When talk about culture, Japan has
become the most
outstanding one because
of it bizarre
culture. Here are the top 5 list of Japan bizarre culture.
1. Hikikomori
‘Hikikomori’
literally mean people who refuse to leave their house and isolate themselves from
society in their homes for a period exceeding six months. In Japan most of the ‘hikikomori’ are disaffected teenagers and twenty-something. There
is no precise explanation for the rise in ‘hikikomori’, though there are
several known contributing factors such as internet, intense academic
pressures, and not to forget there are parents who are willing to shelter their
children well with hiding them from society.
2. Crime
Although legends of the
yakuza are prevalent, crimes rates are particularly low in Japan. It is
illegal to own a handgun and even ceremonial swords must be registered
with the police(O.o). However, you can be almost
certain that you are going to jail (indeed, no joke). The conviction
rate is said to exceed 99%.
Unlike most other countries, death row inmates are only informed an
hours beforehand and that was when their time is up (how
cold can they be?! =..=). Furthermore, the family is not informed until the offender is dead!
Although Japan has a history of rather gruesome and
unconventional methods of execution, prisoner is generally executed by hanging today.
3. Food
Due to a coincidence of language, the kit kat chocolate bar is
enormously popular in Japan. ‘kit kat’ is remarkably similar to the phase ‘kitto katsu’ which mean you
shall surely win and often used as a sentiment of good luck. Students are
often given the candy beofore an exam as a good luck charm. Unlike
the rest of the world, which features only a
milk chocolate version, Japan maintains dozen of exotic flavors,
such as grilled corn, miso, camembert cheese, baked potato, and soy sauce.
4. Job
Performed
Japanese are well known for their industrious work ethic,
the stereotype of the boozy
businessman warbling ‘margaritaville’ in a karaoke bar is not that far from the truth (=..=).
Marathon drinking sessions are often seen as a cornerstone of
the Japanese business-corporate relationships
are forged over gallons of sake. Younger salary man usually struggle in vain to
keep up with their seasoned bosses.
That said it’s also relatively easy to nurse a hangover
(O.o). The Japanese business culture values an employee who naps on the job. ‘Inemuri’
as it is known, is a quick cat-nap meant to recharge the batteries. It is seen
as a sign of hard work and commitment.
5. Yaeba
Anyone who has suffered through the stigma of wearing braces (or
any parent who has shelled out thousands for orthodonture) understands the
importance of straight, even teeth. In
Japan, however, there is a growing trend among young women for ‘yaeba’ (literally “double tooth”)
caps on the canines, which lends their smile a
kind of crowded appearance.
As bizarre beauty trends go, this one is somewhat costly to implement—but at least it is
reversible.
By NUR FATINI LIDYA BT MOHAMAD ZAINI
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