Fact or Fake? This is a frequently asked question in many articles on the internet, as many lies are spread daily on social media. Unfortunately these lies are beyond the internet, many lies about Japan have been planted decades ago.
People have a terrible habit of generalizing things, especially in Brazil! As the population is not satisfied with the system, they simply oppress other countries to make themselves feel better.
Making other countries have a terrible situation, and saying that Brazil is the best place to live. In this way, several rumors and misconceptions about Japan emerged, and in this article I will talk about them.
The purpose of this article is to answer the distorted and widespread idea of Brazilians who have never been to Japan and don't even know their culture! That is, In this article, we are going to check the lies that people tell about Japan and try to disprove them.
Note.: Don't think that I'm saying that Japan is wonderful is that Brazil is shit. This is relative, and I'm not trying to value any of the countries. I'm just countering the generalizations of people who criticize Japan.
ing, many here have read this article and understood its meaning completely differently. The purpose of this article is to counter what some Brazilians who have NEVER lived in Japan say or think about there.
We are not comparing anything or criticizing anything. ing about the lies below, they are not totally lies, but we are answering the generalizations! Things are quite relative!
Table of Contents
Lies and Truths about Food in Japan
A lot of misinformation about food in Japan ends up appearing in the West. Some claim that food is too expensive, or create a crazy idea that the Japanese only eat raw fish. Others even believe that the Japanese eat dogs… How much misinformation.
I am really outraged by these generalizations and lack of human knowledge. The cuisine of Japan is the richest in the world, in addition to having an infinite variety of flavors, it is the healthiest.
How do the Japanese not gain weight?
Is it true that Food in Japan is expensive?
The media mentions that life in Japan is expensive, they say fruits cost 20 USD, and that Japanese only eat fish. However, they did not mention the fact that these 20 USD fruits are artisanal, and that the cost of living there is lower than in the West.
Any type of industrialized or imported food in Japan, such as chocolates, snacks, sweets, drinks, cookies and others. They can be cheaper than in Brazil. Even red meat can be found cheaper.
Japanese consume more natural foods than Brazilians, it is possible to see that almost all Japanese foods are composed of vegetables and fruits, then how could this be something expensive and rare?
Although fruits and vegetables have a higher price than in Brazil (for example, something that costs 10R$ here can cost 30R$ there), they did not consider the salary earned by a Japanese person, the minimum wage for a Japanese person is usually 4 to 10 thousand reais.
The food of Japan is one of the healthiest in the world, making Japan one of the countries with the most centenarians in the world. Even with a Brazilian salary, it is possible to eat much more in Japan than in Brazil.
We also recommend reading:
- Minimum Wage In japan - Which job pays the most?
- Where is the cost of living highest? Brazil or Japan?
Is it true that Japanese people only eat sushi or raw fish?
Many people say this, some really believe that in Japan only fish and seafood are eaten. After hearing a friend say she doesn't want to go to Japan because they only eat raw fish there, I was outraged and decided to write this article.
Yes, Japan is a country surrounded by oceans and islands, of course its people consume a lot of fish and seafood. Fish, besides being at their fingertips, are very healthy, rich in proteins, minerals, amino acids, vitamins with low fat and cholesterol content.
But no! Japanese do not only eat fish! The western average fish consumption per person per year is 10 to 20kg, Japanese consume only 26kg of fish and 30kg of meat. It is common to have a meat rotation in a Yakiniku.
Read also: Yakiniku Restaurant – The Japanese Barbecue
In any restaurant you will find recipes with beef, hamburgers, chicken and pork. Thus, despite the Japanese consume a lot of fish, many consume more meat.
Sushi is just one of the thousands of dishes that exist in the rich Japanese cuisine. Red meats and chicken are easily accessible. Sushi is not eaten daily, it is like a burger or pizza. What Japan has the most of is food options!
Read also: Japanese skewer - Get to know the Yakitori
Japanese cuisine is very rich, it offers food of all kinds, barbecue, noodles, soups, pizzas and much more. Japan is full of restaurants with cuisine from all over the world, it is practically impossible to eat only sushi in Japan.
During my two 3-month trips to Japan, I eating sushi only twice each time. In fact, Japanese cuisine is considered to be the richest and most succulent in the world, mainly because they value the umami taste.
We recommend reading: Taste sensations and flavors in Japanese
Do Japanese Eat Insects and Dogs?
People have a terrible habit of confusing Chinese culture with Japanese culture, there may be restaurants that sell insects and dog meat in Japan, but never think that this is Japanese culture. This is Chinese and Korean culture.
There are strange foods in Japan, but they are rare and less than 0.1% of Japanese have had a chance to try them. It's the same thing as eating Rabbit and Frog in Brazil, have you tried it? In Japan the strangest food I consider is horse sushi.
Lies and Truths about the Japanese
The Japanese are all thin and short. – Japan also has problems with obesity and the pattern of thin people, but gradually these patterns are being broken.
Are the Japanese all straight? – Not all Japanese people follow rules, like to study or work. In fact, Japan suffers from bullying problems, people who don't want to work or leave home, not to mention the perverse and profiteers.
Is every Japanese addicted to manga and anime? – This is one of the biggest widespread lies, there are adults who like anime and young people who don't, it's just like Brazil, not everyone likes carnival, funk, among others.
Are all Japanese people shy? - Japanese people try to differentiate the time to laugh and the time to be serious. Japanese people can be shy at first impression, but over time they loosen up. Some, however, have no shame at all...
Is it true that the Japanese only work?
People think that everyone who lives in Japan works 13 hours a day. Yes, there are cases like this, especially with foreigners who go to work in Japan. However, the working hours in Japan are only 9 hours, and their salary is 10 times higher than ours.
We recommend reading: Is it true that Japanese people work hard?
The reason for so much work is because Japanese people like to work, and they work overtime. In Japan people are paid by the hour, the minimum wage is usually 700 to 1,000 円 per hour, approximately R$ 30.
And just like in Brazil, there are diversities there, some work part-time, others don't. Japanese people really like to work, it's a cultural issue, and they also get paid 25% extra for overtime.
But in no way are you obliged to work 12 hours a day, the workload is the same as in any country. Of course, if you are a foreigner and work for a contractor, you are sometimes required to work a certain amount of overtime.
Stop saying that Japanese people work non-stop, there are also many lazy people there, many people who do part-time jobs, not to mention those who don't work.
Is it true that Japanese people commit suicide because Japan is bad?
Every year more than 15,000 Japanese people commit suicide, this is something sad, but who is to blame for this? Would it be because the country is bad? The Japanese have a different mentality from ours, they give their best, and when they don't achieve anything, they feel useless and kill themselves.
Not to mention that the number of suicides in Japan is not that great. There are only 17 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants, while in Brazil it is 12 per 100,000 inhabitants. There isn't that much of a difference.
The main reasons for suicides in Japan are: Bullying, Failing the entrance exam, losing a loved one, losing a job, losing a girlfriend, taking horns and others... There are many cultural issues related to suicides in Japan.
We recommend reading: How did Japan end half of suicides?
If the country was a reason to commit suicide, Brazil would be the champion!!! If Brazilians thought like the Japanese, when a Brazilian couldn't achieve anything, instead of becoming a criminal, he would kill himself. It would even be better that way.
Is it true that Japanese people don't have freedom of expression?
The Japanese are free to dress, act the way they want, without being criticized by society. The anime and TV shows that, despite being much purer than the Brazilian ones, contain content that raises questions from several people.
For this reason the Japanese are branded by Brazilians. They make jokes and question their sexuality, as well as call them crazy, and many other questions.
In Japan there is no judgment between male and female tastes, but acting like Brazilians and judging people by tastes, colors, gestures is absurd. Probably this is envy of the freedom that the Japanese have to express themselves in fashion, taste, and culture.
I say that the way Brazilians act is much cruder, speaking slang with sexual connotations and immoral swear words. So why do you criticize the lifestyle of Asians?
Is it true that Japanese are perverts?
Brazilians often call Japanese people "tarados," due to movies, videos, anime, places, products, lolicons, bizarre things, etc. It is true that every place has perverts, however, specifying Japanese as the most perverted country in the world is another form of ignorance.
We also recommend reading: Meanings and differences between Lolita, Loli and Lolicon
Which country speaks the most slang with sexual connotations? Just talk about sex? Most songs only talk about picking up women and clubbing? Where does Funk exist? Is there a country more perverted than this?
Yes, in Japan there are sexual oddities, a lot of shit, a lot of perverts on the loose and collectors of saliva and panties. But it's a wonder you can walk down the street without hearing sexual slang.
You won't find people listening to immoral music, people there only find immorality if they want to, the exposure there is much less, it can be considered greater if you look at it in a different way.
Is it true that Japanese people don't like sex?
A TV report appeared saying that most couples have had sex only once a week, sometimes it is possible to notice families sleeping in separate beds. It really happens, but wasn't Japan a perverted country?
If you are afraid of dating or marrying a Japanese person, get rid of that generalized idea, this happens due to the couple, excess of work, family problems, and not because one of them does not want.
Of course, there are various factors to be discussed about this topic. We recommend reading: Japoneses perderam o interesse no sexo?
Is it true that Japanese people are racist or prejudiced?
People think that all Brazilians going to Japan suffer prejudice from the Japanese, personally I suffer more prejudice here than being there. People criticize me for liking oriental culture, there you have freedom.
Despite the Japanese seem dry, they are very loving and do everything to please and help others. Especially those who make an effort to learn the language and customs.
Unfortunately, you may notice actions that seem prejudiced, but it is something common among them. Sometimes it's simply shame for not being able to help in the right way. Cultural differences make some people rush.
As in any place, there will be cases of prejudice. But it is a mistake to blame the entire population, calling them racist, that is total ignorance. Japanese have every reason to hate Brazilians, but they don't.
In the case of Humiliation and “ijime”, this happens to both Japanese and foreigners. So if you're unlucky enough to meet a bad person, you'll see the Asian way.
Read also: Ijime - Bullyng in schools in Japan
Although Brazil is a free country, foreigners, especially Asians, suffer much more from jokes and lack of education. But do not think that Japan is all great. Japan has many problems, I even wrote an article about the dark side of Japan.
We recommend reading: Do you know the Dark Side of Japan?
Lies for Tourists and Travelers
The idea that all of Japan boils down to Tokyo – Not everything is as we imagine, but that is not why you will be disappointed in the country of the rising sun. Japan is much more than Tokyo, it has 47 provinces and thousands of cities, it is a set of 6 thousand islands, with distinct culture and customs.
Whoever goes to Japan returns rich to Brazil. – It will take a lot of hard work and sweat to be able to pay the cost of living and earn money. Those who want to get rich and return to Brazil must sacrifice their social life and work a lot of overtime. Even though Japan's salary is 5 times higher than Brazil's, it is used to itself.
I'm not going to Japan for Earthquakes and Tsunamis
Japan is also criticized for being a dangerous country. People think that earthquakes kill every day, and that tsunamis will cover the whole country and kill everyone. I think it's a thousand times safer to be in Japan than in Brazil.
Earthquakes happen in Japan frequently, but rarely do any cause damage or are noticeable. In the last 10 years, there was only the one in 2011 that killed around 20 thousand people. In Brazil, almost that number dies in a month due to crime and recklessness on the roads.
Nobody knows tomorrow, anything can happen. However, living in Brazil is much more dangerous than being in Japan. There is even a saying that goes: It is easier to die from a pit than from a tsunami or earthquake in Japan.
Japanese people don't like foreigners?
I still wonder, where do they get these ideas from? No human being is the same as another. It is a great truth that the Japanese are quiet, shy, and some have problems socializing. And yes, there are many Japanese people, especially the elderly, who do not like westernization.
But if you know how to socialize and make some Japanese friends, you will see what friendship really is. The attitudes of the Japanese are extremely different from ours, I think it's complete idiocy to say that Japanese don't like foreigners.
If you want a friendship or even a date, don't listen to these false rumors, and go after it. It's amazing how I made friends with unknown native Japanese in the middle of Tokyo even though I didn't speak the language fluently.
Fear of being arrested innocent in Japan
After spreading some misinformation, some claim that they do not travel to Japan for fear of being convicted innocent. In Japan, if you are arrested, you are guilty until proven guilty, which is very difficult to do.
Things are not quite like that, I wrote an article about prisons in Japan that talks about exactly that. There I explain that before arresting someone, the police are sure that you are guilty, and that there are resources.
Read the article: Keimusho - How are the prisons in Japan? 1 #
Lies and Truths about Japan
Is Japan surrounded by technology on all sides? - If you go there with the intention of seeing robots at every turn, I'm sorry, because you will only find them at science and technology fairs, but who knows if you won't find them on some special occasion? There are many natural and traditional cities that enchant tourists, millennia environments, simple things are beautiful over there.
There is no poverty in Japan – Poverty also exists, but in reduced numbers compared to Brazil. Unfortunately, a large number of Japanese people live on the edge of their salary, but they have better comfort.
Does Japanese TV only have senseless programming? - I particularly prefer Japanese programming because there's no need for chest and butt displays to have quality. The media only wants to show things that we consider vulgar or crappy; Japanese programming is rich with thousands of stories, reality shows, movies, doramas, and animations.
Is Japan the country with the highest number of suicides in the world?
As much as Japan has problems and bizarre cases of suicide, mainly because some kill themselves just for not ing the entrance exam. Some have the exaggerated idea that Japanese people are not happy, and kill themselves because they work too hard.
In fact, Japan is not the country with the most suicides in the world. Approximately 26,000 people commit suicide a year in Japan, that's a lot isn't it? But did you know that in Brazil 22,000 commit suicide? Before generalizing, research!
Japan has never been the highest country with suicide numbers in the world. He had a high suicide rate some 30 years ago, but it's been decades since that number has dropped every year. It's amazing how one country manages to solve its problems while others get worse.
A country with no space, only buildings, small houses and no green
People have the idea that Japan today is a place full of cities and buildings, and that there is no space to live, and that every country is populous, some even think that Japan has no farms or fields.
However big Brazil may be compared to Japan, and have a large green terrain, in Japan you will not find any slums like here in Brazil. And make sure that the cities, especially the small ones, are much more rural than those in Brazil.
Cities like Tokyo, which has almost the same number of inhabitants as São Paulo, manage to be millions of times more organized, and with more space for residents, it was even considered the best city in the world.
See the article: Tokyo ranked first in the ranking of the best cities in the world.
Most people live in apartments, but have you ever compared the apartments here to those in Japan? They feel much freer, and have much more space, besides being in a very natural, colorful, and clean environment. Trees planted in the middle of the city, cherry blossoms, rivers that flow everywhere.
Houses and apartments may be smaller and more expensive, but almost all homes in Japan have ofurō (bathtub), a toilet separate from the bathing area, use of technology for climate and well-being. Do you really think they consider themselves to be cramped and lacking freedom? It's all a matter of habit.
Does Japan face overcrowding?
Actually, no, the many images we see of crowded people are only in big cities, that is, there is no need to face lines for minor things or anything like that. In reality, there are thousands of streets where you will feel lonely.
Japan has more than 127 million inhabitants, more than half of the inhabitants of Brazil. The country is small the size of a state. Even so, there are 47 states, and many cities are becoming deserted for lack of people.
In fact, Japan faces the exact opposite of overcrowding. The Japanese do not want to have children, predictions are that Japan will open its doors to many foreigners. Cities are abandoned because most young people want to go to Tokyo.
Tokyo has 30 million inhabitants, and yet it is a thousand times more comfortable to live than São Paulo. Traffic both on the street and on the sidewalk has a great organization. Other giant cities to highlight are Osaka, Nagoya and Sapporo.
In the eyes of Brazilians, Japanese houses seem too small, but they are the right size and comfortable. The problem is that Brazilians are used to occupying unnecessary space.
Even though the country is large, people have nowhere to live, and some live in shacks smaller than apartments in Japan. So before you complain about the space, pay a visit to Japan and draw your own conclusions.
See the Post: Kamagasaki – All about Japan's Biggest Favela
Japan is closed and doesn't like the west?
Another general idea, really the elderly are quite traditional, some even prejudiced. But people generalize so much that it makes one think that the country is racist, as if Brazil were open to everyone without prejudice (lol).
In fact young people are very westernized, many are ionate about English across America and Europe. If you know Japan, you know very well that it is a mix of many cultures.
What human being has the ability to say that Japan is not open to new cultures and trends? In my opinion, it is the most diverse country of all!
Japanese and Chinese language and all the same
Another thing that Brazilians think is all the same, the language... They even make jokes about pastel de "flango" with Japanese people, and this is a Chinese joke, Japanese people can't even speak the L, he would say "pasuteru de furango".
Although the Japanese language contains some Chinese ideograms, the language is composed of syllables, with an alphabet that is easy to understand, while Chinese is completely composed of ideograms.
We recommend reading our article: diferenças entre japoneses, chineses e coreanos.
Conclusion of the Article
Well, let's finish the article here. There are probably many other generalizations that people make about Japan and the Japanese. These are the ones I ed for now, if there are more in the future, I will make a part 2.
Please evitem think I'm comparing countries in this article. The objective is to respond to the criticisms, concepts and opinions of Brazilians who do not know Japan.
The media shapes people's minds, creating exaggerated and distorted concepts about certain subjects. We must be very careful before commenting or talking about things without having a real idea, or without generalizing.
Over the years on our site, I have written articles criticizing people's lack of knowledge and the generalization they make. Again I want to write about widespread comments and misconceptions people have about Japan.
