As a half Japanese woman myself who grew up in Australia and have experienced short stints in Japan, it's so interesting to hear Emma's perspective. I definitely value Japanese culture for prioritising harmony, safety and consideration of others. I've also come to realise that in order for a culture like that to work, it can be quite rigid and (at times) unaccepting of differences. Thank you for the great content!
I always find it funny how men and women talk bad about how japan korea or asia in general for being too conservative too traditional too rigid yet still want to live there and not their morally decaying liberal society in the west.
@@davidpark2509 Agreed. You see a lot of westerners who are super left wing move to Japan and praise a lot of aspects of life, but also complain that its not like where they came from. Then they start developing plans to "Fix" Japan and turn it into some kind of Asian California. They love the fruit but not the tree it grows from.
The food is a big factor for me too. Most is organic and free of any harmful chemicals like USA and other parts of the country. Also, they look super young, live longer and their skin is so smooth. Their diet consist of a lot of seafood so it makes sense. Seafood has a lot of OMEGA 3, 6, 9 - things that are superfoods for healthy skin which makes you younger.
You mean whole foods, not organic. They use pesticides on most produce and actually, they allow some pretty harmful ingredients into their food too. The situation it's not as bad as in the US but it's not perfect either. You can look at the increase of diabetes and other "chronic" diseases for proof.
I wish she would have told us where in the world did she live, and what did she think about those places specifically, compared to Japan, Great Video! Thanks! 👍
Living in Texas I desire to live somewhere where respect is part of daily social life. Its part of daily life here, but much more so in Japan. This is partly why I travel to Japan as often as possible and to my own financial detriment at times. Great interview and look forward to more like it.
I know that alot of people say that "I don't fit/belonging here in Japan" but where ever you go it will always feel that way. Might just blend in better elsewhere but will never be consider that person at that locale. Home is where your heart is.
because of the international schools...I have so many friends who grew up in Asia, Central America and elsewhere who went to international schools and they all sound American
I have seen several videos of people talking about their points of view, one thing that some consider annoying, especially for those who were not born in Japan but went there later, is the fact that one must never express one's thoughts clearly, especially if you disagree but you must use phrases and expressions that tend to make this thing understood but not clearly so as not to be too rude. The fact that it is not considered a good thing to let people know exactly what you think especially when you don't agree or if you have to complain about something.
I guess the only thing I have noticed is due to the system of hierarchy. There are some people that understand when someone disapproves and uses their position of power to bully them anyway.
@@JapanDocumented There's also nasty bullying (especially in schools). Some have been so affected by it, they've turned into _hikikomoris_ --- and never returned to mainstream society.
Wow!....so interesting and fascinating. You embrace the best of both Japanese and English Cultures! "Kizukai" is needed in every culture especially in England where people seem to have less respect than in previous years. I remember having a meeting with Japanese students in London and they bowed to me when they entered the room..I was so surprised and honoured (even though I didn't deserve the honour!). Perhaps it's part of the Chanoyu ritual/ceremony - a cultural practice involving the preparation and presentation of green tea called matcha. Apparently, the ceremony promotes harmony, mindfulness, and wellbeing. Unfortunately, the reality is complex because according to the 'Global Gender Gap Report 2023' gender parity is a huge challenge for Japan with poor female representation in the political and economic sectors. Hopefully, this will change because Japan economy will come under strain with a rapidly ageing population and shrinking workforce. It's estimated the country will have a shortfall of more than 11 million workers by 2040.
I know the zeitgeist made you think you sound sophisticated by citing the "Global Gender Gap" index but that’s an arbitrary metric for measuring the well-being of women worldwide. According to that index, the U.S. is in a much better standing than Japan, yet it has the most depressed (and medicated) women in the world by far. I think Japan should do what’s best for its people, not follow some arbitrary global metric designed by people with made-up jobs. Whatever that looks for Japan that's what they should do.
It's most likely cause she said she went to international school. International schools primarily teach "Standard English" which basically sounds like American English.
@@JapanDocumented having a society that is considerate is about self restraint that is thoughtful of others, that is undermined by advocating the “do whatever you want… live your life however you want” mindset ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ …it’s like destroy the “patriarchy” but still wanting the safety, infrastructure and provisions it affords 🤨 it’s antithetical
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I believe pursuing passions can coexist with a considerate society when done with respect for others. Also, I feel terms like 'womanese logic' can unintentionally deepen divides-it’s more meaningful to focus on understanding each other’s perspectives.
As a half Japanese woman myself who grew up in Australia and have experienced short stints in Japan, it's so interesting to hear Emma's perspective. I definitely value Japanese culture for prioritising harmony, safety and consideration of others. I've also come to realise that in order for a culture like that to work, it can be quite rigid and (at times) unaccepting of differences. Thank you for the great content!
I always find it funny how men and women talk bad about how japan korea or asia in general for being too conservative too traditional too rigid yet still want to live there and not their morally decaying liberal society in the west.
Thanks for your comment. Your perspective is new and very interesting to me.
@@davidpark2509 Agreed. You see a lot of westerners who are super left wing move to Japan and praise a lot of aspects of life, but also complain that its not like where they came from.
Then they start developing plans to "Fix" Japan and turn it into some kind of Asian California.
They love the fruit but not the tree it grows from.
The food is a big factor for me too. Most is organic and free of any harmful chemicals like USA and other parts of the country. Also, they look super young, live longer and their skin is so smooth. Their diet consist of a lot of seafood so it makes sense. Seafood has a lot of OMEGA 3, 6, 9 - things that are superfoods for healthy skin which makes you younger.
Seafood was the secret:)
You mean whole foods, not organic. They use pesticides on most produce and actually, they allow some pretty harmful ingredients into their food too. The situation it's not as bad as in the US but it's not perfect either. You can look at the increase of diabetes and other "chronic" diseases for proof.
I wish she would have told us where in the world did she live, and what did she think about those places specifically, compared to Japan, Great Video! Thanks! 👍
やはり日本!!!治安、国民の行儀、食い物世界一!!!!!!!!🎉❤
Living in Texas I desire to live somewhere where respect is part of daily social life. Its part of daily life here, but much more so in Japan. This is partly why I travel to Japan as often as possible and to my own financial detriment at times.
Great interview and look forward to more like it.
Thank you 🙏
high quality, good content
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
I know that alot of people say that "I don't fit/belonging here in Japan" but where ever you go it will always feel that way. Might just blend in better elsewhere but will never be consider that person at that locale. Home is where your heart is.
agreed!
Japan is worse if your not fully racial Japanese
It's interesting that even the half-English people in Japan grow up speaking with American accents.
because of the international schools...I have so many friends who grew up in Asia, Central America and elsewhere who went to international schools and they all sound American
Not everyone
I have seen several videos of people talking about their points of view, one thing that some consider annoying, especially for those who were not born in Japan but went there later, is the fact that one must never express one's thoughts clearly, especially if you disagree but you must use phrases and expressions that tend to make this thing understood but not clearly so as not to be too rude. The fact that it is not considered a good thing to let people know exactly what you think especially when you don't agree or if you have to complain about something.
I guess the only thing I have noticed is due to the system of hierarchy. There are some people that understand when someone disapproves and uses their position of power to bully them anyway.
You are supposed to use non confrontational language even if you disagree.And it takes a lot of energy and attention to do so.
@@JapanDocumented There's also nasty bullying (especially in schools). Some have been so affected by it, they've turned into _hikikomoris_ --- and never returned to mainstream society.
Excellent interview!
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!
You are a beautiful soul.
Wow!....so interesting and fascinating. You embrace the best of both Japanese and English Cultures! "Kizukai" is needed in every culture especially in England where people seem to have less respect than in previous years. I remember having a meeting with Japanese students in London and they bowed to me when they entered the room..I was so surprised and honoured (even though I didn't deserve the honour!). Perhaps it's part of the Chanoyu ritual/ceremony - a cultural practice involving the preparation and presentation of green tea called matcha. Apparently, the ceremony promotes harmony, mindfulness, and wellbeing. Unfortunately, the reality is complex because according to the 'Global Gender Gap Report 2023' gender parity is a huge challenge for Japan with poor female representation in the political and economic sectors. Hopefully, this will change because Japan economy will come under strain with a rapidly ageing population and shrinking workforce. It's estimated the country will have a shortfall of more than 11 million workers by 2040.
Yes, Kizukai means being considerate of the surrounding people.
I know the zeitgeist made you think you sound sophisticated by citing the "Global Gender Gap" index but that’s an arbitrary metric for measuring the well-being of women worldwide. According to that index, the U.S. is in a much better standing than Japan, yet it has the most depressed (and medicated) women in the world by far. I think Japan should do what’s best for its people, not follow some arbitrary global metric designed by people with made-up jobs. Whatever that looks for Japan that's what they should do.
Emma doesn't have an english accent. Before she introduced herself I would think she's american.
It's most likely cause she said she went to international school. International schools primarily teach "Standard English" which basically sounds like American English.
Thanks for your explanation!
Where on earth did she live before when she said she didn't have to worry about being kidnapped in Japan? In a war zone or something?
日本で生まれ育ったからといって、いつまでも快適に過ごせるわけじゃないってことね。
どういう意味ですか？
She looks Puertorican
About 70% of food here is imported so what you eat in Japan may be from your home or elsewhere.
the irony of loving the one thing (kizukai) that she goes on the say she’s working to undermine… 🤔 womanese logic 😅
I don’t see your point. You can be considerate and do what you love.
@@JapanDocumented having a society that is considerate is about self restraint that is thoughtful of others, that is undermined by advocating the “do whatever you want… live your life however you want” mindset ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ …it’s like destroy the “patriarchy” but still wanting the safety, infrastructure and provisions it affords 🤨 it’s antithetical
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I believe pursuing passions can coexist with a considerate society when done with respect for others. Also, I feel terms like 'womanese logic' can unintentionally deepen divides-it’s more meaningful to focus on understanding each other’s perspectives.
@@futuristudiosduh, these are completely unrelated... Japan has amongst the lowest birthrates without this lady anyways. Weird take.