The Japanese Image Abroad
外国人から見た日本人
A Message to the Heart of Japan
The Japanese people possess wonderful virtues that many foreigners observe with warmth and deep admiration. Your courtesy, kindness, and industriousness consistently calm and enrich our spirits. From traditional techniques to pop culture, your attention to detail and high aesthetic sense are respected globally. We are always impressed by the cleanliness of your cities and the orderliness of your people.
However, at times, that kindness can give us pause. We worry when your focus on harmony (kyōchō-sei) causes you to hide your true feelings, close your heart, or suppress your unique individuality to fit in. When we cannot discern your honest feelings, it can feel like a distance grows between us, and that is a source of sadness for us.
We sometimes see a tendency to push yourselves toward perfection or to apologize repeatedly for small things. Yet, we understand that this is simply evidence of how earnestly the Japanese people approach life and work.
There is, however, one thing that cannot be overlooked in the international community: the expression that exploits the sexuality of minors. It is deeply saddening to see the Japanese culture that we love wounded by excessive “perverse culture” (hentai bunka). Please, we urge you to reconsider the nature of this expression for the sake of the children who will shape the future.
Please, take a moment to breathe easy and open your hearts more. The international community, and the Japan Guild of Voices, Warmth and Light, love you just as you are.
Positive Perceptions
Polite and Kind:
Visitors frequently highlight the exceptional kindness shown, especially to tourists seeking directions. The cultural practices of bowing and using polite language strongly contribute to this impression of deep respect and courtesy.
Diligent and Conscientious:
The strong commitment to work and studies is highly valued. The punctuality, sense of responsibility, and dedication with which tasks are performed are particularly respected in global business settings.
Cleanliness and Order:
The immaculate state of public spaces, the strict habit of waste separation, and the widespread practice of lining up neatly are highly praised as evidence of a culture that values strong public order.
Mastery and Aesthetic Sense:
The attention to detail and high quality—from traditional crafts to cutting-edge technology—is respected worldwide. Pop culture, including anime, manga, and fashion, is also recognized as an expression of Japan’s unique aesthetic sensibility.
Negative Perceptions
Shy and Introverted:
Some may perceive a reluctance to initiate active communication, especially with strangers or foreigners, leading to an impression of being reserved or quiet.
Uniform and Lacking Individuality:
The culture that prioritizes group harmony (dantai kōdō) can sometimes lead to the perception that individuals avoid expressing strong opinions or prefer conformity, thus lacking distinct individuality.
Separating Public and Private Feelings (Honne/Tatemae):
There is a frequent feeling that people may be thinking one thing internally while agreeing outwardly. This cultural focus on harmonious relationships can be interpreted as a lack of transparency in communication.
Perfectionistic:
The pursuit of extremely high quality can, at times, lead to work delays or be perceived as setting unrealistically high standards for others.
Key Areas for Change: A Foreign Perspective
The Culture of Concealing True Feelings
A frequently noted aspect is the culture of “Public Stance vs. True Feeling” (Honne and Tatemae). To avoid direct conflict, Japanese people tend to hide their genuine emotions and opinions.
Problem Areas:
It becomes difficult to know what the other person is truly thinking, which makes building trust challenging for international counterparts.
Saying “yes” does not always mean agreement, which leads to frequent misunderstandings in business and personal relationships.
The practice of withholding dissatisfaction, only to criticize later in private or abruptly cut off a relationship, is particularly incomprehensible to those from many Western cultures.
Excessive Conformity to the Group
The priority placed on group harmony over individual opinion is another cultural trait that foreigners can view as a drawback.
Problem Areas:
In meetings, there is a tendency to go along with the majority rather than assert one’s own view, which is seen as hindering new ideas and creative discussion.
The emphasis on “being the same as everyone else” can cause individuality to be suppressed, which is a source of discomfort for those who value self-expression.
Perfectionism and Over-Apologizing
An intense focus on detail (perfectionism) and the tendency toward excessive apology are also frequently pointed out.
Problem Areas:
Apologizing repeatedly for minor mistakes can make the recipient feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, excessive apology can sometimes dilute the perceived weight or sincerity of the apology itself.
Over-pursuit of perfection can slow down work progression and create unnecessary stress. Many foreigners prefer efficiency and acceptance of minor flaws.
An International Alarm: Exploitation of Minors
Most foreigners harbor strong discomfort and aversion to the depiction of minors in sexual contexts seen in some Japanese subcultures and pop culture. This is because it is perceived as being deeply detached from international human rights standards and ethical views.
Problem Areas:
There is a deep concern that these expressions may promote unhealthy interest in real-life minors.
This trend of sexually consuming immature figures erodes social ethics and risks degrading Japanese culture into mere “consumption material.”
Those who create and support this content must recognize the danger: this unconscious behavior is undermining international trust and jeopardizing Japan’s future in the global community.
Distress Over the Sensational Representation of Minors
The depiction of a minor’s body in a sexual or highly suggestive context is considered child pornography or sexual exploitation in many countries around the world.
In Western nations, in particular, the commitment to protecting minors is extremely high. Therefore, even when dealing with fictional characters, such content is viewed as an intolerable issue.
Ethical Deviation:
The clear intent behind depictions that just barely conceal private areas is to sexually objectify the viewer’s gaze. Furthermore, depictions where “private zones are exposed” are entirely unacceptable. This is seen as exploiting the purity and innocence of minors to incite sexual interest. The fact that this content is often justified in Japan under “freedom of expression” is unbelievable to many foreigners.
Confusion with Reality:
Foreign observers believe that even fictional characters influence the perception of real-life minors. There is a strong concern that the prevalence of such content promotes viewing minors as sexual targets, potentially leading to real-world sexual crimes and exploitation.
International Sentiment Towards Creators and Supporters
Foreign sentiment toward the creators producing this content, and the fan base that consumes and supports it, is often deeply complex and largely negative.
Criticism of Creators
Creators face sharp criticism, often questioning: “Why is this kind of expression necessary?” and whether it demonstrates a fundamental lack of ethics. Drawing minors sexually for profit is frequently viewed as unprincipled commercialism devoid of morality.
Disappointment in Supporters:
Many foreigners are deeply impressed by the Japanese virtues of politeness and diligence. However, learning that a zealous base exists for this content leads to profound disappointment. The perceived gap—”Why do normally shy and serious Japanese people support this kind of expression?”—is a great mystery to them, often seen as incomprehensible behavior.
Labeling the Entire Culture:
The most significant concern is the risk that these isolated examples will label the entirety of Japanese culture. There is a danger that anime, manga, and Japanese subculture as a whole will be broadly dismissed as “sexually perverse” or “lolicon culture.”