The Surprising Reason Why Japanese Women Look Beautiful
Lookism and fatphobia weigh heavily on women in Japan
Clear skin, elegant makeup, and stylish fashion are trademarks of Japanese women. If you’ve traveled to Japan, you’ll have encountered impeccably dressed women on the street and in convenience stores at all hours of the day.
They’re living proof that beauty requires hard work―at least in Japan―and many women pursue an ideal figure dictated by the media and the beauty industry, often grappling with depression and eating disorders along the way.
Last month, a popular YouTuber Hina Gosai died suddenly. The cause of death has yet to be disclosed, but her sudden passing shocked the 870,000 subscribers who followed her makeup tips and honest discussion on beauty including her experiences with plastic surgery.
The title of her first book, published in 2021, describes how young Japanese women face immense pressure to conform to beauty standards¹:
I’m Working Pretty Hard to Kill My Ugly Self
For many Japanese women, including myself, the pursuit of beauty and kawaii cuteness feels obligatory due to the prevalence of lookism in Japan. In this country, women find it necessary to wear “appropriate” makeup even to get a good job.
