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[FitzOfRage]

I doubt that is true considering most the the Americans they see are military and actors.

The reason why they probably believe it is because it's a fact. The majority of Americans are fat.

 

[Blackace]

Well, I'm making statements about the way "Japanese" think in much the same way I would say that Americans think all British people are ugly, effeminite, have bad teeth, and can't cook. Or that Americans think all Russians are big boisterous people with funny accents who wear funny hats and drink vodka all day. I know practically nobody who REALLY belives all that, but that's the national perception.

There's a difference between Americans and "Americans" just as there is a difference between Japanese and "Japanese." There is Japan, the reality, and then there is "Japan," the myth. I'm talking about "Japan" the myth, which, by the way, is a myth that is encouraged and reinforced within Japan's own system and by its own leaders and culture. It's not just some false Western perception. And more specifically, I'm speaking predominantly of the "Japanese" outlook of Americans, and the fact of the matter is that the "Japanese" perception is the one that is the public view, the one reenforced by commercialism and the media. And video games happen to be media, which is why you always see cowboys and flags thrown around to signify American characters, etc.

I sorry I am calling bullshit on this... Not that I don't think you can have your opinion and everything.. but if anything...and I don't even really think this is true...Japanese see Americans as military..not cowboys...and that is why the flag is flown so much in Japan... but again I think even with " " your idea of the Japanese way of thinking is pretty far off base

 

[NotMSRP]

My topic got moved.

This was suppose to be about the topic in games. Journalists here were suppose to get on their telephones and determine the truth straight from the horses' mouths.

 

[Blackace]

My topic got moved.

This was suppose to be about the topic in games. Journalists here were suppose to get on their telephones and determine the truth straight from the horses' mouths.

there was nothing about games in your question....

 

[Troidal]

I think its just the same with Americans who look at samurais and ninjas and think its cool. I dont see how different it is from Japanese thinking guns and the wild wild west is cool.

And flags...I think its not just the Stars and Stripes. How about the Union Jack? We see both these on fashion clothing and stuff. I dont think this is necessarily a Japanese obssession.

 

[NotMSRP]

there was nothing about games in your question....

Topic was posted in Games section. Obviously it was about the issue in games.

 

[Blackace]

Topic was posted in Games section. Obviously it was about the issue in games.

ummm no...




if it was so obvious...why didn't people answer your question about the gaming industry?

 

[NotMSRP]

Because they're in the same boat as me; don't really know but conjecture something up. That's why my original post is asking for journalists. None which came forward yet. Journalists are the ones here who have links to the developers and the ones who can provide the most satisfying answer to Japan's fasincation with cowboy outfits and the American flag [in video games].

 

[Blackace]

Look...many times people have posted things in the gaming forum, by mistake or for whatever... you didn't have a game related topic or question... if you look at your first post there is not a thing about the gaming industry at all... so that's why they are not on the same page with you....
I moved it here so people could continue the little debate in here....

 

[NotMSRP]

Quite a good number seem to have gotten it was about video games. Apparently, since none know an answer through a direct method, we're expanding beyond video games to see the country as a whole with it's fascination for those things and then see an answer on video games through an indrect method.

 

[Blackace]

Well it is in OT now... hope you find what you are looking for

 

[XS+]

Blackace is right on the money in this thread.

 

[BlackMage]

The reason why they probably believe it is because it's a fact. The majority of Americans are fat.

I wonder where most of the fat people in America live. I've lived in California all my life and have rarely ventured out of the state and I'd say only about 20% of the people I come across would be considered overweight. Hell, out of all my friends and relatives not a single one is fat. This is why it always puzzles me when people talk about this subject.

 

[FitzOfRage]

I wonder where most of the fat people in America live. I've lived in California all my life and have rarely ventured out of the state and I'd say only about 20% of the people I come across would be considered overweight. Hell, out of all my friends and relatives not a single one is fat. This is why it always puzzles me when people talk about this subject.

Come to New Jersey. Fat people exist, and they are spreading.

 

[Lyte Edge]

I wonder where most of the fat people in America live. I've lived in California all my life and have rarely ventured out of the state and I'd say only about 20% of the people I come across would be considered overweight. Hell, out of all my friends and relatives not a single one is fat. This is why it always puzzles me when people talk about this subject.

You must lead quite a sheltered life. The majority of Americans are overweight; it is a FACT that obesity is bascially an epidemic in the USA.

 

[RevenantKioku]

Come to New Jersey. Fat people exist, and they are spreading.

In more ways than one.
*vomits*

 

[Spiritreaver]

Do not hate on the fat folks like myself. If it wasn't for us, things would not be more roomy! And planes would be overcrowded.

 

[JackFrost2012]

That's why my original post is asking for journalists. None which came forward yet. Journalists are the ones here who have links to the developers and the ones who can provide the most satisfying answer to Japan's fasincation with cowboy outfits and the American flag [in video games].

Okay, let me just get on the phone with my developer friend.

Me: "Why are Japanese developers so stupidly obsessed with American iconography and use it without any fucking clue what the meaning is--"

He hung up on me.

 

[sprsk]

I wonder where most of the fat people in America live. I've lived in California all my life and have rarely ventured out of the state and I'd say only about 20% of the people I come across would be considered overweight. Hell, out of all my friends and relatives not a single one is fat. This is why it always puzzles me when people talk about this subject.

come to knoxville. aka fat town usa.

 

[Stele]

The reason why they probably believe it is because it's a fact. The majority of Americans are fat.

It's 1/3, and that's mostly the lower income people, which Japanese have little to no contact with.

 

[McLesterolBeast]

this thread makes me sad... as a person who majored in Japanese history and lives in Japan I just want to stab myself in the ear to forget the shit I have seen in this thread

You mean on account of what's been said in the thread, or on account of wasting so many years on your life on a worthless major?

 

[Stele]

lol...I never understand waps.

 

[Blackace]

You mean on account of what's been said in the thread, or on account of wasting so many years on your life on a worthless major?

worthless? haha I am very happy with it... my first major was computer networking... talk about fat people

 

[sprsk]

You mean on account of what's been said in the thread, or on account of wasting so many years on your life on a worthless major?

As opposed to what? a major hes not interested in? What do you mean by worthless?

 

[sasimirobot]

Im suprised nobody has mentioned the whole "hip-hop" madness taking over Asia at the moment. Sure the over 30 crowd may see americans as white and from Texas, but younger people are not so ignorant.

The only problem I see with this is a that the really dont understand what the music means (lyrics), or that blacks in America are not all "bling bling" etc...
They just follow along because it is trendy, but those that actually take the time and effort to get past the "50 cent kakkoii " stage actually have a better understanding of American culture than their parents could ever have...

Ps.
I was an Asian Studies Major and feel like I could have just moved to Asia 4 years earlier and saved myself money and headache. College is a joke...

 

[Blackace]

Im suprised nobody has mentioned the whole "hip-hop" madness taking over Asia at the moment. Sure the over 30 crowd may see americans as white and from Texas, but younger people are not so ignorant.

The only problem I see with this is a that the really dont understand what the music means (lyrics), or that blacks in America are not all "bling bling" etc...
They just follow along because it is trendy, but those that actually take the time and effort to get past the "50 cent kakkoii " stage actually have a better understanding of American culture than their parents could ever have...

Ps.
I was an Asian Studies Major and feel like I could have just moved to Asia 4 years earlier and saved myself money and headache. College is a joke...

I know the hip hop movement is huge in Japan... if I didn't know as much as I know about Japan, history-wise, I would say that they don't like the American flags just fake chains with NY and LA symbols.

And too bad you feel that way about school... for me school was one of the greatest things that happened to me... I met many Japanese people and it really started me on the path I am now....

 

[Hitokage]

It's 1/3, and that's mostly the lower income people, which Japanese have little to no contact with.

Are you talking obese or overweight?

 

[BugCatcher]

Either one would be incorrect. CNN reports that 80 percent of Americans over 25 are overweight (BMI of 25~29.9), and the most recent data from the CDC shows that over 20 percent are obese (BMI of 30 or greater). The CDC even provides a map showing the percentage of people in each state who are obese, if you are curious. Bear in mind, however, that this data is from 2002. The actual percentage of overweight and obese Americans may be even higher than these figures, if recorded trends are any indication.

 

[Wolfy]

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/screen0/919556_22040109_screen003.jpg

I feel guilty for wanting to wank.

 

[XS+]

What started the Hiphop trend in Japan anyway? I mean it's not some fly-by-night fad, as a 1st-hand witness, I can tell you it's been huge for at least 4 years and I'm sure it's been that way longer than that. What made the whole Hiphop culture so popular here?

 

[Blackace]

Hard to say just what did it... I know Def Jam has since opened a "Def Jam Japan" department and before that used to tour all of its stars here. However it is quite funny when I see Japanese "b-boys" and they see me... They are not sure what they should do..

"Should I shake his hand? Or continue to look hard, what if I look hard and then he looks harder...gosh he is big"

 

[Hitokage]

Heh, remember hearing this on Marketplace a while ago...

http://www.marketplace.org/play/aud.../19_mpp&start=00:00:22:06.0&end=00:00:27:59.0

Hip Hop Marketing Goes Far East
Missy Elliot - one of the best selling female hip hop stars of all time - opened an international tour today in Tokyo. She kicks off a week long hip hop fest in that city. She'll be joined by an all-star group of artists who'll perform at the MTV Video Awards there over the weekend. Given the affluence and social mobility of so many Japanese kids, we wondered why this musical form - with its roots so far away - is putting down roots over there.

 

[XS+]

A club promoter friend of mine put platinum fronts in his mouth last week. I just shook my head in disappointment :|

 

[Blackace]

A club promoter friend of mine put platinum fronts in his mouth last week. I just shook my head in disappointment :|

speaking of clubs XS when are you going again? I'm off all week!

 

[XS+]

Well the clubs I go to are kind of boring this time of the year, but I might go to Matrix this Saturday, let me know if you want to check it out.

 

[isamu]

Well it is in OT now... hope you find what you are looking for

Hi Blackace

Let me ask you some questions if you don't mind....

Are you black?

How long have you been living in Japan and how have you been treated there? If you had to do it all over again would you have chosen to move there?

How much pussy do you get while over there? Do the bitches flock to you or what?

 

[XS+]

Isamu is my mentor and idol.

 

[Blackace]

Isamu is my mentor and idol.

Hahahah

Yeah I am black, I have lived here for almost a year. And yes I would move here again in a second... considering I plan to live here maybe for the rest of my life I would say Japan is pretty good. And to answer your other question..no women do not flock to me... To be honest I think that white guys (British or French white guys to be exact) have it a bit better here...as far as women flocking to them

 

[isamu]

Hahahah

Yeah I am black, I have lived here for almost a year. And yes I would move here again in a second... considering I plan to live here maybe for the rest of my life I would say Japan is pretty good. And to answer your other question..no women do not flock to me... To be honest I think that white guys (British or French white guys to be exact) have it a bit better here...as far as women flocking to them

Thanks for the reply man. That's cool that you got it goin and you're happy being there.

If I get the chance to take a vacation there we can hook up and kick it one day.

 

[ManDudeChild]

They just follow along because it is trendy, but those that actually take the time and effort to get past the "50 cent kakkoii " stage actually have a better understanding of American culture than their parents could ever have...

Like a bisexual, that statement goes both ways. I've seen plenty of older people in North America that have warped views of Japan Europe. Views that many younger people like myself understand are completely out of touch with reality.

 

[FitzOfRage]

It's 1/3, and that's mostly the lower income people, which Japanese have little to no contact with.

1/3 are classified as obese, and another third are classified as "just" overweight. The number of children that are seriously overwight has tripled in the last 20 years. And of course we're showing no signs of slowing down.