Exposing the main myths about Japan

In the short time that foreign tourists have been exploring Japan, first impressions and somewhat vague memories have managed to turn into quite popular beliefs about the Japanese, their customs, behavior, and everyday life. There is a whole lot of prejudice and false information about Japan on the Internet, and I, as a person who has lived in Japan for three years, will now dispel this nonsense with indisputable facts. So, let's go!

Myth 1: The Japanese are workaholics

It may come as a shock, but it's true - the Japanese are not workaholics. You've probably heard or read about tired Japanese workers sleeping on the subway on their way home. Yes, the Japanese do sleep on public transportation, but not because they are overworked. It's really hard to explain, but I'll try. The Japanese don't work overtime - they only create the illusion of employment and a working appearance. Pretending to be doing a very difficult task, the resourceful inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun are actually busy pouring over the top: office workers run around looking for an obvious solution; due to the excessive bureaucracy, paperwork can take several months. And yes, the Japanese are not creative at all. They always follow prescribed instructions. Ordinary workers, highly qualified specialists, and government officials solve problems according to the rules. And you're out of luck if you ask for help or services in an unusual case: if the solution to a problem like yours is not in the “rules”, most likely no one will help you.

Here's an example of a common situation: You ask an employee for help; the employee looks at your question for a long time but cannot give you an answer; then the employee says “Wait” and runs to other employees; together, several employees try to reproduce the thought process, and, at best, in half an hour you will get what you came for; at worst, you will not be helped. And such incidents are repeated almost every time: from a simple request to find the product you need in a supermarket to asking for help from the administration of any institution or office. I'm not even talking about services with documents, passports or visas - you've probably already realized that the Japanese don't know how to think creatively in an unusual situation. And if we take into account the fact that we are foreigners, every Ukrainian in Japan and his or her problems are an “unusual situation” for the Japanese. Constant red tape is guaranteed.

Okinawa can be considered a certain “exception” - as I said earlier, Okinawans are not Japanese, and some facts about the residents of Central Japan do not apply to them.

Myth 2: The Japanese are quiet and modest

Many people think of the Japanese as quiet and shy. This stereotype, like many others, is based on an incomplete understanding of Japanese culture.

In fact, the Japanese, like people of any other nationality, have different temperaments. There are quiet and reserved people, as well as emotional and sociable ones

By the way, sometimes you can see Japanese people making noise in public places or in public transport - often teenagers or young people, but still - it's true!

Myth 3: The most popular food in Japan is sushi

In Japan, sushi is not fast food, as it is in our country, but an expensive snack that is eaten on holidays, once a week at most. As for everyday food, the Japanese prefer rice, miso soup, vegetables, and some fish or meat.

And sushi here looks very ascetic: just a ball of rice with fish on it. And they eat it not with chopsticks, but with their hands.

Myth 4 : Everyone in Japan speaks a little English

It is commonly believed that the Japanese speak English well, but this is not the case: the level of globalization is very low even in Tokyo, and the people of the Land of the Rising Sun prefer their native language to universal English. At best, they can understand a few dozen phrases from the tourist vocabulary for any occasion.

In fact, despite its hospitality and friendliness, Japan ranks among the last in terms of foreign language proficiency. Although young people in big cities are likely to be able to connect more than a couple of words in the language of Byron and Shakespeare.

Myth 5 : Japan has good medicine

This is a rather controversial myth.

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say: “Japan has good medicine, but only for the Japanese.” Yes, the methods of treatment in Japan are fundamentally different from those in Ukraine. If we talk about technology, cleanliness of the premises, or the politeness of the staff, Japanese medicine is indeed better than Ukrainian medicine. However, it should be noted that Japanese doctors are still Japanese, and treating patients for them is the same job as moving paper from place to place in the office. Also, the Japanese treat patients according to clearly defined instructions, so the results of treatment in a Japanese hospital are almost always deplorable. The Japanese themselves praise their medicine, but in reality, treatment is limited to antipyretics and questionable drinks with equally questionable composition, or pills without visible active ingredients.

These are not all the myths and stereotypes about Japan, but not everything can be explained in ordinary words. Some things can only be experienced when you are in Japan, and some nuances are impossible to understand even after decades of living in the East. That's all for today: don't forget to share the link to this site with your friends and acquaintances, and register so you don't miss the appearance of new interesting content.