-The information. -The capacity of collecting information.
-That point? -Kind of surprised by the point they are interested.
Makes me feel like, is that unusual?
I am happy with that.
I think it's good and I feel happy too.
Hi guys, it's Cathy Cat! And today we are gonna go and ask Japanese people,
What they think about Weeaboos.
we didn't want to do that,
But then we realised there was no word such as Weeaboo here in Japan.
So we had to kind of talk around and explain
Are there people in Japan, that you think who love Japan a little bit too much?
Do they maybe get the culture wrong?
So we working our way around that and ask a lot ofJapanese people what their impression is.
As a foreigner if you come here in Japan,
And if they want that, if they don't want that,
And if Japanese people.
Um, I think that foreigner sometimes get it wrong.
So let's go and ask Japanese!
I think they know Japanese culture, better than the Japanese sometimes.
Things that Japanese don't know, they might. It's a bit of shame sometimes as a Japanese.
They seem more Japanese than Japanese people.
Such as the love toward tea, like to play Igo (the game of Go) and Japanese chess.
I have that kind of image of them.
I think they know much of the Japanese culture more than we do.
There was a TV grogram about a foreigner who loves Kimono (Traditional Japanese clothes).
She says she can tell the difference of the Kimono by the stitch and I respected it very much.
She can even wear the Kimono by herself, I think it's so respectful.
I also watched a TV program
There's a foreigner child who loves Nishikigoi (colored carp)
And the kid came to Japan to see Nishikigoi,
He could distinguish the type of the carps, just from its appearance,
I just felt amazing, because I never knew these.
Last time when I was traveling in Bali,
The taxi driver was someone who really liked Japan.
He drives with Japanese songs on,
And introduced himself in Japanese
-My Japanese name is Kenji, so please call me Kenji!
I was so impressed.
I felt so thankful that he likes Japan so much.
I feel that they know a lot about Japanese history.
They know better than we do.
How do you feel about that then?
Oh, really, it's just impressive.
Just simply great.
I think they have good capability.
-The information. -The capacity of collecting information.
I have an image that they often wear Anime clothes
I see, and how do you think about that?
I think it's good!
I think Japanese don't look good in these clothes, but it looks really good on them.
I think they like Japanese culture than we do.
I think there are a lot of people wearing Anime T-shirts.
And, they buy a huge amount of things.
When I pass a drug store, they buy an iincredible lot of medicines there.
-Asians? -Yes.
I saw a TV show the other day.
There was one who's wearing a Ninja suit.
In Japan we don't have that strong image of Ninja,
But from the foreign eyes, I think maybe they have that image.
I think in the summer they wear little cloths, and show their skins a lot.
At the time we went to Universal Studio Japan, we dressed up like the Minions
I think the foreigners felt it very rare, they asked us for our photos or jumped into our photos.
I felt so fun about that.
Why are the taking pictures in such a place is my image of foreigners.
Such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi Drug Store
And there are tourists taking picture in front of Big Camera.
-Why would they want to take that? -Kind of surprised by the point they are interested.
Makes me think, is that special?
They often ask me for directions, I am not good at that.
But sometimes they ask with Japanese, when it happens I can feel how hard they are trying.
So I also feel like trying my best to help them.
I think it's really good. And I feel happy.
I see lots of tourists in Sushi restaurant.
And the shrine. I thinks a lot of them goes there.
I am from Nagano. I once went to see the snow monkey,
There were lots of foreigners, and only a few Japanese.
I think the image of Onsen (hot spring) with monkeys,
is something foreigners like a lot.
For all of you mentioned positive feelings toward foreigners who love Japan.
Have you ever felt uncomfortable or had some bad experiences?
-No, I think every experience is nice. -I just feel happy. -Just happy.
It's good. I think as a Japanese I feel happy.
They must felt "I want to go to Japan!" and come, this feeling already make me happy.
It feels like international interaction
Oh there was an international exchange student! She came to our high school and it felt so global.
If there are things like this in school, I think we can know more about other countries
They can also learn about Japan. It's really good for both sides
I feel basically happy.
But as they came to Japan, I think they will alsol find the bad parts of Japan.
I will feel sorry if they go back to their home, with some bad experience and impression of Japan.
I wish we can correct our bad behaviour,
And make here a better place for foreigners to come.
What do think is the bad parts of Japan? And what do you feel sorry?
I think Japanese have more prejudice toward foreigners, much more than the other countries.
-Japan is so closed. -I agree.
When Japanese visit other countries,
There are lots of people come around and help us.
So if the position changes,
for foreigners visiting Japan,
I don't think we are as warm as them
Of course there are tour guides,
But the local people,
they don't go and reach out their hands spontaneously.
People tend to keep a little bit distance.
Oh I feel happy.
-I am happy. -Me too.
Is there anything that troubles you, or anything negative?
-I can't speak English.. -Yeah, we can't speak English.
We want to help but we can't speak.
Do you sometimes feel, they get something wrong about Japan?
Like when they say: -See! I got a new tattoo!
We look at it and feel like...wait a minute?
Sometimes they get the wrong tattoo...
At that moment I really feel the difference of feeling and culture between us.
I often see them wearing a hachimaki. (a stylized headband in Japanese culture)
You know Japan has lots of funny T-shirts?
I see some foreigner wearing it, and I wonder whether they really know the meaning...
There are some people wearing T-shirts that make me feel "oh is that serious ?"
It's kind of wrong?
It's not wrong. But I guess it's just too unique...
oh..oh..oh.. I just keep up saying when I see it.
But on the other hand, maybe they are thinking the same way when they look at us.
We also don't know what's written on our T-shirts.
I go to sentou (public bath with hot spring) often.
There are signs for foreigners to follow.
When I read it I realise the way of entering sentou, is not common in the world.
It's better to know before going?
Yes I guess it's better to check it on the web, and read the signs before actually going there.
Thank you so much for y our time!
So generally Japanese people are really happy, when people like their country.
So for example, I was try to compare with if some one come to me and says
"I study German, and can only speak 3 words."
Or "I love Germany, but doesn't really know about Germany."
I am still happy.
Because I am like, oh, you like my country? Thank you very much!
So think that's the big feeling many Japanese have.
But it's not that thing that some people get it slightly wrong.
Like they get all of the Kanji on their arm,
or some kind of customs, or living a Ninja life, or the cosplay life.
So the general rule I'd say is,
If you come to Japan, and you don't want to be a weeaboo
Is, respect the culture.
Follow the rules.
Don't just go: "Oh, I don't know about these rules,
So I'm gonna totally walk all over them."
Like not taking off your shoes and stu ffs.
Before you come to Japan, just check the general rules.
So you don't upset people and people still keep having
a positive image about foreigners who comes to Japan.
And generally, just know that,
Japan isn't Anime come to real life.
There still the same struggles and worries,
that might be in your countries.
But, there are lot of things you might enjoy.
You might be able to enjoy some of your hobbies here.
So just be careful to follow the rules a little bit.
And don't upset anyone.
That's everything from today.
If you have any comments about weeaboos,
Let us know!
That's gonna be a hard discussion I guess but yeah,
I wish you a lovely day,
And catch you soon on Ask Japanese! Bye!