What do you dislike about Japan ?

[Mrjones]

I think Japanese people just want to show, their knowledge in English in everyway possible.

[Maciamo]

I think Japanese people just want to show, their knowledge in English in everyway possible.

So that would be a tactful outlet to individual pride in a society where modesty and self-depreciation are some of the most revered values. Interesting theory. I like that.

[DoctorP]

Honestly the only two things that I dislike about Japan are:

1. The way the news is presented on TV. If I wanted to read the newspaper, then I would just buy the damn newspaper!

2. People who continually complain about how Japan is not like their home country. If you wanted to be in your home country, why did you leave and come to Japan?

[Maciamo]

2. People who continually complain about how Japan is not like their home country. If you wanted to be in your home country, why did you leave and come to Japan?

Two things for you to reflect upon :

1) not all foreigners in Japan chose to live in Japan. Personally I went to live there because of my wife. Many people are there for their job (expats, US servicemen, embassy staff, etc.).

2) Many of the complaints in this thread so far concern things which nobody would accept in their home country. Personally, there are things in this poll which I have also criticised in Belgium on Eupedia (e.g. political corruption, urban planning and public transports, colonial abuses, etc.). Many of the cited complaints are things which are universally disliked : natural disasters, destruction of historical and natural heritage, discrimination...

Most of the rest regards the condition of foreigners in Japan, something that one cannot compare with his/her home country. In my case, though, I can compare it to my other experiences of living in several foreign countries, and I only complained when I found that Japan was worse than other (developed) countries for that matter.

I intentionally refrained to add my complaints about language and cultural differences I do not like (e.g. slurping tea and noodles) in the poll itself, because it is too personal.

[DoctorP]

Two things for you to reflect upon :
1) not all foreigners in Japan chose to live in Japan. Personally I went to live there because of my wife. Many people are there for their job (expats, US servicemen, embassy staff, etc.).

Understand that I do not wish to make this personal...but I will say that you did have a choice! Just as you chose to leave, you also chose to come here.
Military personell also have choices...you wouldn't know, you never served.

2) Many of the complaints in this thread so far concern things which nobody would accept in their home country. Personally, there are things in this poll which I have also criticised in Belgium on Eupedia (e.g. political corruption, urban planning and public transports, colonial abuses, etc.). Many of the cited complaints are things which are universally disliked : natural disasters, destruction of historical and natural heritage, discrimination...

Please leave Eupedia out of this, they are seperate forums, and I would not be able to verify anything you have posted there anyway.

[fuma_kamui]

2. People who continually complain about how Japan is not like their home country. If you wanted to be in your home country, why did you leave and come to Japan?

wouaouw... i saw it just now... i glad to see someone who think like me lol.
i agree with you!! their is not any comparision possible between japan and europe, japan and america, etc...
this cultures are too differents to be compare (bad english...scuse my poor level)!!

[KirinMan]

You are grabbing at straws here.
Off topic, I dont take buses back home if I can avoid them, and as a male I would generally let an elderly person or a woman take a seat instead of myself, so you question isn't applicable.
I do know that if someone decided to not sit beside me it would be for personal reasons, rather than general cultural ignorance.

I dont think so, I think you may have missed the point of that statement. How can you be so positive that the person didn't sit down next to the "gaijin" because they were "gaijin"? Someone is making an assumption, I grant you that it may be a pretty fair assumption but it still is an assumption on your part. The point also was about changing what you can change and not force what you see as an issue upon a people that don't see it quite the same way as you do.

I think one of the very reasons why Japanese people dont try to change things is that they feel they are powerless to do so. I do understand your pick the battles you can win, its very Japanese, but, most people get in a habit of dealing with it, rather than fighting.
I agree it doesnt do one any good to dwell on negatives. But to sit and watch your country rot into oblivion and pretend everything is peachy does not help either

Ok, yet I still am hearing, correct me if I am wrong, you are expanding your values and morals upon a country or people that have a very different view of things as they are.

Also from what I have seen so far from living here is that this country will not change for you, but you have to change or adapt to this country. You meaning the foreigners that live here. Also as an extension of that, changing the things that you can and starting with the community or area that you live in you can make a positive change in the way people view or treat "gaijin".

Generally speaking it works easiest with children first because most of them don't have any preconcieved ideas or opinions about "gaijin" and are truly curious about learning about them and their cultures. Most of their ignorance is passed on from their environment.

The original post was, " what do you dislike about Japan ". I have met alot of foreigners in Japan. Many of them say they like it here. Some of the reasons I find are stupid, but that is my opinion. Interestingly, when these people leave Japan, I often hear back that they are happy they left and would never want to come back. On the flip side, many who dislike Japan often come back because, although they dislike, when they move away, they find there are many things they miss

I'll agree with you here, as I have heard very much of the same thing as well. To each his or her own I guess.

I know I will miss the food. And the convenience. I also find in the business enviroment, service is generally good and people are very polite, although often quite ignorant. But I will never come back. I used to hope Japan could fix itself. Now I know it is the nature of Japanese people (the culture or something Japanese) that defines Japan and it is precisely why Japan can't fix itself. But, that is another topic.

Maybe we don't see eye to eye on this one, because I think it really is also a matter of perception as well. Many Japanese realize that there are problems with their system, but when the issue turns towards the one of foreigners they are blissfully unaware that there are issues that the foreigners living here face on a daily basis, for what ever reason. I also feel that they take offense at hearing their "problems" pointed out to them by foreigners, which is natural as well.

Heck it isn't just Japan that hates having it's mistakes or problems pointed out to them by people that are not from there or live there as guests or otherwise. I can not blame many Japanese people for thinking that if the foreigners have a problem with it, then why do they stay here, leave if that is how you feel. I am not suggesting that at all, and as sad as that statement may be, I can in a way understand the motivation behind it. However I am not saying that I agree with the mentality.

If anything is going to change here it is going to have to be a Japanese solution and not one force fed or dictated by foreigners. There are many issues on the table for the Japanese government and people right now and I think the problems are going to get worse in some ways before they get better, because from what I have seen so far in my time here is that the pendulum swings radically from one side to another before finally settling to the middle and a reasonable solution.

[Mrjones]

I don't know why, everybody is saying just go home, or its your fault where you are living you had a choise. In my country we say "go home" to foreigners, usually to people who have said something very stupid and embarassing to public press. Like the case where national soccer player said he would not want to play for Finland, but some other country. This got people pretty mad, but usually people from my excperience try to avoid to say such a rude thing, becouse it is usually related to things which are none of their busnessess anyways...(rant ends here). I am sure we all got our reasons to live, which ever their are they are what we chose.

White fillings are/have been available in Japan for several years...how long I am unsure, but they do have them. ... There are expectianally many gold theeth in Japan compared to me home country. Also many dentist students come to Finland to do exchange study, I think there is reason for this exchange study too. Japan is great country.... but still an country(okuni like every place else)..

[jenova_han]

sometimes too mania or crazy in sex.. >.<

[japantvhost]

Its too warm inside the packed trains in winter time.

[taehyun]

Japanese men

[tampopo]

being tall, I hate low fire exit signs, low light chandeliers and anything that is low for a tall westerner, but high enough for Japanese!!! I had so many bumps in my head after my first visit!
In a private house where one is obliged to walk around barefoot (no problem there) when I realised that the tread in the door way is raised about an inch or a couple of cms above floor level, leading me to rap my toes on a regular basis. Oh it's painful.
I noticed bad teeth in several Japanese. I was once told that it's considered kinda cutesy to have one little tooth sticking out from the others.
I also believe that it's not such a culturally important thing over there as it is in, lets say USA or Canada.
___________________________________-
Edit here.
Yeah, I've been thinking of the teeth thing for ages. I do love good teeth! I was thinking the only two people, celebrities or famous people in the public eye with bad teeth are the actor Steve Buscemi and Shane McGowan from The Pogues!

A couple of more things that make life hard (in a tiny tiny way) are small slippers/flip flops that are to be used instead of outdoor shoes-esp for tall foreigners.It's a pain. I was looking in my wardrobe today and at the back I have a Japanese national rugby jersey. Size L. The sleeves are up to my wrists! There was something else, I suppose I'll have to edit again.

[akakaze]

being tall, I hate low fire exit signs, low light chandeliers and anything that is low for a tall westerner, but high enough for Japanese!!! I had so many bumps in my head after my first visit!

Ah yes, the ATF (Anti Tall Foreigner) Fields. I've seen many, and been a victim of them as well... especially in Kobe...

Another thing, yes I stand out a bit, but is all the staring really necessary?

That said, the people in Kobe were VERY friendly, I was approached a lot more often than in Tokyo, I guess they're not as used to Gaijin.

[Sukotto]

That I'm not there


(until I am there, of course ;)

[loquela]

I have seen a number of your posts Maciano and I have noticed a trend that leans towards the vilification of Japan and the Japanese. In another post someone was complaining that it's always the Americans (not the Europeans) that complain about the country. I think you have succeeded in pulling us Europeans up from the rear end.

I'm curious. Are the negative points you have in your poll born of your own personal experience. Because the interesting thing is that they seem almost to be quoted verbatim from the sources you invite us to read before responding to your poll.

Wouldn't is be more helpful to ask readers to post their own personal experiences rather than form opinions based on third party, often very subjective views?

I see in your profile that you have spent '3 to 5' years in Japan. Does that mean 3 years, then 2 years separately? Whatever it means I don't think you have spent enough time in Japan to assimilate or at least try to understand the culture you found yourself in.

I was in Japan for about seven years and certainly I found things that frustrated, annoyed, upset. But my trick was to accept that this happens anywhere and is even more likely to happen in a place that I don't fully understand. Do think the Japanese find Japan as annoying as you do? I certainly don't find England as annoying as my wife does.

I reckon it would be healthier and more constructive to discuss more about what you really like about Japan. Go on, I dare you!

[Mrjones]

"I reckon it would be healthier and more constructive to discuss more about what you really like about Japan. Go on, I dare you!"
I agree there is only one healty answer for person, unfortunately I cant do it..
Every man has his/hers own mind.

(what i mean is, everybody always wants to see other people agreeing with themselves..when somebody disagrees, he is automaticaly wrong.)

[loquela]

I agree there is only one healty answer for person, unfortunately I cant do it..
Every man has his/hers own mind.

I don't think I said there was only one healthy answer. I was just suggesting and alternative to the constant barage of negative discussions.

(what i mean is, everybody always wants to see other people agreeing with themselves..when somebody disagrees, he is automaticaly wrong.)

I don't feel this way. I am glad for anybody to point out that I am wrong or I have made a mistake or I am misguided, etc. I certainly beats stomping around in ignorance.

[fuma_kamui]

ｐｅｒｓｏｎｎａｌｌｙ，　ｉ　ｌｉｖｅ　ｉｎ　ｊａ ｐａｎ　ｓｉｎｃｅ　ａ　ｗｈｉｌｅ　ｎｏｗ　（ａ　 ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　ｗｈｉｌｅ　ｌｏｌ．．．．ｅｘｃｕｓ ｅ　ｍｙ　ｐｏｏｒ　ｅｎｇｌｉｓｈ）．．．　ａｎｄ 　ｉ　ｈａｖｅ　ｎｏｔ　ｅｓｐａｃｉａｌｌｙ　ｔｏ 　ｃｏｍｐｌａｉｎ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ａｎｙｔｈｉｎｇ．
ｍａｙｂｅ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｉｓ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｐｒｏｂｌ ｅｍｓ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｔｈｅ　ｇｏｖｅｒｎｍｅｎｔ，　 ｂｕｔ　ａｌｌ　ｏｖｅｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｗｏｒｌｄ　ｉｔ 　ｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｓａｍｅ　ｔｈｉｎｇ．　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈ ｅ　ｅｎｖｉｒｏｎｍｅｎｔａｌ　ｐｒｏｂｌｅｍ，ｔ ｈｅｙ　ａｒｅ　ｄｏｉｎｇ　ａ　ｌｏｔ　ｏｆ　ｅｆ ｆｏｒｔ　（？）．ｅｔｃ．．．

[Kaoru Hino]

Japan is seem to be a modern country which accepts foreign culture (outside Asia) and which is prepare for foreigner issues...

In my oppinion that is just a lie.

One of the examples: when you came here, you always think everyone can speak at least English (at least around Tokyo area), but you just have to ask:

-ちょっと、英語分かりますか。

To make them look at you with a panic face.

I'm not an English native speaker, and I can speak Japanese more or less, but when I have troubles, I really want to have a language in which I can be understood... But here sometimes it seems to be impossible.

Another example... Every Japanese will ask you about your culture, about your history, your experience, and so on... But I still cannot find a person who I can really talk and discuss things to. And I'm gonna tell you just an example of what is happening me around here:

One day, I was in the University, and we were talking about the Spanish Colonization of America and then the Spanish trip to Japan, and so on... And well, because I'm Spanish, the teacher looked at me and told me:

-You are from Spain, so you should know that Spanish came here to invade our country, so explain that to us. And also, explain the relationship between the colonization and the Industrial Revolution in Europe.

I was shocked at first. As fas as I know, and I studied History, Industrial Revolution and Colonization have nothing in common because they are two different topics, and also, Spain never tried to invaded Japan. The Spanish who went here just tried to teach Christianism, and actually, there were not enough Spanish in Japan to do that xD. But OK, I thought, maybe here is a problem of different ways of study History...

So I started some kind of debate between me and the teacher... And the teacher just let me know that Japanese way of study history is the real one, and that Japanese killed Christians because they were trying to conquer them... But anyway my what surprise me most is when in the middle of the debate, he just told me:

-Well, that's is your point of view, but I'm not gonna change mine.

That made me think I was right, but he didn't want to tell us.
So, what was the purpose of the discussion?. You ask me for some information, I give it to you, but you're going to do nothing with it. That is completely useless.

I mean, is OK if Japan wants to mantain its own culture. And also, I think is the best thing they can do, because Japan has such a fascinating culture. But, Japanese (in general) need to open their minds and think that sometimes, they are not right withouth feeling some kind of country pain. Because yes, the Japanese is proud of being Japanese, and that's good also, but when this starts to make you think that you cannot be mistaken, it starts to become a problem, right?

But anyway, this is just my oppinion

[fuma_kamui]

Japan is seem to be a modern country which accepts foreign culture (outside Asia) and which is prepare for foreigner issues...
In my oppinion that is just a lie.
One of the examples: when you came here, you always think everyone can speak at least English (at least around Tokyo area), but you just have to ask:
-ちょっと、英語分かりますか。

...the japan is doing a lot of effort to be accessible (english?) to the foreigners. but you can't change all a country in 10 years only.
and, european language are quite ''近い'' from english... you can't compare a japanese who don't succed to speak english and a european.

to finish, i'm french, if you come in france, you would have some difficulties to be understood in english ... but this country is ''a modern country which accepts foreign culture and which is prepare for foreigner issues...''

[caster51]

So I started some kind of debate between me and the teacher... And the teacher just let me know that Japanese way of study history is the real one, and that Japanese killed Christians because they were trying to conquer them... But anyway my what surprise me most is when in the middle of the debate, he just told me:

is he a teacher..........?
I was surprised

Every Japanese will ask you about your culture, about your history, your experience

??

[Kaoru Hino]

Maybe is a question of your lucky...

But well, that were the things I dislike about Japan ^^

[pipokun]

you always think everyone can speak at least English (at least around Tokyo area)

At least, you are quite a lucky guy.

[Kilt]

Obeika
One last post on this, hopefully.

My family is Japanese. Most, almost all of my friends are Japanese. You are correct, they realized Japan has problems. I don't need to point these things out to them, although sometimes I am guilty of making quick comments that could be considered insulting (even then, family and friends can't disagree with me, they might dislike what I have said, but it is an honest opinion shared by most). I almost have sympathy for my family, because they worry about their future, the economy, their grandkids and that is all they do. I doubt they will ever do anything about it. It is almost as if they feel there is no solution to the problems.
Oh, but that is another beauty to Japanese life. Japanese life is easy. I have friends who have worked a company for 5 years, and basically done nothing. Taxes are low, it is easy to save, everything is convenient. So it is not difficult to be content, and I think most people are. But deep down inside, they worry. The other thing I have noticed is people have become content because some things are the norm. Take the excessive noise, or the concrete, people don't even notice it. It is the norm, they cant remember what it was like before everything was plastered with concrete and steel. Or if they do, they try to ignore it.

I feel there are solutions. Maybe it is a different perspective. What I see wrong with Japan can be fixed, over time. Not gonna happen overnight. But it won't get fixed, because no one ever disrupts the harmony.
Foreigners have unique problems (like discriminations ect). As others have said this happens anywhere, and generally here it only makes one uncomfortable. People don't get threatened or beat up because they are not Japanese (except in schools). I do agree with the statement if you don't like it, then leave. If you are here because of your family or simply to make money, then sacrifice and deal with it.
So another difference of opinion, u feel Japan can fix itself. I think of it as the same way I see global warming - basically too late, and at the rate other things get fixed, it just isn't going to happen.

Kilt.

[KirinMan]

Kilt...

Thank you for sharing that. I guess I am just forever the optimist and think that eventually people can learn to change things for themselves.