Is Japan a Western country ?

[Maciamo]

Japan is unique in its own way. Its almost like its own seperate world.
And that world kicks ***.

Let me disagree. After going to Korea and China, I found that Japan was more similar to these countries than some European countries together.

[caster51]

I found that Japan was more similar to these countries than some European countries together.

because they are also asian.

[Sukotto]

because they are also asian.

I had heard, maybe from a Japanese professor (memory...),
that Korean, Japanese, and Chinese culture are more different
from each other than various European cultures are from each other.

[Supervin]

...
that Korean, Japanese, and Chinese culture are more different
from each other ...

Not at all.

I have shared so much common experience with my Japanese and Korean friends, including movies, TV shows, music, cultural habits, language similarities and enjoyed food. Chinese, Japanese and Korean culture have often been shared with one another.

Despite the language differences, kanji (or hanja in Korean) has always been the bridge. Some of my Japanese friends are even more well versed than I am in some parts of Chinese history, and Korean friends for Chinese movies. Likewise, I am more well versed than some of them in Japanese or Korean movies or music and so on. It's thus no coincidence that actors and actresses can star in each other's movies and television commercials. This is why most can often name popular idols in all three areas: Chinese speaking places (Hong Kong, China, Taiwan), Japan and Korea.

This realization however is often more common for Chinese, Japanese and Koreans who are living abroad or have been, due to greater exposure and understanding.

[Sukotto]

This realization however is often more common for Chinese, Japanese and Koreans who are living abroad or have been, due to greater exposure and understanding.

...
that Korean, Japanese, and Chinese culture are more different
from each other ...


This comes from a Japanese college prof teaching Japanese in the states though.
Maybe she meant traditional culture and not "pop" culture?