Culture Archives - Page 35 of 40

The shrinking state of pocket money in Japan

August 12th, 2010By GaijinPotCategory: Culture

In an early July installment of the popular “Shabekuri 007” program broadcast Mondays on the Japan TV network, show hosts and audience alike gasped in astonishment when Mitsuyo Ota remarked she paid her entertainer husband Hikari a “kozukai” (monthly allowance) of 50, ... » Continue Reading
- 4,287
- 3
- 9,135
- 4
The Complete Guide to Fake Toys in Japan

August 11th, 2010By Yoshiro HamazakiCategory: Culture

In the 1960’s and 1970’s, Japan was notorious for copying American products and ideas. Especially, some Japanese anime and toys made in this period are obviously copycats U.S. and European shows such as Thunderbird and Star Trek. And now in the 2000s, as widely known ... » Continue Reading
- 3,449
Old-school Tokyo Metro Manner Posters

August 10th, 2010By GaijinPotCategory: Culture

The series of Metro Manner posters that have been displayed around Tokyo underground stations for the past year or so were designed by Bunpei Yorifuji and have proven very popular with design fans – if a little unsuccessful with the general populace. The current crop ... » Continue Reading
- 7,681
- 925
Relationships in Japan

August 6th, 2010By GaijinPotCategory: Culture

Personal relationships, both professional and personal plays an important role in all cultures and Japan is no exception to that rule. Although most countries regard relationships as important there are many differences between cultures as to how relationships are wived ... » Continue Reading
- 1,661
- 1,722
Visitor Culture Shock

August 5th, 2010By Elizabeth CarinsCategory: Culture

A good friend of mine recently came to visit me in Japan for two weeks. She wanted to experience ‘real Japanese culture’ and ‘normal everyday life,’ waxing poetically that she had ‘an adventurous soul’ that could ‘feel at home pretty much anywhere.’ Then she came to J ... » Continue Reading
- 1,394
- 2
Apaches on the warpath in Tochigi

August 5th, 2010By GaijinPotCategory: Culture

No, despite the picture (a 1955 Chevy Apache) this is not an American muscle car or a hostile tribe of indians, but the name for a new type of crook. “We call them ‘the Apache tribe,’” says a licensed operator, who tells Spa! magazine they first surfaced around 2006 ... » Continue Reading
- 3,416
- 1
Japan’s Most influential Person

August 4th, 2010By GaijinPotCategory: Culture

MSN Japan's Sankei news service has the results of a survey to find out who the most influential person is in modern Japanese society. The result – Takeshi Kitano, aka Beat Takeshi. The filmmaker behind hit movies such as, Hana-bi, Zatoichi and Violent Cop is a regu ... » Continue Reading
- 2,796
Bon Odori

August 3rd, 2010By Andrez BergenCategory: Culture

And now for something relatively different. Compulsorily celebrated in early to mid-August in most regions of Japan, Obon week is one of the country’s three major holiday seasons. Which is probably why it plays havoc with domestic and international travel, and raise ... » Continue Reading
- 2,431
- 5
The death of the shop assistant?

August 2nd, 2010By George StobartCategory: Culture

Japanese convenience store am/pm is getting around the problem of a decreasing work force in Japan by continuing to put entire shops inside vending machines. CScout reports that am/pm has 520 locations that feature many of the popular items in convenience stores, such ... » Continue Reading
- 5,890
- 1,981
Dating in Japan

August 1st, 2010By GaijinPotCategory: Culture

Dating in Japan can for people from other countries be somewhat different especially when it comes to communication and the expression of feelings. In Western countries clear and direct communication is normally encouraged and seen as positive (although sometimes diffic ... » Continue Reading