The Japanese

Three decades ago, Japan was something outrageous

Thirty years ago, sushi was a total shock to Americans. Back then, it really was seen as something "outrageous"—the idea of eating black seaweed and raw fish was simply "unthinkable." But today, Japanese food is more popular than ever. Whether you're in the US, the UK, or Australia, you'll see people everywhere enjoying tuna, squid, and all kinds of sushi toppings. If anything, being a Japanese food lover has become a symbol of being "cool" and "on-trend."

The "New" Trendsetters

Meanwhile, thirty years ago, Japan was in the midst of an unprecedented overseas travel boom. Since many Japanese people back then weren't confident in their English, they preferred traveling in groups—the classic "package tour." With a Sony Walkman in one hand and a camera dangling from their neck, they snapped photos of everything in sight. To the rest of the world, this behavior was the definition of "The Japanese."

While studying in Australia, I was often asked: "Why do Japanese people take pictures of everything?" "You all look and act the same, don't you?"

Whether they meant it literally or were being polite, it sounded to me like they were saying, "We don't take that many photos," or "We don't do group activities."

But wait a second. Look at what's happening now—the roles have completely reversed. Whether it's at Kiyomizu-dera, Akihabara, or even Hakone and Hokkaido, foreign tourists are everywhere, snapping photos non-stop on their smartphones. And yes, they’re traveling in large groups too!

Does this mean the Japanese travelers of thirty years ago were actually ahead of their time?

Japan, the "Land of Wonders," is becoming more like a giant entertainment park every day. Tour buses are constantly swarming Ginza. According to my husband, even the University of Tokyo—the pride of Japanese academia—is now crawling with tourists. Are you serious?!

The day might be near when the entire country of Japan becomes one big "Entertainment Land." Honestly, it’s plausible. It might be our only way to escape the economic slump. Besides, for the hospitality-loving Japanese people, that might actually be a fun way to live.

A New Era for Japan

The world’s perception of Japan has shifted dramatically over the last thirty years. The way people abroad look at us has truly changed.

While Japanese electronics may no longer dominate the spotlight, our anime and games have taken the world by storm, keeping us moving steadily through the changing times. I’m starting to feel like we really can create a "Japan: The Joyful Entertainment Wonderland."

With that thought as my inspiration, I’ve decided to start a blog—nothing too heavy, just keeping it casual.