say the sack of a city and murder and worse of millions of civilians is a better indication than kamikaze pilots

[@Dragoncam13]

@@tobiahrowswell2928 In the name of suicide and Nanking wasn’t even the worst area hit

[@yadwig]

This is so... depressing. I think I even shed a tear. It's like people in Japan are robbed of their freedom as soon as they begin to understand what freedom is. As soon as they start being aware of who they are. I'm so happy I don't live there and never will.

[@kyngdarius774]

You think this sad don't look up north Korea.

[@EllyValentini]

Yep!!

[@karifurai8479]

to be fair though while this is a real, prevalent thing in japan it’s not like it’s impossible to live a good life with good friends. it’s just more difficult.

[@eternallylearning2811]

@@kyngdarius774 okay WTF is with oriental country's and being anti individual first there's north Korea in general then there's china's sexism and thirdly Japan's uniformity obsession.

[@crimsonreaper7945]

@@kyngdarius774 Yeah just be glad y’all get to still eat. In NK they eat like most of the southern Africans do.

[@oKApplejack]

Japan - “I wonder why our Suicide rate is high.” *watches video* Also Japan - “I guess it’ll remain a mystery”

[@arraikcruor6407]

It is absolutely nuts how oppressive Japan is.

[@skullplasma0221]

Also explains the shut ins as well

[@GiornoLovesDeathGrips]

"I guess we'll never know"

[@anagonyaowusu3119]

@wowalinbie You can have a safe country without being socially ooppressive, for example, New Zealand, or Switzerland or like, Any Nordic country, they've higher qualities of life overall compared to japan (Also Switzerland has better transit, I'm not even kidding, it's insane how punctual they are there)

[@anagonyaowusu3119]

@wowalinbie Oh God, oh please, please don't tell me your implying hate speech laws and gun control as "socially oppressive", especially in comparison to Japan, please god no.

[@user-ki1zi6qm5e]

I've went in Japan when i was 8-13 , and almost all of these are true . Though I'm not sure about the job hunting stuff , these are brutally accurate . Just like him ,I've experienced verbal & physical bullying in Japan , to the point I considered su1c1d3 . But my heart goes out to all the people who are still suffering because of this "normalism" .

[@347Spartan]

Define "normal" in Japan. I stayed for a week in Tokyo i was creeped out on how many ppl are forced to put up a fake smile and try to make do during the day till they go home and pass out.

[@intermilan9731]

Is that why in the West everyone looks so depressed and gloomy Putting up a smile just seems like proper etiquette especially if you are in public. Don’t know why some people get so triggered by that.

[@magortom]

@@intermilan9731 People don't look depressed and gloomy because they aren't smiling enough. When I like sat with that for a couple minutes longer I realized how to completely dismissive that was of the many struggles that go on and how places are very different from culture to culture. Try to consider the nuance of the situation as opposed to making up reasoning that doesn't have anything to do with history or culture just to suit your narrative and pat yourself on the back

[@hatred9427]

From what I see, being normal is essentially being a human doll. Perfect according to the government and standardized to look like just as the person beside you.

[@Sujamma_Enjoyer]

@@hatred9427 That’s not a bad thing

[@hatred9427]

@@Sujamma_Enjoyer I didn't said it was, just, different. Coming from a culture that let you do what you want as long as you're not bothering nobody, it's different.

[@90taetaeya]

Yeahh.. i always hold in my excitement in Japan. Once i saw a beautiful river from a train and got excited and told my friend.. we took pictures excitedly. A Japanese lady looked at us in disgust =(

[@JosephFlores-yn4yi]

@G. G. he is just telling what happened

[@sinda7080]

In a society of shame, disgust is probably the only thing this person knows how to express. Sadly.

[@jojispoon3921]

quit pooping on the train it stinks

[@Normal_Boii]

Probably too loud or smtg

[@deedatbogabong7415]

"Get Excited!" -Senku Ishigami

[@thebluefeline]

Seems like Japanese people need to learn that being different yet cooperative is totally possible. No hate to the Japanese. Thank you for explaining things so nicely.

[@Kali-8]

No its their law which is ridiculous, they should learn from europe and america

[@Zakaker]

@@Kali-8 Nope, culture is the problem in this case. People can turn a blind eye to rules when they don't agree with them, but, conversely, they can also try to enforce ideals that are not strictly "laws". Even if, hypothetically, all the rules made to encourage conformity were abolished but nothing was done to change people's mentality, conformists (especially older generations, aka most teachers and public officials) would still be hostile to people who stand out. Even in Europe and America there are things that are technically legal and allowed by schools, but are seen negatively by many adults and teenagers alike

[@Kali-8]

@@Zakaker you are spittin

[@sintheemptyone8108]

They'll probably use the insanity going on in the western culture as a reason to not change their ways or even double down until the society finally breaks.

[@Voldrim359]

@@Kali-8 he is not wrong, for example being black in a school full of white kids...