Comments on: Who the Japanese think brings them pride http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/09/08/who-the-japanese-think-brings-them-pride/ From kimono to keitai; research Japanese facts and figures through translated opinion polls and surveys. Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:25:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: aprestout http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/09/08/who-the-japanese-think-brings-them-pride/#comment-36560 aprestout Sun, 30 Sep 2007 13:52:49 +0000 http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/09/08/who-the-japanese-think-brings-them-pride/#comment-36560 I'm not surprised Takuya Kimura was on the list. He has been the most popular japanese artist for ten years in East Asia, receiving recognition aisawide overseas as King of Japanese dramas, people don't even know he is a member of a boy band. I'm sure Japanese people think he's more than just another pretty face: http://www.dims.ne.jp/timelyresearch/2007/070619/ I’m not surprised Takuya Kimura was on the list. He has been the most popular japanese artist for ten years in East Asia, receiving recognition aisawide overseas as King of Japanese dramas, people don’t even know he is a member of a boy band.

I’m sure Japanese people think he’s more than just another pretty face:
http://www.dims.ne.jp/timelyresearch/2007/070619/

]]> By: Durf http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/09/08/who-the-japanese-think-brings-them-pride/#comment-35165 Durf Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:38:19 +0000 http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/09/08/who-the-japanese-think-brings-them-pride/#comment-35165 I believe Smap and Arashi and all those similar bands have considerable followings in Taiwan, as well as some Southeast Asian countries. I'd bet they sell far more albums outside Japan than Utada ever will. I believe Smap and Arashi and all those similar bands have considerable followings in Taiwan, as well as some Southeast Asian countries. I’d bet they sell far more albums outside Japan than Utada ever will.

]]> By: wintersweet http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/09/08/who-the-japanese-think-brings-them-pride/#comment-35108 wintersweet Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:14:26 +0000 http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/09/08/who-the-japanese-think-brings-them-pride/#comment-35108 Rinko Kikuchi has some fame here, but I expect it'll be temporary, just like how a few years ago everyone knew who Chiaki Kuriyama was. I think MIyazaki Hayao is a great choice, though. Rinko Kikuchi has some fame here, but I expect it’ll be temporary, just like how a few years ago everyone knew who Chiaki Kuriyama was.

I think MIyazaki Hayao is a great choice, though.

]]> By: queuebert http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/09/08/who-the-japanese-think-brings-them-pride/#comment-35100 queuebert Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:52:27 +0000 http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/09/08/who-the-japanese-think-brings-them-pride/#comment-35100 I am all too sure if we had a similar survey in the US, we'd get very similar results... sports icons and pop stars. Who are we going to pick... the President? Sure, we've had brilliant people in our history we could cough up if we wanted to sound intellectual, but I find it unlikely many would do so. I also don't much understand why sports figures and movie biz folk are seen as good choices for bringing a county international pride, but singers are not. Sounds more like a matter of preference to me; as I personally pay more attention to music than sports or film, I related much more to the Utada Hikaru entry than anyone else on the list. I am all too sure if we had a similar survey in the US, we’d get very similar results… sports icons and pop stars. Who are we going to pick… the President? Sure, we’ve had brilliant people in our history we could cough up if we wanted to sound intellectual, but I find it unlikely many would do so.

I also don’t much understand why sports figures and movie biz folk are seen as good choices for bringing a county international pride, but singers are not. Sounds more like a matter of preference to me; as I personally pay more attention to music than sports or film, I related much more to the Utada Hikaru entry than anyone else on the list.

]]> By: Garrett http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/09/08/who-the-japanese-think-brings-them-pride/#comment-35089 Garrett Sat, 08 Sep 2007 13:40:25 +0000 http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/09/08/who-the-japanese-think-brings-them-pride/#comment-35089 Sadako Ogata, number 9 on the ladies' list is the only person on either list who is not an entertainer of some sort - they're all athletes or pop idols. That says a lot. Sports, pop culture. Isn't there anything else of which Japan can be proud on an international stage? Sadako Ogata, number 9 on the ladies’ list is the only person on either list who is not an entertainer of some sort - they’re all athletes or pop idols. That says a lot. Sports, pop culture. Isn’t there anything else of which Japan can be proud on an international stage?

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