Max in Australia thinks that Japanese women may be abandoning their biggest asset.  "Japanese women have a niche.  The main appeal is that they maintain their youthful looks well beyond the age of 30.  Prior to the Second World War, Japan had access to only wholesome food. Perhaps the soy products, being high in antioxidants, preserved their beauty.  This is now being replaced with fast food and the effects experienced in the west have followed - enlarged body features."  (Related article:  Looking younger)

What's wrong with Japanese women?

Erin is simply shocked that Japanese women just don't get it.  Human bodies in different races have evolved over centuries and imitating body attributes of other races are not likely to work.  She writes, "I think it's quite absurd that Japanese women are so obsessed with Western looks. Blonde hair doesn't look good on them at all!  I can understand why they like America so much, but Japanese women don't really have a good reason to be so obsessed with American women. Black hair is so much prettier than blonde!"

Mei Sagara is equally upset that Japanese are making a concerted attempt to lose the beauty of their culture, values, and style, "I am white and am very interested in the Asian culture after taking classes in Japanese. Personally, I do not understand much why the Japanese are so in love with the western lifestyle. I admire that they really are into fashion and fads, however I do not think that it should ruin their life. The western pop stars in my opinion are all fake and they all sound the same. There is nothing unique about most western music and traditional designer clothing such as Gap and Old Navy. Whenever new commercials advertising these products appear, I tell myself 'Oh Great! Here's another thing for people at my school to eat up.' Sure enough, tons of people appear at school wearing such Western fads. The Japanese should try to combine their style with ours if they like it so much. However I don't think that Asians our losing their culture since every Asian I know is proud to be Asian and wouldn't trade it in for the world. My message to the Japanese: Do whatever you like as long as you personally are original in what you do."

A man who lives among the most beautiful and attractive Brazilian women writes, "I think all Asian women more attractive because they have a natural beauty. All this fake western looks are useless. In the west, the fake hair colors are more an act of protest (like punks, darks, etc.) than a beauty style. Indeed, I think it is more funny (like a clown's hair) than beautiful."

Back to the basics

Japanese men and women have to borrow from other countries what is good and appropriate for their bodies and culture.  Gee comments, "I think natural is still more beautiful than artificial beauty. In Japan, people really are concerned about looks so much so that Japanese go eccentric at times.  To all Japanese white wannabes out there, better stick to your natural beauty. Colored hair and some of your fashions do mot match with your faces. A typical Japanese beauty - smooth skin, black hair, well contoured lips and nose) is a great look (just forget the legs)."  Zenon from Sweden writes, "I think that the old Japanese look is great. Kimonos go real good.  I say to you people - stick to what you got."

Chris in UK writes, "Every country in Europe basically listens to American music and movies. Japan is the only country that has its own pop culture other than us. Most of all, look at the influence on American pop culture Japan has had - Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z and videogames."

Khoo Kah Guan writes, "I am in my early 30's, single male from Malaysia. I don't know much about Japan or Japanese Culture. In Malaysia many children are crazy over Japanese cartoons, comics and music. The influence of western culture into Asians culture is also great due to advertisements and other forms of entertainment (basically we look for something foreign and teens always love to try new things). If only our way of living can change rapidly enough and have enough of choices like Japanese cartoons, I think Japan will prevail because many Asian countries are looking at Japan today as a leader."

It is clear that most Japan lovers do not want Japanese people to abandon their basic values.  These fans of Japan are attracted to what Japan has nurtured for centuries.  While some of it is not necessarily great (the subservient role of women, for example), most of the other values in Japan are admired by the rest of the world.  It is hard for anyone to say that Japanese women are ugly as they are.  Then why change?  Kumiko Imaeda agrees with us, "I think that Japan is losing its pride. We used to have a very proud nation (which was contradicted by the teachings of humbleness). Although the United States is quite an alluring nation to follow, Japan must come back to its own roots."

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