My dad is American but was born in Japan and spent his first years of life there due to my Grandparents job. I’m American and my mom let my Dad choose my middle name and it is “Kyasha” he provided the spelling and meaning. My parents were married for 10 years before I was born and I’m the youngest of three siblings. However, by the time I was three they divorced and my dad moved on and didn’t want anything to do with us. We had some contact because my Grandparents (his parents) maintained a relationship with us, but he really just didn’t want kids I guess. The whole point of this post, I have this middle name and I really wonder how weird it is to have as a name? From what I understand he chose the name because I was so small, dainty etc and he liked it, but is it weird as a name?

So I had this debate with my friend who’s a foreigner living and working in Japan. According to him, if a Japanese person studied abroad in USA or Europe or U.K. or Australia. They are automatically westernised.
However my argument it depends on their personality as some just study and return home or their personality could stayed the same as they left Japan.

Just wondering if the statement is true as he state Japanese people are narrow minded when labelling people

I'm scrolling past some popular Japanese influencer on social media. She posted her diet progress and her most recent medical check-up:

体量: 41 kg BMI: 16.6 脂肪率: 18.2%

And the comments are like:

可愛い

努力すごい！

:heart-emoji:

If this person's audience was American, no doubt there would be more people saying "please be safe", "don't overdo it", "take care of your health".

Because these numbers are extremely startling. If this person was my friend, I would've asked to call/meet up to ask if everything was alright.

There are many women in Tokyo who have extremely thin legs that look very concerning from a medical perspective. And I wonder if there's anyone in their lives telling them that.

UPDATE: User error it is! The bag was not stolen, we had two people emptying multiple lockers and one swore that he had tried all of them. He had not. Bag recovered. I'm sure that I will feel embarrassed as soon as I can feel anything but tired. Thanks, all, for your thoughts and concerns.

I just had my bag stolen from a locker at Tokyo Station. My family arrived via shinkansen from Kyoto and rented several lockers to store our bags for two hours. When we returned, all the lockers except one worked perfectly. The last one failed to recognize the QR on our ticket. It then showed the locker as locked, but available. We paid to rent the locker again to open the door. It was empty. I had seen two employees opening a locker down the hallway earlier. I went back to that spot and they were gone. I checked with JR East lost and found; nothing had been turned in. Station security suggested that we talk with police. We found a very friendly and helpful officer who helped us call the company (the only way to get help is via telephone - God help you if you're not fluent in Japanese) to no avail.

Does this happen often? Does anyone have any suggestions about how to get my things back? Is there anything else I should know? Thanks for your input.

EDIT: The policeman at the station suggested that we check in to our hotel and have the hotel help us file a police report. I need that report to file a travel insurance claim.

I'm planning to stay in Tsunan for a few months as part of an internship teaching English to middle schoolers, and one of the things I really want to do in Japan is participate in karaoke. But, the only songs I can really sing are Odoru Ponpokorin and Kawaikute Gomen. Will I be expected to know most Japanese popular songs (if so which should I learn?) and will the crowd think it's weird for an 18 year old blonde American boy to try singing in Japanese? 😭 I'm just a little afraid of embarassment but I love to do karaoke lol

For anyone wondering, my girlfriend speaks several languages (I myself only speak English and Spanish) and Japansese being one of them she taught me a little bit and I already like Japanese music

(Side question: I'm from Texas, should I bring my cowboy hat/boots in case anyone asks about the whole western thing? Lol)

Has anyone read Amelie Nothomb's "Métaphysique des tubes / The Character of Rain" or "Stupeur et Tremblements / Fear and Trembling"? She certainly paints vivid pictures of Japanese culture, but how much do they accord with general Japanese experiences?

So if you're familiar with Terminator, many people think Arnold's accent sounded cool and he even volunteered to do a German dub of his character again but the German dub company turned him down because both Germans, Austrians, and German speakers in general thought he sounded like a redneck, hillbilly, or farmer. So they had a nonchalant stoic German accent dub the T-800.

So I'm working on an indie manga series about a vengeful badass protagonist who's from Okinawa and takes pride in his culture. I thought if my series were to ever have a Japanese dub, he should have an Okinawan accent to reflect his background but I heard some Japanese mainlanders describe the Okinawan accent as "country bumpkin". I watched some anime of a few Okinawan characters who are often portrayed as tough karate fighters and they sound Japanese but rougher and deeper which sounds badass from other people's perspectives. So would my protagonist be taken seriously as a menacing badass if he had an authentic Okinawan accent or would be similar to the Arnold situation?

Aside from the homegrown ones such as Kawamura and Hachimura.

For example, D Rose is widely popular in China even though he’s retired for awhile.

We had an interesting experience on the Miyakoji Rapid to Nara from Kyoto.

I am travelling with my wife and her elderly parents. My father-in-law has an injured knee awaiting replacement and is walking with two knee braces and a walking stick. Because of this we have witnessed the fantastic hospitality of the Japanese people, always standing up on the subway or making way for him.

In this particular instance we got on the train early and found a set of 4 seats facing each other. We sat down and began to get comfortable.

An elderly Japanese lady came over and started saying "excuse me" and repeatedly gestured for us to get up, we obliged wondering if they were priority seats. They were not. She then reached down and moved the seats so they were 2 and 2 facing the same direction instead of 4 all facing each other.

She then sat down in the seats she just moved.

We were bewildered as there were tons of free seats. We moved a little down the carriage and found another free 4 facing each other so it wasn't a big issue.

We were thinking maybe it's because we had food we were planning to eat on the train? But we saw other Japanese people eating on the same train, so we doubt it was that.

We just can't figure out why she did this, especially with my father-in-law's injured leg. Any ideas?

Edit: Some people have suggested paid seating. Car 1 of the train had paid seats and we were in car 2. There were no signs indicating paid seats.

※私は日本語を話せないため、翻訳ツールやAIの力を借りてこの文章を作成しました。日本のアーティストの皆さんと、日本の皆さんにどうしても感謝と想いを伝えたくて書いた手紙です。

​タイトル : 日本のクリエイターやアーティスト、そして日本の皆さんへ

​日本語は話せませんが、どうしても自分の言葉と想いを、皆さんの言語で伝えたいと思い、この文章を書きました。

​自己紹介をさせていただきます。名前はポール、39歳です。

​私はフランス人ですが、私の物語はマダガスカルから始まります。

思慮深く、観察好きで、けれど少し孤独な子どもでした。

​そんな私が出会ったのが、同じく海外で暮らしていた日本人の少年、タツヤでした。

​すべては彼から始まりました。流行に流されたわけではありません。ただ、そこに一人の友人がいたのです。

​大人になるにつれ、私は日本のアーティストたちが持つ教養の深さに魅了されていきました。

私は文化や知識を尊ぶ人間です。知識を求めて探求する人々を心から尊敬しています。だからこそ、「日本のアーティストは、時に西洋のアーティスト以上に西洋のことをよく知っている」と冗談めかしてお話しすることもあります。

​私はその敬意に応えたいと思いました。日本のこと、そしてその歴史のすべてを知ろうと、自分なりに尽くしてきました。

​そして何より、日本のポップカルチャーは私の人格に深い影響を与えました。おそらく、他のどんなものよりも。

​それは私に、大切な価値観を与えてくれました。

​名誉。

真実の友情。

野心。

寛容さ。

自己犠牲の意味。

不屈の精神。

誰もが価値を持ち、敬意に値するということ。

表面的なものを拒絶すること。

そして、お金の力に自分を支配させないこと。どんな状況であれ、あらゆる不正や妥協を拒むこと。

​そして何より、物事を合理的かつ知的に分析し、本質を見極める姿勢です。

つまり、一歩引いて世界を俯瞰すること。

​そうです。日本のアーティストたちは、私という人間をそのように形作ってくれたのです。

​けれど……それによって、私は自分の周りの人々（同胞たち）から少し遠ざかってしまったような気がするのです。

だからといって、自分が日本人になれたわけでもありません。

​自分は一体何者なのかと、戸惑いを感じることもあります。

​時間をかけて、ようやく気づきました。世界中のあらゆるアーティストがそうであるように、日本のアーティストたちもまた、戦っているのだと。

自分自身のため、自国の人々のため、そして己の社会のために。

​では、皆さんの文化とともに育った私たちのような外国人は、一体何なのでしょうか。

​母国にいても異邦人、皆さんの国に行っても異邦人。

​私たちはどこへ向かうのでしょうか。

妻は韓国の文化に深い愛着を持っています。これらは、私たちの人生から切り離せるものではありません。

私たちの中心にある情熱です。けれど、それにはどんな意味があるのでしょうか。

​ただ、物事がもっとシンプルであればいいのにと思うのです。

​私は今、レユニオン島に暮らしています。南半球の夏が近づき、セミ（コオロギ）の鳴き声が聞こえてきます。

この声を、皆さんにも聴かせてあげたい。そして、皆さんの国のセミの声も聴いてみたい。

​私の庭の桜（チェリーの木）を皆さんに見せたい。そして、皆さんの桜を見てみたい。

​私の島の火山を見せたい。そして、皆さんの富士山（火山）を見てみたい。

​黄金色に染まる私の夕日を見せたい。そして、皆さんの夕日を知りたい。

​これこそが、日本のアーティストたちがその戦いに勝利したという、何よりの証なのではないでしょうか。

​皆さんは、自国のポップカルチャーやアートが、遠い国に住む人間の生き方や価値観にここまで影響を与えていることについて、どう感じますか？

また、このように「母国でも異邦人、日本でも異邦人」と感じている私のような人間を、どう思われますか？

皆さんの率直なご意見やご感想を聞かせていただけたら嬉しいです。

Hello! I am currently visiting Tokyo and on my first day I saw 7-11 socks and bought up four pairs. Only later when I looked at the size 23-25 cm I knew they would not fit anyone in my family. They have 25-37 cm and those would be better. Would it be rude to try to exchange them? I'm sure I can find a receipt. I'm not out a lot of money if I can't. I'd rather take the loss and not be a rude guest. What should I do?

Hello:

Random question, but are Meiji era antiques rare in Japan?

When I went to Japan last year I saw this nice bag in Tokyo but didn’t buy it there. I’m wondering if there’s a website or something that can ship Japanese bags products to the US?

It can be food, clothing, video games, anime, manga, lifestyles and folklore. As long it’s something you thought was a Japanese original thing, but you later find out it wasn’t purely Japanese or even Asian. But instead from the western world in some European country like Sweden.

Or do they just write all in the same style?

Hey, I’d like some perspectives from everyone because I’ve been comparing myself as a result of this and I’m just in disbelief as to how someone can feel this way.

He has loved Japanese culture for a while now, from watching anime to learning Japanese.

He told me that he was particularly attracted to Japanese women and had an idealized image of the kind of relationship he wanted with one. He was interested in Japanese culture and had formed certain expectations about what Japanese women would be like as romantic partners.

I understand that everyone has preferences. What confuses me is the belief that someone’s nationality can determine whether you are capable of truly falling in love with them, especially when you have already developed a genuine emotional connection with someone from another background.

I’m also curious about how realistic his expectations are. He seems to believe he knows what Japanese women are like as romantic partners, but I wonder how much of that comes from actual relationship experience versus an idealized image of Japanese women and Japanese dating culture.

EDIT:
We’ve been to Japan once together. We’re in our mid 20s and he’s going for work in Japan for a couple months now. So I assume he’s taking the chance to try and find his ideal type.

I’ve explained to him that ideal type vs someone you can be compatible with is different and there’s so many more factors to a relationship than this but he’s certain this will fulfil him.

I’m mainly just grieving and trying to rationalise everything in my head. Appreciate everyone who does take their time to read and respond.

Beside me in art class (around 15-20 students) sits a Japanese student. I don't know her name. We've never made eye contact. We've been quietly studying independently all year, and we have about three weeks before our year level graduates high school.

One day, as I'm about to leave for next period, she holds out an orange envelope towards me. I hesitate, taking a moment to process someone is handing me a gift.

She doesn't look up or speak; just a silent gesture. Bewildered but appreciative, I accept the gift with a genuine smile, thanking her. I find a pen, lots of cute origami, and no writing. I remark on the adorable Pikachu (huge Pokémon fan X3), and I hastily take my leave.

This is a really, really sweet gesture! But I have zero social understanding of how to approach seeing her again tomorrow. Does this have any specific cultural meaning that I might be missing? Do I need to say anything? Would making origami for her myself be an appropriate thank you?

Any help is appreciated!

Edit:
Okay, so this is more of a context-based human thing / icebreaker than a Japanese specific thing. That helps me a lot!

Returning a gift being customary is also good to know. Also, no more shipping! I'm gay btw ^w^" so this was never going to end romantically. But I'm definitely going to have a chat with her and make her something nice in return!

Thanks everyone!

This might be a bit of a strange question, and I'm sorry if it's seen as low-effort.

I'm a fan of the Japanese metal group Sigh, and in one of their earlier songs, Curse of Izanagi, the lyrics are partly:

"Summoning Fudou to appear, shiki-ouji
21 33 49
Izanagi"

Now, I understand many of the references in the song. Fudou is Fudou-myouou, shiki-ouji is another term for a shikigami, and the entire song is a reference to the Izanagi-ryu religion, albeit reimagined for a black metal song.

But the "21 33 49" part has always baffled me. I know the number 49 has significance in some Buddhist schools, but the other numbers, no idea. And they don't seem to be a goroawase substitution. So, does anyone know what these numbers might signify, or even if there is any meaning?

I wanted to share a heartwarming experience I had in Tokyo. One day, I accidentally left my iPad on a subway station bench near the Marunouchi Line. When the train arrived, I rushed inside and completely forgot about it. It wasn't until I arrived at my office that I finally realized it was missing.

In a panic, I called the station's Lost & Found office (shown in the photo). To my absolute relief, the staff told me that a kind Japanese woman had found my iPad and immediately handed it to the station staff. I am so incredibly grateful for her honesty.

Hoping this community will be able to help! I don't want to dress poorly in this setting since it is work-related.

So many people on the internet think certain pasts aren't being taught in history books, or Japanese news covers nothing about it, which is not true at all. But these fake news have somehow become so normalized, even Poland ball and Bill wurtz made videos saying Japan is "pretending" as if it were facts.

Do you feel uneasy about these types of comments? Do you feel like your country's image has been damaged in an unfair way?

I'm basically just wondering if there is a single sign for yaoi, bl, shounen ai, or an equivalent term in Japanese Sign Language. I looked it up, but that only returned a fingerspelling of the characters for ya, o, i and the signs for gay+manga. It doesn't have to be widely used, but I would be grateful if anyone knew the single sign version or could point me in the direction of one, especially if you know Japanese Sign Language or know somebody who does! And if you have any suggestions on where else I could ask, please let me know.