Japanophilia: Difference between revisions

A Japanophile is a person with an unusually strong interest in Japan or its culture. It is commonly used of those with intellectual interests in Japan, such as historians, linguists or sociologists, and also of non-Japanese politicians seen as particularly favourable to Japanese interests.

Pejorative uses

The term is sometimes used in a derisive manner to refer to anime fans, or otaku. It is most often aimed at fans who profess a great deal of knowledge of Japanese culture (the majority being superficial), despite being unable to even understand the language. Many hold an idealized image of Japan that may be quite different from the reality of Japan.

Unlike the terms otaku or fanboy, which in some circles have been co-opted by the group they intend to deride, Japanophile is often viewed as offensive. The term implies fans who have a warped perception of real Japan or revere it due to a lack of identity or success within their native country or culture. Japanophiles are sometimes stigmatized as being socially maladept and obsessive. Stereotypically, it is believed that Japanophiles exhibit the following qualities:

• a strong preference for Japanese pop culture (manga, anime, music) over Western equivalents.
• a tendency to use words from Japanese in normal conversation for no apparent reason
• an inordinate interest in Japanese women, most likely not based on any personal experience.

These stereotypes are disputed. Many point out that preference for certain music or entertainment is a personal choice, no different than preference for classical music or French wine.

Criticisms

Those labeled as Japanophiles counter that the average fan inevitably learns about the basics of Japanese culture through their interest in anime and this knowledge is simply a reflection of what they feel is necessary to understand quirks that would be missed otherwise.

Some call the term Japanophile flamebait or even racist, as it is usually used by people who are not fans of anime or manga, or themselves admit they do not understand its draw to its fans nor anything about Japanese culture at all.

Critics of the term point out that many of these same stereotypes are used by mainstream Western culture against Japanese themselves (eg. nerdy, lolicon, shotacon, otaku, etc.)