Tokyo Girls is a very insightful documentary film directed by Penelope Buitenhuis (2000, produced by The National Film Board of Canada), showing the complex world of nightclubs and hostess bars in Japan, discussing very openly the gleams and shadows of the lives of women, who opt for such a career, seen through the eyes of the hostess girls, their employers
Every year the traditional Japanese festival Kanamara Matsuri is held each first Sunday of April at Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki, Japan. The giant penis, central theme of the event, is carried around in the city during the procession to reflect the belief in protection and luck in business, sexual health, baby delivery and marital harmony. The festival is a interesting example
Recently I have come across a very interesting analysis of modern Japanese women and their dilemmas related to the society, family and gender roles presented in a book published in 2010: The New Paradox for Japanese Women: Greater Choice, Greater Inequality, authored by Toshiaki Tachibanaki (橘木 俊詔). The Japanese edition was published in 2008 as 女女格差 (Jojo kakusa). I highly recommend reading the
Japan, similar to the rest of the world, faces the complex process of rapid and profound demographic and socio-economic changes (Matsumoto, 2002; Kingston, 2004; Roach, 2009), challenging the established and time-honored attitudes and perceptions of social and intimate relationships, public and private spheres, as well as social support networks (Quah, 2008). Japan, along with other Asian countries is undergoing such
I highly recommend reading an article Holding back half the nation published by The Economist about Japan’s work attitude towards women. You can find interesting data and analysis. Enjoy your reading!
I recommend reading the article: China and Japan: Seven decades of bitterness, authored by Mariko Oi and Haining Liu on BBC News Magazine, to everyone, who is interested in a balanced, well researched and very well written analysis of Chinese-Japanese relations over last 70 years.
This is not a fun topic, but it is good to know it. There is no totally safe country in the world but the Japanese at least in terms of statistical risk of being murdered have “almost” made it. Data shows Japan has the lowest murder rate in the world. I especially like the used word “traditionally” in the following
It seems like Love Hotels in Japan are the recession-proof businesses. Follow the link about Japan’s Love Hotels see business booming – the news on NewStraitsTimes, if you want to know more.
Highly recommended workshop: One-Day Workshop: What Makes Japanese People Tick: An Exploration of the Japanese Mindset by Dr. Yuko Kawanishi Saturday, 22 February 2014: 13:00 – 18:00 Please check the following link for more details: What Makes Japanese People Tick: An Exploration of the Japanese Mindset
The Anatomy of Dependence (甘えの構造 Amae no kōzō) is one of the most important contributions to the science of Japanese mind and how Japanese define the social interactions. The book written by Japanese psychoanalyst Takeo Doi, describes his insight into the concept of Amae (甘え), which he describes as a uniquely Japanese word both on linguistic and behavioral level, penetrating every aspect