What cliches hold some truth? - keep it on topic

[Dragnfly@Gamefaqs]

Ok, so the last one got locked for being off-topic but I want answers to some of the points which were mentioned there. So let's keep this a straight discussion. DO NOT GO OFF-TOPIC moreso because I selfishly want answers.

So can any of our living-in-japan members answer this for me? How often have you gotten sick from being out in the rain for too long? It would absolutely fascinating to me if it even happened at all.

So long as we keep this to a valid discussion it should be ok.

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by Dragnfly@Gamefaqs

So can any of our living-in-japan members answer this for me? How often have you gotten sick from being out in the rain for too long? It would absolutely fascinating to me if it even happened at all.

Surprisingly, many times. And? Anything else?

[Shinji103]

Dang it, I know there was an anime cliche-type thing that happened to me once, I just can't remember what it was... >.>

[rooboy]

Originally Posted by kj1980

Surprisingly, many times. And? Anything else?

I'm pretty sure these are both fakes, since I can't find any information on either one (admittedly, the first one would be hard to find information on). But it would be nice if you could confirm if they're both false:
1) Do girls really run around groping each other's breasts?
2) Is there really a "measurements" day in schools?

[Dragnfly@Gamefaqs]

Don't quote me on this but I'm pretty sure the physical examination day is true. Just in that we used to have them in Atlantic Canada and many other places in the world have them. I don't know if it's true for Japan or not but I see it as... Meh, why not?

As for the rain thing, I wonder why that is. I have what's considered a poor immune system and a low white bloodcel count and I've walked/jaunted in the rain for hours before and apart from being very wet and annoyed, I didn't get sick at all. If anyone has any medical information on this, please fill me in. It'd be incredible if it were due to the vast difference in pollution. Environmental activists could use that information to go a long ways here.

I'd also like to know if many people in Japan are anemic.

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by rooboy666

I'm pretty sure these are both fakes, since I can't find any information on either one (admittedly, the first one would be hard to find information on). But it would be nice if you could confirm if they're both false:
1) Do girls really run around groping each other's breasts?
2) Is there really a "measurements" day in schools?

1. I'm not a girl so I wouldn't know.

2. Although colloquially they are called "measurements day" (shintai-sokutei) it's really nothing more than a "health checkup day." The law was enacted in 1958 as the "Universal School Health Law" and all schools are required to do a health checkup for its students once every year. The main purpose was to give all children free health check-ups so that kids from lower income families aren't deprived of necessary health care. The check up includes (several items like vaccinations are only done in elementary school):

• height and weight (also used collect data on childrens' national height average)
• height above your waist (also used for marketing purposes for new chairs and desks for schools)
• nutritional diet condition
• vaccinations for viral diseases (the measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, polio, hepatitis B, etc. etc...)
• breast size (breast cancer and other non-cancerous breast diseases including awkward lumpiness, fibrocystic disease, mammary dysplasia, benign breast disease - contrary to belief, breast cancer can happen to both men and women in all ages)
• vision (testing for color blindness and any signs related to diseases of the eye, recommendation of corrective lenses, etc.)
• hearing (hearing loss and any signs related to diseases of the ear)
• skin (for skin conditions and diseases)
• teeth (dental recommendations like braces or fillings, etc.)
• BCG tests for TB
• heart beat (high blood pressure, check for signs of heart disease)
• urine sample (diabetes)
• check for signs of parasitic disease
• anemia from low blood pressure

At the same time kids get free health check ups, such annual checks also act as a inhibitor for child abuse (remember, this law was enacted in the late 1950s). For example, a child who seems too thin with low height might be a sign of malnutrition, while sudden vision and hearing loss with many bruises and cigarette burns on the skin might be sign of physical abuse.

So, since health check ups involves lost of measurements ranging from eye vision to breast size, it's called "measurement day."

[Crimen Scythe]

i think i had health checkups too in my elementary school...im not sure...memory loss...

[Radiosity]

The previous thread only started going off topic because of the other thread that was merged with it. The other thread, while similar, did have a different theme to this one, and personally I don't think it should have been merged. Maybe I'm just weird though

[Anh_Minh]

edit: nvm.

[Chiibi]

I asked my sensei if the most famous anime cliche was true: that they make students stand in the hall and/or hold buckets of water. He said it is a very old school punishment and anime exaggerates a bit. But he said the teachers might make you sit on your knees for a while instead. Would anyone like to confirm this? ^^

I also want to know how short high school skirts are allowed to be? I'd be so insecure to wear one that short!! Sensei said junior high school ones have to be past the knee at least.^^;

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by Chiibi

I asked my sensei if the most famous anime cliche was true: that they make students stand in the hall and/or hold buckets of water. He said it is a very old school punishment and anime exaggerates a bit. But he said the teachers might make you sit on your knees for a while instead. Would anyone like to confirm this? ^^

I also want to know how short high school skirts are allowed to be? I'd be so insecure to wear one that short!! Sensei said junior high school ones have to be past the knee at least.^^;

Each school has it's own policy on skirt length, although they typically are around 5~10 cm above the knee at most. However, modifications of school uniforms is a sort of fashion statement (once again, I'm not a girl so I wouldn't know) so once school is over and they are off school property (or the school zone), they are free to put their shirt out of their pants or skirt, wear loose-socks, or roll up the skirt's waistline. Especially in those humid summer days where it's just a freaking pain the ass to wear strictly with sweat rolling down your back.

[Sun-Ku]

The health checkup day along with tooth checking is also in Germany for schoolkids every Year.



for my questions:

1. have the schoolbells all the same sound? In Germany, mostly every school has their own sound.
2. Are their realy a bunchload of clubactivitys and in special cases run by 2 to 3 members? In german schools you are lucky if you have a soccer or tennis club

3. What is the REAL deal with Anime and Manga Culture in Japan? is it a social accepted Hobby like they show us on japanese documentations etc.?
Because from the last statements of kj1980 (or so) he tells the anime nerds in Japanese are all scum loosers and so on. Or relates it to the amount of Moe/fanservice/harem animes? Is it normal for kids/teens to watch naruto/bleach/Gundam etc or are they a minority?
So what is with deep thought/philosphic/mystary animes?

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by Sun-Ku

1. have the schoolbells all the same sound? In Germany, mostly every school has their own sound.

2. Are their realy a bunchload of clubactivitys and in special cases run by 2 to 3 members? In german schools you are lucky if you have a soccer or tennis club

3. What is the REAL deal with Anime and Manga Culture in Japan? is it a social accepted Hobby like they show us on japanese documentations etc.?
Because from the last statements of kj1980 (or so) he tells the anime nerds in Japanese are all scum loosers and so on. Or relates it to the amount of Moe/fanservice/harem animes? Is it normal for kids/teens to watch naruto/bleach/Gundam etc or are they a minority?
So what is with deep thought/philosphic/mystary animes?

1. It depends. Some place do, some places don't.

2. Yes. It promotes the image of the school of having diverse school activities.

3. You already know if you read my stuff. Sure, kids watch Naruto, Bleach, and shows that air on primetime - that's where the companies target. Don't think too hard - just think: "what time does the anime air?" Then, correlate to shows that air in your country - what kinds of show airs on primetime and late at night past twelve? Same thing.

[Eclipze]

Originally Posted by Sun-Ku

3. What is the REAL deal with Anime and Manga Culture in Japan? is it a social accepted Hobby like they show us on japanese documentations etc.?
Because from the last statements of kj1980 (or so) he tells the anime nerds in Japanese are all scum loosers and so on. Or relates it to the amount of Moe/fanservice/harem animes? Is it normal for kids/teens to watch naruto/bleach/Gundam etc or are they a minority?
So what is with deep thought/philosphic/mystary animes?

Im not sure if you read this.
http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=17501

It should answer your question.

Basic summary:

Spoiler:

Reading manga at any age is considered normal, the only people who are considered "normal" to watch animes are those who are below the age of 20 or so. Unless the anime in question are stuff like Doreamon or something similar, then you are automatically labelled an "Otaku".

Hence, it is normal for teens to watch anime. But once you are at adult age, it is considered childish to do so, and it would result in being sterotyped as an Otaku, who are considered as "perverted, loner, pedophiles, hardcore sex maniacs".

Of course, that is contributed by 3 things:
1) The Miyazaki case. Pedo-rapist cum murder who kidnapped, raped and murdered the children, all aged at 10 or below (not too sure).

In addition, he records the acts or takes photos of the deceased bodies, and sends them to the parents.

2) Moe~ character desgins + hentai.

3) Generalization. Its mentioned somewhere on page 2.

In short:
People who read manga = considered normal. (of course, not hentai manga)
People who watch anime past the age of 20 and its not Doreamon = sterotyped as an Otaku = Loser, loner, pedophile, unhealthy, cant take care of themselves (which is a contradiction considering how they are living alone most of the time), mentally unstable.

I hope that helps.

[Onesimos]

Spoiler:

Does anime series reinforce the stigma of watching anime after a certain age, not just mainstream Japanese society?

I wonder how long will it be before that rapist-murder will eventually be executed, since his death sentence has been recently upheld. It has been more than fifteen years since he committed these henious crimes.

[rtwesen]

while not explicitly in anime, banana peels ARE slippery, as I found out a while back.

[Eclipze]

Originally Posted by Onesimos

Spoiler:

Does anime series reinforce the stigma of watching anime after a certain age, not just mainstream Japanese society?

I wonder how long will it be before that rapist-murder will eventually be executed, since his death sentence has been recently upheld. It has been more than fifteen years since he committed these henious crimes.

Spoiler:

For the mainstream thing, I believe the exact description only applies to Japan, as in the thread I linked, it doesnt really apply too much to other countries.

What do I mean? The extreemity of the term "otaku" is different comparing, say, Japan to the USA. For Japan, I've already stated: Being known/labelled as an Otaku is alot worst than being labelled as a lesbian/loner. You can lose your job, get demoted, or even shunned by your own family.

But in the USA (or so I've read), its just "another type of loner". Surely, you will still get treated like some loser, but the extent is somewhat the same as a gay/lesbian: Its a normal/more accepted thing.

I cant really comment about the execution part, perhaps someone from Japan (kj1980 or whoever) can do the explanation.

[Sun-Ku]

thank you very much Eclipze for the link and kj1980 for the eyeopener in the link.



So for the real ontopic questions:

2. Yes. It promotes the image of the school of having diverse school activities.

So is it a rivality among the schools or is their a education law from the state, that "tell" schools to have so and so much club activitys for their students for a meaningfull timespend on education? And the school with the most/best offers are chosen from the parents?

Since in Germany you go to a school in your neighbourhood choosen by the state and driven by the state (you can only choose your education level at the end of the fourth schoolyear based on your grades: poor graduation at ninth Schoolyear, Middle: Graduation on tenth Schoolyear High: Graduation on 12/13th Schoolyear) . So club activitys are rare because the state has no money for it.
Past the 13th schoolyear you have free choice of the university.

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by Sun-Ku

So is it a rivality among the schools or is their a education law from the state, that "tell" schools to have so and so much club activitys for their students for a meaningfull timespend on education? And the school with the most/best offers are chosen from the parents?

Since in Germany you go to a school in your neighbourhood choosen by the state and driven by the state (you can only choose your education level at the end of the fourth schoolyear based on your grades: poor graduation at ninth Schoolyear, Middle: Graduation on tenth Schoolyear High: Graduation on 12/13th Schoolyear) . So club activitys are rare because the state has no money for it.
Past the 13th schoolyear you have free choice of the university.

Yes. Surprisingly, compulsory education is only up to middle school here in Japan. Hence, you really don't have to go to high school. However, over 95% do anyway. The other options include going to a vocational school(1), joining the SDF, becoming a disciple in a master of arts, or just getting yourself into the real world by starting working(2)(3) and going to adult school(4).

So high schools, whether public or private, tries to lure students to their own campus by such attentions. Such ads like "our school went to the national championships in baseball," "our school focuses on gifted learning with major corporate connections," etc. etc.

Next time you watch anime, keep in mind that compulsory education is only up to middle school. You'll be surprised about the hidden meanings that you may have missed when you watched the first time.


(1)That is why you see Asakura Nemu going off to a vocational school after she graduated middle school in "D.C. ~da capo~" whereas her brother went on the the high school campus along with Kotori and the rest of the characters.

(2)Granted, writing down "middle school graduate" will probably never land you a white collar job, but there are many jobs that require blue-collar skills in rural areas and manufacturing plants. Interestingly, having a "middle school graduate" on your resume does not mean you end up sweating at low wages for the rest of your life - many plant chiefs who only have a middle school graduate makes as much or even more than corporate workers due to their on-site experience and skills. There are also many cases where upstart companies that makes millions whose president is only a middle school graduate.

(3)As with many capitalist societies, there are bound to be families that have tough time getting income. Although not as prevalent compared to most Western nations, Japan does indeed have a percentage of its population whose household makes below the national average. In such cases, the parents may not be able to support their child's education into high school - less of course they get a scholarship. Hence, children who are born to such households tend to be a tad higher on the level of responsibility between their peers - they know his/her family is tight on income, so he/she decides to start working to bring in additional income right after middle school.

(4)Of course, night schools and adult schools exist for those who wish to continue to higher education, even though they cannot go onto high school. Colleges and universities all accept the "daiken" (high-school equivalency test) in their application process.

[wao]

Are ALL schools in Japan really as focused on rote-learning as it seems in anime? It's like most of the time students go to school, memorize everything from formulas to the exact structure of an essay to poems to vocabulary and then vomit it out for the exam.

I hope it's just showing what it's like for people in general who can't be bothered with learning what they really want to learn - just like here, most people get by with "mugging" i.e. memorizing and spitting it out. Heck, even the students in the so-called elite schools do that too. Lately they've been making changes to the education system though, trying to make it focus more on really learning and applying, which is giving some people problems.

Also are there any specialised schools at the highschool level for, say, the arts or the sciences or anything like that? I could probably find this out through google though...

Oh and another thing - it's probably extremely rare for a foreigner to be enrolled in a local school, isn't it? So you wouldn't get many Harry McKenzies. I'm quite interested in foreign people who've been brought up in Japan. There's this producer from TV Asahi who appears to be foreign (Hedwig Schleck?), but to be a TV producer she's probably been brought up in Japan...