Hello everyone,
As part of my studies I have been looking at identity particularly as it relates to Japan and the nation's identity. There are two different ways to look at identity--both perceived and actual. As someone who has never been to Japan, I have a sense of what I believe to be Japan's identity. This perception is influenced by how much access I have to Japan's culture from Canada and my own identity.
Let's get to the point of this thread--for those of you who have/are living in Japan, what cultural aspects do you think represent Japan the best? And if you've never been to Japan, how do you think your own culture represents Japan the best?
From a Canadian perspective:
Japan is animé.
Japan is chopsticks.
Japan is tradition.
Japan is conformity.
Japan is high technology.
Japan is green tea.
Japan is rice.
Japan is pokemon.
Japan is spiritual.
Japan is sexually deviant.
Japan is culturally rich.
So from a Japanese or non-Japanese perspective, what is Japan?
As part of my studies I have been looking at identity particularly as it relates to Japan and the nation's identity. There are two different ways to look at identity--both perceived and actual. As someone who has never been to Japan, I have a sense of what I believe to be Japan's identity. This perception is influenced by how much access I have to Japan's culture from Canada and my own identity.
Let's get to the point of this thread--for those of you who have/are living in Japan, what cultural aspects do you think represent Japan the best? And if you've never been to Japan, how do you think your own culture represents Japan the best?
From a Canadian perspective:
Japan is animé.
Japan is chopsticks.
Japan is tradition.
Japan is conformity.
Japan is high technology.
Japan is green tea.
Japan is rice.
Japan is pokemon.
Japan is spiritual.
Japan is sexually deviant.
Japan is culturally rich.
So from a Japanese or non-Japanese perspective, what is Japan?