Episode 255 – The Japan Questionnaire

We answer the questions in mailbags, on special shows, and in person, but they keep coming up. Well, back by popular demand is a Japan Questionnaire. With 2 Asian Studies Minors and over 5 cumulative years living in Japan between the hosts we answer your questions about the land of the rising sun.

Questions Include:

Chris – facebook-  What is the home video market like in Japan compared to the states?  Why are their blu-rays and DVDs so expensive compared to the states.

Leanne-  Facebook – How common are pets in Japan? Do people often have pets like hamsters, rabbits, snakes?

Alan – facebook –  I was at my local bike shop loitering around and over heard one of the employees helping a young lady pick out a road bike because she was going to the glorious nippon. So my question is, how is cycling in japan? Are there bike lanes? And is it reasonable to use a bike as the main mode of transportation?

Tony Spiffy Piggy Pankey – Facebook –  How often have you encountered people following Shinto and, on average, how enthusiastic would you say they are about it?

Cortney – Facebook –  The commercials in Japan are so different than North America. Are all commercials like that in Japan?

Ivonne – Facebook –  is it true that the people will walk around foreigners to avoid being rude to them.

Ferdinand – Facebook –  What’s the difference between the special education in Japan and the U.S.?

Stephen – Facebook – A lot of people have asked about the anime fan-scene in Japan, and how prevalent anime is. But how common are other properties, like Star Trek and Star Wars, to name two? Is there a lot of publicity, merchandise, etc. for things like Marvel movies and similar things, or are they  similarly relegated to otaku-dom? Do ‘regular’ people talk about popular TV and movies at all, or are they only reserved for the geeks.

Nathan – facebook – Do you think living in Japan has changed you? And if it did, was it noticeable by your friends and family?

Kazuo: How do you get to live and work in Japan?

Kazuo: Is it true that everyone lives in itty-bitty living spaces?

Kazuo: How does crime compare? Are you afraid to walk alone at night in certain areas?

Kazuo: What’s a brotha gotta do to pick up some honeys in Japan? What is dating like?

Kazuo: Since men and women are viewed so differently in Japan, does this reflect on foreign women? Are they treated the same as Japanese women?

Kazuo: Can you survive in Japan without speaking the language? What would some challenges be?

Kazuo: What is it like to drive in Japan? Some horror stories? Or is everyone on point?

Kazuo: I heard that going to see a movie in japan can be more expensive than the states. Are there any other things that surprised you by the difference in cost?

Kazuo: Top 5 pros and cons about living in Japan.