Are Taiwanese people too obsessed with Japan? Actually, there are parts of Japan that people dislike!

Taiwanese people rank as the third-largest group of foreign tourists in Japan, but is Japan really perfect in every way? Perhaps viewing Japan from a non-Asian perspective can reveal other facets of the country. A Canadian complained that Japanese houses are unbearably cold in winter; a famous French blogger said that Japanese people who can’t say “no” are just so annoying!

Although Japan is praised as a beautiful country, it’s not perfect in every aspect. Japanese author Akiko Aoki wrote in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun that hearing foreigners say, “I Love Japan ! I’d love to be born in this country,” or “Japanese people are very polite and compassionate,” makes her feel shy but also happy. What about negative criticism from foreigners? She herself left Japan over 20 years ago because she was tired of its lack of vitality and chose to go to vibrant China. But she believes the Japanese have recovered from the blow of the bubble economy’s collapse and can now accept criticism with more confidence.

What criticisms do Canadians have about Japan?

1) It’s too cold in winter!

“The heating system in Japan is terrible. Most homes don’t have centralized heating. If you live in a wooden house, the wind coming through the gaps is unbearably cold!”

2) Japan is a paperwork nation!

When applying for a driver’s license in Japan, she was annoyed by the excessive amount of paperwork required.

3) Are the last trains too early?

“Japan’s transportation system is extremely punctual—very impressive,” but she raised concerns, asking, “Aren’t the last trains too early?” The author thinks that for people who work late into the night, the last train service might end too soon.

4) Election campaign vehicles are noisy

Foreigners all say that election season in Japan is noisy.

Next is a well-known French blogger, who enthusiastically shares the “things about Japan that are hard to like.”

1) The walls in Japanese rooms are too thin

The author agrees, saying she often wakes up from her neighbor’s alarm clock.

2) Japanese people who can’t say “no”

“There are too many people who just say ‘yes!’ no matter what you ask. Be clear—say yes or no!” However, the author admits she finds it off-putting when someone says NO on the spot.

3) The cost of living is too high.

4) They can’t eat natto.

5) Cycling is scary.

The author says that after getting used to China’s wide roads, cycling in Japan is frightening, and she can’t do it.

6) They can’t understand English.

Akiko Aoki believes that with the Tokyo Olympics approaching, the number of foreigners visiting Japan will likely continue to grow. The Japanese mindset has finally recovered, and perhaps they are now in a position to calmly consider the “true thoughts of foreigners.”