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My Evolving Relationship with Japanese Television
To truly appreciate Japanese television, you need a deep understanding of and experience with Japanese culture and society
Before moving to Japan, I visited the country on two separate occasions. During those trips, few things were more enjoyable than marveling at Japanese television after a long day of non-stop sightseeing. Like many things in Japan, the shows and commercials were strikingly different from what I was used to. Each night, my hotel-room televisions beamed an endless parade of colorful mascots, exuberant actors with exaggerated expressions, and upbeat musical jingles to match. All of it was in stark contrast to the more subtle, muted tone that permeates much of day-to-day life in Japan.
After moving to Japan, my relationship with Japanese television changed. Even as my Japanese improved, I failed to resonate with the exaggerated personalities and scenarios that often played out during prime-time shows and commercials. I could understand what was going on superficially, but there was something happening culturally that I just couldn’t connect with.
Fast forward to 2021 and, for the most part, I’ve given up on trying to appreciate Japanese television. While some will make the argument that Japanese television is…
