How do people from other countries view Japan?

16 comments

1. Good food, fascinating history and culture, clean, organised, very bad work culture. I’ve been twice and enjoyed my time there.

2. It’s a strange country. Some things seem futuristic while others lagging behind, eg. digitisation. Their soft cultural power is undeniable, though. Many modern cultural phenomena originated from Japan

3. Fascinating culture.. discipline..

4. I doubt anyone is going to or is laughing at your English, you’re doing great.

   As for how foreigners view japan i doubt I’m really qualified to pitch in since i myself am Japanese and live here.

   But i pretty much have a “foreigner’s” newsfeed/algorithm and it’s pretty much almost always glazing on how great/clean/perfect japan is and how “disciplined” the people are.

   You did say “average” people’s perspective.

5. Toyota cars are viewed very favourably in Australia. Hilux and Landcruiser are widely used for remote work as they are reliable and easy to maintain and repair.

6. 英語上手

   I’ve visited Japan 6 times, each time I return I realise I’ve fallen even deeper in love with it. The rest of Australia seems to agree with that sentiment as well or are at least curious about visiting.

   Local satirical news publication The Betoota Advocate called it “the thinking man’s Bali” which is incredibly/painfully accurate when you hear more Australian accents there than any other.

7. I think of Japan as exceptionally well in everything, but very bad at work culture and social culture.

8. As a Canadian, I think Japanese people are rude outside of their own people. I have seen them treating non japanese or a non white person less superior. I find them racist.

9. Best touristic destination in the entire world. Will never grow tiired of spending 1~3 months enjoying and discovering new amazing things.

   Would still never live there, terrible work culture and cannot be bothered with the insane implicit societal norms that completely overrule logic on more than one ocassion

10. 英語が上手ですne~

11. If you come here obviously you’re going to get a skewed impression from people who are interested in Japan but westerners are generally positive about Japan if not super knowledgeable.

12. Interesting country to visit with some very unique and very human problems. Kind and funny people.

13. I’m Lithuanian, visited Japan once (so far), have been really into all things Japanese, like movies, exhibitions, anime, music. Also have a pen pal from Japan.

    I view Japan very favorably. The best thing I like is how Japanese operate as society, and not as a bunch of individuals. I think more countries should learn that from you. People in the west are too individualistic and don’t care if they inconvenience others in daily life situations, which makes life worse for everyone.

    When I visited, the level of craft and attention to beauty stunned me. So many things are well made and beautiful, and I’m not talking only about products in shops, but everyday environment, peoples homes, gardens, parks. Of course there are things that counter that, such as ドンキ but in all countries you can find some cacophonic environments. I also liked how widespread second-hand culture is in Japan, that also made me very happy.

    In Lithuania, Japanese companies are viewed very positively, especially cars for their durability. I think people here are more and more interested in Japanese culture, in the recent years cinemas show more Japan-oriented films (Perfect Days, Rental Family, Kokuho come to mind, the theater is always full), there are Matcha workshops, shops where you can buy Japanese food products (such shops were not common ~10 years ago). And at least among people I know, everybody’s traveling to Japan these days.

14. Your English is clear, no issue there.

    In most countries, Japan is generally viewed very positively, but the image is a mix of a few strong associations rather than a deep understanding.

    A lot of people know Japan through big global brands like Toyota, Nintendo, and Uniqlo. These companies are usually seen as reliable and high quality. Toyota is often associated with durability, Nintendo with creativity and childhood memories, and Uniqlo with simple, affordable clothing.

    Beyond companies, many people connect Japan with technology, efficiency, and cleanliness. Trains running on time, organized cities, and attention to detail are things that come up often. There is also strong interest in anime, manga, and food, especially sushi and ramen, which shape how younger people see Japan.

    At the same time, most people do not have a deep or accurate understanding of everyday life in Japan. What they know is often based on media, tourism, or pop culture. So the image can be a bit idealized or simplified.

    Some people also see Japan as a society with strict work culture and social expectations, but this is usually a secondary perception compared to the more positive ones.

    So overall, Japan is respected and liked in many places, but the understanding is often surface-level. It is not so much overestimation as it is a strong global image built on a few well-known strengths.

15. I am charmed by Japan. I have been charmed by Japan for about 45 years. Why? Because Japan is same same but different.

    Sunscreen – same same – is minty (not coconutty) – but different. Toothpaste can be black.

    It’s a drinking culture – same – but traditionally drinking is very social, under a cherry tree in bloom, with all your friends -different.

    People love animals so they can visit a cat cafe and play with an animal – what a brilliant solution to needing that contact but not being able to keep a pet.

    I’m learning Japanese in my retirement & I love it. I could never match romaji phrases to the sounds I heard. Now I start to understand why. I love learning kanji. I love reading a meaning even if I don’t know the sound or vice versa. I also love that I can now “read” Chinese in a very simple way.

    Japan fascinates me in part because so much meaning is tacitly implied and contextual. It will always be a closed book to me because I am blunt & explicit. Luckily Japanese people generally excuse me because I am a foreigner.

    I am charmed by the cleanliness, the care for the environment and sense of obligation to society. Those parts of Japanese society are an ideal for human society.

    I’m charmed by Japanese aesthetics – art, textiles, architecture.

    I love that in an almost oppressively homogeneous society, hobbies are permitted & respected, no matter how niche. I visited Fukuoka on 17/03/24 & saw a St Patrick’s Day parade because a tiny group of people like Irish culture and celebrate it but not just with green beer.

    I love Japanese skincare, its ubiquity, quality & affordability.

    I know there are some darker sides to Japan. I’m not stupid. There’s darkness & failure in every society.

    But that’s the overview. I’m charmed. It’s same same but different.

    Hope those ramblings from my experience provide an answer

16. I’ve visited once and it remains one of the best trips of my life. I’m planning a second one, as soon as I can afford it. Beautiful country, fascinating culture, delicious food. I speak a bit of Japanese, watch Japanese films and play Japanese video games…but I would never live or work there, due to the punishing work culture/social norms.

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