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Any positive views of Japan recently?

den4

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By looking at the threads here and in other forums, or watching the news recently in and outside of Japan, there seems to be an overabundance of negative views.
As a counter to this, is there or are there any views or things that are positive about Japan? If not, then why does everybody seem to love focusing on the negative? Because it is more interesting? or is it general apathy towards anything good?
I am guilty of pointing out the negative things like most everybody who has spent some time in Japan, but I'm curious, especially for the veteran threaders here, what you find positive about Japan, if anything? And if you do not find anything positive about Japan, then is there a reason why you like focusing on the negative aspects?
Although I won't make a blanket statement about Japan, what I like, personally, and have a somewhat positive view about are the foods, the funny commercials, some of the TV shows and dramas, and the techno gadgetry that have advanced living situations in tiny spaces. (there are, of course, negative aspects to this, but that is not the purpose of this thread, and have already been mentioned elsewhere in other threads).
I'm curious to hear what some of your others have to say...
 
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What a fine idea, den4 !
I admire your deep insight and concern for the general well being of the heart which often gets neglected in the all-to-intense and bloody-as-hell polemics of social critique. It is said...
(more later...guests to entertain!)
I'm back. It is said that the body's reaction to opposition and aggression is faster and more intense due to the simple fact that it is higher on the priority list of the hierarchy of needs.

That seems to explain why certain humans thrive on adversity, why people go to war, why we need the more aggressive forms of sports that are competitve. On the communication side, we know that good questions that evoke ideas and thinking are quite important in learning. Why a full description of a subject are often fails to attract inquring minds. At the same time, lack of imagination (self-induced stimulus) is also a factor. I'll be back with more "postive things Japanese" later.
 
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There are a million things I love about Japan. I'm a history buff so I love visiting temples, castles and things as well as reading about them.

I think I post about negative things (or respond to negative posts) because the internet forum format lends itself more easily to bitching and complaining than it does to constructive and positive discussion of things you like. To take an example:

Thread: Hanami

Post 1. I like Hanami alot, does anyone else like them?

Post 2. I like them too. Cherry blossoms are very beautiful.

Post 3. I think they are beautiful too.

And the thread basically ends there. Not too interesting subject matter.
 
Lot's of good things in Japan, but not really anything new (as in most countries). The problem may be that the News Agencies concentrate on all the bad aspects, problems, accidents and perverted things.
 
Maybe Time Has Erased The Bad Memories?

The only thing I "DIDN'T" like was the food, and that was my problem. I think in 2 years there, I only met 1 or 2 people I didn't like. The friendliness of the people to me was overwhelming. The feeling of being "SAFE' was great; no crime problems or dangers were apparent to me. Being into cameras and picture taking made Japan a dream world for me. When I was there, the Yen rate was $1 = 360 Yen, so I felt rich. And of corse number one for good thing about Japan has to be all the beautiful women with LONG BLACK HAIR ! My memories are based in the good ol days of the early 70's.

Frank

 
When I was there, the Yen rate was $1 = 360 Yen, so I felt rich.
Click to expand...

I hate you

I make a pretty good salary but every time I go back it seems like I can afford less and less. Rising prices combined with a weakening dollar make me a sad panda
 


deep insight? Lexico, we're talking about me, now...the fella that knows nothing.....I think you must be confusing me with Frank....
 
always look on the bright side of life......
the generosity of the generous is above and beyond expectation...
As all of us do, I have good days and bad days, busy days, stressful days... family stuff.. job stuff... and the silver lining is when something unexpected happens that just makes life so wonderful...someone arriving with fresh vegetables just pulled out of the garden.... or maybe when I buy hot baked sweet potatoes, the guy gives me an extra 2 or 3 as a bonus.... or when another family celebrates a special event and includes my family in the festivity......
maybe this is not so much "japan" but just "people" in general. but these small "good times" make the japan experience so much better.
 
I like Japan becasue of it's politeness and it's wonderful and interesting technology. Just to name of couple of things.
 
"If not, then why does everybody seem to love focusing on the negative?"
he own the board? me can't do nothing about it
i just come in now and again to help people with redundant questions that other people too tired to answer

"Because it is more interesting? or is it general apathy towards anything good?"
maybe it's something marital, or they landlord is too mean... i don't know what homes is going through :?
but its they sandbox, so they can do what they want
i go to other playgrounds when i get tired, and come back now and then to see if there are any new kids worth playing with

"but I'm curious, especially for the veteran threaders here, what you find positive about Japan, if anything?"
too much to write, but i guess its enough to say that its different than america that's my main motivation
i'm glad and proud to be an american, but currently i feel sad about the way things are going
and even more, why they are STILL THAT WAY, and HAVE NOT CHANGED.
four more years...
 
at the mo it seems to me China is like outdoing Japan with its rising economy and all,

what do you think?
 
Japan is and always will be the world leader in making worthless crap that you absolutely must buy because it's soooo cool.
 
darg said:
Japan is and always will be the world leader in making worthless crap that you absolutely must buy because it's soooo cool.
Click to expand...
i dont know look at some of the crap that comes form Denmark.
I've nothing against Denmark and its people , but i've a few crap ornaments form Denmark. A few, i mean alot.
 
fermento said:
at the mo it seems to me China is like outdoing Japan with its rising economy and all,

what do you think?
Click to expand...
I try not to think, but with the manpower (used in generic terms) in China, chances are good that when they set their goals for the People, then they can do almost anything. Corruption on the local and govmint level is still one major problem they'd have to get a rein on before they really become an economic powerhouse...there's just too much garbage still going on

just remember that you didn't read me saying this because I know nothing.....
 
For me it's actually quite difficult to find _negative_ things about Japan. For me it was (and is) the best place on earth and I just want to go back there from the bottom of my heart (I've been missing Japan ever since I came back last september, and that's also the reason I'm again browsing the forum at this very moment.. ). For me it's sometimes surprising and difficult to hear people complaining about Japan / Japanese / Japanese things. Of course, Japan is a unique country with a special culture, so I guess people will either love or ..hmm.. dislike it. For me it's absolutely 100% pure love I oput the negative things on the background and focuse on the endless variety of positive, amazing, wonderful things there. Not only on major things (like temples, or big cities, technology etc.) but also the modern life..hyaku-en shops, subways, streets, normal people, eating ramen, the men guiding you safely pass the construction areas etc..everything together, the whole package! I could give allmost anything just to be able to walk on a Japanese street again and just, be there. Breathe, see, smell and hear the life there.
 
anybody ever seen tomorrow never dies?
james bond has to stop this deranged news mogul?
its on every weekend @ tnt it seems like, made me think...
 
The profane exists but the language isn't as expressive with it... It's only profane because it's found to be offensive, not because say, it's a word that normally has no meaning to which the Japanese give some artificial one, such as the explitives normally used in English.
 
Although, I've not been to Japan itself yet (I'm going in a month or so)
I am now working for a Japanese company (NHK News as a video engineer) and I have to say it is the best job I've ever had!
Although a higher standard of work is expected, I've been treated with respect for my knowledge and thanked for my efforts and am a much happier person.
I've met some terrible,twisted,bitter,freaky people in other jobs (BBC and small Soho TV production companies) but the vibe is different here.
Maybe I'm still a bit naive, but my opinion of Japan is very positive (so far!)
 
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