Kotaku Article on Japan

[Emoni]

Japan: It's Not Funny Anymore

It's long, but I have to say I share a great deal of this writers frustrations. A pretty good read in my opinion.

Living in Tokyo myself, I also wonder if a majority of the listed issues are a "kantou thing" since I haven't spent that much time in other areas. Of course, at the same time, other problems could be even WORSE in more rural or traditional areas.

 

[thomas]

Read it this morning and thought about posting it, too.

Being a Tokyo resident, I do share some of his frustrations. I guess it's tough to be a vegetarian in Japan.

 

[Emoni]

I have a friend who is vegetarian as well in Japan. I'm not, but I still don't know how she even finds vegetarian food to even SURVIVE sometimes!

 

[Chidoriashi]

I have not read the whole thing yet, but so far the only thing I am really on board with him about is the smoking issue. Particularly in small food establishments. If the place is too small to sectioned off then it should be non-smoking, not the other way around like it always is. This is certainly one thing that has baffled me; that in country were causing meiwaku to someone else is looked down upon so much, that the biggest public meiwaku that I can think of is almost completely overlooked.

 

[Chidoriashi]

Ok, I finished reading it. Honestly despite having some points about things, he is simply allowing himself to get worked up over nothing. Who cares if Japanese comedy sucks etc.., I don't know why people allow their lives to be ruined over stuff that doesn't even matter that much, or that is easy to put up with, for those of us that have more patience than a 2 year old.

 

[FrustratedDave]

Complete and utter failure to recognise the fact that he is living in a different culture.

I mean, he complained about the guy who came over and said that he forgot to say "good morning". Greetings to everyone you come into contact with weather it be a "good morning" or an "otsukaresamadesu" are as common sense in the office environment as it is for paying for something at a cash register.

There is just too much crap and to even respond to it would be a waste of time.