Join Our Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
  • Come Write for J-List!
J-List Blog
Visit J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
No Result
View All Result

Is Japan “Behind” the U.S.?

Peter Payne by Peter Payne
13 years ago
in Your Friend in Japan

One Twitter user asked me, “Is it true that coming from Japan to America feels like traveling 20 years back into the past?” This is a tricky question to answer. It’s true that, stepping off the plane at Narita Airport, the gleaming clean surfaces of the Shinkansen can make you feel you’ve time warped a decade into the future to a magical place where vending machines mix you a frothy cappuccino then bow to you in thanks. While Japan holds its own where technology is concerned, Japanese society is widely seen by Japanese people as being a decade or so “behind” the West. Whenever a new social trend appears in the U.S., for example the major bans of cigarettes in California in the late 1990s, I know Japan will follow the trend about ten years later, almost to the year. And even technology changes can take Japan by surprise. For years the country’s sleek cell phones were the envy of the world, yet while they were cool, you can do so much more with a modern iPhone or Android phone. Japanese cell phone companies were totally unprepared for American companies to come in and turn their industry upside down, and have been scrambling to recover their balance ever since.

Cell phone technology can change in a very short time.

Tags: erogeJapanSchool Daysvending machines

More Posts Like This

11 Top Trash Anime Blog Post
Your Friend in Japan

Certified Trash! 11 Garbage Anime We Can’t Stop Watching

by Peter Payne
2 months ago

As with so many things in life, I believe the anime industry follows the Pareto Principle, also known as the...

Camera Angles In Anime
Your Friend in Japan

Yandere Meets Instant Noodles! Anime Marketing with Seiyuu Saori Hayami

by Peter Payne
8 months ago

Last week X lit up with the hashtag #早見沙織, or #HayamiSaori. Being a huge fan of anime voice actress Hayami...

How Do Japanese View U.s. Elections

Elections in Japan vs The US! How Does Japan View American Politics?

9 months ago
What Products Should You Get On The J List Sale Page

Senpai, Want to Save Some Money? Browse the J-list Sale Page!

10 months ago
Say Goodbye To Summer With J List $20 Coupon

Goodbye, Anime Summer! Enjoy A New $20 Coupon!

11 months ago
Is A Nankai Megathrust Coming? Japan On Edge After Last Week's Earthquake

Is a Nankai Megathrust Coming? Japan on Edge after Last Week’s Earthquake

11 months ago
Next Post
Gunmamap 400 Beige

Back in Gunma

Trending Today

The Top 11 Anime Sex Scenes Blog
Your Friend in Japan

Happy Sex Day! Let’s Rank the 11 Most Surprising Ecchi Scenes in Anime

1 month ago
Yandere Dark Elf Episode 1 Featured Image
Featured

Yandere Dark Elf, Episode 1 — Love Heavier than Chocolate Melons!

3 months ago
Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime Web Cover
News

Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime and Where to Watch Them

4 months ago
Haite Kudasai, Takamine San Episode 9 Featured Image
Featured

Haite Kudasai, Takamine-san, Episode 9 — Slippery When Wet!

2 weeks ago
Dengeki Moeoh August 2025 Cover
Anime Magazine

What’s Inside Dengeki Moeoh August 2025? Ecchi Illustrations, Posters, Art, and More!

7 days ago
Get the Newest Figures from J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
Seishun.Buta.Yarou.wa.Santa.Claus.no.Yume.wo.Minai Blog Post
Your Friend in Japan

Seishun Buta Yarou Returns! Why You Should Not Miss ‘Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus’

by Peter Payne
July 14, 2025

Dandadan S2 Pulls No Punches (and the Fight Scenes Hit Hard, Too)

Cultural Exchange with a Game Center Girl — A Kawaii Romance

Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider and Fight Shocker

Haite Kudasai, Takamine-san, Episode 10 — Fall Brings Chill and Friction!

Hottest Cosplay for Summer 2025 Anime Season

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Discord
  • YouTube

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.