Japanese teenage girl stature?

[captainjessicka]

Hello,
I'm a 16 year old girl from the United States. I've studied Japanese for about 3-4 years now and am planning on taking a trip there whenever I can.
I was wondering how the height and weight of Japanese girls my age differs from that of American girls.
I am almost 5'7" tall, and I'm a little worried about standing out. Has the Japanese population gotten much taller, or will I still be a lot taller than girls my age?
I am also curious about clothing sizes and weight. I assume that the majority of Japanese girls are thinner than those here. I am in recovery from an eating disorder and still have trouble with body image, so I wonder if it will be difficult for me being around Japanese girls if they are a lot thinner than I (around 115 pounds).
Basically, I'm just a bit nervous about fitting in. Being American, obviously I'm automatically an outsider, but should I be concerned about being looked down upon for being bigger and taller than Japanese teens?
Thanks for any tips you can give concering my questions or visiting Japan in general!

 

[Mike Cash]

As far as the concerns expressed in your post go....

You have nothing to worry about.

 

[RockLee]

I agree with Mike. Don't worry too much, the only think I would worry about is spending too much money !

 

[ArmandV]

Like others replied, you have nothing to worry about. I've seen Japanese girls of all sizes and shapes, just like girls everywhere else.

 

[nice gaijin]

You won't tower over anyone at 5'7" and you won't be noticeably shorter than most. At 115lbs you're a twig; go eat lots of gyuudon and okonomiyaki and enjoy yourself.

 

[Mars Man]

You're ok captainjessicka san. . .like all before me. . .don't worry about that !!

(It still amazes me at how quickly these gooooogle banners fit right in with topic at hand....but I guess that's their job, to seach out and advertise.....)

Where in Japan will you be coming to captainjessicka san?

 

[captainjessicka]

Thanks for the reassurances thus posted...I've just heard so much about how Japanese can be condescending toward outsiders, and so I'm curious about if/how that applies to this specific situation.

Mars Man: I don't know where I'll be going yet; I may stay with a friend living in Tokyo, but if we can't work that out, I'd settle for anywhere, I think...

 

[nice gaijin]

Unless you stay for an extended period and at least make an effort to learn the language and culture while you're there, you probably won't notice any condescension.

 

[captainjessicka]

But it is there, then?

 

[nice gaijin]

If you're willing to see it. As others have said in threads on this subject, it depends on how well you can handle things like that. Some people simply choose to ignore things that are explicitly condescending. Other people take offense at unintentional messages. It's all about how you percieve the way others act around you, and how you interact with them.

Like I said, if you make an obvious effort to follow local customs and use whatever language skills you have, you probably won't run into any trouble.

 

[Mike Cash]

But it is there, then?

Odds are that you won't even notice it on a short visit. You'll be in the gaijin=rock star phase and eating up all the attention with a spoon.

 

[captainjessicka]

Does anyone have any statistics? How tall are Japanese women and/or men on average?

 

[nice gaijin]

The average is probably slightly shorter than americans, but you'll encounter a wide spectrum of heights. Averages don't mean much. At 5'7", you won't tower over everyone, but you won't be the shortest person in the country either.

 

[ArmandV]

The average is probably slightly shorter than americans, but you'll encounter a wide spectrum of heights. Averages don't mean much. At 5'7", you won't tower over everyone, but you won't be the shortest person in the country either.

Maybe she should change her handle to Ms. Gulliver?

I am 5'11" and I don't feel I tower over anybody there. There's Japanese taller than me.

 

[captainjessicka]

That's certainly good to hear.
I'm guessing it's the same with weight? Slightly less on average along with the height, but not so much noticeable difference?

 

[Kyoko_desu]

The average height of Japanese 20 year old girls is 158cm.
And the average weight of 158cm tall girls in Japan is 54kg.
That's 5' 2" and 119lbs?

 

[Mike Cash]

Your height is not going to be what causes people to notice you. It will be your obvious foreignness that does that. So please stop worrying about standing out because of your height.

And if you're in a metropolitan area like Tokyo, these days even your foreignness won't rate that much special attention from anyone.

 

[Elizabeth]

And if you're in a metropolitan area like Tokyo, these days even your foreignness won't rate that much special attention from anyone.

Definately try and stick to the major population centers if you think condescension and being looked down on is going to be that much of a sore point...

I'm not saying that to dissuade anyone from visiting, it isn't a problem everywhere, and won't be because of your height or weight but there are places unfortunately (mostly in the less populated/outer lying prefectures) where being stared at like an alien species by the majority of passers-by is simply the reality of the situation.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

You'll be in the gaijin=rock star phase and eating up all the attention with a spoon.

I can't think of a better way to describe all the attention you get in the small town! You do feel like you are a bit famous with all the attention(but only in small out of the way areas). Relax and have fun, you will love it in Japan!

Uncle Frank

 

[keiko_89]

You can find statistics on average height & weight HERE

 

[captainjessicka]

Are those for Japan?

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Are those for Japan?

Sure looks it. If you click on the "HOME" at the top left of the page with the info, it takes you to the first page where you can click on more interesting info. I added the site to my favorites list for future reference. Thanks Keiko89!

Uncle Frank

 

[keiko_89]

Sure looks it. If you click on the "HOME" at the top left of the page with the info, it takes you to the first page where you can click on more interesting info. I added the site to my favorites list for future reference. Thanks Keiko89!
Uncle Frank

You welcome. I often find this site very useful!

 

[anzen]

Japanese girls have got taller and larger over the last ten years, but they are still smaller than most typical western girls.
You will get stared at, but because you are foreigner, not because of your size. It is difficult for anyone to "fit in" in Japan, because the culture is so different, but the people are generally really nice and will try and help you whenever they can.
Go for it and enjoy yourself, it is a wonderful country.