The Quiet Shift Happening in Japan

[@RealRatification]

I hope Japan doesn't follow Western ideas completely, but work balance and self-fulfillment would for sure lead to a better future for Japan.

[@Retro-Japan]

It’s a tricky balancing act for sure. Hopefully Japan can find that balance!

[@yuka-youtube]

@@RealRatification very difficult but balance is necessary. otherwise it will become like US government…

[@krashme997]

Which Western ideas? US ones? Australian ones? French ones? Swedish ones? Portuguese ones? All of these countries are very different in their approach to lots of - if not most things. Why do people act like the West is one single uniform block with one identity?

[@yuka-youtube]

@@krashme997 in the context, globalization lead by US uniparty and some EU. sure every country is different. same as asia. however, some generalization is necessary to have conversations. japan has more than 40 prefectures and each is different. but it will hinder conversation and practically useless.

[@krashme997]

@@yuka-youtube I'm not sure in this context that any comparison between prefectures with uniformized laws and relatively uniformized culture is a good comparison between say, France and the US, with very different approaches and views when it comes to working culture. So I ask: when you say "West", do you mean "the US"?

[@anshukun]

i like the synthwave vibe of your videos

[@lorddevonshire6382]

Japan can be a very stuffy and dull place if you live there for many years, as I have, but it absolutely does not need to follow western examples.

[@Kopefulfill]

Please elaborate, why you feel it becomes dull?

[@lorddevonshire6382]

@Kopefulfill Because everything becomes very predictable, even people's opinions. Also, there are so many rules and very little flexibility. If you try to chat with someone - even in Japanese -, for example a store clerk, they will panic. They are trained only to do the job, not to show any personality. For this reason, it's easy to feel very disconnected and alienated. I lived there for 35 years, and it wasn't easy.

[@MonkeyHero]

Why doesn't it

[@lorddevonshire6382]

@@MonkeyHero Because we have made an utter mess of our countries.

[@MonkeyHero]

@lorddevonshire6382 we have also acheived world class accomplishments. There is a lot of nuance. Japans culture is also stagnating and holding them back. Its okay for them to take some of the good aspects of Individualism, and leave out the bad aspects. Just as America also would be wise to take some of the good aspects of collectivism, but leave out some of the bad aspects we see in Asia. A little bit of both would go a long way. America is not just bad. It is many things. And so is Japan. Think critically.

[@seerasan]

Wow your production quality is incredible! I love the deep dives and topics you've been covering, very insightful even as someone living here!

[@Retro-Japan]

Thanks, I wouldn’t recommend this video style on a regular basis though 😅 I love your work too 🤝

[@seerasan]

@@Retro-Japan Must take quite a while to film & edit 😅 Aw, thank you!

[@zenmonk3]

He has a great reporter voice

[@savejeff15]

Great video, beautiful shots. I have observed something similar here in Germany. Up until around 50 years ago Germany had many middle-sized businesses and workshops (under or around 100 employees) that specialized in something. they worked together to create an interconnected economy. That is the reason Made in Germany is/was a thing and even today some small german companies lead in special areas. In the last decade,s a lot of young people went into bigger companies as it was seen as more modern. Big Bussiness was in. Now many don't like the corporate culture and start to realize that it was a good thing to work in small companies where you actually made a difference, but unfortunately, many companies have closed or consolidated. future will show where the trend leads us.

[@Retro-Japan]

Interesting. I had an incredibly intelligent coworker/friend for the last few years and even though we are both relatively early into our careers he decided the corporate life isn’t for him and did a U turn from IT and now works as a farmer in a Hiroshima. He feels he is providing more value that way. Sometimes I do feel very jealous of that! I’ll hopefully make a video with him at some point in the future.

[@VanillaPeach-y7l]

@@Retro-Japan Growing your own food is rewarding.

[@yuka-youtube]

@@savejeff15 i totally agree. i always prefer small businesses.

[@Gripmagic]

​@@Retro-JapanHe made the absolute right choice

[@Milty2001]

The amount of effort you put into this video is incredible

[@Dr_Majima]

incredibly brilliant videos and very insightful. you deserve way more views and subscribers man

[@FadedVault]

I keep stumbling on your channel and always appreciate your broll footage and amazing storytelling! You’ve perfectly captured the mood and storyline of Japan once again. 🤓👏

[@Retro-Japan]

Cheers again mate!

[@joncoedisko]

As I transition into a life in Japan, I really appreciate your videos. My experience living in Japan so far is very relatable and what you present in this video resonates.

[@snakka74]

How about an experienced it professional to relocate japan ?

[@subedipatel3133]

The song "Usseewa" by Ado is a good example of what a lot of the youth of Japan are feeling. The song rocketed to the top of the charts.

[@yuka-youtube]

@@subedipatel3133 but that’s every generation think about older generations from ancient days… i think real problem is older people really are not that presenting good values for younger people and they are clueless about many things. thus younger people have no respect to them. i notice more and more older people behave in a savage ways.

[@JGJ505]

Just discovered your channel and in the 15 first seconds I could already tell this was going to be a high quality video ☝️

[@MP-lv5vk]

I do appreciate many aspects of Japan’s collectiveness. I wish that Western countries relearned some of their own collective traditions. No one person is an island.

[@DaiShimaVT]

It will be interesting to watch how Japan changes over not just our lifetime but even just the next decade or so. There are many things that they could change for the better but I hope that Japan stays true to itself

[@MickChallenger-q9l]

Oh yes, "change" and "progress", what a great agenda...

[@LCTenshi]

@@MickChallenger-q9l weirdo

[@VanillaPeach-y7l]

Not all changes are positive.

[@LCTenshi]

@@VanillaPeach-y7l good addition to the conversation ig

[@marvinnovilla4918]

Hope they only change the things that hold them back, namely their work culture etc. I look forward to witnessing what kind of country Japan will turn into.

[@mp3magnet]

Great videos. Love the deeper insights into Japan.

[@HaroldGodsoe]

Love it! Please keep up the great videos

[@Retro-Japan]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@3TQHAJSHNQ]

Definitely happening everywhere. Japan in my third country as an expat. I've spent months in countless other countries. Everywhere is at it's core exactly the same because people want the same things regardless of the country. In a lot of ways it's great because a failing country (by almost every metric) has a chance to improve, but its also a bit sad because travel is much less exciting as everywhere becomes the same.

[@vietjoii]

There's something about a small developed country such as Japan that captures the beauty in small cramped spaces. There is a lot of intentionality behind where certain objects are placed, where and what should or shouldn't be in a location.

[@VanillaPeach-y7l]

Could you elaborate on that

[@vietjoii]

@@VanillaPeach-y7l From the architecture daily practices of to the people of Japan, there is intention behind every action. In Japanese gardens, there are rocks placed around each plant to emphasize on places of growth. Because if a garden has only plants, there is only growth, no balance, therefore no yin and yang. I read a book on the importance of shadows in Japanese culture, the author speaks on the heavy emphasis on the reflections of everyday materials and the impacts that it can have on light/dark. Essentially, not everything has to be lit by a light in a room, you can let the natural light bounce off of the materials that you have in your room. Thus, allowing you to be more connected with the living space and everyday life. It's not just materials but where everything is placed in a room as well. In Chinese , they call it "Feng shui" and you see this everywhere in Japan. It is ever more evident in a country that is limited in space, every crevice is taken into account. I think that we as westerners take this for granted because there is an abundant of space in our every day lives. Whether it's the living quarters we live in or the environment, we can often feel that it is never enough, always searching for something bigger, whether physically or metaphorically; example would be wanting a bigger house, a bigger desk to work in or expanding anything we currently have. When in reality, we can simply minimize our current environments and break it down to exclude what we need or don't need, and be more intentionally with our living spaces or daily lives as well.

[@asdfbij]

japan is a mess- i don't know what you're seeing. I think you're being deceived by the cinematography. Japan has some of the worst central planning you will ever see in your life

[@vietjoii]

@@asdfbij Compared to urban planning in the states where I live, Japan uses space far better. Trust me, I'm not glorifying the country. Simply an observation.

[@VanillaPeach-y7l]

@@vietjoii You visited

[@Human_Ramen]

Love that bro is always dripped out in his videos

[@cv5420]

Another good video. This is exactly what's happening with the younger generation in Japan. At my company in Tokyo, I see this with both expat kids and locals who are more interested in everything western. The only big difference between those two groups are English fluency and acculturation. One side speaks at or near native level, act and think no differently than a western person. The local struggles with it even though they can score 800+ on their TOEIC. For the latter, they only want to extract the western parts that are beneficial to their life now. But their social circles are still very Japanese. It will be interesting to see when they get older if they still hang on to these beliefs or only as a passing phase in their life.

[@halloweenpot]

haha I am an 80's 帰国子女 kid but not Japanese, I think this is a new concept that's spreading around the world and does not only apply to Japan. I can see now that cities are becoming more international and it's a good thing, I also believe that this will be the future of the world. Balance is the key.

[@HKstroller]

Fantastic analysis and observations!

[@thelittlenay2487]

Such a great video once again!

[@MasohoAkashi]

The seniority system in Japan began to collapse 20 years ago when the Koizumi administration created non-regular employment, not after the spread of social media.

[@sushikome2682]

I mean, he obviously doesn't know that 😂

[@Atef-Kun]

Easily the realist content creator out there, I like your videos 👏

[@Retro-Japan]

Thanks mate I appreciate that a lot!

[@JoseReyes-ov2tu]

I love your voice :) You got a really nice voice. Great video! Smart and interesting! Keep up the good work!

[@shugyosha7924]

It's not that Japan is becoming less collectivist but I think people are forced into being less collectivist. You don't have the job security to work your whole life at a company anymore. Economic realities are forcing Japan to change or die.

[@mediocreman2]

This is why balance is so important. Japan has many flaws because of its collectivism and the expectations that are placed on Japanese people and even foreigners, but has many great qualities because of the sacrifices people make for the greater good. However, being an individual and having the egotistic mindset that sometimes goes with that is also very bad. That's why it's important to contribute to your community, but also look out for yourself during certain situations.

[@mettatonneoex]

The fact of the matter is the Global Contract is falling apart. This old "wagie" work system, corporate 9to5/996 and fiat currency to the world was like the Shogunate was to Japan in it's final days. These systems either adapt or cease.

[@light535]

It seems 2025 will be a decisive year for Japan. Let's see what next year will bring. As always, thanks for making these more "deep" videos, it's always interesting to see these kinds of insights and analysis. Take care!

[@Retro-Japan]

Thanks for tuning in again mate 🤝

[@8bitjoystick]

That was an incredibly well done video essay. I subscribe and will definitely check out your other videos. I see you using a Bluetooth mic. Did you also use a stand for your phone to deliver the script off like a teleprompter app because that was really impressive line reading on the spot. Did you shoot all that b-roll? Very impressive. And on to the actual content, the idea of stressing individual goals and try and rebelling against the collectivist social norms has been a factor at least since the 1980s, especially like with the manga and Anime works of Leiji Matsumoto. What comes to mind is Captain Harlock, especially the early episodes where he liberates his crew from the sedative collectivist worker culture of the post hardship industrialized society. It's just one example but like all good science fiction and some really about the future but rather a commentary on the present

[@Retro-Japan]

Camera, tripod and then just had some notes that I could glance at briefly! And yes, I shoot all my b-roll ✌️

[@8bitjoystick]

@@Retro-Japan Very impressive. I could have sworn you wrote out each word. I personally use a teleprompter program when I try to record a long editorial dialog.

[@petek4337]

Really well done program. I work and have worked for Japanese companies as a Caucasian American. I literally just had this conversation with my Japanese boss yesterday. He mentioned how Japanese work culture has most certainly westernized since the 80’s. Very interesting timing watching this.

[@greendragonspirit1646]

Sounds like Japan is going to have an exciting future . I've noticed that Japanese people who have been western influenced seem more exciting , because they have the best of both sides.

[@yuka-youtube]

@@greendragonspirit1646 i am one of them, however because of failed school system, i see dark future. like PM can’t speak in english nowadays… it’s a bad example walking there

[@ZenHike]

I appreciate your channel so keep it up. I wonder if you would consider doing individual tours. Once the current wave tourism subsides i am considering visiting. Great work and I thank you.

[@Retro-Japan]

Thanks for watching mate! Never considered being a tour guide to be honest just because I wouldn’t be able to balance it with work if it was a frequent thing, I have only really done that for friends and family that visited.

[@9642-l9h]

Great insight😊

[@Retro-Japan]

Thanks for watching!

[@ethomp05]

As a foreigner living in South Korea, it’s very interesting to see that the Japanese share the same cultural definition and stigma towards foreign educated nationals. You frame it very thoughtfully.

[@ek6648]

I have in my mind 2 options to move to: Florida America or Japan. I am born and raised, living in The Netherlands and working as a maintenance painter. How much work would there be in this field for a foreigner like me? I dont speak Japanese at all, but if I have decided I am planning on taking lessons. Florida looks amazing at the ocean area's like the Florida Keys. But the mentality in Japan is just what suits me more. Low to almost non existing crime rates compared to America. And housing prices in Japan outside the big cities are way lower. And Japan has its own beautiful nature.

[@marvvang5758]

Superb shots and a superb script.

[@imbritish]

Your videos are high quality - You're talking about interesting topics, and offering a good analysis. You're also making the effort to actually go outside. However, an improvement you could make is to your language. It's a little too 'academic textbook' in places. Or not, it's up to you.

[@Retro-Japan]

Thanks for the feedback I’ll be sure to take that into account!

[@vlogmakinesi]

Solid video I want to show this to my friends to teach them about globalization and identity, imagery is top notch as always. Hope this channel gets bigger.

[@Retro-Japan]

Thanks always mate 🤝

[@馨-c7j]

It is probably not so important whether Japanese people should change the structure of Japanese society to conform to so-called global standards or follow Western trends. All we need is to maintain a society based on Japanese values. Authentic British English feels fresh.

[@yuka-youtube]

@@馨-c7j i thought you understood japanese most here, but later i understood why. make japan great again hopefully.

[@BrettOPediaTV]

You need a balance of both. Too much or too little of individualism and collectivism will lead to a lack of responsibility. Too much individualism and you feel society owes you; too little, and you risk a depressed, general feeling in the populace of worthlessness and silent despair.

[@draniomeni2]

Japan has always been low on some collectivistic facets. Japanese collectivism doesn't mean high ingroup favoritism/loyalty, for example. The classical sociologist Chie Nakane was surprised to find more nepotism, familism and outgroup cheating in "individualistic" US and UK that in "collectivistic" Japan, for example. So whether Japan is collectivistic or not depends on how you define collectivism.

[@moonflow5133]

Great video, and your solutions of more worker benefits and less pointless overtime would definitely help.

[@thepowerofhope]

Amazing video, I agree with almost everything, and I say the same when I talk about this to people in person. The only thing I find different is when cultures mix, the cultures always keep only the good parts of it, if something is removed, chances are it is something bad which was only kept to respect tradition.

[@ayder_k]

Incredibly interesting video, great job! Since I also live in Japan, I can agree that young people are changing almost without noticing it themselves. But Indeed, overall I think changes are positive

[@VanillaPeach-y7l]

Like what

[@ShelleyM007]

I’m sure that more productivity and innovation at work, ( ie much less useless meetings, less useless overtime and less useless longer hours,) would have such a positive effect on the growth of the Japanese population. 🌺

[@SamuraiSax]

So much of this video about Japan and its absorption of Western ideas is illustrated by a lot of video footage of Yokohama’s Chinatown. Something a bit incongruous here, maybe?

[@Retro-Japan]

It's more so the adoption of foreign ideas. Chinatown may be a good example of filtered exposure. A psychical manifestation of incorporating foreign culture in a controlled way (literally confined to a specific area of the city). When you go there, you know what to expect.

[@yuka-youtube]

@@Retro-Japan that area is corrupted with ccp. you know what kind of police they are…

[@Kevin-oj2uo]

Individualism is the worst ideal the west have. Its the root of most of our problems, and I hope that Japan dont loose that.

[@Kopefulfill]

Yeah no individualism there so everyone suffers. Japan’s marketing is too good, reality is different

[@Wish7s]

Tell me you haven't lived in a collectivist society without telling me you haven't lived in a collectivist society. Individualism is a GOOD thing, extreme individual is a bad thing. Vice versa with collectivism. Saying that individualism is bad and Japan has it all right is next level dick riding and ignorance.

[@tareksadmi7153]

@@Wish7s Agreed!

[@Bozzyman2]

everything needs a balance

[@tengoodquestions]

We are unique individuals

[@TanukiDigital]

Japanese used to buy Levis, now the whole world buys Uniqlo and Muji.

[@phiromthach550]

Although I only visited japan recently. I think there can still be a balance of adapting western ideals. Like working 50 to 60 hours a week, not wanting to date, not wanting to have kids, high suicide rates, low job satisfaction, not being able to afford to buy your own house, not being social with people outside your social circle and among other things is highly damaging in the long term. Even the idea of youths staying at a company for life is starting to shift, people are now starting to realize that they can be their own boss as well. So many different japanese youtubers and live streamers I follow essentially escaping the societal norm. I hope japan continues to improve on these social aspects because it truly is an amazing country and I do not want their population to keep declining.

[@noseboop4354]

Japanese population is doomed to keep going down. The only way to save it is either mass immigration or putting more social pressure to form couples and have kids. I doubt either will happen anytime soon.

[@phiromthach550]

@@VanillaPeach-y7l My third sentence is explaining what Japanese people go through in their daily lives, not the latter lol.

[@yuka-youtube]

@@phiromthach550 it’s almost sounds like i am not a japanese… completely outsider japanese lol

[@realnova7429]

If every society follows the same principles then how could we know which way works best?

[@Dutch1954]

This channel deserves more than quadruple the subs it now has for the superb insight and analysis presented here regularly. Well done from an old retired American preparing to move to Japan with my Kansai wife of 40+ years....a promise I made to her parents when I asked for permission to marry their daughter. I don't feel I'm alone in hoping that as time passes Japan retains much of it's unique character for which is known for throughout the world.

[@Retro-Japan]

Thanks so much! Best of luck with your upcoming move! 🤝

[@FinancewithXibaobao]

Amazing break down of the shift! As a few other comments have stated I think the cities see it at a higher level than the rural parts of Japan. I also believe they have been seeing a lot of troublemakers like Jonny Somali and other copycats so they might be more careful as to what kind of cultural shift they accept from westernism especially within their rules and laws. I think one western concept that they will adopt is better work life balance and more social event gathering or community mingling due to their declining birth rates. Thank you for this insightful take.

[@mchi6621]

Japan is on catch-up but ironically, the US is going back to office and YOE/tenure is important again for promotion. I work in big tech and recently in order to really climb, you need to show up to the office or be 10x tech wizard/workaholic. There are high fears for layoffs or companies failing so everyone is working overtime and being monitored from the top-down (only going to get worse with AI). The balanced remote jobs left nowadays are usually cheaper and replacable labor. Noone is close to the US tech giants (China soon but also tiktok ban soon). Developed countries that want to compete will need to follow along.

[@Retro-Japan]

Very interesting point. One thing Japan has always had is job stability. Perhaps this is now more valuable than ever. I do think they just need to shift a little bit though and encourage more flexibility. My company had a reorg a couple years back and my team who were largely foreigners got mixed in with Japanese workers. They were shocked to see us taking off multiple weeks at a time for vacation and mentioned how it was frowned upon for them to take more than a couple of days off in a row. Now a couple years into the change and those same workers are now taking more time off and it’s really great to see change in them in that way. So no dramatic shifts needed, just a small nudge in the direction of better flexibility and personal fulfilment.

[@southcoastinventors6583]

Japan is refocusing on tourism and entertainment and is starting to plug labor gaps with foreigners especially in the triangle. China is on the way out due to population collapse and its bubble economy also robots. India is where the action going to be due to its growth.

[@mattstone6167]

Did you write the script for this with ChatGPT?

[@tensaijuusan4653]

The excellent movie - Kami wa mikaeri wo motomeru - should be warning enough that the obsession with mass-media is dangerous and has no future worth having.

[@Septhy1]

What camera do you use? @Retro Japan

[@towada1066]

hmmm,... this seems a little silly. Since at least Meiji Era the country has accelerated its pace of change and integration of outside influences (of course, technically I should say since at least China's Tang Dynasty).

[@yuka-youtube]

@@towada1066 in a broader context i agree. japan was always changing many things. current temple and shrine are fake. they are made in just Meiji era. most are already just business pretending spiritual. i hope western people read tails of genji or those.

[@prototype9904]

Plot Twist: Diversity isn't a strength...

[@ThatGaijinFella]

Saw a video earlier today of some Kurdish immigrants, in Tokyo I believe, screaming "All Japanese must die!" - yet here they are, for a better life than they had. After 25 years here, I can honestly say I don't like the way the country is heading! Japanese people need to look at Europe and beyond and ensure they take action to keep their heritage intact!

[@skellderknowledge3621]

ngl man saw one video and passed a judgement on an entire population

[@Kevin-oj2uo]

For what I have seen is that Japanese people are more resistant to change. So we can hope that they push back on this even though the government need it because the country's population is shrinking.

[@flightevolution8132]

@@skellderknowledge3621Immigration has destroyed Europe. If you had ever been to Germany, anywhere in the UK, france, etc, all of this would be self evident.

[@MickChallenger-q9l]

Diversity is not a strength, immigration isn't an answer, the west isn't an example to follow.

[@vihodanyet]

@@skellderknowledge3621he’s making a point about the failures of mass migration that is plaguing Europe. Yes it’s a generalisation but all stereotypes come from a place of uncomfortable truth

[@Itamii1337]

your not wrong that japan was mostly isolated til the late 19th century but before the edo period they were not isolated imo opinion the shift happend alredy for some time but very slowly i dont really remeber the reason why it is 'slow' when it come to change like workculture...but i do remeber i had mutiple reason overall i really like the video and i can tell you knew a lot and i could learn a couple things i also really like your cinematogrophy how do call it? ahaha and your stile of presentation was nice to listen to

[@Bob-l7m2g]

The only difference between japan and the rest of the world is there stricture immigration policy, like poland. Your not going to see Japan poorly effected like the rest of the world by immigration. They only let people in that contribute to there society. They are attracting alot of entry level workers with good skills with the intention of working. What we see is we just let anyone inti the country. Crime shoots through the roof, assualts, drug dealikg etc. That wont every happen in Japan. Even the gangs in japan have a kind of homogeny. And wont easily let internatiojal crime occur. The population will centre around already popular cities. Youll have more suburbs built up around those cities. People will just consolidate.

[@SmartrykFoster]

I think you should read Japan's Constitution and the Labour Code. That'll give some insight into why Japanese are doing what they're now doing (hint: 'black companies' have been breaking the law for decades, and you're seeing the fallout of decades-long practices and the toll they've taken on young Japanese).

[@Green4CloveR]

Japan and the Japanese spends the most money and invest the most time in learning english. However they have the lowest english proficiency in the world. Modernity today equates to a culture more in line with the western and mostly english speaking countries. If you go around Japan, people will very rarely be able to understand english. The language you speak creates the architecture for how your brain thinks. As the Japanese language is very dominant and resilient, there is no doubt Japanese culture will remain. Japan has always been heavily influenced by outside cultures even since ancient times like China. Kanji after all has been an official writing system for thousands of years. I think the changes now are just a part of every country’s way of adapting to the times. Japan will always do what Japan does so therefore will always be Japan. But I think your analysis has valid points.

[@greendsnow]

They just need to adopt a phonetic alphabet like Korea did.

[@michaelmcloughlin3733]

Eh? They already have kana

[@Gurugurustan]

Japan should and will remain Japan at its core I think. If it changes too much, we gonna lose the one nation that is so unique that made us fall in love with it.

[@yuka-youtube]

@@Gurugurustan the core is not lost. and it’s not about individualism. it’s more about tradition. i would say enemy is globalism

[@neisanland2503]

i really hope Japan does not become woke. that will fk everything up

[@southcoastinventors6583]

If you look at the magazine racks you will have your answer

[@neisanland2503]

@@southcoastinventors6583 OH man!!

[@TheArtkaw]

What does woke mean?

[@yuka-youtube]

hi i am a japanese in japan. i wanna have a casual conversation about this topic. while global experience changes japan, japanese people realize good parts of japan through overseas views too. i was a prostitute since teen. i don’t hide my path. if you have something you wanna ask, please contact me. i am not a hater of japan, but i have objective views. very rare i am sure. and i am not swayed by some clickbait either. i am a Maga / Maha person. but i am for abortion and gay issues ( japan was tolerant about gay, unlike some people who don’t really know japanese history sadly). but i am very against special privileges and die. i can talk about many things. but i prefer email or closed talk to avoid turbulence. i don’t want to make noise in other peoples channels. ty for reading. and i like japan and usa overall along with taiwan.

[@jamkp1685]

In Japan, the legal age of adulthood is 18, and most Japanese people begin working and entering society either at 18 or around 22, after graduating from university. However, while the legal age of adulthood is 18, neuroscience suggests that individuals are still immature until at least their mid-20s, with significant development occurring between the ages of 25 and 30. For Japanese individuals under 30, understanding Japan’s complex culture can be too difficult at times. As a result, younger generations often struggle to balance their own self-centered thoughts and values with societal expectations, leading them to misunderstand society as oppressive. This misunderstanding breeds dissatisfaction and a tendency to idealize individualism. They tend to focus only on the parts of society they find dissatisfying while overlooking the positive aspects of Japanese society, taking for granted the benefits they enjoy. However, as they grow older, they begin to understand and appreciate the very aspects they once criticized, and they eventually expect the younger generation to conform to the same norms they themselves once resented. Of course, not everyone reaches this understanding, and the pace of personal growth varies among individuals. I believe that Japan’s seniority-based system, while sometimes irrational or counterproductive, has been necessary to preserve the strengths of Japanese society. If the rate of political participation among young people, which is said to be low, had been high from the beginning, Japan would already be overflowing with immigrants, its culture would have been lost, and public safety would have deteriorated.

[@Retro-Japan]

Great points!

[@yuka-youtube]

@@jamkp1685 i agree to some extent, however it’s not effective to say our nerves are growing so make adult 70 years old. brain can be reversed around 70 80 . search cure for brain fog. but problem is those are unreal suggestion.

[@vihodanyet]

Such an ambiguous title and thumbnail lol

[@username10-be9ur]

😂

[@Retro-Japan]

Perhaps I should have done an over-edited shocked face with a photoshopped tori gate in the background and some text like “Japan is COOKED!”. Maybe that would sell it more 👀 Thanks for tuning in to the ambiguity mate 🤝

[@vihodanyet]

@@Retro-Japan lol wouldn’t have clicked then. The ambiguity was the intrigue

[@yuka-youtube]

@@vihodanyet never make dramatic title with strange thumbnails. it just degrades content

[@vihodanyet]

@ tell that to mr beast

[@angelgarcia1025]

Sociopaths have a tendency to blame others for their own poor choices...... So if you make a poor choice - YOU OWN THE RAMIFICATIONS OF YOUR CHOICE. STOP BLAMING OTHER COUNTRIES!

[@marlonelias]

He’s good looking!.!.

[@jorgesaravia1785]

Japan doesn't need to become more Westernized or lose its essence but needs to evolve more quickly. It's like a car that was top notch in the year 2000, still good and working, but definitely dated and needing some structural changes (basically retiring all those old farts in command)

[@krashme997]

Japan is already extremely Westernized. It has since the Meiji restoration, where they picked up ideas from the West to modernize their country. Back at the end of the 19th century, the salary paid to foreign advisors was about a a third of the national budget, yet it worked, as Japan emerged to be the most influential country in the region. And even now, Japan uses the gergorian calendar over the Japanese eras, they have so much English in their vocabulary you can have a full on conversation in Japanese with just English + a Japanese accent, they all wear "youfuku", or "Western clothes", and you can find more fast-food and Western brand than Japanese ones. Despite all of this, can we say that Japan has lost its identity? That Japan isn't Japan anymore? I don't think so.

[@eternalgamingforum7562]

If Japan follows Western ideas, Japan is dead. We will move to Japan next year because of work, and I would rather embrace its traditions and live in a secure country-even if it means dealing with racism and accepting that I may never fully be part of the society-than endure the situation I face in Germany right now. Mass immigration without skills and the spread of Western ideologies destroy creativity and freedom. When I see how much Western corporations try to censor the Japanese market, I sincerely hope Japan resists. Japan is one of the last places where beauty standards are valued, and where society is not overwhelmed by the excessive need for self-expression from political and sexual extremists.

[@vitalitymirth]

“All the King’s horses and all the King’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again”. Japan: please remain Japan.

[@jrcat2258]

Very nice video, but you're using a ton of words for saying very little. You'd make a great politician!

[@lauriey6089]

tokyo isnt japan

[@southcoastinventors6583]

@@VanillaPeach-y7l This video is really only about the triangle if you go out of it which most foreigners do not then you see small changes at best.

[@southcoastinventors6583]

@@VanillaPeach-y7l But the video is mainly about Tokyo since that is where most of the foreigners live plus Osaka

[@ptb2946]

Do your history lesson: the same thing about Japan (new generation difference etc.) was said 10, 20 and 30 years ago :)

[@Retro-Japan]

And Japan is already a different place to how it was in the 80s and 90s. change is inevitable. It’s just happening at a faster rate now due to the increased connectivity between nations. It’s happening globally not just in Japan.

[@tareksadmi7153]

Great Video as always! A balance of Individualism and Collectivism is important. While a perfect balance cannot be achieved, I really hope that Japan wouldn't over correct :/

[@VanillaPeach-y7l]

How do you balance it

[@ioan_jivan]

24% 😯

[@eloiseprays]

Your video is beautiful

[@Retro-Japan]

Thank you so much!

[@eloiseprays]

@Retro-Japan I'm contemplating moving to Japan next year, but I'm worried about making friends and dating. I'm 34 and have heard that this is extremely old in japan 😂 Do you have any videos on the topic?

[@Gripmagic]

Japan is courting disaster and it seems is on its way down that slippery slope unfortunately

[@jOeLwAlBy]

You give the west too much influence. Please understand how large and populous asia is. China/Korea have just as much if not more of a global influence here if not more as western countries do. The problem is English, the more they keep English out the better (luckily proficiency is decreasing). The less shift there will be since it passes through language, if you dont know a word of English like so many young japanese, that cant influence them too much.

[@Retro-Japan]

I think there’s definitely a lot of influence from Korea, especially in fashion and certain lifestyle trends but those influences tend to be more surface level. The impact from the West is quite unique because it’s more so related to actual ways of living and defining what is success in the modern world. As I mentioned in the video though, I don’t think the Japanese will blindly globalize. They can clearly see the positive aspects of their society that make them unique. They appreciate the safety, the harmony etc. I think it largely stems to workplace values and personal fulfilment and realising that becoming a corporate slave is not what success should look like in the modern world.

[@yuka-youtube]

@@Retro-Japan yes you do understand the situation. i defy the ideas once english get in, japanese will be lost. no! need compare both, and need to know what is actually going on. otherwise, japanese people end up with some sort of illiterate with college degrees. they took class and graduated but clueless… i didn’t want to be like that.

[@user-lh4dy6hn3y]

@@yuka-youtube as someone who is a native Japanese person in Japan, do you feel like Japan is changing? In a bad way?

[@yuka-youtube]

@ i think it’s changing to bad way. authoritarian non-democratic way. but i am living outside of japanese norms, so i will say i don’t care anymore.

[@michaelmcloughlin3733]

I visited Japan 40 years after my first stay as a　留学生。I was amazed at the explosion of English via katakana (外来語) So English is kind of taking over

[@japan-flanders1078]

very good vid

[@ralphsunico]

自由万歳!

[@mindfu11dr0n3]

Very good.

[@cheenouthao9458]

I've already lost all hope for Japan already. If Japan doesn't want to change itself then that's on them. I have seen so many videos about Japans dark ages, no one can afford anything, cost of homes is on the rise, population decline, no one is dating, no one is getting married, cheating is on the rise, lonely people are increasing, natural disasters, and a government that is incompetent so much so that Japan is about to disappear in the near future if they don't do anything about it and sadly they haven't done much.

[@irespect264]

your right side is beautiful. show it more

[@Retro-Japan]

My right or your right 😂

[@irespect264]

@ you have good content. Show your face it’s who you are! Fuck a scar, acne, or a blemish. It’s who you are, run it up and own it man.

[@vihodanyet]

Japanese is the last heaven on earth. Individualism is very seductive but it comes at a price and that’s the elimination of social harmony

[@lorddevonshire6382]

@@vihodanyet It's not heaven. I lived there for 35 years until this year. It has very good points, but everything in life is a trade-off. We have good things in our countries that they lack. When it comes to law and order, they are superior, but at the risk of losing spontaneity and humour.

[@southcoastinventors6583]

Its heaven if your getting payed in dollars and speak Japanese otherwise you will spend most of your time at work not get to enjoy all the amazing sites and food. Plus summers are terrible

[@thePOWERofART-11]

子供たち kodomotachi is children. kikokushijyou has 'girl at the end of it. different words

[@Retro-Japan]

子女 is more formally used as “children” but more so translates to “sons and daughters”. 子供 is more casually used in everyday speech.

[@yuka-youtube]

@@thePOWERofART-11 no you are wrong. shijo is not girls.

[@thePOWERofART-11]

@@yuka-youtube the last character is 'women'.

[@yuka-youtube]

@@thePOWERofART-11 i am a japanese. the last character is a female. but what you are confused about is combo of words sometimes make different meanings of words. shijo means men and women. legally until the age of 25 i remember. 帰国子女 is rare linguistic case but it means men and women. if you extract only 女, it’s a female. but combo changes the meaning. rare case. add i am not accusing you by any meaning.

[@thePOWERofART-11]

@ cool. i'm open to learning! 頑張る💪