JAPAN – ITS INFLUENCE IN POP CULTURE WORLD WIDE
Japan has had an enormous influence on pop culture world wide. This is visible in everything from the film industry to the music world to even cuisine. The culture of Japan has been able to effectively “catch on” in other countries which is why you see so many things of Japanese origin highly popular outside of its domestic borders.
Many will note there is an enormous Japanese influence on animated television series and video games marketed towards children. So, at a very young age, Japanese influences on pop culture are experienced. This creates an early affection for such influences which stay with the young ones as they get older. Hence, it is no surprise the Japanese language J-Pop songs can become popular even in English speaking countries.
This is not to infer that only “bubblegum” style influences are present. The classic film THE SEVEN SAMURAI would be a perfect example of a serious Japanese film would strongly influence the American western genre and, eventually, the entire American action film genre. Then, there are less serious Japanese science-fiction films that would have a strong impact on American fantasy films as well.
One question that might arise is why Japanese cinema and entertainment is so readily accepted in other countries. Part of the reason is that there are certain eternal values that cross cultural and geographic borders. The type of Japanese pop culture that is exported is generally not cynical. There seems to be a core adherence to common themes of overcoming all odds to overcome the unbeatable foe in many Japanese films and television programs. This would be an example of themes that cross all borders.
Most interestingly, it does not seem the influence Japan has on pop culture throughout the world will ever diminish. That is definitely a positive thing.