Globalization/The Japanese Version

To say that the world is undergoing globalization is a bit of a misstatement, in my opinion. The eastern world is clearly being influenced by the west. Let's not talk about the myriad fast food joints that litter the streets of South Korea, China, Thailand, and Japan, all of which I've seen with my own eyes. I really just want to speak about the influences of western culture to our Asian brethren.

Where did the concept of 'youfuku' (western clothes) and 'wafuku' (Japanese 'traditional' clothing) come from, and why? The term 'wafuku' doesn't even have a meaning separate from 'traditional' anymore, meaning that there is nothing modern about wearing a kimono, geta, and obi sash.

How did this happen? Marketing from the west, targeting the eastern markets, that's how. It's

all about the miniskirts and fishnet stockings, the v-neck shirts and the purses. Hell, they even have 'manbags' in Japan now, cause pockets are so 90's over here.

Bollywood, from India, is a real entity that replicates what you'd find on MTV, from Michael Jackson-impersonated Thriller renditions to heated pursuits of a scantily-clad woman by Broadway-esque background dancers. It's hilarious to us westerners, but these people are putting their all into these things, seeing it as more than just a paying job, but as the ultimate

form of expression.

But the topic is on the Japanese version of Globalization, let's not forget. Let me just say, that Japan is penetrating the entire world through its automotive, electronics, and fashion industries. With each of these industries, I feel that Japan takes previously-conceived ideas, puts them through their rounds, and procures finely-crafted concepts and inventions to put onto the market that are comparably much better than their western counterparts.

When the West focuses so much on power and speed, I believe the Japanese, and increasingly the Koreans, focus on efficiency and productivity. But there are contradictions here: How in the world can one call the 'Japanese Way' more efficient, when the process of separating trash, the individually-wrapped foodstuffs (doubly-wrapped in larger bags), and round-about way of speaking (toumawashi) are such a waste of time, money, and resourses?!

Well whatever it is, it's not as bad as it is in America. I buy more Japanese products than I do American, by far. Before I came to Japan, the majority of my possessions were Japanese, and now that I'm here, I'm basically consumed by it.

I feel that Japan has influenced the world immensely, being the second-largest economy despite its size, which is comparable to California.