Japanese women dream of the USA
DIMSDRIVE performed internet-based research involving 5,274 people in September of last year to find out which country’s citizens would people most want to marry. It is not stated whether or not the people interviewed were single or not.
The Asia versus the West split is quite noticeable in the men, but really striking amongst the women. I previously translated statistics regarding international marriages in Japan that shows that the ideals being expressed here do not seem to be realised.
On a slight tangent, I watched the last episode of an NHK English learning program which features an English-speaking Western blonde angel that prods a clueless office worker along the path to success at her job getting a date with her transferred from New York colleague, the ideal tall, muscular, tanned, well-coiffured white executive. The angel’s job was done because the glaikit Misaki finally pulled her man.
Q: Other than Japanese, which country’s people do you think would be good to have as a partner (husband or wife)? (Sample size=5,274, free answer)
Rank Votes 1 USA 1,144 2 Korea 505 3 UK 442 4 Italy 370 5 France 344 6 Australia 218 7 Germany 203 8 China 197 9 Canada 150 10 Russia 120 Q: Other than Japanese, which country’s people do you think would be good to have as a partner (husband or wife)? (By sex, free answer)
Rank MaleN=2,468 Votes Rank FemaleN=2,806 Votes 1 USA 368 1 USA 776 2 Korea 297 2 UK 347 3 China 174 3 Italy 278 4 France 134 4 France 210 5 Russia 117 5 Korea 208 6 Thailand 99 6 Australia 145 7 UK 95 7 Germany 131 8 Italy 92 8 Canada 99 9= Taiwan 73 9 Switzerland 47 9= Australia 73 10 Spain 34 First, looking at the East-West split - or more accurately, perhaps, the caucasian-Asian split (I’m not aware of any black Western role-models in Japan) we see that for men, 36% of the total votes were for Western wives versus 26% for Asian women, favouring the West (I’m including Russia, with Maria Sharapova as the popular image of the country) by just over a third. However for women there is a marked difference; about 74% in total choose the West (over 40% for the USA alone) versus a mere 7.4% for the East, a massive ten to one vote for Europe and the USA.
Next, looking at the detailed age breakdown, it’s only in the teenage girls group that the USA fails to top the charts, losing out to France and Korea, and equal with the UK. For men in their twenties, American women are preferred over the second-placed Korean women by almost 60%, and the Chinese are back in fifth, gaining just over a third of the number of votes of the USA. However, the older men get, the stronger the charms of the Asian neighbours become, with the gap at its smallest being just a mere three votes. Similarly, for men in their forties and over, Chinese women cut the gap from a third to about a half of the USA score.
For women, as they get older (ignoring the over sixty bracket which has a very small sample size, so may be rather inaccurate) the attraction to American men only get stronger; in their twenties, Americans get just under a quarter of the vote, but by their fifties, it surpasses three in ten. Despite the charms of the disturbingly Harry Potter-like Bae Yong Joon Korean men do not seem to be particularly favoured by the middle-aged demographic.
These two main trends noted above are perhaps reflections on Japanese society as much as on foreign stereotypes. The younger men hold images of themselves as charming the sophisticated Western woman, but as they age (and visit dodgy hostess bars…) they come to realise that perhaps only Asian women could accept their typical Japanese behaviour. For women, after having been around Japanese men for many, many years, they too may come to realise that the Western stereotypes of politeness and chivalry are the only things that could satisty them in marriage.
Bonus points if you can name the people pictured…
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed, or check out my weekly newsletter. Thanks for visiting!
Read more on:
Subscribe to feed
Send to mobile
Subscribe to 世論 What Japan Thinks newsletter
purplehaze said,
July 26, 2007 @ 10:14
3d animator you say? Man, I can’t imagine rolling out of bed not wanting to go to work
Damn, sounds really cool, bro.
As for me, just your typical Teacher/clown. lol. I enjoy sharing and talking about different cultural values in some of these villages here, however, even in this internet age, there still seems to be lots of ignorant bastards out there, only breeding and multiplying in stupidity.
Not to be a party pooper on your expectations here, Onyx, but the point I wanted to make was that this article is straight up BULL. Again, I’m American, but I’ve got nothing but hated on. And I’m pretty swag, if I may say so, compared to some I see.
Maybe if you were to change the USA part for materialsm, then I think you’d have a winner, but other than that, values or nationality doesn’t really seem to matter. Hell, if anything, Africans dressed in hip-hop gear tend to pull more than some I know. Some of my friends here have a few shops and they do just fine, and I find it pretty wise that they ride that wave.
Onyx, if you’re ever in town, holla. I’d be more than happy to show you around. But then again, hangin with me might only put you into that “bad-guy” catagory. lol. Sometimes i feel like Will in i-robot. lol
ViolentAJ said,
July 26, 2007 @ 17:39
Hah. Well, some of those Africans are jackasses that do even more to ruin our racial reputation; some of them are honourable though. Making money and getting girls is cool and all, but they lie, saying they are from the USA and they just use girls and have no respect at all. Believe it or not, I want to respect Japanese culture and Japanese women (as well as other races of women, the difference there is that I don’t want to be inside of non-Japanese women hahaha).
I am with my friend now. She’s pretty cool (but has a bf). She showed me around her city. When I get back to Osaka, I will spend time with the girl I met in McDonalds (Nori). I want to meet the girl that felt me up (Nana) again, but I think that that was a once in a lifetime experience.
Most of the girls thet darken themselves to look Black do not give me the time of day. It’s the lighter, more “traditional” Japanese girls that are more open to me believe it or not. Then again I’m a non-stereotypical Black guy (no hip hop clothing, short, glasses). Maybe it’s that.
Onyx said,
July 28, 2007 @ 06:07
purplehaze said,
July 26, 2007 @ 10:14
*snip*
Lol well i have a degree in Computer Animation. Currently working for Designers doing Architechtual and Interior design renderings useing 3-D Studio max.. So ya i love what i do, but i work an hour away from where i live so.. 2 hours commute a day wears on me. Tahts when i call in sick lolol. Dont worry about it man, this survey didnt do anything for me. I’m more interested i peoples reactions and experiances living abroad. Like yourself.. But ya man, when i get there i’ll hit you up. I need to make some English speaking friends who know thier way around some shit:) You got a myspace?? add me if you do. Just be sure to remind me who you are..http://www.myspace.com/planetonyx
Violent AJ, you too add away.
OHH by the way, u were talking about teh girls that darken themselvs “Ganguro” girls right??.. That shit looks a little scary.. (0_o)
ViolentAJ said,
July 28, 2007 @ 16:07
Yeah. Ganguro girls. Ganguro girls tend to like ganguro guys (which look like okama aka faggots). I have a date tonight with Nori, a girl that I met at McDonalds. Talk to you guys later. Will fill you in on how it went.
ViolentAJ said,
August 1, 2007 @ 22:37
I feel like a total ass. Last night, I had a great date with a girl at met at McDonalds. She is originally from Tokyo, but moved to Osaka. Such a sweet sweet girl. I am totally into her.
However, that maneater that I met strolling in Namba ran into me again. She offered herself to me. I went to her apartment and on the way, gaggles of old Japanese stared at us. They seemed pissed. Nana (her name) just held onto me tighter and tighter until we got to her place. Her apartment was pretty shabby actually, but she layed out her futon and we fucked for like an hour. She is a very beautiful girl, and her moans are exquisite (made her cum like 5 times) but she is just not my type at all. She speaks maybe only 50 words in English and I get the feeling that she wanted me to get her pregnant to move her to the USA. She wanted me to just dig in but I forced her to accept my using a condom. When we finished we tried talking a bit. Really just her rambling in Japanese and me nodding and apologizing over the fact that I know little Japanese. She suggested that she wanted me to take her to the USA. I told her I could not. She seemed so sad. I just left and got the hell out of her neighborhood as fast as I could, but to the nearest subway station and now I am trying to keep a low profile in the net cafe. Sad thing is the net cafe is right in her little “vulture’s nest” of Namba. Pray to the gods that she is just in her apartment crying (not to sound like an asshole, but I’d rather that than see her again. I fear her.).
Ken Y-N said,
August 2, 2007 @ 12:53
Hi all my commenters! Thanks for keeping this story alive for far, far longer than it deserves!
You have hopefully noticed I’ve changed to paged comments as the page was getting just far too long as is.
Please resume your mutual trolling, thanks!
purplehaze said,
August 2, 2007 @ 14:34
lol. You have to kinda expect that with most online posts. Should have thought of that when putting it up.
And for some reason, that last remark seemed a bit trollish. lol.. anyhow, guess it was something you had to get off your chest.
vaj, strainge story. don’t go breaking any hearts.
truthfullytrollin' said,
August 2, 2007 @ 14:51
PROVE IT TO ME IF I’M WRONG, BUT THESE PEOPLE ARE THE MOST RACIST, COLD HEARTED, EGOTISTICAL PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET. THEY ALL DO THE SAME THING! IF ONE DOESN’T LIKE YOU, THEY ALL DON’T LIKE YOU! LIKE AS IF THEY ARE FVCKN ROBOTICALLY CONECTED.
I DON’T KNOW WHY THESE PEOPLE EVEN BOTHER TO GO LIVE ABROAD WITH SUCH HEARTS. THEY SHOULD BOX THEMSLEVES UP ON THEIR LITTLE ROCK LIKE THEY DID LONG AGO!
FVCKIN HYPOCRITES!
ViolentAJ said,
August 2, 2007 @ 19:56
Not all of them.
Sure, a lot of them seem that way, especially on teh outside. I have a few Japanese firneds that I’d trust over some Blacks (I am Black) to tell the absolute truth, and I must say, that my only sexual experience have been with Japanese women, and they have all been good (except for Nana, the sex was great but I just feel guilty).
truthfullytrollin' said,
August 2, 2007 @ 23:37
I REALLY DO HATE GENERALISE, BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, THEY ALL SEEM TO DO THE SAME DAMN THING! I’D LIKE TO FIND A FEW WHO ARE ACCEPTING WHEN IT COMES TO DIFFERENCES BUT DOESN’T SEEM POSSIBLE WHEN ALL DO THE SAME THING.
QUESTION: IS IT SAFE TO SAY THEY ARE FORGIVING PEOPLE?
ViolentAJ said,
August 3, 2007 @ 09:36
Well, I see what you mean. generally speaking, you are right. However, there are a handful of exceptions. They are a slightly forgiving people at least, since the women seem to be suitably appreciative of an American military presence.
stargazer said,
August 3, 2007 @ 19:25
Man, you guys r seriously trolling.
Does Japan really treat some foreigners that harsh? Last time I was there, I seen many foreign guys with japanese girlfriends. Why should it be a big deal?
ViolentAJ said,
August 4, 2007 @ 10:32
Stargazer, were any of those foreigners Black? No.
ferin said,
August 5, 2007 @ 05:50
What a intelligent conclusion, Asian women and men grow up to realize Japanese men are pigs or that they’re too small for White women!
If you didn’t notice, the time periods, i.e Cold War, Korea developing, shifts in alignment with America, etc are more important, not age.
Hallyu and Korea’s developing status has improved the image of Koreans to young Japanese girls. Pro-Chinese sentiment was at its peak in the 1980s. The reason why Far East Asian women love (extremely attractive) European men is because they’re pretty heavily marketed in those countries. They’re really not interested in the average looking white guy here, I don’t think they even register on the radar. They expect them to look like Pitt or Beckham, not Tim Allen or Peter Griffin.
shiroi_onna said,
August 5, 2007 @ 12:11
hmmmm….. i dont know. this all seems a little sad. i do know, as a black woman, we seem to catch a lot of the stereotypes and baggage from our men and other men.
personally, i dont care who black men or any other group of men choose to date or fetishize. i do think that no one has to defame black women to do it.
its true there are loud obnoxious black women in the world and if you look for them you will find them. there are also kindhearted, beautiful, smart, and loving black women in the world if you look for them.
i wont go deep into the history, but from an american perspective, i dont think theres any other group of women who have went through what we have when through in america, or any other group of women in america who has a greater need of being strong.
i can understand the bitterness, the pain, and the hurt that comes from being denied for carrying something you never asked for, that is not an excuse, but i understand. then to overcome that while being told you are not valuable or desirable. i work towards leaving that behind me everyday.
people often approach me in america with the expectation that i am this undesirable type of person, they are usually more rude and impolite simply because they expect of me. i have watched they way people treat black women differ greatly, without a word being spoken.
its all a bit sad to me. still i would like everyone to remember, i have never seen a woman whether loud and obnoxious or quiet and shy respond badly to kindness and courtesy. for black men, defaming us to others, remember that we loved you first as your mothers, sisters, aunts and cousins before you speak ill of us.
ahhaaah, anyway have a good day.
ViolentAJ said,
August 6, 2007 @ 13:33
Well, pissant ugly ass White dudes can score in Japan too, and I have seen Tom Cruise look-alikes strike out in fact.
Shiroi, I get what you are saying, and I never said anything about Black women. there are good and bad people in all races by my observation. However, I am attracted solely to Japanese women. If you have a problem with that, come and kill me.
Onyx said,
August 6, 2007 @ 22:41
shiroi_onna said,
August 5, 2007 @ 12:11
*snip*
Good points, i agree with your logic.:)
ViolentAJ said,
August 1, 2007 @ 22:37
*snip* GG’s to you man, good games lol. Sounds like you had a pretty good time. Dont give yourself such a hard time, its not like your living in Japan right?? No ties.. How long are you gonna be there for??? Damn, you ONLY are attracted to Japanese women?? Although, i am attracted to asain women, they certainly arent the only women i’m attracted too. Well, whatever floats your boat.
stargazer said,
August 7, 2007 @ 09:15
Vaj, I’m assuming you are black. If you have a thing for asian or japanese women I personally don’t see anything wrong with it. Although I think we should all leave that door open for anyone, regardless of race, but having a sense of uniqueness is what makes you, and if you are attracted to asians or whatever, why deny yourself to that?
If you really would like to find a nice asian woman to settle down with, go for it! Just make sure you treat her right, and thats with anyone. On a side note, you seem young, and if I may ask, do you know what you really want? No offense to you, personally, but these women aren’t like the manga characters. Those artists are just good at drawing.
It’s interesting that this generation has taken such an interest in asian/japanese/international relationships. 6o years ago, these people would have been flippin their lids, especially after the war. If anything, the older generation should be lookng at this as an improvement of the times. But unfortnuately, people take the boom the wrong way and get big heads about it.
As it seems, idiots will always try to force you to date or marry who they want you to.
I have respect for people who date outside of their race or nationality, since its not an easy thing to do. It’s much easier to date within your own race or nationality. If you think about it, that’s how it has always been.
But I can agree with Vaj about one thing, white guys do seem to be have it easy when it comes to dating anyone, particularly asian or japanese. I don’t know if its because of money or what.
stargazer said,
August 7, 2007 @ 10:17
From some of the questions and reactions I get, sometimes I wonder why one mans interest is such a big deal.
stargazer said,
August 7, 2007 @ 10:44
Unfortunately, one of the weakest things of the fallen human would be knowing what someone wants and being damned to see them get it.
stargazer said,
August 7, 2007 @ 10:46
life’s a bitch and then you die.
ViolentAJ said,
August 8, 2007 @ 03:14
I am back in the US. Kinda sad, kinda happy.
Yes. I am only attracted to JP women. I lost my virginity to a Japanese woman, and all 4 women I have banged since have been Japanese. I see no reason to change the habits of a lifetime.
ferin said,
August 9, 2007 @ 14:10
you should be castrated.
Reddeath26 said,
August 20, 2007 @ 08:49
[quote=”Walter”]Actually um Reddeath, who in here said Communism was outdated or false? I simply said Communism has a completely different ideology and it does. Now history shows that Communism isn’t really all that great and yeah of course democracy hasn’t been good, but it has a very solid and strong foundation based on UNIVERSAL values. Not one time did I say China because of Communism was a backward country. It is not and how would you possibly even assume that. However, no matter how far economically a country rises, if it doesn’t respect the basic rights of the individual, something’s going to give and it’s not going to be the individual. It doesn’t matter whether the country’s a monarchy, democracy, or Communist, if that government doesn’t respect just the basic universal freedoms as in the case with China, the people can “rock the boat” and the government will result in a political implosion.
But that really wasn’t my point. My point was simply that I supported Taiwanese independence and that if I was to tell a Chinese girl that I would get hell, but a Taiwanese on the other hand would be all over me so that was my basic point, but it really isn’t releveant and I thought I would just throw out China’s situation to readers who aren’t aware of the “real” China. [/quote]
Ok before I begin I really am hoping this site uses BBCODE. Otherwise I will be left looking like an idiot when this gets posted, curse myself for largely posting of forums which support it.
I was not replying to your post, also the communism thing was merely an example. I think George Bush summed it up best when he said we are either with them or against them. It is more a fact that USA tries to push the fact that they are right and everyone else is wrong. Naturally this does not apply to all, I would imagine it does not even apply to most. However the few it does reply to seem to have very loud voices.
Also I do not know of anyone in here who said it. However I felt it was relevant to the topic.
Reddeath26 said,
August 20, 2007 @ 08:55
@ ferin
I am very cuirous as to why you believe they should be castrated for their sexual preference. Please enlighten me as to why you do not believe people should have the right to choose who they bang? The person before you whom I assume you are replying to merely prefers girls who are Japanese. I do not know about you but I hold personal freedoms and human rights very close to my heart. By attacking someone for using one of their personal freedoms in their case preferences in regards to girls you are attacking their freedoms.