I go about once a week to an outdoor cafe near my home in Kamakura, mostly because a lot of other local people I know are likely to show up so it's a good chance to see them casually. A lot of tourists stop by and interestingly, those who are actual customers buying coffee ten to ask before taking photos, but some tourists walking by just take a photo without asking. I don't mind and the other locals I know don't seem to actually mind, but they've said more than once that it would be good manners to ask first.
I don't understand why the Japanese are so up-tight about having their image captured in public by foreign tourists or anyone else. Why would anyone expect to have control of their image in public? As you say, Japanese tourists are famous overseas for snapping anything that moves or doesn't move. I can sort of understand an objection to covert filming/photography; but, in a public place, even doing that seems ok to me, as long as the images sought are not indecent. What is definitely not ok in any circumstances is inconsiderate or disorderly behavior of any kind, whether it's being filmed or not. That's just basic good manners.
Surely this phrase "over-tourism" has been mis-translated? Surely the correct translation should be "failing to adapt to an opportunity," or maybe "pennies from heaven" or "looking a gift horse in the mouth"? Japan is not an easy place to visit as a foreign tourist. Many even major tourist attractions have zero tourist information in a language other than Japanese, which few people outside Japan speak; and, given just how close the Japanese yen - and therefore the entire economy - is to total collapse, maybe a little more tolerance is warranted?
Thanks for another thought-provoking story. I guess there is no straightforward answer to this dilemma. I must admit my first reaction was like 1% Mind's, but of course, the point is that very few people are aware of being spied by the authorities while having someone pointing a smartphone in your direction can be rather annoying.
It's also a matter of where those things happen. I feel that Shibuya Crossing or other such public place are fair game. After all, even TV crews, both Japanese and from abroad, regularly work in those spots. A train or subway car, or a restaurant, are close environments and people should be more respectful of those around them.
As for introducing tourist taxes, more than an attempt to curb over-tourism, I see it as yet another way to get more money from travelers.
This is one thing that's super annoying about Japanese people. Who cares if someone is filming in public? There is no expectation of privacy when out in public... that's why it's called public. Why don't Japanese citizens have an issue with their own gov surveilling them 24/7 with cameras everywhere on street corners and buildings?
Getting anxious about being caught in the background of someone's photo/video when out in public is extremely stupid. 95% of the people with cameras are vloggers, photographers, and generic content creators with no ill intent.
Getting government involved is stupid, more power given to government will always corrupt those in charge of anything. I feel most Japanese people who have a problem with this or get offended by people taking pics/vids in public are people in their 40s/50s or older overall. Younger generation of Japan doesn't care much
Thank you for reading and sharing your perspective. While you certainly make a good point about surveillance video, I tend to err on the side of being annoyed of being filmed by a complete stranger while commuting on a crowded subway or eating in a restaurant. There is probably an age bias, and that might explain it in my case. I also have a feeling that women are more sensitive, especially because of the ongoing problem of perverts filming under women's skirts while riding escalators, for example. Such stories routinely make the news - including earlier today.
Upskirting is obviously a very serious public decency and public safety issue which demands serious criminal penalties; but isn't filming under women's skirts a symptom rather than a cause of the problem. Surely the way to address that is psychotherapy rather than blanket restrictions on filming in public?
Japan needs to protect THIER culture, law abiding and wonderful people from the likes of these foreign neanderthal like invaders. Not all, however, BUT IN TIME, the few THAT ARE let loose into their country with help from their masters will eventually bring Japan down to the levels we all see in the jewnitedsnakesofjewmurkka.
Thank you for reading and sharing your opinion. Please note, however, that Real Gaijin does not condone hate speech, including your anti-Semitic rhetoric.
Culture is a living thing. You can't build walls around it. Those aspects worth preserving will adapt and change over time to reflect changing circumstances. It could also be argued that the Japanese should respect the culture of the foreign guests coming to spend money in their country. Isn't respect a two-way street? Needless to say, rude or disorderly behavior in any culture is not acceptable.
ANS: This is the(their) way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs.
"Those aspects worth preserving will adapt and change over time to reflect changing circumstances"
ANS: If it ain't broken - Don't fix it. Wondering: have you seen the-state-of-the-world lately? It's in a Vicious Cycle while the next step is into.......wait for it..................into The Twight Zone.
"the Japanese should respect the culture of the foreign guests coming to spend money in their country. Isn't respect a two-way street?"
ANS: No. The should NOT(!) have to put up with it al'a "just-go-along-to-get-along" with disruptors. "Give An Inch And Take A Mile" without remorse but this time into infinity until Their Culture, Way Of Life, Minds And Morals ALL GONE/DESTROYED.
MORAL: "Respect" deserves more than anything $$$money$$$ can buy.
Agreeding to the definition of Insular: "uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience." The Tokugawa period; 1603–1867) that enforced self-isolation from FOREIGN powers in the early 17th century. Unfortrunately the WRONG peoples attained POWER thru thier hypocritical religio-greed to push, threaten, kill - thus gaining a power base into whichever land they desired.
This is all occuring now but in a stronger form - it is the money powers of the world like that of the rothschild iinternational banking cabal et al. (((They))) control it all.................................................
I go about once a week to an outdoor cafe near my home in Kamakura, mostly because a lot of other local people I know are likely to show up so it's a good chance to see them casually. A lot of tourists stop by and interestingly, those who are actual customers buying coffee ten to ask before taking photos, but some tourists walking by just take a photo without asking. I don't mind and the other locals I know don't seem to actually mind, but they've said more than once that it would be good manners to ask first.
Yes, that's common sense. Now we know what animals in a zoo must experience.
I don't understand why the Japanese are so up-tight about having their image captured in public by foreign tourists or anyone else. Why would anyone expect to have control of their image in public? As you say, Japanese tourists are famous overseas for snapping anything that moves or doesn't move. I can sort of understand an objection to covert filming/photography; but, in a public place, even doing that seems ok to me, as long as the images sought are not indecent. What is definitely not ok in any circumstances is inconsiderate or disorderly behavior of any kind, whether it's being filmed or not. That's just basic good manners.
Surely this phrase "over-tourism" has been mis-translated? Surely the correct translation should be "failing to adapt to an opportunity," or maybe "pennies from heaven" or "looking a gift horse in the mouth"? Japan is not an easy place to visit as a foreign tourist. Many even major tourist attractions have zero tourist information in a language other than Japanese, which few people outside Japan speak; and, given just how close the Japanese yen - and therefore the entire economy - is to total collapse, maybe a little more tolerance is warranted?
Thanks for another thought-provoking story. I guess there is no straightforward answer to this dilemma. I must admit my first reaction was like 1% Mind's, but of course, the point is that very few people are aware of being spied by the authorities while having someone pointing a smartphone in your direction can be rather annoying.
It's also a matter of where those things happen. I feel that Shibuya Crossing or other such public place are fair game. After all, even TV crews, both Japanese and from abroad, regularly work in those spots. A train or subway car, or a restaurant, are close environments and people should be more respectful of those around them.
As for introducing tourist taxes, more than an attempt to curb over-tourism, I see it as yet another way to get more money from travelers.
Thanks for the positive feedback. We are aligned. Good point about the Shibuya Crossing being fair game.
This is one thing that's super annoying about Japanese people. Who cares if someone is filming in public? There is no expectation of privacy when out in public... that's why it's called public. Why don't Japanese citizens have an issue with their own gov surveilling them 24/7 with cameras everywhere on street corners and buildings?
Getting anxious about being caught in the background of someone's photo/video when out in public is extremely stupid. 95% of the people with cameras are vloggers, photographers, and generic content creators with no ill intent.
Getting government involved is stupid, more power given to government will always corrupt those in charge of anything. I feel most Japanese people who have a problem with this or get offended by people taking pics/vids in public are people in their 40s/50s or older overall. Younger generation of Japan doesn't care much
Thank you for reading and sharing your perspective. While you certainly make a good point about surveillance video, I tend to err on the side of being annoyed of being filmed by a complete stranger while commuting on a crowded subway or eating in a restaurant. There is probably an age bias, and that might explain it in my case. I also have a feeling that women are more sensitive, especially because of the ongoing problem of perverts filming under women's skirts while riding escalators, for example. Such stories routinely make the news - including earlier today.
Upskirting is obviously a very serious public decency and public safety issue which demands serious criminal penalties; but isn't filming under women's skirts a symptom rather than a cause of the problem. Surely the way to address that is psychotherapy rather than blanket restrictions on filming in public?
Japan needs to protect THIER culture, law abiding and wonderful people from the likes of these foreign neanderthal like invaders. Not all, however, BUT IN TIME, the few THAT ARE let loose into their country with help from their masters will eventually bring Japan down to the levels we all see in the jewnitedsnakesofjewmurkka.
Thank you for reading and sharing your opinion. Please note, however, that Real Gaijin does not condone hate speech, including your anti-Semitic rhetoric.
I deal with FACTS.
Your antisemitic remarks are abhorrent 😩
Please do not put false words into the mouth of a researcher.
Pls. give real life FACTUAL examples to refute what say.
Culture is a living thing. You can't build walls around it. Those aspects worth preserving will adapt and change over time to reflect changing circumstances. It could also be argued that the Japanese should respect the culture of the foreign guests coming to spend money in their country. Isn't respect a two-way street? Needless to say, rude or disorderly behavior in any culture is not acceptable.
"You can't build walls around it"
ANS: This is the(their) way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs.
"Those aspects worth preserving will adapt and change over time to reflect changing circumstances"
ANS: If it ain't broken - Don't fix it. Wondering: have you seen the-state-of-the-world lately? It's in a Vicious Cycle while the next step is into.......wait for it..................into The Twight Zone.
"the Japanese should respect the culture of the foreign guests coming to spend money in their country. Isn't respect a two-way street?"
ANS: No. The should NOT(!) have to put up with it al'a "just-go-along-to-get-along" with disruptors. "Give An Inch And Take A Mile" without remorse but this time into infinity until Their Culture, Way Of Life, Minds And Morals ALL GONE/DESTROYED.
MORAL: "Respect" deserves more than anything $$$money$$$ can buy.
Well, unfortunately the sakoku isolationist policy was a failure and now all that's left is an insular mentality and limiting beliefs?
Just reading up on your statement.....
Agreeding to the definition of Insular: "uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience." The Tokugawa period; 1603–1867) that enforced self-isolation from FOREIGN powers in the early 17th century. Unfortrunately the WRONG peoples attained POWER thru thier hypocritical religio-greed to push, threaten, kill - thus gaining a power base into whichever land they desired.
This is all occuring now but in a stronger form - it is the money powers of the world like that of the rothschild iinternational banking cabal et al. (((They))) control it all.................................................
.
for now.....