I just stumbled upon the site and had some questions...

[giant_robot]

While it does seem like this site has a great database of information on Japan and Japanese culture, I couldn't help but notice the somewhat negative sentiment towards much of Japan just by looking at the front page. The latest articles have biased-seeming titles such as "Japan's backward legal system", "Discrimination in Japan" and "Health and Environmental Issues". Even the ones that aren't necessarily about problems with Japan seem somewhat negative.

Every country has its problems, and to have a realistic view of Japan you have to take into account its. But there is so much about Japan that is applaudable and beautiful. Why don't I see more coverage of these things? Now, granted I've only been on this site for about 30 minutes, but this is just the impression I'm getting. Someone please tell me I'm wrong.

 

[TwistedMac]

If you look through these forums youll see everyone here are in a happy daze about anything Japanese... the negative things on the front page don't even begin to weigh out all the positive attitude towards Japan in here.. we need it so as not to get a sugarcoated view of Japan..

many consider it a heaven on earth here and we need some bad aspects so as not to go crazy..

besides, those are all serious issues.. serious issues worth mentioning tend to be slightly negative.. just look in the newspaper ^^

 

[WyteAnjal]

I believe this site is for people who are very interested in Japan. If you have the wrong idea that is not good. Many people here love Japan.

So welcome to the site and have some fun.

So are you Japanese?

 

[jeisan]

hiya giant robot and welcome, have fun.

while there are posts with negitivity towards japan they are there for reference, other members to discuss and to serve as somehwhat of a reality check for those who see japan through rose colored specticles, and as the others have said there are more pro-japan threads than anti.

 

[kirei_na_me]

Wow, after all the time we spend getting rid of the anti-Japanese trolls...

As everyone has said, this forum is filled with those who love Japan and many of us have some connection to Japan, too. A lot of us are married to Japanese people, are students in Japan, are working in Japan, etc.

Just like anywhere else in the world, though, Japan is not perfect. Everything has good and bad points. That's reality. If someone is considering packing up and leaving their home country to go to a country that is foreign to them, they need to know what to expect.

Anyway, hope you choose to stay and look around a bit more. I think you will find out that there are a lot of positive things that have been said about Japan on this site.

 

[Reiku]

You too?

So you "stumbled upon" this forum too huh? ;-)

Yeah, I was kind of suprised to see so many negative threads at the front of the page but I guess somebody was just in a bad mood... ^_^

,,,and at any rate a balance of good and bad is always preferable so I dont mind too much--besides I got to rant about how much worse the legal system is here in California.

Anyway welcome to the biggest forum I've ever seen and try not to get lost.

 

[King of Tokyo]

Welcome to JREF giant_robot
Stay Active, Post around and Make sure to have fun

And to your comments, simply put, you couldn't be more wrong about the forum

 

[misa.j]

@giant_robot,
Welcome to the forum.

I am sure you will find many posts that are interesting if you look around.
I'm a Japanese, and I have been around this forum since May, enjoying it very much.
You will find very honest opinions about Japan and Japanese culture from people who have actually been in Japan which can be a learning experience to anybody.

Have fun!

 

[jieshi]

If you look through these forums youll see everyone here are in a happy daze about anything Japanese... the negative things on the front page don't even begin to weigh out all the positive attitude towards Japan in here.. we need it so as not to get a sugarcoated view of Japan..

many consider it a heaven on earth here and we need some bad aspects so as not to go crazy..

besides, those are all serious issues.. serious issues worth mentioning tend to be slightly negative.. just look in the newspaper ^^

Mac I think i could back you up on anything lol.

hey giant robot and welcome! As mac said everyone here is in a daze about anything Japanese. We're all sort of hippies in a way but not?

 

[giant_robot]

Thank you all for the welcome, and I'm very glad to hear that I was mistaken. I can definitely understand having to dispel a lot of romantic illusions people have of Japan, so it's all cool by me. Cheers.

By the way, to answer your question WyteAnjal, no, I am not Japanese, but I am fascinated by Japanese culture, as I can tell from the posts many on this forum are. Good to know.

 

[Mike Cash]

we need it so as not to get a sugarcoated view of Japan..

I thought that was my job.

 

[Lina Inverse]

Hi giant robot!
Those negative reports might give you a wrong image, this forum is very friendly.

 

[TwistedMac]

I thought that was my job.

he hasn't met you yet mike, i'll explain you to him in the next one of these threads he makes called "why is mike so mean?".. that'll be the one where he breaks down and cries...

 

[Hachiko]

Welcome,, giant_robot!