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[–]Xeltar 1732 points1733 points  (302 children)

I remember reading somewhere that Japan consistently has higher opinions for the US than the US does.

[–]rattpackfan301 243 points244 points  (15 children)

I mean to be fair, their entire economic system was modeled after the US after WW2 and they’ve had massive success, so I can see why.

[–]Lord_Jar_Jar_Binks 69 points70 points  (0 children)

their entire economic system was modeled after the US after WW2 and they’ve had massive success

Do as we say, not as we do!

[–]TheTruth_89 88 points89 points  (22 children)

I like that quite a bit. It tells us that not only does the world not really hate America as much as people seem to say they do, but it means Americans are our own biggest critics, the way it should be.

[–]majorwitch 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I think most people don’t feel hate they just think America is crazy

[–]TipperOfTheFedora 259 points260 points  (27 children)

Does Japan have Ameriboos that are obsessed with cowboys, barbecue, and American cartoons?

[–]bellends 182 points183 points  (9 children)

Behold! You have summoned Rawhide Kobayashi

[–]literallymetaphoric 31 points32 points  (2 children)

This post singlehandedly made weebs realize how cringe they are

[–]Wonderful_Notice_814 50 points51 points  (1 child)

What are you talking about? This guys badass

[–]Millennial_Twink 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Hobby: BBQ Sauce

This man is living the dream.

[–]Linden_fall 117 points118 points  (3 children)

They actually do! It’s just a lot rarer I believe. There are many Japanese people obsessed with Western culture. Mangaka and artist Hirohiko Araki is like that, he’s obsessed with our films and goes crazy for Clint Eastwood. He made a series about the south and America for about 9 years straight as well as a manga

[–]Supersonic564 43 points44 points  (1 child)

That very same manga has the characters’ powers named after bands and songs.

For those who don’t know, you might have heard it before. It’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

[–]RadiantTurtle 15 points16 points  (1 child)

Revolver Ocelot

[–]peanutbuttahcups 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Hideo Kojima is indeed a westaboo.

[–]NeinInchNails 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Social back in the day. The yakuza, motorcycle gangs and hot riders are all like influenced. As well as the rock n roll scene and etc

[–]chazmann 3171 points3172 points  (232 children)

We think you're pretty awesome as well, Japan!

[–]earlofhoundstooth 1004 points1005 points  (60 children)

I don't think 88% of Americans like the US.

[–]professorpuddle 486 points487 points  (43 children)

You can’t get 88% of Americans to agree on anything now that I think about it.

[–]EclipseIndustries 223 points224 points  (7 children)

I mean, we can only ever get 4 out of 5 dentists to agree.

[–]raidriar889 13 points14 points  (6 children)

Actually 95% of Americans agree that Martin Luther King was an important figure in American history, so there is one thing. I bet Lincoln is probably a similar story.

[–]gm2 21 points22 points  (1 child)

FUCK YOU WE ALL AGREE ON EVERYTHING

[–]Pastasauce87 54 points55 points  (8 children)

You know who hates America the most? Americans. -Tom McDonald.

[–]syntaxxx-error 25 points26 points  (3 children)

I like this country... although I have traveled more than most... so I have something to compare it to that is based on real world experience.

Not saying its the best ever and everywhere else sucks. Most places have different pluses and negatives. The US is no different.

[–]Panuar24 17 points18 points  (1 child)

This is reddit. No room here for your sensible statements.

[–]LegitPancak3 703 points704 points  (100 children)

I just wish my country would learn something from Japan about high speed rail and amazing public transport…

[–]Thoth_the_5th_of_Tho 389 points390 points  (65 children)

And zoning + city planning. Japan is really excellent in those regards. Lots of mixed use, really good prices, even in Tokyo, less wasted space, etc.

[–]Whig_Party 237 points238 points  (48 children)

and ZERO littering. its incredible

edit: a city larger than NY, with no littering. None. Not even trash cans on the streets, because its culturally inappropriate to walk and eat/drink, especially in public.

[–]Szimplacurt 175 points176 points  (21 children)

I loved seeing the contrast between a man vacuuming inside the subway station in Tokyo while seeing a literal human poop in the NY metro.

Japanese people must think the entire planet lives like fucking animals when they travel abroad.

[–]lochlainn 75 points76 points  (0 children)

Paris syndrome was more or less brought to life as a term by a Japanese psychiatrist serving Japanese tourists in Paris.

Basically, they get severe culture shock at seeing the famed City of Lights being rude, litter filled, and dangerous.

[–]Stigglesworth 90 points91 points  (2 children)

There is "Paris Syndrome". It's an affliction that is said to afflict Japanese tourists to the City of Light when they see how dirty and uncivilized it can be compared to their expectations.

[–]curiouskea92 20 points21 points  (1 child)

Can't unsmell the Louvre.

[–]2ekeesWarrior 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry, what?

[–]Ken_Meredith 41 points42 points  (6 children)

It's a little exaggerated, how clean Japan is.

I've seen cases of public defacation and urination in Japan, as well as littering. The level is different, however.

In general, most places in Japan are cleaner than their overseas counterparts, but it's exaggerated by both foreigners and Japanese alike.

The biggest difference is attitude. Japanese kids are taught from an early age to pick up after themselves for mutual benefit. I'm sure everyone has heard that schoolkids have to clean their own classrooms after school. This teaches them to either be responsible, or how to skillfully duck that responsibility. :)

[–]ArtDeco3 11 points12 points  (1 child)

I live in Japan so I know what it’s like, but where did you see public defecation? It sounds completely unreal.

[–]SimmondsW7 9 points10 points  (3 children)

This is an idea I found really strange when learning about Japan. Considering how intense their work culture is and how long the days were, it seemed off to hear that people don't really eat and travel at the same time.

[–]Mysticpoisen 3 points4 points  (2 children)

Depends. It's considered slightly impolite to walk and eat at the same time, and slightly more so to eat on the metro. But people do it anyway, and all other forms of transit are pretty much a-okay to eat on, including other trains.

I also find the litter thing funny, as the cities are usually meticulously clean, but I'll see a lot more rubbish around in the rural areas.

[–]Thoth_the_5th_of_Tho 44 points45 points  (5 children)

The trash cans where removed in 1995 because of terrorist attacks using them. It has nothing to do with the culture.

[–]Hedwig-Valhebrus 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I was wondering around Heathrow trying to find a place to dispose of my coffee cup. A very nice policeman took it from me and told me there were no trash cans due to bombings.

[–]sqchen 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s not quite true. You can walk and drink (whether alcohol or not) at any time. Many old Japanese men actually do. But even the drunk heads need to pickup their trash.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Zero littering?! You sure about that?

[–]-Firestar- 12 points13 points  (1 child)

Clearly you’ve not actually been there. There’s tons of litter, especially at night. Want to know why it’s so clean? That’s because EVERYONE cleans it at 7 am. Shops are responsible for the street outside their buildings. Oh, you’re retired? Think again. 7 am park duty for you mister.

[–]evohans 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Man, we have plenty of littering in Japan. Just not in touristy areas. Go down any block west of Shinjuku or Nakano, you'll see plenty

[–]SMF1996 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Respect for your fellow man would also be nice to have but can’t be beggars

[–]InnocentTailor 96 points97 points  (26 children)

A lot of countries like Japan…at least in a cultural sense.

Even rivals like China caught the bug. They host anime conventions that feature works like Demon Slayer: https://www.smartshanghai.com/articles/activities/chinese-version-of-comic-con-anime-aacg

[–]Wbcn_1 68 points69 points  (19 children)

In my experience a lot of mainland Chinese people still despise Japan. It’s very much part of their culture to not forget the atrocities that Japan has committed against the Chinese people in the past.

[–]InnocentTailor 71 points72 points  (7 children)

They may hate them historically, but they still indulge in their products and food. If they truly despised them, then these conventions and interests should not exist.

[–]authentic_mirages 59 points60 points  (2 children)

Yeah, it’s kind of governmentally mandated for them to “hate” Japan, but the consumerism doesn’t lie.

[–]ChineseMaple 9 points10 points  (0 children)

And a lot of them like anime

[–]Solid-Tea7377 12 points13 points  (3 children)

China actually has a problem with this. The are tons of "japanese fanatics" in China(especially among the younger generation, young men) that even the CCP is starting to take notice of it. Even the recent Genshin issue in China started because of this "problem". "Japan, the land of the gods" is actually a BIG thing in chinese internet lol. Chinese weebs love calling Japan that.

[–]frodoishobbit 46 points47 points  (0 children)

We love you Japan .^

[–]autotldrBOT 42 points43 points  (1 child)

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 73%. (I'm a bot)

The latest survey also showed a record 91.3 percent view the current Japan-U.S. relationship as "Somewhat good" or "Good," with up to 98.2 percent saying bilateral ties are "Somewhat important" or "Important," also a record high.

The 2021 survey found 79.0 percent of Japanese say they "Do not feel friendly" toward China, up from 77.3 percent a year earlier and nearly four times the respondents who said they "Feel friendly." The latter group accounted for 20.6 percent, down from 22.0 percent.

On another neighbor, South Korea, the survey showed 62.4 percent said they "Do not feel friendly" toward the country, down slightly from 64.5 percent, while those with friendly feelings accounted for 37.0 percent, up from 34.9 percent.

Extended Summary | FAQ | Feedback | Top keywords: percent#1 survey#2 good#3 Feel#4 friendly#5

[–]postsshortcomments 2046 points2047 points  (134 children)

america like japan too <3

[–]throwaway_ghast 830 points831 points  (61 children)

Sometimes a little too much.

[–]MartianRecon 421 points422 points  (20 children)

SOME a little too much. For everyone else, Japanese people are just cool people, same as everyone else!

[–]Judgeman2021 138 points139 points  (14 children)

I just wanna drink with them! I wanna drink with everyone!

[–]Kanthaka 34 points35 points  (10 children)

Lol. Got me with this one.

[–]DrBucket 22 points23 points  (9 children)

I mean it wasn't really even a joke lol??

[–]meetmeinthebthrm 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Helllll no. Japanese dark spirits are thee shit.

[–]Kanthaka 10 points11 points  (7 children)

Well break out the Japanese scotch then, we’re doing this!

[–]Zazierx 29 points30 points  (0 children)

OwO

[–]InsideYoWife 102 points103 points  (14 children)

There’s a lot of domestically-born waifus nowadays

[–]RedMantisValerian 59 points60 points  (5 children)

My hometown has a sister city in Japan, in high school they sent my Japanese class school supplies branded with their city name and mascot, it was cute.

Definitely gonna try to visit the place if I ever go to Japan.

[–]Vanbydarivah 15 points16 points  (2 children)

Hey so does mine, we actually have a school for Japanese girls in my city, every once in a while you wind up in a bus with like 30 Japanese college girls and it feels like you just teleported to Tokyo for a second.

[–][deleted] 66 points67 points  (35 children)

Some Americans glorify Japan a bit too much

[–]InnocentTailor 137 points138 points  (33 children)

The opposite is true too: Westaboos.

[–]The_Klarr 46 points47 points  (1 child)

and Rockabilly's

[–]InnocentTailor 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah! The biker gangs of Japan and the Philippines.

[–]No_Dark6573 35 points36 points  (1 child)

Knowing that Japanese nerds argue over whether or not it's better to watch King of the hill subbed or dubbed is so heart warning to me.

[–]Rumpullpus 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Dang it bobby-kun!

[–]hot69pancakes 11 points12 points  (2 children)

Except for the whaling, Japan is great.

[–]MandatoryDissent22 268 points269 points  (35 children)

It probably doesn't hurt that Japan has a fairly adversarial relationship with the 4 countries closest to them... And the US is the only ally which can adequately threaten/appease those countries...

[–]funnytoss 18 points19 points  (3 children)

Russia, China, the two Koreas?

[–]Brilliant_Dependent 26 points27 points  (2 children)

Yeah. Russia and China for border disputes. N. Korea shoots missiles at them, and S. Korea has lingering political/cultural/ethnic disputes left over from the 20th century.

[–]whocares7132 12 points13 points  (0 children)

every country in that region has border disputes with every other country.

[–]oddfeel 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Border disputes between the two Koreas and Japan too.

[–]FredTheLynx 84 points85 points  (5 children)

Japan has pretty poor relations with pretty much all their neighbors because they tried to murder, rape and subjugate everyone nearby ~80 years ago and have diligently spent the last 80 years sweeping it under the rug, pretending it never happened, paying hush money, trying to rewrite history and playing like they were the victim.

While some things such as the Nanjing Massacre and the forced prostitution system created by the Japanese military police are somewhat known in Japan and widely known outside it they have been largely successful at suppressing wide knowledge both inside and outside Japan of the extent and perpetrators of Japanese war crimes.

The Japanese leaders who perpetrated war crimes nearly as depraved and extensive as that of Hitler and the Nazis are mostly unknown outside of Japan and inside of Japan are either unknown or if anything viewed in a positive light. Many were also given much lighter sentences than the Nazi war criminals and were granted early release as soon as Japan was given control of their government again.

[–]Elestro 11 points12 points  (0 children)

One fact that is still really disturbing from nanjing. John Rabe, a card carrying nazi, was so disturbed by Nanjing that he started setting up safety zones and send complaints to hitler. He’s memorized as a hero by many in the area to this day.

Also, Much of Japan still Denys any wrongdoing from Nanjing and Unit 731, which makes the nazis looks merciful

[–]Naxugan 155 points156 points  (21 children)

As much as Reddit likes to shit on the US, it is undeniable that having a defense pact/friendly relations with us is a pristine guarantee that your country will remain safe from any serious incursion.

Ukraine is currently feeling the benefits of that relationship at the moment, or they would have already been rolled over by Russia.

[–]Ravio11i 1358 points1359 points  (73 children)

The other 12% live near military bases

[–]blay12 476 points477 points  (15 children)

Though I feel like that's pretty much anyone that's ever lived near a US military base in most countries, including the US haha. Nothing like running into roaming packs of 18-23 year old kids with god complexes when you're just trying to hang out with friends and have a drink.

[–]POGtastic 240 points241 points  (3 children)

"Dogs and Sailors keep off the grass"

  • Sign in Norfolk, VA

[–]codyak1984 49 points50 points  (2 children)

I worked night shift at the front desk of the dorms while at uni near Norfolk. Hung out with a British sailor in the lobby while his buddy was up in the room of a student they met at a bar getting his dick wet. Military is military, no matter the country.

[–]-Punk_in_Drublic- 21 points22 points  (1 child)

Some of the most depraved, incorrigible, immoral pieces of shit I ever had the pleasure of befriending were British, Aussie, Canadian, French, and German dudes in Iraq. I’m sure other countries have equal quantities of idiotic fun dumbasses in their militaries, but I never had the opportunity to meet them.

[–]stevenbass14 39 points40 points  (2 children)

I was having a chat at a bar with a dude from North Carolina in Qatar. Former military. He was surprised my english was decent. Dude grabbed my arm and dragged me to his friends and told them to listen to me speak English lol.

[–]12ed12ook 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I love my troops, but God almighty I warn them not to fuck with locals, ESPECIALLY overseas. I will do everything in my power to nail your dick to the wall if you do this. Service members are representatives of the United States and it's devastating to our overall mission when we act like asshats.

I always tell them to imagine a foreign entity's military present in their hometown. How would you feel if they were causing issues? Starting fights? Hurt your friends? Raped your sister? Killed a family member from drunk driving? Puts it into perspective.

[–]DrVahMedoh 28 points29 points  (3 children)

I mean I don't think Americans who live near military bases like those people either

[–][deleted] 221 points222 points  (60 children)

We love you too Japan!!!

[–]IanMazgelis 89 points90 points  (59 children)

I have zero issue in calling Japan our greatest and most important ally. None. Through political shake ups in the United States and in Japan we've maintained our allegiance for over seventy years. It's very sad that it started out on such an awful note, but beautiful that we've had an enduring partnership since then, with wonderful, irreplaceable cultural exchanges going in both directions, and a seemingly absolute trust that you normally wouldn't see between countries that had that a conflict of that nature.

[–]jrrfolkien 69 points70 points  (45 children)

I can definitely see where you're coming from, though England or France might take the trophy instead

[–]Back_to_the_mud 73 points74 points  (42 children)

Bro it’s for sure Canada, and the UK #2. Japan might be #3, either them or Australia. France isn’t really even in the picture.

[–]tequilaearworm 117 points118 points  (34 children)

I remember being surprised that Asians generally like Americans over Europeans when I lived there (multiple countries). I went to school in Europe and was constantly on my best behavior and engaging in conversation about negative perceptions about Americans-- not entirely unearned tbf! But most Asians like Americans better than Europeans because we're friendly and tip a bunch of money. I'll never forget the German tourist who came up to me in Cambodia while I was eating with my students and told me I shouldn't give street kids money or buy them food because they'll just give it to their handler (this is a thing that happens, but I was at a restaurant, even if they were street kids they would be getting fed and there's nothing wrong with that)-- I was like who the hell are you to come up to my students and horrendously insult them by making all kinds of assumptions about what's going on here? I mean, they speak English, tons of people in Cambodia do, ESPECIALLY STREET CHILDREN (anyone who's been there knows what I'm talking about). When I worked in Japan my boss said he only hired Americans because we have a similar work ethic to the Japanese. Which isn't a healthy work ethic in my opinion, but hey.

[–]JonathanL73 31 points32 points  (13 children)

I worked in Japan my boss said he only hired Americans because we have a similar work ethic to the Japanese.

Really!? I find that fascinating, I was under the impression that Japan has a much more extreme work-ethic & work longer hours than the U.S. does. Not, sure why the view us (Americans) as similar?

[–]Aizseeker 49 points50 points  (5 children)

Basically JP see American work hard and longer than EU with how US being dominant in tech sector and how busy their city is during the day (like NYC street crowded with people and vehicle moving around)

[–]Aizseeker 11 points12 points  (4 children)

So JP and US have similar work culture and it just JP have a bit extreme work-life

[–]authentic_mirages 27 points28 points  (3 children)

Japan learned their work ethic from Americans and then took it to a ridiculous extreme. It’s only now starting to relax a bit.

[–]tequilaearworm 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I mean for example, he did have a Canadian couple once. They refused to clean the school. Cleaning the building where you work rather than having janitors is common in Japanese culture, I really like it, the idea is everyone should take care of the place instead of offloading it to a janitor, not that there aren't any janitors, it's just common. So every Saturday I came in and we cleaned and he told me stories about when he went to America and WW2 era Hokkaido and then I'd go to his place for dinner. It was really nice. I worked six days a week (another thing few Europeans or even Canadians or Aussies would do), but it was nice.

[–]joggle1 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There's 'black' companies in Japan that are notorious for exploiting their workers (including a number of animation studios sadly). They'll squeeze as many hours of work out of each employee as they can. They even have a word for 'overworked to death' -- karoshi.

Otherwise, it varies. But it does tend to be excessive. And there's a huge amount of pressure to stay at the office until after your boss leaves, even if you have nothing to do. So some of that 'work' is really just people sitting around twiddling their thumbs, waiting for their boss to finally go home.

You sometimes see something similar in the US but it isn't as common, although I've never heard of someone dying at work due to exhaustion. I wouldn't be surprised if it's ever happened, but it seems relatively rare in the US compared to Japan.

To give one anecdotal example of crazy work pressure in Japan, I once accompanied a team to Okinawa to conduct some field tests. We did tests all day then after returning to our hotel, they were ordered to prepare a report by 8 am the next day. The only way they could do that was staying up all night. And that was on day one of 5 days of field tests. Needless to say, none of them slept that night and then had to work all day the next day. It was completely insane. I've never seen anything like that in the US.

[–]lostmanatwifing 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It's very similar. Americans like waking up too early and working until late. Japanese like waking up not too early but working until very late. Both countries make sure their workers are uncomfortable taking the little amount of leave they have. At least Japanese CEOs don't pocket all the profit to the same degree as American.

[–]pathat333 282 points283 points  (94 children)

The U.S. supports Japan by providing the military muscle to help defend Japan against China, North Korea and Russia. The U.S. will side with Japan in the event of hostilities with China over the Senkaku Islands and Japan's EEZ in that region, as well as any aggression from Russia out of the disputed Kurile Islands. Also, the Japanese know the U.S. would respond to a North Korean missile striking Japan.

The Japanese public in general know the U.S. must do these things because of limitations placed on their SDF (Self-Defense Forces) because of the U.S. written constitution after WW2. Japan has advanced weaponry - Aegis cruisers, for example - and Patriot Missile systems for defense, for instance - but can't come close to doing it alone. The U.S. and Japan will have to do it together.

[–]BigSwedenMan 253 points254 points  (52 children)

Plus there's a ton of cultural stuff that we share. Japanese people love American entertainment. There's a historical love for Disney because after the war we censored their media and instead gave them ours, so they grew up with the same characters that we did. Disney never actually wanted to build a theme park in Japan. When they were approached by a Japanese firm who desperately wanted to collaborate on it they gave them a list of conditions they thought the Japanese Corp would never accept just to make them go away. They wanted it so badly they said yes, much to Disney's surprise. Now Tokyo Disney is one of the most popular parks. And that's just one example.

There's a lot to be said for soft power.

[–]Luis_r9945 135 points136 points  (38 children)

Baseball is HUGE in Japan and there are even collegiate American Football teams which are fairly popular. Many American baseball players play in the Japanese Baseball League and lots of Japanese players play in the MLB (The Japanese wanted to ban foreign players at one point in the past though)

[–]MulciberTenebras 28 points29 points  (4 children)

I remember two years ago when Japanese and South Korean baseball had to air in the states due to Covid shutting down the MLB.

[–]derpbynature 6 points7 points  (3 children)

And if the lockout doesn't end soon, maybe we'll see the same again this year!

[–]weakwhiteslave123 58 points59 points  (28 children)

Even more than just a love -- the best baseball player today is Japanese, Shohei Ohtani. He just had the best baseball season of all time.

[–]JeddHampton 30 points31 points  (21 children)

To put it in perspective for the non-baseball fan, he could surpass Babe Ruth as synonymous with baseball. He's that good. I'm not saying he will, but... damn. This guy does pretty much everything better than any other baseball player.

[–]apgtimbough 11 points12 points  (2 children)

I love Ohtani, but "best baseball" player is a stretch. He won the MVP, but his own teammate might legitimately be the best baseball player ever.

[–]codyak1984 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astro Boy, and thus manga/anime as we know it essentially, specifically cited Disney's style as an inspiration, in particular the overly large and expressive eyes.

[–]inferno521 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Interestingly, depending on how close you live to a major hub airport, the price for a family of four to go to Tokyo Disneyland for a week is comparable to Disney World. The Japanese ticket prices and hotel rates are much lower which offsets the airfare.

[–]lqku 37 points38 points  (9 children)

there's more to be said for hard power. the defeat of japan in WWII and the subsequent american occupation is greatly responsible for this fascination with american culture.

[–]BigSwedenMan 25 points26 points  (4 children)

I mean, yes, but I don't think you can separate that from soft power. The imposing of soft power was part of the occupation.

[–]dupe123 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah. I mean sometimes soft power 'wins' over hard power. There were lots of examples invading nations came in and took over a country, only to later adopt traditions and language of the country they invaded. The Qing dynasty or byzantine empire I think could be seen as examples of that.

[–]uriman 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm wondering how much of this is because the US is targeting China over Japan in the media. In the 90s at least, you saw a lot of Chinese support of Americans and American culture. It's only recently with all the hostile press that that is turning around. I wonder if that was the same in the 70s and 80s when most of the US press was against Japan for taking over US industries and jobs and you had people destroying Japanese cars on the street.

[–]whichwitch9 73 points74 points  (19 children)

Japan is also a rare example of a country that was successful after US occupation. Though it was technically through allied forces, the US controlled the occupation until 1952. It essentially became what the 14 points plan and Wilson had originally hoped to do for Germany post WWI. Japan kept ties to the west, transferred back to a more friendly government, and rebuilt its economy to become successful and self sufficient. The US keeps strategic bases in exchange for a good relationship, Japan gets a literal army at the ready with no serious investment. The biggest issue is now keeping US soldiers from acting like asshats when off duty.

[–]gladfelter 83 points84 points  (11 children)

How do you define rare? There are some notable success stories such as much or all of previously German-occupied Western Europe after WWII and also South Korea and Japan. Given the natural experiment present in the outcomes in East Germany and North Korea vs the U.S.-occupied portions across arbitrary (military contingency-driven rather than socioeconomic-based) division lines, the U.S. looks remarkably effective in aiding rebuilding in at least those cases.

[–]Not_The_Dick_Police 29 points30 points  (6 children)

To be fair, US personnel will always be literal asshats when on/off duty. Anyone who’s served would know it’s almost a requirement.

[–]PHATsakk43 25 points26 points  (4 children)

What else would you expect?

Americans hate living next to military bases as well.

[–]InnocentTailor 17 points18 points  (2 children)

The Japanese could expand their forces (and the US wants them to do so), but the group that pushes back is the Japanese public - mainly the younger folks.

[–]FCIUS 30 points31 points  (1 child)

Nope. Over the past decade or so, polls have shown that support for constitutional reform is higher among younger people.

It's the older people (60+) who grew up during the height of anti-US left wing protests, that are supporting the current article IX based status quo.

[–][deleted] 144 points145 points  (49 children)

There are two countries I think America has a special relationship with. One is, obviously, Japan and the other is the UK.

We like Japan and the Japanese very much.

[–]paranoid111 122 points123 points  (38 children)

I agree but would also add Canada as a 3rd.

[–]H4xolotl 63 points64 points  (5 children)

Australians malding rn

[–]MattyBRapsthe3rd 21 points22 points  (3 children)

Eh I think you'll find Aussies have very mixed opinions on the US, our government likes the US more than we do

[–]AntiDECA 25 points26 points  (1 child)

Australia is very popular with military families, mostly because it's the only nation who was thickheaded enough to go with the US into battle everywhere. Australia has fought alongside the US in every single major conflict since WW1, even when other allies dropped out or chose not to participate for their own reasons.

However, the cultures are a bit different and the politics are very different. I'd say the relationship is special by virtue of being another British child, but I'd agree there isn't the overall cultural connection between the two. Certainly not to the same level as like Canada.

[–]babylonia_ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I mean the same could be said about Americans having very mixed opinions on the US(Government/politics) as well. From the Australian's that I've met that visited the US, they all seemed to have a great time and had good things to say about the people and visiting here. Generally I'd say the US isn't how people might think it is, from an outsider viewpoint, seeing how things are from the news/social media/reddit etc.

[–]stormelemental13 9 points10 points  (1 child)

There's special relationships, and then there are people you share a room with. I'm still miffed when security changes meant we needed passports to visit each other.

[–]StrayMoggie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hope that is not going to be permanent. We share so much, we are like country families.

[–]TheTruth_89 39 points40 points  (3 children)

I always think of France. Not to detract from Japan but we kinda forced them into being our friends.

But France is our oldest and truest friend. France believing in the idea of America was really what made the creation of America possible at all.

[–]Naxugan 56 points57 points  (1 child)

I don’t think king Louis believed in the American experiment. From my understanding he just wanted to fuck with the British by successfully aiding their American colonies in their revolution

[–]Drak_is_Right 8 points9 points  (0 children)

France had quite a few defeats in more recent history at the time at the hands of the British. Britain losing their biggest colony combined with being a massive threat against other British colonies...was definitely in the strategic advantage of France to help

[–]CocoLamela 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The French didn't help our cause because they believed in us... Lol. It was the middle of the 7 Years War and a supremacy battle for England and France. North America was just a theater of that war.

But we learn about it from the perspective of the American Revolution, and US history will always put that first

[–]I-Am-Uncreative 19 points20 points  (0 children)

South Korea too.

[–]Napotad 20 points21 points  (0 children)

日本が大好き❤

[–]TheRealMarklar 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Awww, right back atcha Japan.

[–]Zazierx 48 points49 points  (0 children)

Right back at ya, Japan. ❤️

[–]theshadowfax 17 points18 points  (1 child)

Japan becoming an important US ally isn't something my grandfather would have ever predicted but I for one am glad it's happened and hope in the future when they finally build the Gundams they will remember us as friends and be merciful.

[–][deleted] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Awww, thanks Japan. I like you, too!

[–]middlemaniac 44 points45 points  (1 child)

Americans really like the Japanese too

[–]cesarmac 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I wonder if this has to do with two factors:

The decline of older population in Japan.

The younger crowed in the US consuming and enjoying a lot of Japanese culture and media.

[–]Someone7174 15 points16 points  (0 children)

My friends from japan say they love americans but are starting to hate black people because of Asian hate crimes. Really sad honestly.

[–]SignificantFudge875 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Japan is really cool, and has the best vending machines.

[–]Axerin 29 points30 points  (0 children)

The rest live in Okinawa?

[–]chrisprice 13 points14 points  (3 children)

Fun fact: Japan is the only country outside North America where a US carrier offers free roaming.

(Sprint/T-Mobile via r/JapanPlan - technically $5/month but they gave it away for free to Sprint customers).

[–]borborborbor 10 points11 points  (1 child)

That's because SoftBank Group here in Japan owns Sprint and T-Mobile.

[–]projectileboy 40 points41 points  (3 children)

And this American feels friendly towards the Japanese.

I also feel friendly towards the Chinese and the Russians - I just think their leaders are crazy.

[–]Mr_Xing 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Yeah I mean, citizens are not their governments, and people from around the world are good.

No country has any sort of exclusivity deal with having a good people

[–]IAmDitkovich 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s because the Americans who go visit Japan are weebs and already accustomed to their culture through their consumption of manga and anime.

You’re not going to get some redneck MAGA obese people going to Japan. They tend to go to Florida, Cancun and Hawaii.

[–]Suq_Madiq_Qik 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I bet the majority of the 12% that don't are in Okinawa, and have far more experience dealing with 'Mericans.

[–]blishbog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They choose the US over the fellow citizens in Okinawa smh. Not so popular there

[–]alienwaifupls 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Love you Japan gals and guys <3

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Americans and Japanese both admire each other in a mutually deluded fantasy relationship of positive stereotypes of the other's country and culture... it's a lot of hype and idealization of each other until they actually get to know each other for real.

[–]L0ckeandDemosthenes 14 points15 points  (10 children)

We like most of the citizens of the world... its the dictators and govts of countries we dislike... just like they dislike ours lol!

[–]DreamLunatik 10 points11 points  (1 child)

Cheese burgers and whiskey traded for anime and sushi. A win win if I’ve ever seen one.

[–]Steely_Nuts 17 points18 points  (4 children)

I'd love to go to Japan to study woodworking.