- 17 Jul 2002
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Japanese people tend to see their society as homogeneous, and it is in many respects. But there is a noticeable cultural live between Western Japan and Eastern Japan.
Interestingly this cultural divide seems to follow exactly the tectonic divide that splits Japan around the Chūbu region between the Eurasian plate and the North American plate.
I thought that it was a fun observation.
- The way people speak is different (e.g. なんだ in Eastern Japan vs なんじゃ in Western Japan; stressed syllables on homophonic words like hashi or kumo are the opposite).
- Food is different. For example in Eastern Japan white miso is more popular while in Western Japan red miso dominates.
- Eastern Japan uses 50 Hz TVs against 60 Hz for Western Japan.
- People in Western Japan tend to be more outspoken and outgoing while those in Easter Japan are more reserved.
Interestingly this cultural divide seems to follow exactly the tectonic divide that splits Japan around the Chūbu region between the Eurasian plate and the North American plate.
I thought that it was a fun observation.