This could have been written, to the blackest of secret laughter, by a hateful racist trying to convince the world that Japan was utterly backward.

Very unfortunately, it is apparently genuine, sincere, and written by a Japanese woman herself in what seems like a heartfelt attempt to "help" other Japanese women attain "happiness."

That, after close to two years living in Tokyo, it strikes me as accurate (at least for women over the age of 25) terrifies and saddens me.

I think most sectors of Western opinion are long overdue for a realignment in their perception of Japan - which, despite appearances, is a feudal place antipathetic to modernity - and material like this will accelerate the process. I suppose some will say that similarly bogus standards of femininity are promulgated in the West, but the difference is that there's not nearly the weight of social machinery devoted to enforcing them: there are a multiplicity of paths to success for women that do not involve obeisance to the desiccated norms.

Not sure what this has to do with usability, but it's fascinating, thanks.

Posted by: Adam Greenfield on December 14, 2002 10:46 PM

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And what does this have to do with web design...?

Posted by: Zelda on December 14, 2002 10:57 PM

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- what does this have to do with web design...?

No duh...It clearly shows that Japanese women are easy to use. ;-)

Better leave this one anonymous.

Posted by: on December 14, 2002 11:04 PM

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Adam, what percentage of Japanese people speak English well? I'm just curious, that's all. Can a visitor get by without knowing any Japanese?

I sometimes come across things like "rules for doing business with Japanese people" and they scare me. I've pretty much made up my mind that I wouldn't have anything to do with them even if I got a chance. The complex social heirarchy, the "don't say no directly" rule, etc. is a bit much for me. I'm a direct "say what you mean (and vice versa)" kind of guy.

Zelda, once in a while, we post interesting stuff that may not be related to usability. We're not serious all the time, you know. :)

Posted by: MadMan on December 14, 2002 11:55 PM

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I've gotten by with a facility at Japanese that has actually decreased over the last two years. As I've lost respect for the culture, I've lost interest in ever speaking the language, frankly.

But, yeah. I'm direct enough - some would, and do, say "abrasive" - in Western terms that there was no chance that I'd ever be able to adapt to the Japanese way of doing things.

Posted by: Adam Greenfield on December 15, 2002 06:30 AM

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Is there much difference between this article and the very American Surrendered Wife ?

Posted by: Mac on December 16, 2002 10:34 AM

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