Fact or Fake? This is the frequent question in various articles on the internet, as many lies are spread daily on social media. Unfortunately, these lies go beyond the internet; many lies about Japan have been planted for decades.
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 feel better.
Causing other countries to have a terrible situation, and saying that Brazil is the best place to live. This way, various rumors and wrong ideas about Japan have emerged, and in this article, I will talk about them.
The objective of this article is to respond to the distorted and generalized idea of those Brazilians who have never been to Japan and do not know its culture! In other words, in this article, we will check the lies that people tell about Japan and try to debunk them.
Note.: Don’t think that I am saying that Japan is wonderful and that Brazil is terrible. This is relative, and I am not trying to value either country. I am just counterattacking the generalizations of people who criticize Japan.
Remember, many here read this article and understood it completely differently. The objective of this article is to counterattack what some Brazilians who have NEVER lived in Japan say or think about it.
We are not comparing anything or criticizing anything. Remembering the lies below, they are not entirely lies, but we are responding to the generalizations! Things are quite relative!
Lies and Truths about Food in Japan
Much misinformation about food in Japan ends up surfacing in the West. Some claim that food is very expensive, or create a crazy idea that Japanese people only eat raw fish. Others even believe that Japanese people eat dogs… What misinformation.
I am truly outraged by these generalizations and the lack of knowledge of human beings. Japanese cuisine is the richest in the world; in addition to having an infinite variety of flavors, it is the healthiest.
Restaurants like McDonald’s? There are for poor people. If you are a foreigner living in Japan, you will gain weight from eating so much. The question that remains is: How do Japanese people not gain weight?
Is it true that food in Japan is expensive?
The media mentions that life in Japan is expensive, saying that fruits cost 20 USD, and that Japanese people 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, can be cheaper than in Brazil. Even red meat can be found cheaper.
Japanese people consume more natural foods than Brazilians; it is possible to see that almost all Japanese foods are made up of vegetables and fruits, so 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 usually ranges from 4 to 10 thousand reais.
The food in 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:
- What is the Minimum Wage in Japan? Which job pays more?
- Where is the cost of living higher? 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 I heard a friend say that 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. The fish, besides being within reach, are very healthy, rich in proteins, minerals, amino acids, vitamins with low fat and cholesterol content.
But no! Japanese people do not only eat fish! The Western average fish consumption per person per year is 10 to 20 kg; Japanese people consume only 26 kg of fish and 30 kg of meat. It is common to have a meat rotation in a Yakiniku.
Also read: Yakiniku Restaurant – The Japanese Barbecue
In any restaurant, you will find recipes with meat, hamburgers, chicken, and pork. Thus, even though Japanese people consume a lot of fish, many consume more meat.
Sushi is just one among the thousands of dishes that exist in rich Japanese cuisine. Red meats and chicken are easily accessible. Sushi is not eaten daily; it is like a hamburger or pizza. What is most available in Japan is food options!
Also read: Japanese Skewers – Meet the Yakitori
Japanese cuisine is very rich, offering foods of all kinds, barbecues, noodles, soups, pizzas, and much more. Japan is full of restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world; it is practically impossible to eat only sushi in Japan.
During my two trips to Japan for 3 months, I remember eating sushi only twice in each of them. In fact, Japanese cuisine is considered the richest and most succulent in the world, mainly because they value umami flavor.
We recommend reading: Sensations and flavors of taste in Japanese
Do Japanese people 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 the culture of Chinese and Koreans.
There are strange foods in Japan, but they are rare, and less than 0.1% of Japanese people have had the chance to try them. It’s the same 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
All Japanese people are thin and short. – Japan also has problems with obesity and the standard of thin people, but gradually these standards are being broken.
Are all Japanese people very correct? – Not all Japanese people follow rules, like to study or work. In fact, Japan suffers from bullying problems, people who do not want to work or even leave the house, not to mention the perverse and opportunists.
Is every Japanese person addicted to manga and anime? – This is one of the biggest generalized lies; there are adults who like anime and young people who do not, it’s the same in Brazil; not everyone likes carnival, funk, among others.
Are all Japanese people shy? – Japanese people try to differentiate between when to laugh and when to be serious. Japanese people may seem shy at first impression, but over time they loosen up. Some, however, have no shame at all…
Is it true that Japanese people only work?
People think that everyone living 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 a lot?
The reason for so much work is that Japanese people like to work and do overtime. In Japan, people are paid by the hour; the minimum wage usually ranges from 700 to 1,000 円 per hour, approximately R$ 30.
And just like in Brazil, there are diversities; some work part-time, others do not work. Japanese people really enjoy working a lot; it is a cultural issue, and they also receive 25% more for overtime.
But by no means are you obliged to work 12 hours a day; the working hours are the same as in any country. Of course, if you are a foreigner working for a contractor, you may sometimes be required to do a certain number of overtime hours.
Stop saying that Japanese people work non-stop; there are also many lazy people there, many who work part-time, not to mention those who do not work.
Is it true that Japanese people commit suicide because Japan is bad?
Every year, more than 15 thousand Japanese people commit suicide; this is something sad, but who is to blame for this? Is it because the country is bad? Japanese people have a different mentality than ours; they give their all, and when they achieve nothing, they feel useless and take their own lives.
Not to mention that the number of suicides in Japan is not that high. There are only 17 suicides for every 100,000 inhabitants, while in Brazil, it is 12 for every 100,000 inhabitants. There is not that much difference.
The main reasons for suicides in Japan are: bullying, failure in entrance exams, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of a girlfriend, being cheated on, and others… There are many cultural issues related to suicides in Japan.
We recommend reading: How did Japan reduce its suicide rate by half?
If the country were a reason to commit suicide, Brazil would be the champion!!! If Brazilians thought like Japanese people, when a Brazilian achieved nothing, instead of becoming a criminal, they would take their own lives. It would even be better that way.
Is it true that Japanese people do not have freedom of expression?
Japanese people have the freedom to dress, act as they wish, without being criticized by society. The anime and TV shows, although they are much purer than Brazilian ones, contain content that raises questions from many people.
For this reason, Japanese people are labeled by Brazilians. They make jokes and question their sexuality, in addition to calling them crazy, and many other questions.
In Japan, there is no judgment between masculine and feminine tastes, but acting like Brazilians and judging a person by tastes, colors, gestures is absurd. This is probably envy of the freedom that Japanese people have to express themselves in fashion, taste, and culture.
I say that the way Brazilians act is much more crude, using slang with sexual connotations and immoral swear words. So why do you criticize the lifestyle of Asians?
Is it true that Japanese people are perverted?
Brazilians often call Japanese people perverts, due to movies, videos, anime, places, products, lolicons, bizarre things, etc. It is true that every place has perverts, however, specifying Japanese people as the most perverted country in the world is another ignorance.
We also recommend reading: Do you know what lolita, loli, or lolicon means?
Which country speaks the most slang with sexual connotations? Only talks about sex? Most songs only talk about picking up women and parties? Where does funk exist? Is there a more perverted country than this?
Yes, in Japan, there are sexual bizarre things, a lot of disgusting stuff, many perverts out there, and collectors of saliva and panties. But it is wonderful that you can walk down the street without hearing slang with sexual connotations.
You will not find people listening to immoral music; there, people only find immorality if they want to; the exposure is much lower there, and it can be considered greater if looked at differently.
Is it true that Japanese people do not like sex?
A report appeared on TV saying that a large part of couples have had relations only once a week; sometimes it is possible to notice families sleeping in separate beds. This really happens, but wasn’t Japan a perverted country?
If you are afraid of dating or marrying a Japanese person, get that generalized idea out of your head; this happens due to the couple, excessive work, family problems, and not because one of them does not want to.
Of course, there are several factors to be discussed on this subject. We recommend reading: Have Japanese people lost interest in sex?
Is it true that Japanese people are racist or prejudiced?
People think that all Brazilians who go to Japan suffer prejudice from Japanese people; I personally suffer more prejudice here than when I am there. People criticize me for liking Eastern culture; there, there is freedom.
Although the Japanese may seem dry, they are very loving and do everything to please and help others. Especially those who strive to learn the language and customs.
Unfortunately, you may notice actions that seem prejudiced, but it is something common among them. Sometimes it is simply embarrassment for not being able to help you 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 people have every reason to hate Brazilians, but they do not.
In the case of humiliation and “ijime,” this happens to both Japanese and foreigners. So if you are unlucky enough to meet a bad person, you will see the Asian way.
Also read: Ijime – Bullying in Japanese schools
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 a paradise. 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?
We also recommend watching our video on racism and prejudice in Japan and following our channel:
Lies for Tourists and Travelers
The idea that all of Japan is summed up in Tokyo – Not everything is as we imagine, but that doesn’t mean you will be disappointed with the land of the rising sun. Japan is much more than Tokyo; it has 47 provinces and thousands of cities, it is a set of 6,000 islands, with distinct culture and customs.
Those who go to Japan return rich to Brazil. – It will require a lot of hard work and sweat to pay for the cost of living and save money. Those who wish to get rich and return to Brazil must sacrifice their social life and do many overtime hours. Even if the salary in Japan is 5 times higher than in Brazil, it is used to sustain oneself.
I won’t go to Japan because of 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 entire country and kill everyone. I think it is a thousand times safer to be in Japan than in Brazil.
Earthquakes happen frequently in Japan, but rarely do any cause damage or are noticeable. In the last 10 years, there was only the one in 2011 that killed about 20 thousand people. In Brazil, almost that many die in a month due to crime and traffic recklessness.
No one knows what tomorrow will bring; 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 get run over by a car than to be caught in a tsunami or earthquake in Japan.
Do Japanese people not like foreigners?
I still wonder where they get these ideas from? No human being is the same as another. It is a great truth that Japanese people are quiet, shy, and some have problems socializing. And yes, there are many Japanese, especially the elderly, who do not like Westernization.
But if you know how to socialize and make a Japanese friend, you will see what true friendship is. The attitudes of Japanese people are extremely different from ours; I find it completely foolish to say that Japanese people do not like foreigners.
If you want a friendship or even a relationship, do not listen to these false rumors and go after it. It is amazing how I made friends with native Japanese strangers in the middle of Tokyo even without speaking the language fluently.
Fear of being imprisoned as innocent in Japan
After spreading some misinformation, some claim that they do not travel to Japan for fear of being wrongly convicted. In Japan, if you are arrested, you are guilty until proven otherwise, which is quite difficult to do.
Things are not quite like that; I wrote an article about prisons in Japan that talks exactly about this. There I explain that before arresting someone, the police are sure that you are guilty and that there are resources.
Read the article: Keimusho – What are prisons like 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 corner, I’m sorry, because you will only find them at science and technology fairs, but who knows, you might find them on some special occasion? There are many natural and traditional cities that enchant tourists; ancient environments, simple things are beautiful there.
There is no poverty in Japan – Poverty also exists, but in reduced numbers compared to Brazil. Unfortunately, a large number of Japanese live on the edge of their salaries, but they have better comfort.
On Japanese TV, there is only nonsensical programming? – I personally prefer Japanese programming because there is no need for displays of breasts and butts to have something of quality. The media only wants to show things that for us are vulgar or disgusting; Japanese programming is rich with thousands of stories, reality shows, movies, dramas, and animations.
Is Japan the country with the highest number of suicides in the world?
Although Japan has problems and bizarre cases of suicide, mainly because some take their lives just for not passing entrance exams. Some have the exaggerated idea that the Japanese people are not happy and commit suicide because they work too much.
In reality, Japan is not the country with the most suicides in the world. Approximately 26 thousand people commit suicide each year in Japan; that’s a lot, isn’t it? But did you know that in Brazil, 22 thousand people commit suicide? Before generalizing, research!
Japan has never been the country with the highest suicide rates in the world. It had a high suicide rate about 30 years ago, but it has been decreasing every year for decades. It is incredible how a country can solve its problems while others worsen.
A country without space, only buildings, small houses, and no greenery
People have the idea that modern Japan is a place full of cities and buildings, and that there is no space to live, and that the entire country is populous; some even think that Japan has no farms or fields.
Although Brazil is large compared to Japan and has a lot of green land, in Japan, you will not find any slums like here in Brazil. And be 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 have more space for inhabitants; it has even been considered the best city in the world.
See the article: Tokyo in first place in the ranking of the best cities in the world.
Most people live in apartments, but have you compared the apartments here with 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 flowing everywhere.
Houses and apartments may be smaller and more expensive, but almost all homes in Japan have an ofuro (bathtub), a toilet separate from the bathing area, and use technology for climate and well-being. Do you really think they consider themselves without space and freedom? It’s all a matter of habit.
Does Japan face overcrowding?
In fact, no; the many images we see of crowded people are only in the big centers, meaning it is not necessary to face lines for minimal things or anything like that. In reality, there are thousands of streets where you will feel lonely.
Japan has more than 127 million inhabitants, but that is half the population of Brazil. The country is small, the size of a state. Even so, there are 47 states, and many cities are becoming deserted due to a lack of people.
In fact, Japan faces exactly the opposite of overcrowding. Japanese people do not want to have children; forecasts indicate that Japan will open its doors to many foreigners. Cities are being abandoned because a large part of the youth wants to go to Tokyo.
Tokyo has 30 million inhabitants, and even so, it is a thousand times more comfortable to live in than São Paulo. The traffic, both on the street and on the sidewalk, is very well organized. Other giant cities worth mentioning are Osaka, Nagoya, and Sapporo.
In the eyes of Brazilians, Japanese houses seem too small, but they are just the right size and comfortable. The problem is that Brazilians are used to occupying unnecessary space.
Even if the country is large, people have nowhere to live, and some live in shacks smaller than Japanese apartments. So before complaining about space, visit Japan and draw your own conclusions.
See the Article: Kamagasaki – All about the Largest Slum in Japan
Is Japan closed off and does not like the West?
Another generalized idea; indeed, the older people 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 reality, young people are very Westernized; many are passionate about English, America, and Europe. If you know Japan, you know very well that it is a mix of many cultures.
What human being has the capacity 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 are all the same
Another thing that Brazilians think is all the same is the language… They even make jokes about “flango” pastry with Japanese people, being that this is a Chinese joke; Japanese people can’t even pronounce the L; they 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 entirely composed of ideograms.
We recommend reading our article: differences between Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans.
Conclusion of the Article
Well, let’s end the article here. There are probably many other generalizations that people make about Japan and the Japanese. These were the ones I remembered now; if I think of more in the future, I will make a part 2.
Please avoid thinking that I am 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 speaking about things without having a real idea or generalizing.
Over the years on our site, I have written articles criticizing people’s lack of knowledge and the generalizations they make. Again, I want to write about generalized comments and wrong ideas that people have about Japan.
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