Please don't take offense here.But...

I think Japan is vastly overrated. I know they make cool cartoons and swords, they have a distinct and interesting culture, and the islands are nice. But I know way too many people who suffer a preoccupation with Japan, probably due to their animes and video games.
Honestly, they are just more people. As corrupt and bloodthirsty as the next culture, but less expressive in some ways. It's a rather racist place as a whole, and maybe one day everyone be disillusioned with it. Their business tactics are obscenely aggressive and exclusive, and intolerant, and leave little room for anyone with good, new ideas.
Like I said: it's a nice place, but not so great as to warrant the loving attention it gets from American teenagers.

So what do you find endearing or irritating about Japan?
Be ready to defend your opinions!

First of all, I think this belongs in debate forum Just moved it for you.

I really don't know much about other cultures other then my own (typical selfish American style lol). But I have heard bad things about Japan or maybe it was Asia I'm not too sure. I agree that the way they do business is just as bad as how we do business and it changes the way the world does business because Asia/Japan they are like the main center of attention in global trading. It's where we buy all our stuff from. In return, we get cheaper products and loose domestic jobs while they get money and more jobs.

America is a bit screwed though, if it wasn't for Japan/Asia lots of our businesses would be gone including the empire known as Wal-Mart.

While we are talking about that general area I should mention.. I love chinese food lol.

Japan's business practices are very much like our own, considering that we built them up as a country after we nuked them. It's why they are obsessed with America and our culture.

Honestly, your argument could be put against any country in the world, and I mean any country. It could be said against us. How about an actual argument for your statement instead of "I think it is overrated"?

The obsession from the teenagers is normal. Teenagers obsess over everything. Personally, I like their history, I find it fascinating. I also like their curry... but considering they got it from the British, who got it from India, it is not a unique thing for them. Japan has done some horrible things in the past... but those were in the past and they are repentant about it, probably more-so than any western country has been about their actions.

Elara,

Japan's business practices are quite different than America's. For example: In Japan, patent applications become public months before they are approved, so if a small electronics company comes up with a new idea, a huge corporation like Sony has ample time to recreate the same technology before it is patented. At this point even if the original patent is approved, the business can't compete with Sony's almost identical product.
Also in contrast with American business world is the way international business is handled. America lets its companies (Like GE or Zenith) expand outward, as well as letting foreign companies (like Sony or Panasonic) into America. Japan imposes unreasonable taxes to make foreign competition impossible. It's insanity.

Also, I meant specifically overrated by American youth, which cannot by any stretch of the imagination, be applied to America. For the most part, American teens either don't like American government, or pretend not to. Not many people have overrated America recently, except the idiots at Fox News (lol Fauxnews). The fact that teens obsess about something typically means it's overrated.

I'm not sure what you mean by that "horrible things" part, and would like some clarification before I argue some more.

Specifically their actions during the war, especially to China. However, for the most part they do know that they did bad, in fact I've heard that they actually felt they deserved the bombs for their actions. Not many countries would feel that they deserved to have a nuclear bomb dropped on them.

Heh heh, Fauxnews. But you also overlook the fact that Japanese teenagers are obsessed with America more than our teens are obsessed over Japan. Does this mean that America is overrated?

And you really think that we don't do the same thing when it comes to competition? It may not work the same, but I've noticed it happening here as well.

Yes, it means America is overrated in Japan, but I don't have to put up with it, so I won't start a thread complaining about it

As for businesses, foreign businesses (Japanese in particular) do quite well in America. And even though competition is fierce in America, the larger corporations usually only have the advantages that come with brand names, experience, and financial superiority. The law itself isn't slanted very far in big businesses favor, but the media and the public only want to focus on the major companies. People in America want to know what's happening in the markets, so they pay attention to big companies to have it simplified, rather than giving small businesses a chance.

In short, American PEOPLE are geared against the market underdogs; whereas the Japanese LAW is.

(Sorry about the caps, I was too lazy too look up how to italicize)

< i>stuff< /i> (without the space)

So, they are us before the anti-trust laws?

Actually it's [i ]Italicize[/i ] without the space.

Oh yeah, I forgot the board used simple html. Wait... there is a toolbar right there that does it for you! But I've used the other stuff for links before and it's never given me a problem. *shurg*

So yeah... back on topic....

Originally posted by Elara

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So, they are us before the anti-trust laws?

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Umm, one could draw that comparison, but I wouldn't. They've known about our anti-trust laws for years, and any influence that could come from that has probably already occurred. But there's not really a monopoly per se, (it's just that only the big guys can compete) but if they were planning on joining a few more major companies I'm confident that Japan would make sure there was still a bit of competition over consumers. They couldn't care less about budding businesses though. It's kind of sad, but alot of Japan's financial success rides on it, so they see no reason to change it right now. I understand it, but I don't like it.

In fact I know alot about other aspects of their culture too, and I just don't care for theirs more than most others'.

But isn't that just your personal preference then? Trust me, I know that you are not alone, but still it is just your preference. I mean, I think that Hawaii is overrated, but most people around me think it's the best place ever. However, that is just how I feel.

Originally posted by Elara

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But isn't that just your personal preference then? Trust me, I know that you are not alone, but still it is just your preference. I mean, I think that Hawaii is overrated, but most people around me think it's the best place ever. However, that is just how I feel.

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I guess your right, I'll try and change it to pros and cons or something.