Blogs on Japan

Blogs on Japan has started a new feature where we interview different bloggers who blog about Japan. Today we will find out What Japan Thinks.

If you would like to be interviewed, please contact me! Also if you are looking for some interesting blogs on Japan, take a look at the previous interviews.

So, what does Japan really think?

Just like in any other country, there are many different ideas and ways of thinking present within the Japanese culture Despite the population being 98% of Japanese descent, and despite popular stereotypes of groupthink there really are very few matters where you find anything close to unanimity.

What has been the most surprising poll/results from one of the polls?

There’s been a number of surprising results, but the most depressing one was on a survey on public safety, where the top reason for public safety worsening in the last 10 years was identified as crime by foreigners, with 55% of the sample pointing their fingers at us.

When did you start blogging about Japan and why did you start?

I’m coming up to my second anniversary soon, and the main reason I got started was a curiosity about public opinion in general, and in particular finding out the truth behind the oft-quoted figure of 98% of the Japanese being Buddhist and/or Shinto followers - the truth is more like 30% profess to having faith, mostly Buddhist, and less than one in ten are actually members of any religious organization.

Describe your blog in one word.

That’s a great question! I ‘d like to say “edifying“, perhaps, if that doesn’t sound too pompous.

If you could introduce one of your posts to new readers which one would it be and why?

I don’t really think I have one killer post, but instead I’d introduce two posts, from my infamous fart post to one on domestic violence, just to illustrate the range I have on my blog, from the trivial to the deadly serious.

What blogs do you read?

I’m a big fan of Japan Probe - James has a good eye for catching interesting stories from Japan, and although there’s a few other contributors, he keeps the focus tight. I also love Tokyo Times, there’s a very gentle Britishness to the humour. Trans-Pacific Radio is amazing too - I like serious news analysis, and they are about the only place I can find that. Stepping away from Japan, I also read a few blogging-related sites, with my favourite being Pro Blogger.

What is your favorite place you have been to in Japan and why?

Huis Ten Bosch, the fake Holland near Nagasaki. I suppose mainly because it’s the cheapest way to get to Europe! I once spent a night in a temple in on top of Koya-san, which was a very different kind of experience, although not in a religious or spiritual sense. Takarazuka Theatre is another place I try to persuade as many people as possible to go to once.

How long have/did you live in Japan?

Too long! It’s coming up for 10 years now.

The best thing about Japan is…

The people, once you get to know them.

The worst thing about Japan is…

The office culture.

Who is your favorite Japanese celebrity?

Television-wise, there’s precious few I can tolerate! Beat Takeshi and Bakusho Mondai are about the only people I’ll make an effort to watch. Does Hello Kitty count?

One thing about Japanese culture that I will never understand is…

Only one thing? I think the perception of safety and danger, and the trust in the government to decide what is safe or not. Why is there a low take-up of child car seats but horror at US beef and CJD, for instance?

What is the most delicious food you have had in Japan?

I’m a vegetarian, so food is a tricky subject in Japan. Just in case she’s reading, though, I’d better say my wife’s cooking every night!

What is the most disgusting food you have had in Japan?

It’s a toss-up between natto and these soft pickled aubergines regarding food that’s been on my plate. For other people, eating live or still twitching sea food always puts me off.

What is the coolest gadget you have used or seen in Japan?

A couple of years ago I saw a device that I felt had the potential to be a new iPod that our company had prototyped internally, but that project was sadly shelved, I think. That was quite an amazingly cool product and I’m still to hear of anything that approaches its functionality, but company confidentiality prevents me talking about it more. Actually, I’m not much of a gadget freak myself, and about the only cool thing I regularly use is the push-to-open button on most Panasonic clamshell mobiles!

OK, that will do it. Thanks again for the interview and keep telling us what Japan thinks!