They only eat vegetables.
Only vegetables!
They must be skinny.
Well I like vegetables so I would like to try eat only veg ... for a week.
Hey guys and girls this is Cathy Cat!
Some of you might be, some of you might not be!
We are gonna ask people about vegetarians.
And if that's a thing here in Japan or not, and even if they know Vegan or Pescatarian.
Let's see how knowledgeable Japanese are in that field, lets go
Ask Japanese!
When you hear the word "Vegetarian" what do you think of?
They don't eat much meat.
They only eat vegetables.
They avoid eating too much meat and eat lots of vegetables instead.
What image do you have of vegetarians?
They are skinny.
Uh... well...
Skinny people.
Vegetarians can't eat meat. They only eat vegetables.
People that live only on vegetables.
I think some people can't have meat because of their religion.
People who only eat vegetables.
Yes only vegetables. Fish are the main of their diet.
They have vegetables as part of their staple diet.
Focusing on vegetables.
Do you have a Japanese friend who is a vegetarian?
I doubt it.
Nope.
Me neither.
In my circle of friends there is no one like that.
- Not really. - Vegetarians? No.
Not really, no.
Neither.
Not at all.
I might actually be a vegetarian.
I don't eat much meat. Barely at all.
Is that so...?
Why are you avoiding meat?
I don't really like meat.
I don't eat much meat.
Well, I am a man. People around me like meat a lot.
But I don't eat much meat.
And if I eat it, I only have chicken or such.
Have you heard of the word "Vegan"?
Vegan? Nope.
Me neither.
I don't know what word.
Never heard of it.
I heard it for the first time.
Haven't heard it before.
- Nope - Not at all.
- I don't know that word. - No clue.
Vegan is a diet where you don't eat the things that animals produce.
For example eggs or milk.
Those things are avoided too. Have you heard of that diet before?
So they only eat veg?
Vegetables only.
They must be so skinny.
No way I could do that.
Why do you think that diet exists?
They're against the brutality?
Well because they are living creatures too.
Because you should not kill other living creatures?
Have you heard of a pescatarian diet?
What? Pescatarian? No clue. Never heard of that.
First time I heard that word.
Nope.
- I have heard of it but... - We didn't know what it means.
In that diet you don't eat meat but you eat fish.
Do you think that is more widely spread in Japan?
I think that's rare too.
I haven't heard that word before either.
I think there are more people that like meat than those who like fish.
The main of my diet is fish so...
So I agree with that diet but...
I think 70-80% of people like meat in Japan.
There are especially many people who like beef.
If you could, would you like to give it a try?
No way, I couldn't!
If I had to, I could but ... I would rather not.
Have meat become really popular in Japan nowadays then?
Yeah meat is quite popular.
From a small age, meat has been considered a treat.
I think because of that custom people have grown used to meat.
Do you think you could be a vegetarian?
- Not at all. - I love meat so.. Nope.
I love meat so much. I could never be a vegetarian.
Why do you think there are barely any vegetarians in Japan?
Well, if we eat fish we are not really vegetarians, right?!
Within those three diets which one would you like to try?
Vegetarian!
- The fish one. - Pescatarian.
Have you thought you would like to give vegetarianism a try?
- Yes I have - What you have?!
I don't want to gain weight and I love vegetables.
I would like to try eat only veg ... for a week.
How about you?
No, that's too tough for me.
Try at least vegetarian.
Wouldn't pescatarian be better?
Nope I choose vegetarian.
But don't you want to eat some sort of meat?
- I stick with vegetarian. - Sorry!
I might go for pescatarian.
Is it hard to be a vegetarian in Japan ?
Does meat have a positive connotation here?
Yeah vegetarians are rare.
Many people love meat. Some love sushi but many also love meat.
Is meat something positive in Japan then?
Does meat have a positive ring to it?
Not necessarily positive but...
But you won't gain weight as easily as if you were eating rice.
that might be a good reason.
Well that were all questions! Thank you.
The general image seemed to be that vegetarians eat... no SO much meat.
Instead of no meat at all.
So that was quite interesting and most people did not know vegetarians
or they didn't know Vegans and Pescatarians.
That was interesting to see. Obviously meat is something that came
to Japan a little bit later through history. It's seen as something good, nice.
People enjoy meat. It's not something that people would willingly want to
not eat. Which is interesting to see. Obviously, some knew that it might have
religious reasons why people don't eat it or because you feel sorry for animals.
From the experience of one of my friends who is a vegetarian,
It's very hard to find something that does not contain any meat.
Of you are a pescatarian and you are ok with eating fish
you are however save because there are lots of products here
that you can enjoy, that have fish in them.
To balance it out a little bit.
Vegans however have it very hard in Japan so you need to be a little bit careful
if you come and want to keep up that eating diet.
How about you? Vegetarian? Vegans? Pescatarians?
Have you ever tried it? Would you like to try it?
Or maybe you are?
Let us know! Looking forward to your comments!
Don't forget we are asking more questions to Japanese people
If you have some time and wanna keep watching, there are links in the top right.
Thanks for watching, catch you soon on Ask Japanese!