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I Show The Cultural Differences Between Japan And Other Countries (30 Pics)
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I studied in Tokyo from 2010 to 2014 and noticed a lot of cultural differences between Japan and my country so to deal with my culture shock, I started creating comic strips about them. I hope my comics will help more foreigners like myself understand Japan and the Japanese people better, as well as increase awareness about some changes in behavior we might have to make when we visit. These comic strips were selected from a collection of over 300 that I created between 2012 and 2015 and posted on my Facebook page. I also compiled these illustrations into two books: "Eva, Kopi and Matcha" and "Eva, Kopi and Matcha 2.0" which are available on Amazon and other eBook platforms (Kindle, iBooks, Google Books, Kobo).
More info: amazon.com | Instagram | Facebook
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Eating Noodles
Slurping noodles to eat in Japan is perfectly fine and it is said that they will taste better too.
Picking Up Your Own (And Others) Trash
Baths
Japanese enjoy taking hot baths too, especially hot spring baths. (monkeys are there for humor, you won't get to dip with any, sorry!)
Japanese Service
Toilets
The toilets are always wet in Malaysia and there's always no toilet papers.
Fruits
Anybody bought the expensive Japanese fruits before? Like the melon or the insanely priced grapes...
The Last Stop
If you fall deep asleep on the bus in the US, it may be your last stop...
Vending Machines
There are vending machines almost everywhere, even at places where life-forms doesn't seem to exist.
That's what I noticed the first time I came to Japan. I was walking on a street between empty field and there you had a vending machine in the middle of nowhere, nothing else.
Celebrating Christmas
Strangely Japanese celebrates Christmas not with turkey and ham, but with KFC...
Oh. OH!!!! Maybe this explains my mother-in-law!! We kept insisting "Do you not want something... more? We will get you any---" - "No. KFC." .. okaaay...
Smartphones
You can't turn off camera shutter sound on Japanese smartphones due to privacy and upskirt photo taking.
Actually, that sounds like a good feature, they should do this with other phones.
Tattoos
If the tattoo is small, it can be covered with plaster to enter into the public bath houses or swimming pool.
The reason is not that the person is thought to be a Yakuza. The reason is that you can't forbid only Yakuzas or they would get mad. In order to work around that, since they all have tattoos, this excuse was used. So if a Yakuza gets mad, they can say it's the rule, nothing against them.
Active Elderly
Seven Wonders Of Japanese
The 7th wonder can be found on my FB or blog.
I don't think you took the train in the summer ... I can assure you they are and look sweaty in the work suits.
Train Etiquette
Now this happens in the USA and it's very annoying. I've been at restaurants and had people at the table next to me with their smartphones cranked up loud so the kid who's hardly touched his food can be entertained.
Sayonara
"Sayonara" means goodbye but has a sense of finality to it, so don't use it to your clients!
Stairs
There is a great number of staircases and very few escalators and lifts at smaller train stations.
Office Toilet
I went to a Japanese company for an interview before I decided to leave Japan. When I went to the ladies toilet, I saw a nice wooden locker cabinet mounted on the wall with small compartments. I know Japanese are very particular about hygiene but to see a locker for toothbrushes and sanitary stuff is a whole new world for me...
Sushi Rice
Somehow sushi rice will fall off when you eat outside of Japan...
I heard sushi chefs spend like 7 years just working on rice so it kinda makes sense.
eww, it'll be really bad after 7 years, don't eat it.
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I've never had that happen in sushi places in the US
In the U.S., they make nigiri WAY too big. You're supposed to be able to eat it in one bite but if you attempt that on sushi made in America, you're more likely to choke.
It's difficult to find sushi restaurants with Japanese owners or workers in the US, except very expensive ones.
It depends on the rice you choose. Rice in Japan is sticky. In the contrary, foreign food with non sticky rice is complicated here ...
Both wrong. Sushi (fish/rice) is the original finger food. You do not eat it using chopsticks. Sashimi, ok. Sushi, no.
Unfortunately many sushi chefs outside Japan are Chinese. Not all of them are masters on how to prepare sushi rice properly. Also some of them use rice which is not suitable for making sushi.
Because Japan has a different type of rice that you can't get outside of Japan, their rice is very sticky and smooth tasty
It's because in the Japenese pic, they tip it over instead of trying to pick it up with the fish on top. Look again.
YOU look again! They try to tip it over on the right but the fish falls off so they have to do it without tipping it over but that isn't working either.
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I once Made a Rice for my family... It was also my Last time, because it was too sticky... Like... When I tried to put the Rice from the pot on the plate, i make a "Rice form" 😂
It sounds like you put too much water in it, and boiled it for too long.
Load More Replies...Japanese Speak English
Based on the real story at a sushi restaurant...
Kids In Trains
That's in the USA too...people letting the kids run wild on public transportation.
Hairdresser
Note: this post originally had 60 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Feels more like an unequal and unfair portrayal of SG.
I thought so, too.
Drifted down to the comments to say this. The title should be "Reasons I don't like Singapore"
Dude. Please take a look at the author’s profile and you’ll probably realise that she’s from Singapore. And to add to that point, why would someone who dislikes their own country be chosen to publish comics in a primary school magazine?
Yeahhh, it is exaggerated both positively for Japan and negatively for the rest of the world. It’s super lame and an outdated way of thinking already lah.
wah u think the ang mo here understand ah
Especially since many "good" points about Japan are actually "bad" points once you're there. Like the queues everywhere. At first it's like "wow they are very disciplined", and after a while it becomes "why won't they go faster already?". ;)
This is true. The author is trying to place Singapore lower compared to other countries. If its just because the author cannot get a good promotion, then the author should resign an leave Singapore, our citizens don't need him/her.
Yep. We tend to describe a place where we lived based mostly on our personal feelings. For example, I think that Italy is the best place in the world and would live there tomorrow if I could. On the other hand, I think that Belgium is a real sh*t-hole and would advise people to stay away from this awful country. Many people think otherwise, and that's perfectly fine and normal.
this whole thing was just a roast of Singapore tbh...
Dang, someone sure hates Singapore.
Actually, the company (?) who wrote this, Evacomics, actually is part of a monthly school magazine thing in primary schools in SG. So probs is just a joke. Anyways, as a Singaporean, I dun feel offended. Just feels relatable honestly.
Yeah I'm a bit confused at the backlash. I make fun of my country ALL the time so I don't know why people are so upset about her poking fun at her own.
This seems to basically be a "have a dig at Singapore" comic. It's just dissing Singapore. And all of Malaysia. And also the US.
This is so damn right. Unfair portrayal of these countries.
We get it, you LOVE Japan....FO This post seemed more like a top Google search results of cultural differences. Lumping an entire country together based on a city/town “experience” is not a fair representation.
Many of the things about Japan are half truths. More like Tokyo and Singapore. Seems more appropriate then.
Singapore is taking quite a beating in these comics
Becos the comic is from Sg. She telling the truth becos it is where she lives.
This portrays Japan better than truth
It is good to have a different perspective of how people see your own country from their eyes. I don't agree with all your perspectives, but they are yours and you portray them very well. Thank you for the perspective.
I do like Japan's way of keeping public spaces immaculate. It starts in school. They don't hire janitors or cleaners. The kids are responsible for keeping their school clean and well taken care of. Obviously that breeds an attitude of respect and responsibility for your environment. Maybe we should all try it.
I remember being in Japan... boy I miss those clean bathrooms
I think I'm not happy BP deleted three comments I made immediately after I made them
A few people have made the same comment. Perhaps Bored Panda would care to comment?
I always find those post about Japan problematic. I have been living in Japan for a while. Primarily, around Tokyo, now in Kansai. However, I was always away from the city center. I use a lot of trains and have to live on a small budget. Maybe that is why I encounter a lot of dirty and stinky toilets, yes yes in Japan. I can't afford for luxury here, so my perspective is different. Also every day I meet people who break the rules, but it is not so catchy.
Seriously, people?! What's wrong with you? I have been to Japan and I confirm all is right. The author does not hate Singapore... I don't hate my country, either, but I would portray it the same way compared to Japan and many European countries. And it will be all true. Why is everybody so sensitive suddenly??? Just enjoy some fun comics. If I wanted to go to Singapore, nothing like that would stop me and I don't think that it is made with hate for Singapore.
These comics have a very bias look about japan. As much as I love japan this is not a very honest portrayal. Japan had a huge bike issue, toilets at stations are not clean, they have a huge homeless problem in the cities that the police try to hide, you have kids that can be rude on the trains, certain etiquette that seems ok to the Japanese but in reality make no sense. I've not been to Singapore but if this artist is Japanese then they are being a stereotypical Japanese person that seems to only have negative views on other Asian countries (after 8 years of living in japan I soon learnt that most Japanese don't like talking about other Asian countries unless you ended with "but of course it's not as good as japan).
A bit too Japan-o-centric and chauvinistic. To sum up the entire post "Japan is better than the rest of the world, except for a couple things."
Nothing about the used underwear vending machines in Japan?
the depictions for Indonesia are spot on haha
I enjoyed these quite a lot, thank you for posting them on BP.
THIS is why I want to move to Japan
Anyway, I personally love both countries, each one has many positive and lovely things
Japanese propaganda mostly. :)
The artist is talented and has a likeable drawing style, but wow they sure hate Singapore.
Really? Don’t take this seriously, guys. It’s just meant to be funny.
Good Details & Explanations Included!
I learn from this comic that my country is pretty similar to Singapore.
Lolz and very nicely depicted
very nice
To everyone who thinks the author is being unfair towards SG, IMHO, I believe she wrote this as somewhat of a joke and not in a complaining way.
Yeap, someone’s just being ultra negative about anything non-japanese here... it’s lame.
I think, you hate SG and the other countries... youre riddiculus. Pfff
How can the writer hate SG if she IS FROM SG! So yeah, I believe it’s just a joke.
I see that Singapore is a mini US. Also, why did you cut the post?
Thank you for that interesting peek into the differences in cultural norms between Japan and other places.
Don't feel bad. Japanese are genetically to behave like this.
Singapore reminds me of elite areas of the US. I wanna go! It'd be like home... -Dr. M
F-me! I'm moving to Japan! @author, thank you for learning me lots of new stuff! :-)
I like it very much. It's so exotic! I'd like to visit Japan and to live there for a while to see all that with my own eyes, but I'm not that young, that pretty and that humble... I wouldn't find any job for sure, or I would explode after they moved me to sales...
In conclusion, I'll be moving to Japan by month end.
Nice insight into the life in Japan AND Singapore. I learned many things about the people of both countries.
This is not how you learn about other people and cultures.
It is when you can't travel anywhere.
You're welcome :)
I've been wanting to visit Singapore one day but after this I'm not so sure actually! 😂
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
My husband spent four months in Kyoto. He loved every minute of it. But I think there may be changes coming up soon in Japan as there is a growing number of Otaku (people that into gaming, anime and manga...) and most aren't into doing business as usual like their parents. There is a trend of Otakus that band together to rent an apartment and, instead of one or two people working full time, several people work part time. The shift is going to greatly affect businesses and how they utilize their employees.
That won't change anything. "Otaku" people working in animation etc have the lowest salaries and are famously exploited. That's why they must live together as they can't pay the rent on their own. Also, "otaku" is not a nice word to use, it's kind of saying "dork".
I can't say about researches, I just saw a documentary on TV a few weeks ago showing the conditions they work in. If it changes, it's good. I know it is often translated as nerd or geek but since it has a bad connotation for Japanese people, I used dork to convey the message. Nobody in Japan would say proudly "I'm an otaku!". Japanese laugh a lot when a foreigner who really loves anime/manga/anything says he's an otaku. They laugh wondering why you'd say that about yourself. All that to say, it's not something to be proud of, here. And I know from experience, I was that foreigner when I was young.
Actually..it's the equivalent of saying "Nerd" or "Geek" which, here in America, we wear it like a badge of honor. When you call someone a computer geek here, it means that they may be socially awkward, but they are highly intelligent and probably a gamer. And Otaku people don't necessarily work in animation..some of them just love everything about animation. Some dress up in cosplay, some love Manga, some love everything having to do with animation and fantasy. But the change is very real. Many researchers are looking into the shift from people training to work in the business and technology world full time and those that prefer to skip college and live the single life with a more relaxed work ethic than their parents. It is becoming a trend. Much like the younger generation here that are taking a stand against questionable behavior that, 20 years ago, was considered normal.
Feels more like an unequal and unfair portrayal of SG.
I thought so, too.
Drifted down to the comments to say this. The title should be "Reasons I don't like Singapore"
Dude. Please take a look at the author’s profile and you’ll probably realise that she’s from Singapore. And to add to that point, why would someone who dislikes their own country be chosen to publish comics in a primary school magazine?
Yeahhh, it is exaggerated both positively for Japan and negatively for the rest of the world. It’s super lame and an outdated way of thinking already lah.
wah u think the ang mo here understand ah
Especially since many "good" points about Japan are actually "bad" points once you're there. Like the queues everywhere. At first it's like "wow they are very disciplined", and after a while it becomes "why won't they go faster already?". ;)
This is true. The author is trying to place Singapore lower compared to other countries. If its just because the author cannot get a good promotion, then the author should resign an leave Singapore, our citizens don't need him/her.
Yep. We tend to describe a place where we lived based mostly on our personal feelings. For example, I think that Italy is the best place in the world and would live there tomorrow if I could. On the other hand, I think that Belgium is a real sh*t-hole and would advise people to stay away from this awful country. Many people think otherwise, and that's perfectly fine and normal.
this whole thing was just a roast of Singapore tbh...
Dang, someone sure hates Singapore.
Actually, the company (?) who wrote this, Evacomics, actually is part of a monthly school magazine thing in primary schools in SG. So probs is just a joke. Anyways, as a Singaporean, I dun feel offended. Just feels relatable honestly.
Yeah I'm a bit confused at the backlash. I make fun of my country ALL the time so I don't know why people are so upset about her poking fun at her own.
This seems to basically be a "have a dig at Singapore" comic. It's just dissing Singapore. And all of Malaysia. And also the US.
This is so damn right. Unfair portrayal of these countries.
We get it, you LOVE Japan....FO This post seemed more like a top Google search results of cultural differences. Lumping an entire country together based on a city/town “experience” is not a fair representation.
Many of the things about Japan are half truths. More like Tokyo and Singapore. Seems more appropriate then.
Singapore is taking quite a beating in these comics
Becos the comic is from Sg. She telling the truth becos it is where she lives.
This portrays Japan better than truth
It is good to have a different perspective of how people see your own country from their eyes. I don't agree with all your perspectives, but they are yours and you portray them very well. Thank you for the perspective.
I do like Japan's way of keeping public spaces immaculate. It starts in school. They don't hire janitors or cleaners. The kids are responsible for keeping their school clean and well taken care of. Obviously that breeds an attitude of respect and responsibility for your environment. Maybe we should all try it.
I remember being in Japan... boy I miss those clean bathrooms
I think I'm not happy BP deleted three comments I made immediately after I made them
A few people have made the same comment. Perhaps Bored Panda would care to comment?
I always find those post about Japan problematic. I have been living in Japan for a while. Primarily, around Tokyo, now in Kansai. However, I was always away from the city center. I use a lot of trains and have to live on a small budget. Maybe that is why I encounter a lot of dirty and stinky toilets, yes yes in Japan. I can't afford for luxury here, so my perspective is different. Also every day I meet people who break the rules, but it is not so catchy.
Seriously, people?! What's wrong with you? I have been to Japan and I confirm all is right. The author does not hate Singapore... I don't hate my country, either, but I would portray it the same way compared to Japan and many European countries. And it will be all true. Why is everybody so sensitive suddenly??? Just enjoy some fun comics. If I wanted to go to Singapore, nothing like that would stop me and I don't think that it is made with hate for Singapore.
These comics have a very bias look about japan. As much as I love japan this is not a very honest portrayal. Japan had a huge bike issue, toilets at stations are not clean, they have a huge homeless problem in the cities that the police try to hide, you have kids that can be rude on the trains, certain etiquette that seems ok to the Japanese but in reality make no sense. I've not been to Singapore but if this artist is Japanese then they are being a stereotypical Japanese person that seems to only have negative views on other Asian countries (after 8 years of living in japan I soon learnt that most Japanese don't like talking about other Asian countries unless you ended with "but of course it's not as good as japan).
A bit too Japan-o-centric and chauvinistic. To sum up the entire post "Japan is better than the rest of the world, except for a couple things."
Nothing about the used underwear vending machines in Japan?
the depictions for Indonesia are spot on haha
I enjoyed these quite a lot, thank you for posting them on BP.
THIS is why I want to move to Japan
Anyway, I personally love both countries, each one has many positive and lovely things
Japanese propaganda mostly. :)
The artist is talented and has a likeable drawing style, but wow they sure hate Singapore.
Really? Don’t take this seriously, guys. It’s just meant to be funny.
Good Details & Explanations Included!
I learn from this comic that my country is pretty similar to Singapore.
Lolz and very nicely depicted
very nice
To everyone who thinks the author is being unfair towards SG, IMHO, I believe she wrote this as somewhat of a joke and not in a complaining way.
Yeap, someone’s just being ultra negative about anything non-japanese here... it’s lame.
I think, you hate SG and the other countries... youre riddiculus. Pfff
How can the writer hate SG if she IS FROM SG! So yeah, I believe it’s just a joke.
I see that Singapore is a mini US. Also, why did you cut the post?
Thank you for that interesting peek into the differences in cultural norms between Japan and other places.
Don't feel bad. Japanese are genetically to behave like this.
Singapore reminds me of elite areas of the US. I wanna go! It'd be like home... -Dr. M
F-me! I'm moving to Japan! @author, thank you for learning me lots of new stuff! :-)
I like it very much. It's so exotic! I'd like to visit Japan and to live there for a while to see all that with my own eyes, but I'm not that young, that pretty and that humble... I wouldn't find any job for sure, or I would explode after they moved me to sales...
In conclusion, I'll be moving to Japan by month end.
Nice insight into the life in Japan AND Singapore. I learned many things about the people of both countries.
This is not how you learn about other people and cultures.
It is when you can't travel anywhere.
You're welcome :)
I've been wanting to visit Singapore one day but after this I'm not so sure actually! 😂
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
My husband spent four months in Kyoto. He loved every minute of it. But I think there may be changes coming up soon in Japan as there is a growing number of Otaku (people that into gaming, anime and manga...) and most aren't into doing business as usual like their parents. There is a trend of Otakus that band together to rent an apartment and, instead of one or two people working full time, several people work part time. The shift is going to greatly affect businesses and how they utilize their employees.
That won't change anything. "Otaku" people working in animation etc have the lowest salaries and are famously exploited. That's why they must live together as they can't pay the rent on their own. Also, "otaku" is not a nice word to use, it's kind of saying "dork".
I can't say about researches, I just saw a documentary on TV a few weeks ago showing the conditions they work in. If it changes, it's good. I know it is often translated as nerd or geek but since it has a bad connotation for Japanese people, I used dork to convey the message. Nobody in Japan would say proudly "I'm an otaku!". Japanese laugh a lot when a foreigner who really loves anime/manga/anything says he's an otaku. They laugh wondering why you'd say that about yourself. All that to say, it's not something to be proud of, here. And I know from experience, I was that foreigner when I was young.
Actually..it's the equivalent of saying "Nerd" or "Geek" which, here in America, we wear it like a badge of honor. When you call someone a computer geek here, it means that they may be socially awkward, but they are highly intelligent and probably a gamer. And Otaku people don't necessarily work in animation..some of them just love everything about animation. Some dress up in cosplay, some love Manga, some love everything having to do with animation and fantasy. But the change is very real. Many researchers are looking into the shift from people training to work in the business and technology world full time and those that prefer to skip college and live the single life with a more relaxed work ethic than their parents. It is becoming a trend. Much like the younger generation here that are taking a stand against questionable behavior that, 20 years ago, was considered normal.