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Lister100 · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 106

I haven't been here for very long, but I have found some evidence to undermine the notion that Japanese people are fascinated with Canada. I think that there is a lot of politeness when answering the question "where are you from" but it is not real. Most Japanese when asked "where would you like to travel" (after hearing that I am from Canada) say Canada or the United States. After they might say the country that they really want to see.

"Oh umm, Canada (pause) or the United States and umm maybe Italy" etc.

The countries that I've found Japanese people are most interested in are New Zealand (probably Lord of The Rings) Australia and the United States. England doesn't seem to be faring that well either. I talked to some Japanese people and they seemed really interested in British customs and culture, but they found the people to be very snobby. Maybe the fact that Japanese people want to learn American English as oppose to British E. bites them alittle.

Probably, Japanese people are a lot like Canadians too in that we generally have our fill of cold weather so when we travel we go to warm places. If they want to see a frozen wilderness, Siberia is much closer.

Anyway, all of this to say I was a bit surprised. I came expecting people to be more interested in Canada. A lot of folks back home believe that Japan is filled with people that are dying to know everything about you and your country. It really hasn't been the case (for me anyway). Everyone knows about Japanese tourists and I think that assumption has been built off them.

Anyway I would like to know other peoples opinions on the matter.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I think Japanese prefer Canada over many other countries because it's perceived to be safe and visas are easily obtainable. Japanese do not like to be fingerprinted (who does?) so America is starting to lose some toursits I'm sure.

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

I find if they say they want to go to Canada they want to vist Gordon's avatar!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Most of the Japanese that I have met who want to visit Canada are interested in BC (usually only Vancouver), a little skiing in the Rockies, or to see Anne of Green Gables area.

Shonai Ben · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 617

Marika · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 32

Ohhhh Niagara Falls...funny that people here do what to go see it as I was dying to get out and did! Yes the falls are beautiful...but I lived there and if you only knew what this scary town was like.

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

I find that most of them have never heard of my country, and the few that have don't seem to realise it is an independant country.

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

In my experience, and the facts prove it, the most desierd location is Hawaii. I know it is part of the U.S. but I don't think Japanese people (or any other nationality for that matter) recognize its political ties.

Next up would be Oz, Singapore, and most recently the Republic of Korea due to their very popular tv dramas.

As an aside to Marika, my folks left the fallls about 35 years ago because of the same reasons you mentioned. He felt it wasn't a good place to raise his four kids (too much mafia) so moved to a more rural location. I came after the move.

ronin · Joined: 22 Feb 2003 Posts: 50 Location: canada

Yeah I live in Toronto and compared to other places in the world there aren�t many Japanese in this city. Don't get me wrong the Japanese that do come to this city and stick it out through the cold winters end up loving the city and want to come back or live here because of the laid back life style (compared to Tokyo) that Toronto has to offer. I do admit that many Japanese are turned off by the Toronto weather in the winter.

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

Marika wrote:

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

Can't read it! My computer doesn't have Japanese script enabled! Crying or Very sad

Celeste · Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 9:50 am Post subject:

Malta

Mtnkiwi · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 67 Location: Osaka

Not that it really matters where Japanese rate "your" country, but I find that it depends on a) who they are talking to (and where he/she is from); b) whether they have been to or have a friend staying in a particular country; and c) which country was featured most recently on a TV show.

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

Is anyone really that interested in Canada?

I'm not trying to be offensive, but it's not a big attention-getter. Couple this with the fact that most Japanese are probably quite happy to remain in Japan and you're not going to get much interest in anything.

I mean -- really. If you were from Malta and walked into a bar in Canada and said 'Hey guys I'm from Malta?' and someone said 'Oh that's interesting. I'd like to go there, or maybe the US or Italy' and you said 'SCREW YOU YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED ENOUGH IN MALTA I CAME HERE TO TALK ABOUT MALTA GOD DAMN IT!' you might look a little silly.