Looong Thread: Japanese aren't apolotical
As a JP person, I always find it funny when weebs say "JP people don't care about politics", because they DO.
This is a country that tried to take over the world, a country where students fought the govt and bombed Israel.
Cont
As a JP person, I always find it funny when weebs say "JP people don't care about politics", because they DO.
This is a country that tried to take over the world, a country where students fought the govt and bombed Israel.
Cont
Politics in Japan is something, as a foreigner, you might have to dig around to find.
It's not always out in the open anymore.
There's some stigma attached to being vocal about politics. And I hope to touch upon some of the reasons with this thread.
Cont
It's not always out in the open anymore.
There's some stigma attached to being vocal about politics. And I hope to touch upon some of the reasons with this thread.
Cont
First and foremost, "Democracy" is a concept that is very "new" for Japan. After WW2 and the golden years that followed, made many JP people realised that "the people can call the shots".
The 50s onwards was a world without Shonguns, military rule, or a ruling emperor.
The 50s onwards was a world without Shonguns, military rule, or a ruling emperor.
And JP people vehemently protected and fought for this newfound freedom.
Political ideals aside, JP youngsters were vocal and active with their politics, often leading to confrontations with the government.
"The Student Movement" and the Anpo Wars are good examples.
Political ideals aside, JP youngsters were vocal and active with their politics, often leading to confrontations with the government.
"The Student Movement" and the Anpo Wars are good examples.
Literally, hundreds of thousands of college students surrounded and took over the parliamentary building for their political ideals.
The 60s were a time when JP people wore their heart on their sleeve.
The 70s however, they went a big too far.
The 60s were a time when JP people wore their heart on their sleeve.
The 70s however, they went a big too far.
The 70s saw a repeat of political activism of the 60s. But it was a lot more violent. Because of the violence and the tactics, youngsters lost a lot of public support from politicians, academics, etc.
Young people had to "distance" themselves away from "those protesters".
Young people had to "distance" themselves away from "those protesters".
It sure didn't help that some hardcore idealists decided to bomb Israel and kill a bunch of people. (Probably surprising for many, but it wasn't always "Muslim terrorists", but JP terrorists too that did fucked up shit)
The moment the "activism became terrorism" it was over.
The moment the "activism became terrorism" it was over.
There was suddenly a massive stigma against being an activist, or being openly vocal with your ideaology.
Those who preach were considered one bad day away from being the next terrorist.
*this is also where the "left wing terrorist" from Evangelion started.
Those who preach were considered one bad day away from being the next terrorist.
*this is also where the "left wing terrorist" from Evangelion started.
Activism was the one method the people could tell the govt to do the right thing. But that "weapon" suddenly became a double edged sword.
So JP people sheathed the sword and learnt to keep quiet.
Meanwhile, the LDP continued to be the do-nothing govt that it still is today.
So JP people sheathed the sword and learnt to keep quiet.
Meanwhile, the LDP continued to be the do-nothing govt that it still is today.
Unlike the US, with its seesaw change of Republican and Democrat administrations, the JP govt has pretty much been consistently LDP since the end of WW2. Almost total one party rule for the past 80 years.
Other than a few years (can count on one hand), the LDP has dominated.
Other than a few years (can count on one hand), the LDP has dominated.
So with a government that will never change, and activism being social/cultural taboo, what happened?
The disengagement of politics from the public sphere.
People began to ignore it. The govt has been, and will continue to be, useless as ever. People accepted that and moved on
The disengagement of politics from the public sphere.
People began to ignore it. The govt has been, and will continue to be, useless as ever. People accepted that and moved on
But this is all I'm regards to things like "voting" and "being vocal of your politics".
This wasn't the death of Japanese people having feelings and ideals.
The desire to want society to be a better place, is very much alive and kicking.
Japanese people ARE political.
This wasn't the death of Japanese people having feelings and ideals.
The desire to want society to be a better place, is very much alive and kicking.
Japanese people ARE political.
That "politicalness" may not always be "visible" through party affiliation, tweets, Twitter bios or performances, but JP people do give a shit about their lives.
It's stupid when foreigners and weebs say JP people are apolitical. Because they sure aren't.
It's stupid when foreigners and weebs say JP people are apolitical. Because they sure aren't.
Sure, if you ask a JP teenager questions about politicians and social issues like LGBT etc, they might struggle to answer. But that's a common trait among teens in general.
And it's also not part of the JP educational curriculum.
Yeah, in the US, teens are more aware.
And it's also not part of the JP educational curriculum.
Yeah, in the US, teens are more aware.
But that would mean measuring "political consciousness" with an American yard stick.
JP kids might not be able to tell you things about current politicians, but they'd be able to tell you the history of Japanese civil law, separation of powers, and the systems of politics.
JP kids might not be able to tell you things about current politicians, but they'd be able to tell you the history of Japanese civil law, separation of powers, and the systems of politics.
It's easy to cherry pick information and say JP people don't care about politics, but politics is there. It's just not as obvious.
The stigma prohibits people from openly talking about it.
The concept of Uchi, Soto, Yoso (Inside, Outside, Others) complicates things. I
The stigma prohibits people from openly talking about it.
The concept of Uchi, Soto, Yoso (Inside, Outside, Others) complicates things. I
In English and European cultures, you have the concept of "black and white" or something is "this of that".
A "friend" or a "stranger".
In Japan, things aren't always dealt in pairs. There's a "third" category.
A "friend" or a "stranger".
In Japan, things aren't always dealt in pairs. There's a "third" category.
Uchi - Us
Soto - Them
Yoso - Outsiders
Japanese people's three layer approach to relationships is hard to explain, but just know that "Uchi" is the most intimate and deep form of relationship that, as foreigners, you probably will never experience with a JP person.
Soto - Them
Yoso - Outsiders
Japanese people's three layer approach to relationships is hard to explain, but just know that "Uchi" is the most intimate and deep form of relationship that, as foreigners, you probably will never experience with a JP person.
This goes way deeper than being romantic partners, colleagues, classmates etc.
I have friends I've known for over a decade, but still won't classify as "Uchi", and colleagues I talk to everyday who is still consider a "Yoso".
I have friends I've known for over a decade, but still won't classify as "Uchi", and colleagues I talk to everyday who is still consider a "Yoso".
Depending on which level of relationship you have with a JP person, how much they open up to you will drastically change.
And this also plays into the way we talk: "Honnne" and "Tatemae".
And this also plays into the way we talk: "Honnne" and "Tatemae".
Tatemae is "what JP people say"
Honne is "what JP people actually feel."
I wouldn't go as far as to say Tatemae is lying, but it's a form of speech where we say things to keep everyone happy. To preserve the harmony. Since honest feelings are often hindrances when they clash.
Honne is "what JP people actually feel."
I wouldn't go as far as to say Tatemae is lying, but it's a form of speech where we say things to keep everyone happy. To preserve the harmony. Since honest feelings are often hindrances when they clash.
For outsiders, digging around to separate honne and Tatemae isn't exactly easy. Even JP people struggle to understand all the nuances.
Just understand that finding a JP people who wears their heart on their sleeves and are 100% open and honest is like finding a unicorn.
Just understand that finding a JP people who wears their heart on their sleeves and are 100% open and honest is like finding a unicorn.
I'm probably going off track, but pretty much, "political talk" happens in "Uchi" and "Soto". And even within Uchi, it's still a stigmatized topic.
My own parents have never shared or discussed who they voted for, even when we all go to the ballots together every time we vote.
My own parents have never shared or discussed who they voted for, even when we all go to the ballots together every time we vote.
We talk about politics, of course, and we discuss enough to know our stances and so on, but even then, I actually don't know who my parents vote for, and they aren't sure of who I voted for either. It might seem strange to some foreigners, but this is quite normal in JP.
So as a foreign weeb, chances of you coming across an everyday Japanese person's political thoughts are extremely low.
You won't spot its subtlety. And you might think that subtlety as disinterest in politics.
But it's there. You just don't see it as tourists.
You won't spot its subtlety. And you might think that subtlety as disinterest in politics.
But it's there. You just don't see it as tourists.
When your window into Japanese culture is anime, thats a veeeeery small sample size to base judgement on how JP people act.
Anime, at the end of the day, is fictional entertainment.
I don't decide "this is how Americans think" after watching a few Disney movies.
Anime, at the end of the day, is fictional entertainment.
I don't decide "this is how Americans think" after watching a few Disney movies.
But things are starting to change.
That stigma of talking politics, is changing with the rise of platforms like Twitter.
People can anonymously preach their ideals.
The repercussions of speaking freely isn't as bad online.
Jp people are taking advantage of that.
That stigma of talking politics, is changing with the rise of platforms like Twitter.
People can anonymously preach their ideals.
The repercussions of speaking freely isn't as bad online.
Jp people are taking advantage of that.
A lot of JP creators are, and have always had, put in their political thoughts and ideals into anime.
Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli, is one of Japan's most openly spoken and famous "anti-war pacifist". And his works reflect his ideas.
Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli, is one of Japan's most openly spoken and famous "anti-war pacifist". And his works reflect his ideas.
Games, anime, manga, all of these are littered with political influences.
They might not name drop certain individuals or refer to certain events, but it's all there allegorically.
So when weebs say "Western SJW culture is ruining anime/manga", it's insulting.
They might not name drop certain individuals or refer to certain events, but it's all there allegorically.
So when weebs say "Western SJW culture is ruining anime/manga", it's insulting.
JP people have the capability to think politically, to desire change, and to voice their ideals through their art.
If JP creators put politics into their works, that's their right to do so.
Claiming that they were "brainwashed by the West" takes that away from them.
If JP creators put politics into their works, that's their right to do so.
Claiming that they were "brainwashed by the West" takes that away from them.
The new younger generation of Japanese creators WILL be more brazen with their works.
I believe that more works in the future will have more glaringly obvious political undertones, compared to past works that kinda skirted or hinted at things.
I believe that more works in the future will have more glaringly obvious political undertones, compared to past works that kinda skirted or hinted at things.
Personally, I'm all for it.
Some of the best anime/manga/games are works that touch on political topics and issues.
And I'd much prefer living in a world where JP creators can put their ideals into their work without fear of the government.
Some of the best anime/manga/games are works that touch on political topics and issues.
And I'd much prefer living in a world where JP creators can put their ideals into their work without fear of the government.
There's so much more I want to go deeper into, but I'm sleep deprived and my mind is all over the place, so maybe another time.
I've always been bad at putting what's on my mind into text and I just end up rambling and going off on a tangent. Sorry 😔
I've always been bad at putting what's on my mind into text and I just end up rambling and going off on a tangent. Sorry 😔
P.S.
In Japanese, "what isn't said" often holds a lot of weight over "what is spoken out loud".
The phrase "I love you" (愛してる) is almost never used unless in a shoujo manga.
But just because it's never said, it doesn't mean a JP person's love is of lesser value.
In Japanese, "what isn't said" often holds a lot of weight over "what is spoken out loud".
The phrase "I love you" (愛してる) is almost never used unless in a shoujo manga.
But just because it's never said, it doesn't mean a JP person's love is of lesser value.
On another note, the JP phrase of "reading the air" is also connected to "tatemae". Pretty much a reminder for everyone to be "on the same tatemae page".
If you go against it, you become "the nail that sticks out".
It's all culturally entwined. Manga/Anime doesn't teach this.
If you go against it, you become "the nail that sticks out".
It's all culturally entwined. Manga/Anime doesn't teach this.
【Warning to new followers】
Due to my job, 90% of my tweets are R18 tweets about Hentai.
Once in a while, I'll tweet my thoughts on JP culture. Please unfollow/mute if the content makes you uncomfortable.
If you like hentai, here's what we do:
Due to my job, 90% of my tweets are R18 tweets about Hentai.
Once in a while, I'll tweet my thoughts on JP culture. Please unfollow/mute if the content makes you uncomfortable.
If you like hentai, here's what we do:
https://twitter.com/irodoricomics/status/1342175628267700224
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