Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2009

For God’s sake—[Shizuka Fujioka] is 20 years old and still wearing a school uniform (“Kawaii Diplomacy,” Star Struck, August 28). If Japan were my country, I’d be plain embarrassed. Japan has plenty to offer, but why does it always go down the path of kawaiiness, otaku, lolita, manga, cosplay, etc.? While other countries showcase their cuisine, history and heritage, Japan really does not offer anything mature.—“pukey2”*

Have you been to Bangkok lately or other cities near there? Ask young people—it is a real eye-opener. Maybe that can convince you. Anything Japanese—current trends, including cute fashion but not traditional stuff—is what it’s all about. My Japanese lady can’t believe it herself, and in the meanwhile she is enjoying the popularity. Quite a change from 20 years ago, when there were strong anti-Japanese feelings [in Thailand]. Tax money well spent. What you or I think (“Anything kawaiiiiii gives me the shivers”) is irrelevant. It’s these kids who count.—“tigris”*

From the things that the girl is saying here, it looks like she is a normal human being. BUT the adults around her, especially her parents and that nut of a man from the foreign ministry, have been misguiding her. What a pity!—“womanforwomen”*

I really don’t understand Japan’s mentality of this. It would be like America using Hooters waitresses to attract tourists.—tomico*

Benjamin Boas makes an interesting point about many Japanese people: they don’t get sarcasm (“The Western Mystique,” The Last Word, August 28). I think this is because Japanese people have no fundamental expectation of honesty in ordinary conversation. This is not to suggest Japanese people are not honest. Anyone who’s lost their wallet on the train or anywhere else can attest that the average Japanese is very honest in that sense.

But there is a basic Japanese belief that idle conversation is all about remaining comfortable and appropriate to the situation: not being factually accurate, i.e. honest.

Sarcasm is funny because it flagrantly flouts the truth. We laugh when the chubby guy says he must cut down on his exercise precisely because its the opposite of what we expected: the truth. Japanese people, on the other hand, expect the “appropriate” response, not the truthful one. The comment about too much exercise would probably be thought of by a Japanese person as a clumsy, stupid failure to give an appropriate response.

That’s also why Japanese find some trifling “inappropriate” responses funny, when Westerners would miss the humor entirely.—Rafael Kuhio

What is the correct response to the hackneyed and awkwardly ice-breaking “You use chopsticks so well” comment? If you’re aiming to get a laugh, try Okagesamade (“With your kind help”). Slays ’em almost every time.—Keith (Tokyo)

In response to Benjamin Boas’ question, “What is the correct response to the chopstick compliment?” I’d like to suggest a response given by my girlfriend (who is Japanese and has never lived abroad): “What a coincidence—I majored in fork and knife use in college.”—David Couvreur, Tokyo

*Via the Japan Today comment threads

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