Tokyo cityscape (Pixabay.com/Pharaoh_EZYPT) Japan, a country located in East Asia, is known as one of the countries with a thriving entertainment industry. One of the biggest entertainment products from Japan is anime. Anime is an animated film that originates from Japan and has become a worldwide phenomenon. With a variety of genres and interesting stories, anime is able to attract the attention of people of all ages and backgrounds. Is Life in Japan Like in Anime? This question often arises in the minds of anime fans from all over the world. The answer, of course, is much more complex than just “yes” or “ideal”. Japan as seen in anime is often an idealized, filtered, and modified representation for entertainment purposes. However, some aspects of everyday life in Japan do reflect elements often depicted in anime, while others are completely different. Let's explore further. School and Student Life Anime often features schools with unique uniforms, diverse extracurricular clubs, and fierce inter-school rivalries. In reality, school uniforms are common in Japan, and there are a variety of extracurricular clubs, from sports to arts and culture. However, the intensity of competition and drama depicted in anime is often exaggerated. School life in Japan places more emphasis on study and discipline, although there are also […]
Cherry blossoms (Pixabay.com/Pexels) Have you ever heard of hanami? Hanami is a culture of enjoying cherry blossoms in bloom in Japan. When doing hanami, there are several things to consider, one of which is related to the ethics of cherry blossoms. Cherry Blossom Period in Japan Cherry blossoms bloom in spring in Japan and are an important symbol in Japanese culture, including in anime, manga, Japanese dramas, and so on. Cherry blossoms bloom in a very short time so that this moment is used by the Japanese to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms bloom at different times. In southern Japan, cherry blossoms bloom in mid to late March. In central Japan, cherry blossoms bloom from late March to early April and even mid-April. In northern Japan, cherry blossoms bloom later in the year, from the last week of April to the first few weeks of May. Hanami Etiquette and Rules Illustration of a man with a cherry blossom tree in the background There are several other ethics and rules that must be followed when doing hanami in Japan. Etiquette and rules that need to be followed when hanami such as not blocking space, bringing home trash, not making noise, and not smoking. When hanami, it is not recommended to block or take up available space. Take only the space needed for […]
Manga (Pixabay.com/Jirreaux) Have you ever heard the terms Shounen, shoujo, seinen, and josei in Japanese manga and anime? These terms refer to the demographics or target audience of anime or manga. Each genre has its own theme and storyline method. In addition, the genre of anime or manga can be known from the magazine that publishes it. Demographics of Japanese Anime and Manga The word Shounen means boys or young people. Shounen series means the series is aimed at boys or young people. Usually manga with the Shounen genre will be published in magazines such as Shounen Jump. Many Shounen anime and manga take the theme of friendship and fighting with male protagonists. Examples of Shounen series are One Piece, Naruto, and so on. The word shoujo means girls or teenage girls. Shoujo series means the series is aimed at girls or teenage girls. Usually has a female protagonist with genres such as mahou shoujo and so on. Shoujo series are much less than Shounen series. Examples of Shoujo series are Cardcaptor Sakura, Sailor Moon, and so on. The word seinen means young adult. Seinen series means series aimed at young adults. Seinen series usually feature adult characters and carry adult themes. Examples of seinen series are Tokyo Ghoul, Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai, and so on. The word josei means woman. Josei series […]
Japan (Pixabay.com/Kanenori) Japan is not only famous for its culture but also for its security, making it one of the safest countries in the world. This makes people feel safe when traveling or living in Japan. The following is a discussion of why Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. How Safe is Japan? Japan is famous for its security, making it one of the safest countries in the world, but how safe is Japan. According to crime statistics by UNODC, the murder rate in Japan is 0.31. In addition, the robbery rate in Japan is 2.41. The crime rate is mainly expressed as the number of annual crimes per 100,000 people. Assuming a community lives in a city in Japan with a population of 100,000 people, there are almost no murders in the neighborhood and less than three robberies occur in a year. This shows that Japan is a country with a very small number of murders and robberies. Japan has a very low crime rate compared to many other countries. Violent crimes, such as assault and robbery, are relatively rare in Japan. Thus, children can feel comfortable walking alone on the streets, fall asleep safely on the train, women can hail a taxi on the street in the middle of […]
A man wearing a hat (Image by freepik) In the current era of globalization, foreign languages are very important, especially as an effort to connect with many people in the world. Not a few people study English or Japanese. What about the Japanese? Which foreign language is widely studied? Language Learning Survey in Japan Japan, a developed country with a rich and unique culture, has a high literacy rate and great interest in learning foreign languages. However, which foreign language do they study the most? The answer is not as simple as just one language. The popularity of foreign languages in Japan is influenced by various factors, including the economy, popular culture, tourism, and job opportunities. In the annual Language Learning Survey in Japan by Duolingo, the top-ranked languages studied in Japan (allowing for multiple answers) are English (84.1%), Korean (25.0%), Chinese (12.5%), and French (6.0%). Let's explore more deeply the four foreign languages most often studied by the Japanese people: English, Korean, Chinese, and French. English: King Without a Throne? Illustration of a man against the Statue of Liberty English seems to be a foreign language that many Japanese people learn. Moreover, English is a language that is widely used throughout the world. Although […]
Western Cuisine (Image by jcomp on Freepik) It seems that Japanese people are used to eating Japanese cuisine such as sushi, Miso soup, and so on. Japanese people also eat Western cuisine just like foreigners eat Japanese cuisine. Japan, a country with a rich and unique culinary culture, is also very fond of various Western dishes. Japanese culinary adaptations and innovations to Western food have resulted in delicious dishes that are unique and different from the original. We will dive into the brief history, manufacturing process, variations, and factors that make this dish so loved in Japan. Reported from Hint-Pot, MyVoicecom Co., Ltd. conducted a survey on Western cuisine in 2020. The top five favorite Western cuisine menus (multiple answers allowed) were occupied by Curry Rice (74.1%), Hamburger (70.6%), Steak (64.1%), Omurice (62.6%), and Eby Fry (60.9%). Curry Rice: More Than Just Curry Curry Rice is a dish commonly found in Japanese anime and dramas. It is a popular dish in Japan. Curry Rice was introduced to Japan through the British who were colonizing India at the time, so it was initially considered a western dish. Curry rice is not just your ordinary curry. It is a dish with a different taste and texture than Indian or British curry. Japanese curry tends to be sweeter and slightly thicker, with […]
A man makes a purchase from a vending machine (Image by freepik) Japan, the land of the rising sun, is famous for its advanced technology, unique culture, and… vending machines! If you’ve ever visited Japan, or even just seen pictures of it, you’ll realize how abundant these machines are. Not only in train stations or public places, but also in remote corners, even in the middle of the mountains! Their massive presence is not without reason. Vending machines in Japan are much more than just machines that provide cold drinks; they are an integral part of the daily lives of the Japanese people, reflecting their innovation, efficiency, and unique culture. Did you know that Japan has many and varied vending machines? Vending machines in Japan can be found in both urban and rural areas. The goods sold are also diverse, not only drinks but also food, fruit, and so on. Here is an explanation of why vending machines in Japan are many and varied. The number of vending machines in Japan The reason for the large number of vending machines is because Japan is a safe country so that damage rarely occurs even though vending machines are placed in public places. In addition, vending machines are considered useful because they do not require someone to go all the way to the store or queue at the cashier and can […]
Young adults on the streets of Tokyo (Image by freepik) When you watch anime or dramas, you may have heard someone being called followed by Chan, Sama, San, and Kun. These are Japanese honorifics. The use of Japanese honorifics can be influenced by several factors such as relationships, status, and so on. Here is an explanation of Japanese honorifics. Japanese Honorifics The most common Japanese honorific used in everyday life is San. You can use it to people you don't know very well, regardless of their gender, age, or social status. The honorific Sama is more polite than San. This term is usually used to people who have a higher status or rank such as the Emperor's family, violators, spectators or listeners, and so on. The honorific Chan is usually used to children or girls. This term can also be used to friends and people you like. This term is informal and familiar and has a cute and childish impression. The honorific Kun is usually used to young people or boys. This term can also be used to friends and juniors. This term is informal and familiar. There are other honorifics such as Sensei for teacher or expert, Senpai for senior, Kouhai for junior, Shachou for head of company, and so on. Use of Honorifics Illustration of a man and […]
Two men discussing (Image by Freepik) Have you ever watched anime and dramas that depict the work culture and phenomena in Japan? What is your impression of the anime or drama? The work culture and phenomena in Japan are certainly different from the work culture and phenomena in Indonesia. In addition, working in Japan has its own characteristics and problems. Japanese work culture, which is often praised and admired, is also often the subject of debate. Famous for its dedication, discipline, and strong work ethic, but behind it there is another side that needs to be understood. This article will discuss in detail the key aspects of Japanese work culture and phenomena, including their advantages and disadvantages. Japanese Work Culture One of the Japanese work cultures is the guidance to value your work. In Japan, there are many companies whose workers are praised for prioritizing work over personal life. In addition, many workers prioritize their work even during family events and so on if there is work that must be done. Japan still has a culture of overtime work. Although the upper limit of overtime has been set at 45 hours per month and 360 hours per year, the overtime culture still exists. The background of the overtime work culture is low wages and poor work efficiency. Poor work efficiency can be in the form of too many meetings […]
A man using a cellphone (Image by Freepik) For most countries in the world, uploading a photo of your face on social media may be a common thing. However, this is different for the Japanese. Some Japanese people do not use photos of their faces on social media and some upload photos with their faces hidden. Japanese people who reveal their faces on social media are usually famous people, such as actors, voice actors, singers, and so on. Why don't Japanese people reveal their faces on social media? Japanese People Don't Use Photos of Their Faces on Social Media In this digital era that is all connected, social media has become a window to the world for many people. We can see the activities, thoughts, and even faces of people from all over the world. However, there is an interesting phenomenon that is often observed, especially in Japan: the tendency not to show their faces clearly on social media. This does not mean that Japanese people are not active on social media, on the contrary, they are very active! It's just that the way they interact and present themselves is a little different. So, what are the reasons behind this habit? Let's explore further. Social media users in Japan tend not to use photos of their faces. Japanese people are reluctant to reveal their personal information on the Internet because they […]
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