Help Me Hello Kitty Obi, You’re My Only Hope
Aside from the fact that I don’t think it’s a good idea in general for gaijin to try to wear any version of kimono, (yeah, yeah, I know this isn’t exactly a kimono) this picture also introduces an interesting question for Japundits to debate.
Fellow blogger Lainey posits that:
What to do when your album tanks in the English-speaking territories?
Put your eggs in an Asian basket, of course.
Well, it’s true. When a film or record doesn’t do as well as the US money-men had predicted, it’s often hoped that the money will be made up overseas. The implication is that while someone or something may no longer be “cool” in the US, the news may not yet have reached Japanese shores. (Although, with the success Da Vinci Code, which made the bulk of its revenue overseas, there is talk of studios taking the foreign box office a bit more seriously).
Of the Japanese devotion to Tom Cruise, a star who, like Janet Jackson, has struggled in the US as of late, Lainey says:
I find it very, very, very hard to believe this man still makes ‘em swoon outside of Hello Kitty country, where emotionally stunted Asians run around with only half a brain and an auto-programmed giggle.
Interesting, no? Look, it can’t be denied that stars often go to Japan to hawk their stuff in a way they wouldn’t be caught dead doing in the West. But I find it interesting that Lainey is taking this observation one step further; she equates the love of kawaii with emotionally stunted growth and a willingness to buy whatever “we” tell them to. (Full disclosure: Lainey is of Asian descent and is presumably speaking from a self-critical point of view).
For some reason, over there, we breed girls with the maturity of a cartoon frog and the emotional depth of a bow-adorned cat – girls who roll in handholding packs, who erupt in high pitched squeals over something as simple as finding out that the cutesy pencil case they covet comes in green AND powder blue.
Is the Japanese consumer just stupid? More forgiving? Less cynical? Personally I think Lainey’s raised an interesting point, and given voice to the often tacit belief of those who go to Japan to strut their stuff; they think the Japanese will buy anything. But I’m particularly curious to hear from those of you who live in Japan and watch these waves of celebrities come through the Narita gates for a photo-op. Is it true that every American celebrity can find instant success? I well remember the 80s when just showing up as a gaijin was guaranteed to get you four-star treatment, but it seems to me those days have passed.
Poor Mari….she’s my favorite. If I ever become a j-pop singer and part of the...
Shes definitely at the top of my hot list.
perfeckt 10:10
I do think American do try to dump pop culture on the Japanese. The reason is because the Japanese like American pop culture. The current South Korean fixation is another example. Washed up soap stars are all over my upper cable channels. Of course this has worked the other way too. Utada Hikaru’s CD “Exodus” was a big bust in the US (because it was, quite frankly, terrible) but it sold a gajillion copies in Japan. Bottom line, it’s all about the $$$.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:21 amI sometimes wonder about “the average Japanese consumer”, but it’s important not to confuse the media image of what’s hot (cos that’s the hype that’s trying to convince Average Taro in the first place) with the market reality.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:40 amFor example, the media tell us that Halloween is not only a “season”, but that it’s huge in Japan. Certainly the shops are full of Halloween stuff. But I don’t see people going over the top about it. No kids trick or treating around here.
I think a part of the Japanese character is given to being more risk averse than other nations’ consumers, and years of recession have cemented that. They take a lot of convincing.
Why was the Da V*nc* C*de so popular? Because it was hyped to the sky in a way I’ve seldom seen here. And what was the reaction of most people I spoke to who saw it? “Meh.”
But it’s late and I’m rambling. I’m gonna press that “Say it!” button anyway though.
Great article. I think its absolutly true that North America sees Japan as a source of revenue for its pop culture items. Mizz Jackson here is doing it, even Clint Eastwood is doing it. But it makes sense. Seeing these iconic American types snuggle up to your culture (hence her wearing the kimono) is exciting for them. But I don’t think its a one way street. Imagine if Koda Kumi sang the half-time show at the super bowl while holding an American Flag… She’d be a god.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:56 amHeh–Would she be a god though? I mean, if Americans actually think that Japanese girls have “the maturity of a cartoon frog” I wonder how impressed people would be by Koda Kumi.
And that’s kind of my question; the assumption seems to be that the Japanese, while wealthy, aren’t that smart and so their “love” of a pop culture figure “doesn’t count.” It’s wierd.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:03 amOh I think she would be huge. Americans don’t buy Britney Spears and Christina Agulara (spelling) for their intellectual maturity. They buy it because they like what the music represents. And thats sexy, cool.
Koda under the same circumstances might even fair better because she’d have the ‘Asian Import’ brand behind her…. OHhhh yeah for sure, no question in my mind… And thats a sad statement.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:06 amHunh. Interesting. A friend gave me one of her DVDs which I have yet to watch. I’ll check it out. So far the “kawaii” thing hasn’t translated well over here, but if Koda really can turn on the sexual heat in a way that appeals to Americans, perhaps that might work. Don’t know.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:08 amIt happens everywhere else, not just in Japan. Many washed-up American stars are still popular and considered hip and cool in Europe and Asia. I know many second-rate Taiwanese pop stars are treated like super stars in mainland China and Singapore. It’s human nature. People like exotic things, things they don’t get to see everyday. Hollywood stars, in particular, has special status because of how influential American pop culture is around the world.
Also, I never get when people complain about Asian girls cooing over cute stuff as a sign of immaturity and even mental weakness (what sweeping generalization!). I mean, I am no Hello Kitty lover, but isn’t it just a matter of TASTE? Sure I make fun of those squee-y fangirls like everyone else, but I don’t see them as being intellectually or emotionally inferior than I am (as a group at least). You can maybe call some of them materialistic or superficial, but ‘emotionally stunted’? It’s like when the Asians complain about how the Americans are selfish and rude while they think of themselves as being independent and individualistic.
October 27th, 2006 at 2:15 amYeah, Toto is big and alive and well in Taiwan, I hear. Of course, that’s why Tom Waits had his song “Big In Japan” a few years back. Still holds true. For better or worse. Great blog!
October 27th, 2006 at 4:41 amThe Scottish band Whiteout had their existence prolonged way beyond their shelf life and native market by the ecstatic reception to them in Japan which deceived them that there was a point.
October 27th, 2006 at 5:30 amBringing out the stereotypes types today, eh? Really this “emotionally stunted” stuff has quite a track record, starting with MacArthur’s “nation of 12 year olds” comment. I could point out the emotionally stunted characteristics of Americans and Chinese as well. Or I could point out that the Japanese don’t take these things as frighteningly seriously as Westerners do, where Punk, Cosuplay or S&M are lifestyles rather than diversions.
But I’d rather talk about the Ventures.
Those guys were as influential as the Beatles musically, but would be lucky to get a gig on a street corner in the US. The Japanese, on the other hand, appreciate talent and actually support them. Does it make the Japanese foolish that the Ventures are no longer popular in America? The same is true of many jazz musicians.
An entertainer’s value is ultimately measured by only Americans?
On the flip side, Hollywood has been international for a while, which partly explains the glut of crappy movies. Not that other countries don’t have taste, but a movie that is tailored to appeal to all cultures has to be stripped to the lowest common denominator. Good films are usually culturally specific.
Music, though, is the international language. A nation where Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake are top sellers can hardly be cited as having superior taste.
So far as Janet Jackson (this is her picture, right?), flopping out a middle-aged tit at the superbowl is about as desparate a career-move as one could make. A close second is dressing up in a kimono for your press conference.
October 27th, 2006 at 7:59 amThe Ventures still do an annual tour in Japan (in Kanto at least).
Twaaaannnngggg. . .
October 27th, 2006 at 10:11 amThings are changing. A recent NY Times article notes:“The days of Brad Pitt doing a commercial in Japan that he thought no one was going to see are gone.”
The article also says: As recently as 2000, it was common for celebrities to negotiate contracts that kept commercials they made out of view in the United States. Many celebrities saw the TV spots as potentially harmful to their reputations back home, much the way Bill Murray’s character in “Lost in Translation” avoided making domestic ads.
AND: Widespread Internet access, however, has made it hard to limit ads to one country, and dozens of foreign commercials starring actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney and Jennifer Aniston have found their way online in recent years.
So the east/west thing is changing dramatically because of the Internet and blogs like this one….
October 27th, 2006 at 12:06 pmthat article is here.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:07 pm[...] Marie Mockett poses a question in Japundit: Is it true that every American celebrity can find instant success (in Japan)? [...]
October 27th, 2006 at 12:10 pmdanny: (correction) it is “…and incomparable blogs like this one…”.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:15 pm“Not that other countries don’t have taste, but a movie that is tailored to appeal to all cultures has to be stripped to the lowest common denominator. Good films are usually culturally specific.
Music, though, is the international language. A nation where Britney Spears http://japundit.com/archives/2006/10/27/3939/#commentsand Justin Timberlake are top sellers can hardly be cited as having superior taste.” – ghoti
Word. It really has less to do with taste and more to do with marketing and hype. Being ‘uncool’ in America doesn’t make it ‘bad’, as the author of the article seems to assume. There is certainly a tone of snobbery in her postulation that the Japanese are childish
and even stupid for still enjoying the things the superior Westerns (or those growing up like one like herself) deem oh so passé.
I also can’t count how many times I have heard the same argument about how ‘immature’ Asian women are for liking cutesy things, for living with their parents at the age of 28, etc. Yes, judge them with Western standards because they are the only right ones. As if it proves ANYTHING.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:58 pmYikes, i should have proof read my comment. Nothing irks me like bad formating and bad spellings.
October 27th, 2006 at 1:02 pmHibiscus–Don’t worry about edits! I’m just glad you posted and said your piece. I also like your name.
Danny–Thanks for adding your points and that article. The subject is more complex with this additional information, and therefore more interesting.
Ghoti–Yes, that is Miss Jackson, wearing what my Japanese grandmother would point out is totally age-inappropriate. And, yes, I dragged out the stereotypes, but I thought it was pertinent and potentially interesting for everyone here (otherwise you might think I’m completely vapid if I keep posting about bags and manicures).
You don’t often hear someone out and out state one of the underlying assumptions as to why all these Hollywood types go to Japan in the first place, and I thought Lainey’s comments would give us something to discuss.
“But I’d rather talk about the Ventures.
Those guys were as influential as the Beatles musically, but would be lucky to get a gig on a street corner in the US. The Japanese, on the other hand, appreciate talent and actually support them. Does it make the Japanese foolish that the Ventures are no longer popular in America? The same is true of many jazz musicians.
An entertainer’s value is ultimately measured by only Americans?”
In answer to your last question, absolutely not. Of course I don’t believe that. And it’s very true what you say about jazz musicians, for example. I know of many a happy jazz fan who has left Japan absolutely delighted to have found records (CDs) long believed to be out of print. I may even have had some in my own suitcase a time or two . . .
October 27th, 2006 at 1:35 pmBest. Post. Title. Ever.
October 27th, 2006 at 2:37 pmNice article. You turned what could’ve been a “look how stupid Janet Jackson looks in Japanese clothes” into an interesting article.
I’ll be the first to admit that my Japanese friends are about 10 times cooler than I’ll ever be, but I constantly have to educate them on little things, like trying to speak like a black American, listening to Tupac etc. just isn’t cool.
If you think it’s bad in Japan, you should see what gets dumped on China. I went there in 2000 and it was like the Michael Jackson BAD album was the latest thing. It was fun for me because I’m a fan of the late 80s, but I did kind of feel bad for them.
October 27th, 2006 at 3:41 pmWhy did you feel bad for them? I mean, you liked all that, right?
October 27th, 2006 at 3:48 pmMM, I know they weren’t your stereotypes, and a little contention brings in the comments. You’re a good writer, so handbags or Norma Desmonds – either way, it’s interesting.
October 27th, 2006 at 8:21 pmGreat discussion happening here! Awweesome !
October 27th, 2006 at 10:31 pmThanks, guys. And thanks Peter for the compliment on the title. I take it you get the reference.:wink:
October 28th, 2006 at 4:07 am(MM)..here’s something of interest..jazzwise..
http://www.smoothvibes.com/movabletype/archives/000694.html
all hail! Captain Fingers – the Rit (jp)…..Anri
October 28th, 2006 at 1:12 pmwho ?…oh!!! a pop star…
[...] This has happened to me before in New York; I meet some Japanese person who used to be famous in Japan but has come to America to start life over. I find the whole concept of relative fame fascinating, especially because the inclination is to believe that the Internet and globalism in general has leveled the playing field. [...]
November 17th, 2006 at 4:23 pm[...] we’ve observed for a while that popular culture isn’t necessarily flowing in the one, hegemonic direction that apologists always fear. But it does occur to me that part of the appeal of manga may be its [...]
September 30th, 2008 at 12:01 pm