A Review of E3 2021

    E3 2021, the video game industry’s biggest yearly trade show, has come to a close, leaving video game enthusiasts with a number of exciting announcements. After a one year gap caused by the global pandemic, fans and journalists were especially excited for this year’s announcements and trailers. As is usually the case, the four day event (which took place from June 12th to the 15th this year) was segmented into time slots dedicated to the world’s biggest game publishers and developers to share news about upcoming projects, as well as updates to existing ones. But while this year’s announcements were exciting for many, attitudes towards the quality of the show seemed to be mixed online. I’d like to provide a brief overview of E3’s most notable events, as well as some of my most anticipated titles.

Before we get into E3 officially, however, it would be neglectful if I didn’t mention Summer Game Fest, a similar event running concurrently with E3. Sponsored by Amazon, this event was started in 2020 to capitalize on E3’s cancelation, and returned this year with it’s own roster of publishers and exclusive trailers. The most exciting SGF announcement for many, including myself, came on June 10th, with the long-awaited gameplay trailer for Elden Ring, From Software’s next action RPG. Having only received a brief teaser trailer followed by a two year gap of almost complete silence, this highly anticipated game features writing by George R. R. Martin, better known for Game of Thrones. This collaboration between an extremely popular American writer and From Software, one of the most highly acclaimed Japanese developers in recent years, has many fans believing that this game could rival From’s previous successes such as Bloodborne and Dark Souls. That pedigree, as well as the quality of the gameplay shown in the trailer, have led many people online to declare Elden Ring’s January 2022 release date as the best announcement of the year.

    

    In light of this, it is easy to see why some people felt that Ubisoft and Gearbox struggled to match fans’ expectations during their presentations on June 12th. Ubisoft, France’s biggest game company, dropped trailers that mostly consisted of sequels to long running franchises, as well as additional content for recent games. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is receiving a paid expansion, while Far Cry and Rainbow Six will both be getting sequels, as many predicted. More surprisingly, Mario + Rabbids will also be receiving a sequel titled Sparks of Hope, marking the second game in Ubisoft’s collaboration with Nintendo. A trailer for a game based on James Cameron’s Avatar franchise was also shown, though like much of Ubisoft’s presentation, it lacked any real gameplay footage, to the annoyance of some fans. Meanwhile Gearbox announced Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, a spin off of their popular Borderlands series. Aside from that, they revealed new trailers for Tribes of Midgard and Godfall, as well as a video featuring Kevin Hart discussing his role in the upcoming Borderlands movie.

    The following day was busy in comparison, featuring announcements from Microsoft/Bethesda, Square Enix, and PC Gamer among others. Again, sequels and updates were prominent, including news and teasers for follow ups to Dying Light, Hello Neighbor, Stalker, Forza Horizon, Vampire the Masquerade, and Battlefield. Remasters of older games also made an appearance, showcasing enhanced ports of Life is Strange and Secret of Mana. Overall, some of the biggest highlights include an action-oriented Guardians of the Galaxy game, as well as a November 11th release date for Starfield, Bethesda’s first new franchise in decades. This announcement was marred, however, by the fact that it will be an Xbox exclusive, disappointing Playstation and PC fans.

    The following day, June 14th, was set aside for Capcom, although their showcase was considerably more sparse. While Capcom owns many popular franchises, few of them are receiving sequels, with the focus instead being placed on DLC for the latest Resident Evil and upcoming events in Monster Hunter Rise. While Ace Attorney and Monster Hunter Stories will be receiving sequels in the coming months, it seems that news on the delayed Street Fighter 6 will have to wait for the time being.

  

    Finally, June 15th was Nintendo’s turn. They started off with the announcement of Tekken’s Kazuya being added to Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, adding yet another third party character to Nintendo’s wildly popular crossover fighting game. Nintendo overall seemed to have an overall more positive reception from fans this year, combining a decent mix of indies, ports and other small announcements with some big surprises. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was a trailer and release date for Metroid Dread, the fifth game in the Metroid franchise and the first direct sequel in 19 years. The title may be familiar to long-time Metroid fans, as a project by the same name has been rumored for nearly two decades. Likewise, those looking forward to a new Zelda game were rewarded with a short trailer for Breath of the Wild 2, along with a tentative 2022 release window.

    With that, E3 2021 was over, leaving mixed feelings in the minds of many gamers. While some companies, especially Nintendo and Microsoft, managed to put on a decent show, it’s hard to deny that people on social media seem largely disappointed. There are many different theories on why this year’s E3 failed to impress so many people. Restrictions on game development as a result of quarantine have contributed to delays on many projects, resulting in less exciting news. In addition, the recent failure of high profile games like Fallout 76 and Cyberpunk 2077 may have disillusioned many game enthusiasts, making them more cynical towards the promises of big game publishers. Still, at the very least it seems like there are a decent number of interesting games on the horizon, as well as many great projects by smaller independent studios. Like many industries, video games may need another year or so before they can reach their full strength again.

Christmas In Japan

 

　Every time Christmas comes around, I wonder. Why do Japanese people celebrate Christmas?

　It is a very strange thing. The population of Christians in Japan is less than two million. That's 0.8% of the population. This is quite low even among Asian countries. For example, even in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country with a population of 250 million, there are 23 million Christians, or nearly 10%.

　Most Japanese people do not think of Christmas as an event to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Of course, I am aware of the biblical origins of this holiday. Even non-religious Japanese are aware of the basic concept of Christmas.

　But they accept Christmas as one of the annual events that came from the West. Quite frankly, it's just a way to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Christianity is very flexible and tolerates this kind of interpretation by the Japanese.

　The Japanese are a race that excels at taking in the essence of things without having a deep connection with their origins. Valentine's Day and Halloween have also taken root in Japan with their own interpretations. When hip-hop became popular in the U.S., idol groups borrowed only its style and became very popular.

　Christmas is originally a holy holiday celebrating the birth of the savior into the world. However, even in the U.S. and Europe, Christmas has long since become secularized. It has broken away from its original religious conventions. The Japanese have seen it and interpreted it in their own way. It is a joyous festive event.

　Christmas in Japan is basically similar to that in the U.S. In December, the streets are lit up with lights, various Christmas events are held, shopping sales begin, and commerce is revitalized. However, there are some differences.

　In Japan, people don't usually decorate their homes. Most decorations are limited to commercial and public facilities. Christmas gifts are small and mostly given to children by their families.

　Also, Christmas in Japan has a strange uniqueness. Roast chicken on the bone is the standard dinner. Why do Japanese people eat chicken at Christmas? The answer is simple. In the U.S., we eat turkey, but in Japan, we don't have turkey, so we chose chicken as an alternative, and it has stuck.

　In Japan, Christmas cake is a necessity. It is a huge business market move. I think this is very appropriate since we are celebrating the birthday of a saint. People in this country are surprised to hear that Americans don't eat much cake on Christmas. A Japanese Christmas cake is usually a white cream cake with strawberries on top. This is to match the image of snow and Santa Claus. How did this come about? It is the same as the Coca-Cola strategy in the United States. In the 1920's, when Christmas was beginning to take root in Japan, a major confectionery company started selling white strawberry cake for Christmas. It was a huge success. Since then, the image of eating strawberry cake on Christmas Day has taken root.

　

　This uniqueness is not limited to Japan. In France, the mainstream cake is called Buche de Noel, which looks like a tree stump. In Germany, they celebrate with Stollen, a bread filled with dried fruits. In Italy, it is customary to bake a homemade bread called panettone. In England, people eat a type of cake known as a Christmas pudding. This is a baked good filled with nuts and dried fruits.

　As you can see, there are many variations of Christmas meals in different countries. It is interesting that each country has its own Christmas traditions.　

　As a side note, young children in Japan believe in Santa Claus. But few children wonder why they get presents from an old foreign man. Do you think that is too convenient?

Is There Thanksgiving in Japan?

 

Around this time of year, many Americans are preparing for the Thanksgiving season. Many of us can relate to memories of fallen leaves, preparing meals, and meeting with our families. Of course, Thanksgiving as we know it is a distinctly American Holiday, having originated from the history of the relationship between America’s native inhabitants and its first old world settlers. 

That being said, you may have noticed that some Thanksgiving traditions are similar to those of other holidays around the world that are celebrated in fall. Indeed, because the Autumn months are almost universally considered a time of harvest, it stands to reason that traditions involving feasts and the expression of gratitude have arisen independently in many different cultures. As you might expect, the culture that we will be taking a closer look at today will be Japan. 

If you are familiar with Japanese culture, you may already know that many special occasions there are celebrated with a festival, or Matsuri. These events, often centered around local temples or monasteries, vary depending on the occasion, but are always lively. Parades, floats, food and entertainment are all provided, and these events tend to attract large crowds of people.

Harvest festivals, known as Aki Matsuri, usually take place in late summer or early fall. In addition to the usual celebrations, these events are focussed on expressing gratitude for a bountiful harvest, primarily of grains like wheat and rice. As such, many people celebrate by eating buckwheat soba, and other foods related to the harvest. In addition, there is a religious aspect to these festivals. Floats representing Shinto Kami, or gods, are paraded through these streets, and people give thanks to these spirits for granting them their crops.

While these fall festivals are usually organized on a local level, with no fixed date, there are more widespread traditions in Japan this time of year. One can draw comparisons between American Thanksgiving and Japan’s Labor Thanksgiving Day, a national holiday that takes place on November 23. However, despite the similarity of the dates and names, this holiday is devoted to giving thanks to Japanese workers, meaning it arguably has more in common with America’s Labor Day.

However, Labor Thanksgiving Day actually has its origins in an older Japanese tradition. Niiname-no-Matsuri, also known as Niiname-sai, is a ritual that is practiced by the Japanese Emperor in the imperial palace. Rooted in Shinto tradition, the Emperor offers a prayer in thanks for the year’s harvest, and prayers for another successful harvest in the year to come. While the date of this ceremony was original based on the Lunar calendar, it was set to the 23rd in the Meiji era, and later coincided with Labor Thanksgiving day in 1948.

While most of these celebrations take place only in Japan, Japanese migrants have brought some of these traditions with them. In many countries, including England and America, Japanese communities in major cities will host an Aki Matsuri open to the public, where their friends and neighbors can experience a Japanese harvest festival in person. If you want to learn more about the Japanese equivalent of Thanksgiving, I encourage you to find out if a city near you will be hosting an Aki Matsuri.

The Best Games of 2020: Japan vs America

With PlayStation and Xbox both launching new consoles at the same time at the end of the year, there's a lot of excitement in the gaming industry. It's a bit early in the year to draw conclusions, but as we head towards the end of the year, the year in review columns are starting to come out. Today's column offers a glimpse into some interesting differences between Japanese and American video game trends.

　First of all, here are the top 15 best-selling video game titles of the year in Japan, as cited by the website "Game Sales Index.”

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

2. Ring Fit Adventure

3. Final Fantasy VII Remake

4. Pokemon Sword and Shield

5. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

6. Ghost of Tsushima

7. Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

8. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

9. Minecraft

10. Splatoon 2

11. Super Mario 3D Collection

12. Super Mario Party

13. Adult Nintendo Switch Training for the Brain

14. Paper Mario Origami King

15. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX

　The centerpiece of this year's gaming world will always be No. 1, Animal Crossing, which has sold an astounding 5.79 million copies as of October, beating out the second-place finisher. While there are many bleak games, adults and children alike are excitedly engrossed in the game together, and the fun of being able to share the enjoyment of this game across generations has become a hot topic of conversation. The second-ranked game, "Ring Fit Adventure," also made a respectable entry in the rankings for its innovative way of blending games and fitness. It also surpassed the one million unit mark, which is a good sign. Notably, both these games are exclusive to Nintendo’s Switch.

　Other than that, there weren't many new titles that made the list, and I got the impression that the solid sellers from the previous year continued to add to the results.

　An oddball smash hit was "Ghost of Tsushima", which is an American game with an imposing Japanese samurai action theme. It's a surprise to learn that this is a purely American game by Sucker Punch Productions. The game's design, specs, and graphics are as sophisticated as if it were made in Japan, which is why it's so popular. Of course, the parent company of Sucker Punch Productions is SONY, the PlayStation company, so it's not hard to imagine that they had the backing of a large scale production, but it seems that the game was planned and developed by an American staff.

　I wonder how they managed to take up a historical subject that very few people outside of Japan know about, such as the invasion of Japan by Mongolian pirates. Looking at a scene from the game, the influence of Kurosawa's movies is obvious, and I imagined that they were just going to make a cool samurai game like Kurosawa's. The setting, the details of the items, and the way the samurai hold their swords are all very similar, and I'm surprised that they don't look out of place.

　As of now, it is hard to obtain definitive sales numbers for video games in the US. Instead, we can compare Japan’s results to the 15 best video games of 2020 as compiled by the popular American magazine ESQUIRE. The 15 titles listed, in no particular order, are:

1. The Last of Us Part II

2. Final Fantasy VII Remake

3. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

4. Ghost of Tsushima

5. Streets of Rage 4

6. Moving Out

7. Murder By Numbers

8. Doom Eternal

9. Dreams

10. Ori and the Will of Wisps

11. Half Life: Alyx

12. Journey to the Savage Planet

13. Paper Mario: The Origami King

14. Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

15. Carrion

　However, the games on this list are all major games that have been featured on other game evaluation sites, so it's a pretty accurate list of the most popular American games of 2020.

　Doubling with Japan are "Animal Crossing", "Final Fantasy VII Remake", "Ghost of Tsushima", "Paper Mario Oligami King" and "Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics".

5 titles. Do you consider this to be a lot or a little?

　In the past, original Japanese games were released first, followed by foreign ports, but in the U.S., a unique feel for games has begun to develop in the U.S., and in the last 10 years, due to the cultural background of the games, there has been a difference in the way games are evaluated between the U.S. and Japan.

　In the United States, it seems that games that pursue a rich and powerful sense of authenticity have always been popular. The sequel to the smash hit "The Last of Us" delves deeper into the deepest human love and hate than its predecessor, and it's as realistic as a HBO or NETFLIX drama. And, as always, the shooters' favorite games like "Doom Eternal" and "Half Life: Alyx" also make the list, which is very American.

　Speaking of Americana, games like Ori and the Will of Wisps, with its unique worldview and critically acclaimed graphics, are released almost year after year. The United States is a nation of many ethnicities, and games have the potential to be created from a variety of backgrounds, from Western history, to Middle Eastern flavors, to Asian tastes, to Latin American styles.

　In addition, super-realistic sports games have formed a huge genre of games that have gained an unshakeable popularity. I have a feeling that American games will continue to diversify in the future by making full use of their vast resources and abundant human resources.

　This difference in orientation toward games between Japan and the U.S. will undoubtedly grow in the future. Of course, games such as the Mario series and Final Fantasy, which have become a part of Japanese culture that we can be proud of, will continue to be popular worldwide, but I also have high hopes for the American companies to make a comeback.

　

     As you can see, there are many interesting aspects of Japanese and American culture, even if it's just one game. Personally, I'm waiting for a full-fledged critique that compares Japanese and American culture through games, but I've only seen miscellaneous stuff yet. I'm secretly hoping that delving into this area will reveal some pretty interesting theories of civilization.

　Whenever I get a chance in the future, I'd like to write about the future of video games with my foolish son, who aspires to be a game creator. I hope that both Japan and the U.S. will work hard together to stimulate each other and form a better video game culture.

Celebrating the Halloween Season in Japan

 

In the United States, the weeks leading up to Halloween are always an exciting and memorable time. At this point there are too many Halloween traditions to count, most notably the decorations, the costumes, and for the kids, trick or treating. That said, many of these traditions are not as common outside of the US. However, in recent years more people from around the world have started to celebrate Halloween, including Japan. But as you might expect, the way in which these traditions have been adopted have led to some interesting differences.

Until recently, Japan’s only exposure to Halloween came in the form of American media. Movies, cartoons and books  imported from the US often contain references to the Halloween season, which gradually led to an increased awareness of the holiday among the Japanese. As a result, Halloween in Japan has much in common with the US at a basic level. It is a celebration of the strange and macabre, and an opportunity to dress up as any outlandish character you can think of.

Many other things one might expect from the season also emerge, such as Halloween themed products in stores, and an increased focus on released horror movies and other media. But when you take a closer look at Halloween day, we begin to see the most key differences.

Most notable is the difference in demographic. While Halloween tends to offer enjoyment to people of all ages, the focus in American is mostly on kids. Going from house to house collecting candy is a memory that many people who grew up in the US share. In contrast, trick or treating is rarely practiced in Japan. While Japanese children might participate in Halloween-themed activities in school or at home, the act of going door to door looking for candy is not widely practiced, and considered unusual.

Instead, Halloween celebrations mostly revolve around teens and young adults. Costume parties are increasingly common in Japan, especially in urban centers like Tokyo. These events might be held privately, but the most noticeable are the huge outdoor gathering hosted by bars, clubs and communities. Costume parades are also a popular activity on the night of Halloween, with crowds of people gathering to show off their costumes, drink, and celebrate. Costumes vary widely, from old school monsters like vampires and zombies to popular characters from movies, video games and anime.

These celebrations have only gotten bigger and bigger in the last few years, which suggests that the adoption of Halloween by the Japanese will only grow more widespread in the future. It is good to see so many people enjoying new traditions, and evolving their own unique ways of celebrating them. While these large scale celebrations will certainly be less prominent this year, hopefully they will continue to be enjoyed for years to come.

Xbox Series X Vs PlayStation 5: Who Will Win?

 

2020 marks the beginning of a new decade, and with it comes a new generation of gaming consoles. As has been the case for decades now, the two biggest competitors (aside from Nintendo) are Microsoft's Xbox and Sony’s Playstation, which will both be releasing new hardware by the end of the year. These new consoles, dubbed the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5, will be competing directly with each other for a place in households around the world. The question is, which one will prevail in the impending console war?

A bit of background might be required to better understand what is at stake. Gaming consoles have come a long way since their origins in the 80s, when Nintendo and Sega dominated the landscape. While Nintendo is still going strong today, they owe their continued success by investing more in experimental hardware and the strength of their exclusive properties. In contrast, the Xbox and PlayStation have focussed on delivering the most powerful and versatile home consoles, capable of displaying impressive graphics and multimedia capabilities.

As such, the marketing for both of these brands in the past has largely focussed on displaying large and graphically impressive games made by big developers like Rockstar and Ubisoft. But in terms of power, it seems like the gap in quality is becoming harder to discern. It is widely known that neither console will be able to compete with a high end gaming PC when it comes to power and performance, but even when compared to each other, there are few noticeable differences as of yet. While Xbox technically has a slight edge in hardware, few people claim that this will have a significant impact on what it will be capable of.

The issue of console exclusive games is a more complicated matter. While Sony almost certainly has a wider range of exclusive franchises under its belt, Microsoft has been making moves to close the gap. Most notably, it was recently announced that Microsoft has acquired Bethesda, developers of the extremely popular Fallout and Elder Scrolls games, among many others. This could be a huge shake up to the status quo depending on how exclusive future Bethesda titles will be. That said, Xbox has yet to announce any significant games that will be launching with the system, leaving many to doubt if there will be much reason to buy the Series X when it comes out. On the other hand, Sony has some big names like Spiderman and Demons Souls and Horizon Zero Dawn on the way, which for some is more than enough to ensure a purchase.

One final difference worth taking into account is the business model. Both consoles will be priced at $499 at launch, and both have stated their intention to raise the price of first-party games from $60 to $70. In that regard, the decision is basically a toss up, but there are other factors to take into account. Most pressing is the Xbox game pass, a subscription service that provides access to hundreds of games as well as game streaming functionality. While Sony has also experimented with this business model, Microsoft has invested more into this idea, with a more modern selection of games and more support for cloud gaming.

With all this in mind, who is most likely to succeed in the next generation of gaming? Obviously, it is too soon to tell at this point, but we can speculate. The Xbox One was decidedly less popular than the PS4, bogged down by restrictions on used games and a lackluster line of exclusives. That said, it seems that they have made an effort to shore up their weaknesses this time around, with their possession of Bethesda being a potentially huge asset. On the other hand, if history is anything to go by, Sony is in a good position to hold on to their place at the top. Their exclusive games have remained strong over the years, and that trend shows no signs of stopping. Combined with its competitive price point and hardware, it’s hard to imagine much reason for a PlayStation fan to switch sides at this point. Still, nothing is guaranteed in the gaming industry, and it's just as likely that some unpredictable factors will swing the advantage in one direction or another. 

Buddhism in Japan

 

What is Buddhism in Japan? It is not easy to explain it to people in other countries. The contents and doctrines of many religions are so systematic that even if we try to simplify them, it can lead to lack of clear explanation and misunderstanding.

From the point of view of non-Buddhists, there are many things that are not clear to them.

Buddhism in Japan is independent from other Buddhist countries. Unlike Catholicism, in which the Vatican is the central authority around the world, Buddhism has no such international hierarchy.

Buddhism in Japan is a separate entity, yet it respects and cooperates with Buddhist organizations in other countries. However, even within the small country of Japan, Buddhism has diversified and developed. It has followed a history so complex that it cannot be lumped together.

It is estimated that about 85 million people in Japan are Buddhists. However, many of the children are unaware of their Buddhist identity. Because their ancestors and parents were Buddhists, their children are naturally integrated into the Buddhist system.

The Japanese way of life would not be possible without Buddhism. It is such a deeply integrated part of Japanese culture.

When did this happen?

It is said that Buddhism was introduced to Japan around 500 AD. Before that time, Shinto was the main religion in Japan, and the origin of the Imperial Family was also derived from Shinto. However, the emperor at the time tolerated Buddhism. He judged its teachings to be noble and beneficial to the Japanese people. As a result, over a period of time, Buddhism and Shintoism were partially merged with each other.

The same thing has happened in other countries in the past. The indigenous religions mixed with religions from other countries to form new religions and sects. In ancient times, religion, culture and politics were inseparable. They became integrated into all aspects of life.

What did the Japanese people gain from the idea of Buddhism? This is too big a subject for me to handle. Buddhism has been accepted by the Japanese people and has developed in its own way over a thousand years. It is no longer possible for the Japanese people to live their lives without the practice of Buddhism.

Here are just a few examples.

Example #１. Obon.

This is an annual event that originated from the local belief that our ancestors would return from the next world. On this day, relatives gather together to pay respect to their ancestors and visit their graves. Ancestors' memorial service is performed in the Buddhist style. This is followed by a banquet to celebrate the return of the ancestors and pray for the blessings and prosperity of the family.

One of the events that has developed greatly during the ceremony is the Bon Dance. As the name suggests, the people gather in different regions to dance in celebration of their ancestors. This kind of behavior is similar to that of religions everywhere in the world, and is connected to the essential way of life of human beings.

Example #2. Civility.

The Japanese are admired by many foreigners for their civility. This, too, is a result of adherence to the teachings of Buddhism. Aside from modern people, our grandparents' era understood the importance of etiquette, rooted in Buddhist rituals, as a priority in life. A fundamental philosophy of Buddhism is the pursuit of peace, and this encourages Buddhists to practice polite and peaceful behavior. Incidentally, the gesture of many Asians, such as the clasping of hands before a meal or the bowing of the head to the other person, is derived from basic Buddhist rituals.

Example #3. Calendars.

Many Japanese calendars have Buddhist events marked on them. 

January is a day to reflect on the previous year and pray that this year will be a good one.

February is the day to throw beans to exorcise evil spirits (bad luck).

In March, there is the Ancestor Memorial Service, which coincides with the Spring Equinox.

On April 8th, we have the "Day of Celebration of the Birth of the Buddha.”

These are the kinds of annual events on every Japanese calendar.

Example #4: Good Luck & Bad Luck

The Japanese impose various conditions on themselves in order to make their wishes come true.

For example, students go to a temple to pray for admission to the university of their choice. Professional athletes also go to temples to pray for their team's victory. People buy talismans at temples to drive safely and give birth safely. Since good luck or bad luck cannot be chosen by human beings, people continue to seek help from the gods and Buddha, even today with the development of science.

In these ways, Buddhism has become an integral part of the life of the Japanese people as a source of spiritual support. If you want to understand the Japanese people, it is advisable to learn the basics of Buddhism.

The Real Life Robots of Japan

 

For about a century, the idea of robots living among humans has captured the imaginations of people around the world. Robots have consistently remained a popular subject in popular culture, gradually transitioning from a science fiction trope to a concept that is commonly found in the mainstream. But in recent years, real life robots have become increasingly common, bringing us closer than ever to the high tech visions of the future depicted by sci fi authors of the past.

Japan in particular has a unique relationship with robots, in more ways than one. In a previous article, we discussed the role of robots in Japanese media, in which they are popular fixtures in comics and animation. Today, we will take a look at the world of real life robotics in Japan, and how it ties in to Japanese culture.

Robots, as they are commonly defined, are machines which are able to perform a task autonomously, and usually operate based on sophisticated computer code and mechanical engineering. While this gives us a better sense of what a robot can be, it also leaves a lot of room for interpretation. A robot can look like anything from an abstract mass of metal and wires to an uncanny facsimile of a living creature. As a result, the design of a robot can vary greatly depending on who is making it, and for what purpose. In turn, we can learn a lot about a culture from the design of its robots.

Generally speaking, Japan is known for its sophisticated humanoid robots, or machines that in some way are meant to resemble humans. A good example is Honda’s ASIMO, one of the most popular robots in the world. Its form is similar to that of a human, standing upright on two legs, and is capable of walking, running, and even dancing. It also has articulate arms capable of performing simple gestures.

The technology that allows this robot to move so fluidly is absolutely impressive, but its visual design is also worth noting. It has the shape and demeanor of a chubby astronaut, with a rounded exterior and clean white finish. Its cute, approachable presentation is emblematic of Japanese robot design, which focuses on making robots that can interact with humans in a way that is friendly and polite.

For comparison, look at an American robot like Boston Dynamics’ Atlas. In many ways, its design and functions are similar to ASIMO, being a bipedal humanoid capable of running and jumping around. But its appearance is decidedly less friendly, featuring a headless torso, exposed cables, and arms with no hands. One can see that American robots tend to be more industrial and utilitarian, focusing more on what they are able to do than how they interact with people. This difference is even more apparent in videos showcasing these robots; ASIMO is often shown greeting crowds in public places, while Atlas is shown picking up boxes and literally getting kicked around in a laboratory.

The stark differences in how robots are designed goes beyond how they look. Robotic research in America is often funded by the military or designed for use in industrial work, leading to practical and utilitarian designs. It seems like Japan as a whole envisions robots having a wider range of applications, including public service, healthcare, and even entertainment. It is not uncommon to see robots in public while in Japan, performing mundane tasks like greeting people in malls or even serving food.

Another example of Japan’s friendly robots is AIBO, a line of robots produced by Sony. Unlike ASIMO, AIBO are small robots designed to look like cute animals, usually dogs. Designed to be sold commercially, they not only have advanced and somewhat lifelike movement, but are programmed to have a wide variety of interactions with humans. The most recent models are able to play with toys and explore their surroundings, and they react believably to human contact and other external input. The result is a robot that seems to have a mind of its own, with an appearance that is cute and appealing but not realistic enough to be uncanny.

There are countless other examples of robots in Japan, and of course, not all of them follow the same trends. Industrial robots resembling large mechanical arms are often used in the manufacturing of Japanese cars, a practice which is increasingly common in the rest of the world. There are also attempts to make androids, which are intended to resemble real humans as closely as possible. There are even prototypes for robotic surgeons, guards, and rescue workers. With so much innovation happening in so many different fields, its easy to see why Japan is consistently regarded as the leading country in robotics.

Robots have assumed a large role in modern life already, with over 250 thousand robots actively operating in Japan alone. It is estimated that this number will increase to over one million in the next fifteen years, and the implications of this would be vast and far reaching. Many in Japan see robots as a potential solution to the country’s declining workforce, while others simply see it as a way to improve the daily lives of everyday people. Regardless, the advancement of robotic research shows no signs of slowing down, and its progress will surely have a huge impact no only on Japan, but the entire world.

The Growing Trend of Vlogging in Japan

 

Recently, the word "vlog" has been frequently seen and heard in the world. Vlog is an abbreviation for Video Web Log, while blog was a shorthand for Web Log, which was in vogue not long ago. And it seems that this trend is only going to get stronger.

Although it is not known for certain, it is widely believed that the first video ever posted on a blog was a 15-second video shot by Adam Kontras in 2000 about sneaking his cat into a hotel where pets were not allowed. It’s easy to sympathize with Adam’s relief when he successfully brings the cat with him, and you can't help but watch it in spite of its trivial content.

These videos documenting everyday life came to be called "vlogs" later on. Already a popular genre in many countries, vlogs have made their way to Japan in 2019. Why is vlogging such a hot topic and what is the appeal of vlogging?

It refers to videos that are casually filmed of everyday life and uploaded to the web. Many of them use simple editing, connecting the footage and adding subtitles.

　

According to market research firm GlobalWebIndex, about 40% of the world's Internet users watch vlogs. Vlogs are particularly popular in Latin America and Asia.

How does vlogging fare in Japan? According to one survey, only about 10% of the Japanese have ever watched a vlog. Although it is still low, Google trends show that the popularity of vlogs on YouTube in Japan has been rising steadily, reaching an all-time high in 2020. In many cases, the vlogs are sent out by the general public, but of course there are also vlogs by celebrities.

In addition to YouTube, vlogs are also a popular genre of short videos on TikTok and other sites.

A search for "#vlog" on TikTok brings the total number of views to 2 billion, and while vlogs can be found on other social networking sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, it is TikTok that is the most well-known. The owner of the site suggests vlogs as a fodder for posts, and along with the tag "#everyone vlogger," he provides easy-to-understand instructions on how to make one.

Vlogs are getting more and more attention, but why are videos documenting everyday life so popular? People who watch vlogs seem to enjoy being able to relate to the lives of the people who post them. Many people leave comments on vlogs, as the natural expression of the vlogs makes it easy to relate to them and interact with them through comments.

　

Peeking into people's lives isn't just fun and empathetic. According to research platform JAKPAT, the most common reason for watching vlogs is to "gain new knowledge or information,” and vlogs can be a great way to learn about people's real lives in a way that can be useful to you. For example, in order to learn about cooking, you may look at the vlogs of others with knowledge in that area. 

If you send out vlogs documenting your hobbies, you may eventually connect with people who share your interests and values. Vlogging is also an easy way to express yourself.

　

For example, vlogging is a great way to capture memories of events you've been to. Videos can be used to capture the sounds, expressions, and gestures of an event in an instant. Concise editing also makes the highlights easier to understand and makes it fun to watch the video back. If you have too many videos in storage that you've lost track of, why not give vlogging a try?

Following this trend, the Japanese digital camera industry is also accelerating the development and release of cameras designed specifically for vlogging.

Sony has launched a portable, sleek line of cameras called the VLOGCAM, with the first model called the ZV-1G, which promotes the idea that anyone can easily become a video blogger. What makes this camera unique are a number of features which make it well suited to capturing high quality videos in a portable format. The higher-end model, the a7C, has an amazing full-size sensor. The a7C is also designed to be a video oriented camera, and with Canon and Panasonic doing the same, we'll see more and more cameras with enhanced video capabilities in the coming year.

It will be interesting to see how the vlogging industry continues to expand in the coming year. As the number of video bloggers continues to grow, their influence on the world mayl surpass that of written blogs. There have been many cases where a few seconds of recorded video has become the talk of the world. In the near future, it may not be long before ordinary citizens are at the core of video reporting.

The Origins of Karaoke

 

Karaoke is a popular activity for people around the world. It’s not hard to imagine why, given that it’s a simple, fun group activity that appeals to a wide variety of tastes. What some people may not know, however, is that karaoke originates in Japan. I’d like to share a bit of the history of karaoke, as its origin and development in Japan have gone on to influence entertainment in the rest of the world.

First, to summarise for those who may not be familiar, karaoke is a term that refers to a form of interactive entertainment that involves singing along to popular songs, usually in a designated area. The technology used to facilitate this varies from place to place, but usually involves a dedicated karaoke machine. These devices typically play instrumental versions of popular songs, while displaying the lyrics on a screen and providing a microphone and amplification for the singer. While personal and even virtual versions of these devices exist, they are typically found in dedicated karaoke bars or other places specializing in hosting parties.

Karaoke originated in Japan in the 1970s. The audio technology needed to create these machines were just beginning to become popular and affordable at the time. The identity of karaoke’s original inventor is disputed, and there are several people who claim to have come up with the idea during the same time period. One person widely credited as an inventor was musician Daisuke Inoue, a drummer who performed in restaurants and private dinner parties. After receiving requests from audience members for recordings of his music, he made a simple device that played recordings of his performances. Singing along to these recordings became a popular pastime, and then business expanded to include other songs and artists.

Initially, karaoke machines were mainly found in restaurants and hotels. As their popularity increased, more specialized facilities called karaoke boxes began to open, providing a venue for private parties to enjoy karaoke. Another type of venue to emerge as a result was the karaoke bar, which provided drinks and allowed people to participate in karaoke in a more public setting.

In modern times, karaoke is a huge industry, bringing in over 10 billion dollars yearly. It is a common activity for a wide variety of situations, from birthdays parties to casual weekend gatherings. As technology has continued to develop, so has the number of ways in which karaoke is experienced. Karaoke apps are available on mobile phones, and video games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band have incorporated elements of karaoke successfully. While it is a fairly universal form of entertainment now, its name still hints at its Japanese origins, being a shortened phrase translating to “empty orchestra.” It remains even more popular in its home country than anywhere else, making it one of Japan’s most iconic cultural exports.

The Best Parts of Touring Japan

 

There are many things that travelers are impressed with when they visit Japan. Some of these things are obvious to the Japanese but surprising to foreign visitors. In this article, we'll introduce some of the strengths that foreigners admire about Japan.

Courtesy

The Japanese are known worldwide for their good manners. If the train is crowded, they always line up and wait quietly. They are quiet on the train, and clean up after eating in restaurants. These are the most important rules in public places.

Staff friendliness

The good service spirit by Japanese shopkeepers is a given for Japanese people. If Japanese people visit other countries, they will notice the difference. The reason for this may be because the Japanese have an ingrained belief that customers deserve a level of respect and politeness that is comparable to worship. This has even resulted in a common expression being “the customers are gods.” For foreign tourists, customer satisfaction is very high in the service they receive from Japanese staff. The great thing about Japan is the smiles and kindness you receive not only at the high end of the market, but also at the supermarkets, cafeterias and other ordinary shops in town.

Cleanliness of the city

Many foreign visitors say that Japan is very clean with little trash. They also feel that despite the lack of trash cans, there is hardly any trash on the streets, even though 100 million people live in a small area. The Japanese themselves still feel that there is a lot of trash, but it seems to be much cleaner than in other countries.

Safe City

Even the Japanese are aware that it's a safe place to live. Walking alone on the streets at night as a woman is not a problem in most places. It is hard for foreign tourists to believe that a dropped wallet can sometimes be found. Police patrols mainly use bicycles, so it's easy to talk to them in a friendly manner.

Punctuality

For Japanese people, it is normal for trains and other vehicles to run on time. If a train is even a few minutes late, it will be considered a problem. If a customer is late for work due to train delays, they will issue a delay certificate. I think Japan is the only country where this is the case.

Delicious Japanese food

There are so many foreign tourists who find Japanese food to be delicious. In fact, Japanese food is on the United Nations’ Cultural Heritage list, and Tokyo is the city with the most Michelin stars. There are some things you can't eat from the provinces unless you go there. Everywhere you go there is a different food, and you never seem to get tired of eating it. This can be attributed to the fact that Japanese people are highly interested in food. Also, many of the foods, especially Japanese sweets and Japanese dishes, are elaborate in color and shape. For foreign tourists, Japanese food is unfamiliar to them, and some say it is beautiful and delicious, although they have no idea what they are eating.

Strange taxis and services

In Japan, taxi doors are not allowed to be touched. However, I've heard that national tourists are really surprised about the automatic doors of taxis. The cleanliness of the cars and the manners of the taxi drivers are also quite high in the world.

Special toilets

Japanese toilets, such as washable toilet seats, are so popular around the world that some foreign tourists buy them and bring them home. One of the great things about Japanese toilets is that public toilets are just as good. The new toilets made in recent years have washable toilet seats, as well as amazing features such as lids that open automatically and motion activated flushing. Some even have pneumatic towels for hand washing. Such highly functional toilets are available in Japan for free. In other countries, you have to pay to use a slightly cleaner toilet.

Convenience Store

When you're in Japan, it's a given that there are convenience stores open 24 hours a day, but there are many countries around the world that don't have convenience stores. It is rare to find a store that is open 24 hours and sells a variety of hot food and other items. Bank ATMs and copy machines are also really convenient. This may be because Japan is a very safe country.

High quality stationery

Japanese stationery has been attracting a lot of attention from around the world in recent years. For a long time, Japanese products have had a reputation for being solid, hard to break and affordable. Recently, there has been a sharp increase in the number of products with good taste. Stationery is one of them, and many of them are functional, colorful and beautiful. This is obvious when you compare them with those made in foreign countries. Some foreign tourists come all the way to the city to buy stationery.

Iced coffee

Many Japanese drink iced coffee during the summer, but did you know that iced coffee is not as common in other countries? Iced coffee was invented by the Japanese nearly 100 years ago. In recent years, Starbucks Coffee has become well known for its iced coffee and Frappuccino. In Europe, coffee was available with ice cream or whipped cream, but not cold, delicious iced coffee. Foreign visitors who drink it for the first time are said to be amazed at how good it tastes.

These are some of the good and interesting things about Japan as seen by foreign visitors. The characteristics of Japan vary from country to country, but it should be noted that there are many things that are commonplace for Japanese people but rare in other countries.