I don't remember how much I've written about this, but i know I've thought about it awhile. To me, Japan is almost exactly like the US in the '50s and '60s. Most families are still supported by one person, most likely the male. As Sakit said, sex is not talked about, but the younger generation is learning about it through the media. Anyone remember Elvis? New J-Pop stars are pushing the envelope the same way. Most people I've talked to always point out the high point of the Japanese economy in the '90s, just like people in the US pointed to the Golden Days before WWII. Variety shows are the most popular television, although I think this may be early '70s USA, but still similar time period. The most popular comedians do very similar performances as Abbott and Costello. Everyone spends ginormous time at their jobs and company pride is highly valued. It's even very common for all employees at every business to wear company uniforms, not just service jobs.
Possible differences:
It is very uncommon for Japanese people to support eachother. there are no neighborhood barbeques or get-togethers. Sports in the '50s and '60s USA were HUGE. Not in Japan, although, baseball is very popular and everyone at least knows a little abit of what's going on with the game. this could be a similarity, except that during this time in the US, sports became apart of every Americans life. With the value of sports, working people became more involved in their communities. also, people in the '50s and '60s USA started getting very involved in politics. It does seem that Japanese people know about what's going on, especially internationally, but they don't seem to get involved. Japan doesn't have a space program.
Possible similarity: The Mafia; I have heard it is pretty large in Japan, although I have not see any activity personally.
Possible differences:
It is very uncommon for Japanese people to support eachother. there are no neighborhood barbeques or get-togethers. Sports in the '50s and '60s USA were HUGE. Not in Japan, although, baseball is very popular and everyone at least knows a little abit of what's going on with the game. this could be a similarity, except that during this time in the US, sports became apart of every Americans life. With the value of sports, working people became more involved in their communities. also, people in the '50s and '60s USA started getting very involved in politics. It does seem that Japanese people know about what's going on, especially internationally, but they don't seem to get involved. Japan doesn't have a space program.
Possible similarity: The Mafia; I have heard it is pretty large in Japan, although I have not see any activity personally.
posted by Bruhaha at 8:23 AM
3 Comments:
A Korean friend of mine was telling me about how the Yakuza during the 80-90s when the Japanese economy was red hot, as well as the Tokyo real estate market, use to break in to peoples homes, hold them hostage until they signed over the deed of their property and then they would sell the property on the open market.
I believe Koizumi was the first prime minister to take away the Yakuza's semi-legitimate standing. Pretty crazy stuff. It makes US organized crime seem primative..
At the Peninsula in Hong Kong TST Island, you can sometimes see the yakuza bosses escorted by suited and sunglass-heavy men, tipping bellhops by the bundle of thousand yens.
The trick to telling a true katagi, is by looking at the gold cap on their pinky, where the flesh is no more.
wow. since I'm from the midwest, I thought Al Capone was the man. I guess I might be wrong.
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