Quick Questions about Japan.

[raymond_tung88]

Hey! I haven't reallly met many Japanese people, but would really love to visit Japan. I have a few questions for people who live there.

Say I plan to go to Japan, where would I find most of the tourist attractions? In the Kansai region (Osaka) or the Kanto region (Tokyo)?

Also.... what do you guys feel about China? In your culture, you have had a lot of influence from the Chinese. Nowadays, do you get to meet them often, travel to China, etc? How are your attitudes towards them since they are quickly becoming a strong power in Asia?

[Isan]

Numerous of vista points both cultural and amusement of theme park alongside to islands of Japan

Better to find out useful information at JNTO wherein you stayed :)


JNTO (http://www.jnto.go.jp/) :)

[aoyamacho]

KANSAI
You had better visit to Kansai area. For history and culture because that is the original part of Japan. The oldest cities are there: Fujiwara, Naniwa, Nara, Nagaoka, and Kyoto are the former captial cities of Japan. The United Nations World Heritage sites: Himeiji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture, Big Buddha statue and Horyuji Temple in Nara, Koyasan Monastery in Wakayama, Hieizan Monastery in Shiga Prefecture, etc. There is also variety of geography: biggest lake of Japan is Biwa Lake in Shiga Prefecture, many mountains in Nara Prefecture, the white sand beach and hot springs in Wakayama Prefecture, Hyogo Precture has a pretty port city of Kobe. Osaka is the modern city if many entertainment and many foods. Osaka is the center of comedy in Japan, many of the best comedians and talents come from Osaka, Osaka are very funny and loud and noisy agressive people (especially the old grandmothers!!) Osaka they are very casual and friendly. Osaka is the best food in Japan. Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, Udon, Battera, etc..Osaka people like to eat and eat and eat. It is the eating capital of Japan. Kansai is the best part of Japan. Go to Kansai

CHINESE
In Kobe you can eat Chinese food in the Kobe Chinatown. Many Japanese go there again and again and again. Chinese is very well liked by Japanese. The study of Chinese language was always popular in Japan, but just recently became more empasis to study English, a few are maniacs of English. But I think other countries in world are also studying English these days. But recently more Japanese students wants to study Chinese, because they understand that China is the neighbor of Japan and a friend. More Japanese students are doing a homestay study in China. And some Japanese also likes to dress in Chinese clothes sometimes as cool type of fashion. In school Chinese classics and history is well respected by Japanese teachers and students like to read about China. From the popular perspective, the chinese food, which is called "chuuka" is very popular in Japan. Some of the Japanese are the Chinese decendents, but they have asimilated and became a Japanese.

[raymond_tung88]

I meant more of the people. How are the Japanese's attitudes towards China socially, economically, and politically?

[aoyamacho]

I meant more of the people. How are the Japanese's attitudes towards China socially, economically, and politically?
But I think did have already answered about the people. Your before questions are this ones below.

Hey! I haven't reallly met many Japanese people, but would really love to visit Japan. I have a few questions for people who live there.

Say I plan to go to Japan, where would I find most of the tourist attractions? In the Kansai region (Osaka) or the Kanto region (Tokyo)?

Also.... what do you guys feel about China? In your culture, you have had a lot of influence from the Chinese. Nowadays, do you get to meet them often, travel to China, etc? How are your attitudes towards them since they are quickly becoming a strong power in Asia?

So about recommend area which, I have said you can go to Kansai the best. So about Chinese culture impression, I have said about Japanese interest to the Chinese culture and study Pekin langauge. Japanese think China is the neigbor and friend of Japan and the economic improvement of China is good for the regional stability and prosperty. So Japan and China are doing a economical cooperating to make regional stabilty and prosperty.

But if I think you are wish to ask some kinds of difficult question. Perhaps that you say you never meet too much Japanese before, so I recommend first you had better go to Japan and meet personally the more Japanese people and experience this friendship. So you can be treated as a friend and welcome you with hospitality. Thank you, your interest to come to Japan.

[Bunny]

Yes, I personally have been to both Kanto and Kansai. And I think Kansai is very beautiful, especially Kyoto is a great historical city. Palace and sakura flowers around is the best scenery. Well but of course the mount Fuji is also a must go place. Kanto is more modern and has a shorter history then the cities in Kansai. But if you like the cool fashions, cool stuffs, games..etc. Tokyo would be best. Actually this is just my feelings about my trip. I personally think that you should go both^^. There is also some great places like Hokkaido and Okinawa are great places to go too! Great food, nice beach. Excellent sceneries, hugh flower fields...etc.

And in the second question you ask, I think you just assume the past history of this two countries and assume the situation you think. Cause this is just the last generation's problem. Maybe you saw the news in these few days that there is Chinese football fans making catcalls or booing during the Asian cup when Japan against another country. But I think this is some older Chinese people who are in the past generation or some patriotist Chinese doing these stuffs. But this is just a very very little people doing, especially older people. Some older Koreans are the same. But this generations people understand the importance of cooperate between Japan and China. For Chinese people, Japanese brands are always the simbol of trustworthy and high quality products for Chinese people. People drive Japanese cars, use Japanese electronics because of the high reputation and trustworthy of Japanese products. I don't know other places of China, but I am from Hong Kong, and in Hong Kong, Japanese is the second most language people choose to learn other then English. As more and more business oppotunities can be made between two countries, no matter tourism, productions...etc. More and more Japanese companies would set manufacturing factories in China of low salary. Therefore Japanese companies can earn more money and Chinese workers can get jobs. Also for the teenagers and people of this generation, Japanese cartoons, Manga, dramas, fasions are a big reputation in Asia. Macross, Gundam, Beautiful Life, many Japanese fashion brands are famous brands or nameplate luxuries for not even Chinese, but people in Asia. The relationship is very close. And I think what you say China is becoming stronger is just the military and economy. Military stronger is because of Taiwan. But Economic strong is not just because of Chinese people, is because of many many businessman from Japan, Taiwan, US, Europe...many countries to invest, set up factories...therefore the quality of life in China rise, more rich people would produce and more business opportunity can be made, companies from national/international set up offices, in China, so more beautiful skylines would produce. Many Chinese students gone to study in Japan or other countries to learn, to balance the stability and prosperty of the region.

[Draff]

I've been to Japan many times (My main background is from Taiwan, although I come from Canada) and most of the people I meet have been extremely nice and interested in Taiwan itself. In fact, I know a lot of people who were eager to visit Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai etc.

As for tourist attractions, you have to visit both Kanto and Kansai :P You can't visit one and ignore the other. :)

[sindell]

I meant more of the people. How are the Japanese's attitudes towards China socially, economically, and politically?

Unfortunately, Japanese attitude toward other Asian are quite negative. The media often portrays foreigners as trouble-makers. Television reports often exaggerate the incidence and cruelty of foreign crime and place particular emphasis on Chinese crime and perceived Chinese crime. This is worst when it comes to Chinese. They think that all Chinese are theft and criminal (which is not true). They think upsurge in crime rate in Japan is the result of Chinese. This is very unfortunate. Everyday, when you read the Japanese newspaper, at least one headline will involve crime committed by Chinese or foreigner. It become such a hipe that when committing a robbery, some Japanese Yakuza even pretend to be Chinese and wear a mask and speak in Chinese accent to fool that victim they're Chinese so that the police won't catch them. Japanese politician are banning Chinese students from entering the country because most them overstaying their visa and work illegally. The visa acceptance rate for Chinese students coming to Japan was 40% in 2002, but this reduce to about 10% in 2003.

Read the comment by Tokyo governer, Shintaro Ishihara.
http://www.japantimes.com/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?fd20021117tc.htm
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2003/11/03/2003074434

[Revaddict]

It is true that the Japanese media sometimes exagerate crimes commited by immigrants but its also true that crime rates have gone up the past 15 years in direct correlation to rising immigration rates. and let's face it, asian immigrants DO contribute to rising crime rates.

On the other hand, Chinese hate towards Japan is not reciprocated. Japanese people often have great respect towards its asian neighbours. Notably they show great interest and admiration in the Chinese history and culture. We also enjoy Chinese cuisine and many other imported culture.

and for the uninitiated, Ishihara Shintaro is a conservative rightist and is one of the only Japanese politicians who speak their mind regarding nationalism. I have great respect for the man and what is said by him is often missinterpreted by foreign media.

[sindell]

It is true that the Japanese media sometimes exagerate crimes commited by immigrants but its also true that crime rates have gone up the past 15 years in direct correlation to rising immigration rates. and let's face it, asian immigrants DO contribute to rising crime rates.

On the other hand, Chinese hate towards Japan is not reciprocated. Japanese people often have great respect towards its asian neighbours. Notably they show great interest and admiration in the Chinese history and culture. We also enjoy Chinese cuisine and many other imported culture.

and for the uninitiated, Ishihara Shintaro is a conservative rightist and is one of the only Japanese politicians who speak their mind regarding nationalism. I have great respect for the man and what is said by him is often missinterpreted by foreign media.

You're wrong. What a typical racist Japanese comment. Raising crime rate has nothing to do with immigration. About 1% of crime are commited by foreigner in Japan. The foreign population in Japan is about 1.6% of total population. You can see foreigner is unrepresented in crime.

[Revaddict]

show me some official stats with credible backing, and you'd have a point. but until then it just sounds like a typical complex suffered by Chinese in regards to Japan.

[sindell]

show me some official stats with credible backing, and you'd have a point. but until then it just sounds like a typical complex suffered by Chinese in regards to Japan.

Forget about your typical Jap bias attitude, and learn something.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/EK14Dh03.html

"The number of registered foreigners is equivalent to 1.45 percent of the nation's total population of 127,435,350 as of October 1."

"In fact, despite the increase in the numbers of foreign residents, foreign-instigated crime was only 1.39 percent of the total committed in Japan in 2002 - thus below the statistical norm for the number of foreigners in the population. "

Most of foreigners crime are visas violation which is a very minor crime.


http://www.theforeigner-japan.com/index.htm?http://www.theforeigner-japan.com/archives/200404/surveys.htm

"First off it seems that more than one-fifth of this nation's people do not believe that non-Japanese nationals should expect to receive human rights protection equal to that of the Japanese."

"The rest of the world is internationalizing – under this façade Japan is in actuality internalizing."

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?fl20021004zg.html

"On April 9, 2000, Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara urged the Nerima Self Defense Forces, in the event of an earthquake, TO ROUND UP ILLEGAL FOREIGNERS IN CASE THEY RIOT. He did not clarify how to determine an illegal foreigner on sight. Gov. Ishihara's May 8, 2001 Sankei Shimbun essay credited DNA with giving Chinese criminal tendencies."



Japan is plague with problem, 70% of bad loan are from Yakazu. Haha. Japanese police is a joke. Japan killed millions of Chinese and until today, they never admit. Japan is a country of childish nation.

[Revaddict]

Um your sources are Chinese, what do you expect? Maybe you should go look for some neutral sources. All I know is that they stole my golfbag from the trunk of the car and when the cops caught the guy he turned out to be Chinese. Oh and my father had over 400,000dollars stolen from his bank account with a counterfit chinese stamp.

Are you still talking about Ishihara's comments? Why do you take an opinion of ONE controversial rightist politician and generalise it as the Japanese attitude? Maybe his comments had some element of truth if you look at the way the Chinese fans rioted after losing to Japan in a silly football match. Very uncivilised, childish.

and why do you keep going on about negative comments on Japan? sure we're recovering from an economic downturn but we're still 20 years ahead of you and we still are the biggest donors of economic aid to China. Why must you hate, and why can you not get along? is it jelousy? envy?

And why do you bring up the war? what's the got to do with the topic? You've obviously never been to Japan nor interacted with signficant number of Japanese so you are completely ignorant on this topic. People like you make Chinese education look very bad and obviously show a severe case of inferiority complex. I've met many internationalised Chinese and Korean people who do not share your views and understand reality as it is. Your points are very offtopic and I suggest you stop with your racist comments.

Do me and yourself a favour, save up some money, buy yourself a airplane ticket to Tokyo and have a vacation there. I'm sure it will change your perspectives.

I don't want to sound mean or anything really. but if you want to discuss this issue further I would gladly do so through email as I will be more frank to you. blitzero@hotmail.com

[tweak87k]

When my dad and I went to hong kong a mere cafe waiter at the airport made a copy of his credit card and used it to joyride in germany. What a jerk!

[sindell]

Um your sources are Chinese, what do you expect? Maybe you should go look for some neutral sources. All I know is that they stole my golfbag from the trunk of the car and when the cops caught the guy he turned out to be Chinese. Oh and my father had over 400,000dollars stolen from his bank account with a counterfit chinese stamp.

Are you still talking about Ishihara's comments? Why do you take an opinion of ONE controversial rightist politician and generalise it as the Japanese attitude? Maybe his comments had some element of truth if you look at the way the Chinese fans rioted after losing to Japan in a silly football match. Very uncivilised, childish.

and why do you keep going on about negative comments on Japan? sure we're recovering from an economic downturn but we're still 20 years ahead of you and we still are the biggest donors of economic aid to China. Why must you hate, and why can you not get along? is it jelousy? envy?

And why do you bring up the war? what's the got to do with the topic? You've obviously never been to Japan nor interacted with signficant number of Japanese so you are completely ignorant on this topic. People like you make Chinese education look very bad and obviously show a severe case of inferiority complex. I've met many internationalised Chinese and Korean people who do not share your views and understand reality as it is. Your points are very offtopic and I suggest you stop with your racist comments.


I don't want to sound mean or anything really. but if you want to discuss this issue further I would gladly do so through email as I will be more frank to you. blitzero@hotmail.com

"Um your sources are Chinese, what do you expect?"
- Umm. Only one of my three source are from a newspaper based in Hong Kong. The guy who wrote the article has an some sort of Arabic last name not Chinese. The other two are from Japanese newspaper, and website for western expat in Japan. Can you clarify what you mean by "your sources are Chinese". Beside, there's no such thing. Sources are an object, and they can't be classified as nationality.

Scanned articles from Asahi Shimbum
http://www.debito.org/TheCommunity/ihtasahi121502.html

-"Foreign crime rodse 56% from 1992 to 2001 when the number total 37,314 incidents. The foreign residents jumped 39% from 1.28 million to 1.78 million"

-"Statistically the increase in crimes among Japanese has been as sharp rising 57% to 2.73 million cases from 1992 to 2001" (while Japanese population is declining)

"Are you still talking about Ishihara's comments? Why do you take an opinion of ONE controversial rightist politician and generalise it as the Japanese attitude? Maybe his comments had some element of truth if you look at the way the Chinese fans rioted after losing to Japan in a silly football match. Very uncivilised, childish."

- You said "Ishihara Shintaro is a conservative rightist and is one of the only Japanese politicians who speak their mind regarding nationalism. I have great respect for the man and what is said by him is often missinterpreted by foreign media."
Ishihara said
- "On April 9, 2000, Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara urged the Nerima Self Defense Forces, in the event of an earthquake, TO ROUND UP ILLEGAL FOREIGNERS IN CASE THEY RIOT. He did not clarify how to determine an illegal foreigner on sight. Gov. Ishihara's May 8, 2001 Sankei Shimbun essay credited DNA with giving Chinese criminal tendencies."

SO IS THIS A KIND OF GUY WHOM YOU RESPECT?


"Do me and yourself a favour, save up some money, buy yourself a airplane ticket to Tokyo and have a vacation there. I'm sure it will change your perspectives"

- No money to save here. Travelling to Japan is pretty cheap.

"And why do you bring up the war? what's the got to do with the topic? You've obviously never been to Japan nor interacted with signficant number of Japanese so you are completely ignorant on this topic. People like you make Chinese education look very bad and obviously show a severe case of inferiority complex. I've met many internationalised Chinese and Korean people who do not share your views and understand reality as it is. Your points are very offtopic and I suggest you stop with your racist comments."


- Anyway, I probably know more about Japan than you. Two of my girlfriend were Japanese, and we went out for about 6 years. One is a model whose family suppose to quite powerful in Japan parliment. I was fortunated enough to know be associate Japanese people from poor to very high up. You probably never been associated with Japanese high society. My best friend is a Japanese men, and I have +10 other Japanese close friends. I have been to Japan more than 10 times. I know Japanese so much that I acted like Japanese that everyone from Tokyo to New York thought I was Japanese. With all my experience, I conclude that Japan should learn to grow up.

Why don't you answer to most important question? Why does the Japanese government never admit that they murdured million of Chinese? Why does this story never been published in Japanese textbook? Wagata?


BY THE WAY, I'M NOT CHINESE. I'M AMERICA-JIN.

[sindell]

I see that you are very active member of Japan today under the name of blitz. So you defend you nation by posting to different website forum all day? Most of article related to how much you hate Chinese. Get a job!! Here is your recent article:
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=bbs&order=msg&author=blitz

" Europe, the football culture comprises booing. However, it has been reported that Japan was the ONLY country that Chinese fans booed at. Therefore by implication, this booing and rioting is not mere hooliganism but Chinese hate and ignorance towards Japan.

This is nothing new, the Chinese behave like this at every level, even in business the first thing they put on the table before the bargaining commences is the WW2 issue which has no relevance. If the Chinese think that we are causing trouble in china they should be aware of the contribution the chinese immigrants are doing to Crime rates.

The Chinese won't shut up until we give them all our money (which we have generously given), admit we are evil devils and that the Chinese are the greatest people on the planet and that Japan will serve China for ever. They never give us credit to all the economic prosperity we brought to asia, the technologies we have developed, the aid and investment we have given to our neighbours. All they do is bitch about something that happened 60 years ago. I lost all sympathy to China along time ago.

The booing made their defeat extra sweet for me."

Nice article.

[Revaddict]

I do respect Ishihara not because he rambles racist comments openly but because talking negatively (well relatively speaking) about politics in Japan was very taboo. Along came Ishihara and spoke his mind, thanks to him issues such as the article 9 is openly discussed by the media today, which was not before.

Regarding your articles, you must not forget that the first comment i posted was admitting the exagaration of Japanese media. So yes I see that you show me scans made by some sad anti-Japanese guy which confirms my first point (in a relatively isolated manner, I have to say), but Where are the official statistics? I see nothing. Have you ever studied research methods? Perhaps you should look into the credibility, validity, and reliability of each resource. For example, are crimes committed by Illegal immigrants included? Are illegal immigrants included in the immigration data (if it can be done at all that is) so many considerations there.

The way you undermine me personally shows how uneducated you are. I'm actually half Japanese, born and raised in Japan. Highschool was in Belgium - an international school with all nationalities. University was in London, once again very diverse. I'm other half Italian. I must say I've had the privileage of visiting a vast number of places, including south east asia. So I am probably in a better position to understand the implications of such sensitive subjects which an outsider like you would never understand. The almost-100year old multinational company owned by the family employs over 1300 employees world wide so I am thinking that you cannot place me that low in the Japanese society; which is 99% middle class.

And your rather basic english led me to believe that you were Chinese - but I get the feeling you're Asian American, am I right? And furthermore, if I'm correct in assuming that like myself, were not even alive 60 years ago, I really don't see why YOU should question ME about something that we did not live. So lets tackle the question of whether Japan apologised or not and the issues around it. This is my own take to it:

Firstly, there is little awareness; or even simple indifference. This means that why would the new generation like myself care about something that happened along time ago? did the Brits apologise similar colonisation of the world? no. did the Americans apologise for the massacres of native Americans? no. And similarily, why should we apologize to China, when they've done the same thing to tibet, and continue to do so until today?

Secondly, the issues around the massacre of nanjing are very vague. No empirical data are found; Japanese, Chinese and International estimates of the supposed victims are inconsistant. After reading both sides I feel that Chinese numbers are grossly over-estimated, but I could also see that Japanese numbers are underestimated. While Japanese text books are rather brief about the matter (Japanese history is much older than the 1940's) Chinese text books are packed with overexagerated propaganda. I mean I’ve read very convincing books that in someway demonstrated that the massacres of Nanjing did not exist at all. So I think that the issue is whether both sides put aside their differences and come to the table in an honest and objective manner and come up with agreable facts.

Thirdly, if I remember correctly one of our prime ministers did formally apologise back in 97 and a couple of times after that. I feel that he probably swallowed his pride did this in order to put this issue behind once and for all; but the Chinese didn’t change their behaviour at all. So what I think is that the propaganda-filled Chinese minds need every Japanese citizen to apologise individually or something. Which is of course not possible; and once again, we’ve contributed significant amounts to aid China economically and to compensate the supposed victims.

So I suppose in my view at least, the three factors are what are contributing to the dissatisfaction of Chinese people which in my opinion demand too much. But I feel that it’s like kicking a dead horse. I don’t really care; neither do the Japanese people, even if it went more explicitly on history books.

I do check out Japantoday regularly because there is some interesting news there; but I assure you my time is more precious than posting there all day. I merely voice a small part of my opinion. Congratulations on the find; not that it really proves anything as my point in there is perfectly coherent. The comment about the Japanese behaviour in business is shared by most in international business. (My experiences are from the automotive industry)

And finally, I like how you pompously "decided" that Japan should grow up; let me share with you my beliefs: Nobody or no country is perfect. The important thing is to learn from past mistakes. For you to think about: who do you think you are to judge others. It’s about cooperation and friendship. Perhaps it is you who has to grow up.

have a nice day

[dom]

well i've been living in japan for 9 months. i don't profess to be a fountain of knowledge but i'll share with you what i've found out so far....

- japanese people on the whole are incredibly hospitable towards foreigners
- it is very difficult to 'become' japanese and integrate into japanese society...it so different to anywhere where i have been
- japanese people don't see too many foreigners, even in osaka, apart from the korean population, which is quite sizeable. hence any stereotypes will stick. its not that japanese people are racist, as such, they are just in a different stage of internationalisation than any other developed country.
- with the crime rates i would imagine western foreigners might commit more crime than native japanese. most of these crimes are for overstaying visas however, some people at work have had problems renewing their visas sometimes. and hardly get a slap on the wrist. crime is a non-issue in japan to be honest. its like disney land.
- those who say japan needs to grow up....it is rather nice to be able to walk along the road at any time of the night and not have a care in the world...muggings are highly rare. if grown up means shootings, knifings etc i'm happy to be young to be honest.
- attitudes towards chinese and koreans are maybe not too favourable amongst the old, but the young japanese don't seem too bothered and like eating the kimchi and chinese food that they can get their hands on. i've talked to quite a few koreans in osaka and they are pretty happy with life in japan. osaka is very different to the rest of japan however as the people are generally the most outgoing and boistrous!
- the low status of women annoys me.
- finally, japanese people work too hard and the work-life balance is skewed too much towards work.

hope i havent offended too many people.


basically there are things that japan does very well and things it does very badly. this is the situation with many other countries across the world. its horses for courses, a double edged sword, swings and roundabouts. name your cliche.

[Facial]

I feel that Chinese numbers are grossly over-estimated, but I could also see that Japanese numbers are underestimated.


You seem to be somewhat pro-Japan. What do you think is the numerical figure killed in Nanjing, as an approximation?