More Random Japan Questions!
Remember, J-List is going to be at Phoenix Comic Fest next weekend. This is one of our favorite shows, a great meeting of 80,000 fans or so that brings the best fans, the best guests and the best cosplayers all together. We’ll have lots of fun products, and I’ll be there too, doing a panel on Friday morning at 9:00 am (room 222AB). Hope to see you at the show and our panel!
For today’s post, I thought we’d do another “random questions from followers on social media.” Let’s see what interesting Japan questions people had!
How difficult is it to get around Japan as a tourist without knowing Japanese?
Super easy, in the age of the Internet, where Google maps will tell you what train to get on and in how many minutes it’s leaving. While the average Japanese doesn’t speak English fluently (they’ve only studied it for 6-10 years, after all), you’ll always find people ready to be helpful.
What is generally the opinion on foreigners in Japan?
Very positive, I’d say. Right now Japan is having a foreign tourist boom, with 10 million visitors this year so far. The Japanese are human, of course, and aren’t always thrilled by a busloads of tourists from mainland China who don’t follow basic rules of courtesy, but they welcome everyone warmly.
Why do you choose Gunma? There are many great cities but you choose in the middle of Japan.
My university (SDSU) had a relationship with Gunma University. I took over a teaching job from a friend of mine who had been here studying here. While there are more exciting places to live than the Columbus, Ohio of Japan, Gunma has been a great place for J-List to be based, and also a wonderful place to raise kids.
What are some popular American shows watched in Japan?
Back when we first started J-List, I remember watching Beverly Hills 90210 dubbed in Japanese because there was nothing else on. These days, everything is available, and my wife watches it all, from Sex in the City to Suits. The Japanese positively loved Full House, and I see it in re-runs still.
Have you heard of Japanese couples hiring Westerners to attend their weddings because it makes them look cool?
It wouldn’t surprise me. I have a friend who quit being an English teacher. His new profession? A minister at a Japanese wedding hall, marrying couples in Western wedding ceremonies.
Just how in the world do Japanese people stay so fit?
There are fat Japanese, but differences in diet and the tendency to walk more and drive less (especially in Tokyo) helps. Also, the cumulative effect of having thousands of thin people around helps influence Japanese to stay thin themselves, and I try to use this psychology to help my own health efforts.
How’s the state of the animation industry? Are they still going strong or showing signs of slowing down due to lack of new ideas?
It seems better than ever. At least they are making more anime than ever before, something like 118 new and continuing shows this cour alone. The funding from Amazon, Netflix and others has helped make anime studios profitable again and made them less dependent on Blu-ray sales to find their next projects. That said, the once-“long tail” of anime is getting shorter and shorter, and the popularity of a given 12-episode series disappears after the last episode airs, with no time to sell merchandise or figures. I imagine animation studios are exhausted.
Do you see many Irish in Japan?
I had an Irish friend who worked as an engineer at a Japanese company. Also, I’ve visited some nice Irish pubs in Tokyo and Kyoto. I don’t meet that many Irish, but then I don’t live in a place frequented by tourists.
What is the crime rate like?
Low, and falling all the time. Murders happen, but it’s such a rare occasion it’s discussed for years afterward. That said, the rural liquor shop my wife’s parents run was robbed three times in 23 years, twice as a grab-cash-and-run and once as a break-in.
Do you ever go to any remote place in Japan? Would like to hear stories/experiences about it.
I do try to visit random places when I can, I went looking for a centuries-old stone Buddha just the other week.
Family Mart vs. Lawson onigiri?
Honestly, Seven-Eleven is where I go for most convenience-store needs, unless some other chain is having an anime event I want to check out. My go-to onigiri is salmon.
Thanks for your Japan questions! Got any more Japan questions you’re burning to ask? Shoot them to us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!
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