Hearted Youtube comments on The Japan Reporter (@TheJapanReporter) channel.

  1. Finally a wholesome interview, it even made me cry.
    511
  2. Woman:“ Tell me your thoughts, Nobita. You haven’t used prostitution, right?” Nobita: “No never.” Woman: “I called it.” 🤣😂🤣😂👍👊🔥😆
    509
  3. So basically couples need to be more intimate in relationships whether it be emotionally, sexually, or just physically to make it work, this is the same anywhere and I hope Japan fixes this.
    496
  4. It makes sense the strong cultural desire to "save face" would lead to widespread social anxiety.
    486
  5. I never been more lonely in my life than when I lived in Tokyo for a couple of years for work as a Japanese American man. I speak Japanese fluently and never had issues making friends, but oh man, it was so difficult outside of work/expat communities to make new friends with Japanese people my age. Like the video says, the ever increasing amount of people living online, as well as Japan being way behind on mental health issues are the root causes I think. I returned back to the US where things are back to normal for me, but even here I fear the youths are heading where Japan is at now due to spending far too much time glues to their phones as opposed to real life interactions. Or maybe Im just a grumpy older millenial man.
    486
  6. I just gave birth to my first child 2 months ago in Japan, and I totally understand why people don't want to do it. Sure they have grants for the actual birth, but we had already spent at least 300,000yen on appointments before the birth. Also my birth was only fully covered because I chose a cheap hospital that offered no pain relief at all, my husband wasnt allowed to be there either so I was alone through the most scary and painful experience of my life. Now I know there are various support systems for kids in Tokyo, but there is a pressure that I should be able to raise my child by myself, because everybody else does it, why can't you? We still want a second child, but if that happens I will definately be moving back to the UK to do so.
    484
  7. Love his accent, he sounds like the emperor from 'The Last Samurai'. Thanks for clarifying some misconceptions about the Japanese.
    477
  8. I like how the women kindly replied to Nobita without being defensive, both have just different points of view. It's okay if you dislike prostitution, but maybe try to listen to different stories of former prostitutes first like he did. The exploitation can't be denied, but not everyone suffers from illegal sex work. If the business would have more regulations and actual laws the overall safety could improve. Banning sex work would just give more rise to illegal brothels like it happened with drug cartels in USA. The biggest problem are still the Yakuza which are in control of many red-light districts.
    469
  9. I’ve been living in Japan for over 15 years, I have PR and I’m really annoyed to see how tourist behave these days in Japan…
    467
  10. It think it's kinda hard to socialize when there's a "don't bother anyone" mentality going around Japan.. at least, that's what I think.. I always watched drama anime, or read manga and most of them emphasize the importance of companionship which is really hard to get in reality. Well good luck to all loners out there find ways to be happy.. much easier said than done tho so stay tough
    466
  11. Big topic, it's a problem in many countries, but it really is worse in Japan than I thought. I love the passion and fighting spirit of the politician though, great to see some people really want to make changes for the better. Great video once again Nobita!
    466
  12. I'm so glad you're finally talking about this topic, I think ASD and other neurodiverse conditions need to be discussed more especially in Japan, hopefully more understanding and acceptance will follow with those said discussions
    465
  13. The decision to censor porn, no doubt, gives a HUGE advantage to underground operations and very difficult for legal Japanese industry to compete -- I believed that was a huge contributor for Japan going from having the "best porn in the world" as I remembered in my teens to having the weirdest and most deviant porn in the world after censorship
    458
  14. My parents had a age gap. Nothing wrong with it imo. As long as both parties are consenting and above the legal age then there shouldn't be any issues.
    456
  15. A lot of people view criticism as hate or an attack towards them when in reality it's the opposite. Those who criticize do it because they want to see improvement and not have mistakes be repeated. Those who cannot handle criticism are stubborn and too prideful in themselves. If someone tells you what you need to hear, they're trying to help you do better. When someone tells you what you want to hear, they're trying to make you do worse. Chris Broad is trying to make both foreigners and Japan do better.
    455
  16. I’ve been in Japan 28 years 1. Always use Masu/Desu forms (unless Keigo is required AND you know how to do it). 2. A good gaijin is a quiet gaijin. 3. Follow every single rule—social, school or work. It doesn’t matter. Follow the rules. These are ironically the reason a LOT of gaijin, especially Americans, can’t fit into Japanese society. There is one caveat—you won’t necessarily make Japanese friends (unless they have lived outside the country) BUT you will be the good gaijin and won’t get grief.
    450
  17. That mainstream society can only understand the hikikomori phenomenon through the lens of unemployment figures and productivity loss speaks to it's inhumanity, the very thing that created the conditions for the phenomenon in the first place.
    449
  18. i love seeing this side of japanese people as i know most japanese people tend to not show much emotion. i appreciate her talking about her career! thank you nobita!
    445
  19. Growing mental health problems, especially amoung our younger generation, is a problem everywhere around the world. Thank you Nobita for picking this sensitive theme up so we can be reminded that it can happen to us too, and we need to seek help, or help others when we can.
    443
  20. This is such a great breakdown and honestly a great lesson for anyone visiting, or especially planning to live in Japan. Even after two years here, I still struggle with some of these things, especially how to show engagement without interrupting/speaking and following along conversations despite being able to speak Japanese; but it goes to show that so much of conversation and your interactions in Japan aren't really about what you say but rather, the little mannerisms and following conversation etiquette (or at least making the effort to).
    443
  21. True they really don't know what they're talking about sometimes, but this isn't a super serious and clinical podcast that seriously breaks down social issues. Bro they get absolutely clowned on by there worldwide audience when they make other mistakes, like when Connor says food poisoning isn't an illness. It's why they call themselves trash taste, they make stupid mistakes all the time and are unnecessarily opinionated, which is really funny sometimes
    442
  22. She is a very positive person. She must take from her parents.
    438
  23. love to see Nobita tackling the hard conversations with such nuance and poise
    437
  24. Nobita: the best reporter from Japan!
    436
  25. The people that are reaching out and helping the hikikomori reintegrate with the outside world are fantastic people with big hearts. The hikikomori are brave in taking the chance and accepting their help. I wish all of them the best and hope they all find happiness and fulfillment <3
    433
  26. Racism is everywhere in the world in Japan too,but for someone to stare at a foreigner does not necessary mean racism it could be just because you are different specially if they were kids.,
    431
  27. In any county, as you get older, the number of available people to have a relationship drops because they get married. I liked what she said about being compatible and compromise. A long marriage is all about those two primary things. There is no perfect man or woman.
    430
  28. Difference in a nutshell: Japan: You talk in formal, polite language even to your parents? Korea: Of course. Who deserves it more than them? How can you not? Japan: Please read my mind so I don't have to say anything embarrassing or offensive. Korea: Just tell me what you really feel so we can get this over with. I'm in a hurry.
    428
  29. Bro, a Broad abroad is broadly speaking the best thing that has occurred to Japanophiles. He gives Foreigners a much better face in Japan, and he's genuinely one of the most open-minded and genuinely kindhearted people that I've seen walk this earth of ours. I hope he lives long and prospers because everyone's lives get a bit better with Chris Broad and his channel A Broad in Japan.
    421
  30. This is a good change, alcohol can be a horrible demon for many. Happy the culture is changing.
    419
  31. I commend your effort for putting this out. Hopefully it gives more awareness to the Japanese people. My friend’s grandfather was publicly tortured and executed by Japanese soldiers during WW2, and he was no soldier, just a random person in the crowd. It helps a lot if the Japanese at least acknowledge and perhaps show a bit more respect, which I think is a much cherished virtue in your country, last I checked. Because people around Southeast Asia are still tormented by the war that we never asked for.
    418
  32. bro i was dying when you appeared as a "girl" LMAO completely caught me off guard Aside from that, I found the video very interesting. What stuck out to me was the women saying they date to marry, which, as being a Catholic, and quite standard in Christian culture, has always been how I've been and my other religious friends. I can see where the women are coming from though, I have friends that aren't religious (I'm from US/CA) that date casually as they mentioned, this can be very common in the west.
    411
  33. There is a very similar culture in South Korea. Marriage is seen as very important, and parents often have to agree to the marriage. Most of my Korean acquaintances got married in their 20s or early 30s, but I don't think many are happy. I think when people are put under pressure to marry, they end up with the wrong people. Not everyone of course, but it is a risk. I know that less people in their 20s and 30s, get married nowadays. The younger generations are challenging tradition.
    406
  34. that's surprisingly reasonable, honestly the part of the Captions that give me Culture shock is the excessive amount of different formatting in the text, which i assume is another way to convey tone (?)
    405
  35. The abduction of my son from the United States to Japan by his Japanese mother destroyed my life and his forever. Tears run down my face watching this piece, posted to Youtube only 10 days after his 18th birthday. He was my son until he was 4 1/2 years old and I fought for him in U.S. courts, in the U.S. Department of State, in the U.S. Congress, and in numerous battles spread across the Internet, and it all came to naught. His mother, Machiko Terauchi, is a fashion industry consultant based in Tokyo, and her parents' family is relatively prosperous. But there is no support of substance from the U.S. government or International Law, and the Japanese State is utterly indifferent to the well-being of children to a degree impossible for me to conceive of until I became a victim of the systemic abduction of children, still now disguised as "custody determination". I'm profoundly grateful to Nobita for this and for his previous pieces on parental child abduction.
    403
  36. This is a real serious issue. I think Japanese women should be better educated in the manner as well, not to trust anyone who just ask them to go to any "agency" or sign any contract what so ever, no matter what.
    402
  37. Love a person for who they are TODAY; don't fall in love with the IDEA of a person, or what you expect them to be. Basically be realistic and don't give in to ideals.
    399
  38. This was the topic that friends were concerned about when transferring to Japan was an option. They were concerned that I would be alone the moment people found out that I'm Christian. Depending on where you go, it is possible to find them. Excellent piece.
    398
  39. I hope it's not too brash to say, but I wonder if the Hikkikomori phenomena was just a start to more broad isolation issue leading to things like middle-aged Kodokushi. Your friend talking about needing time to create true, lasting friendships hit really hard. I just wish people in Japan had more time to themselves to do things like foster deeper friendships, find hobbies, etc. 13:20 OP! Didn't expect that!
    390
  40. Bruh Nobita, you never miss man. You need more subs bro, seriously.
    383
  41. The thing about British humour is that everything is fair game. They're living in Japan, so they'd naturally formulate a bunch of humour around that. If they were living in Iceland, they'd totally rinse it dry out of love (and frustration). I think that's a cultural feature that takes some getting used to for Japanese people in general; I would know because I'm the same way with my humour and my Japanese friends slowly warmed up to love it after the first few initial shocks, ha ha! Oh, and the other thing that gets glossed over is the fact that while they do take themselves seriously from time to time, they're never proclaiming themselves as messiahs that all must heed to. They're always willing to admit they could be totally in the wrong about stuff, and are primarily there to have 2 hours of pure unfiltered banter on camera. It's hella funny, insightful, and just plain goofy... And that's why I tune into them
    381
  42. Connection is important and it doesn’t matter if you’re more introverted or extroverted. Not just for entertainment but there’re also times you need an outlet to get out of your own mind. Regardless of who it is it’s good to have a community to rely on. Sometimes you just need to vent to get things off your chest.
    378
  43. As an American who was stationed in South Korea for two years, I experienced firsthand the complex feelings locals have about the presence of foreign militaries. I developed great relationships with many of the people there, and I imagine a similar dynamic exists for military members stationed in Okinawa. However, if local communities express a desire for a reduction or withdrawal of foreign forces, I believe they are fully within their rights to advocate for that. There’s a fine line between providing military support to an ally and creating a presence that feels more like occupation. 2年間、韓国に駐留したアメリカ人として、現地の人々が外国軍の駐留について抱く複雑な感情を直接経験しました。多くの地元の方々と良い関係を築くことができ、沖縄に駐留している軍関係者も同様の関係を築いているだろうと想像します。しかし、地元のコミュニティが外国軍の縮小や撤退を望むのであれば、それを主張する権利が十分にあると考えます。味方への軍事支援と、占領と感じられるような駐留との間には微妙な違いがあります。
    377
  44. Well it's really sad when u get older , you realise too many things aren't perfect as portrayed ...
    377
  45. I feel like it's more common to hear about the women working in the porn industry so hearing about how the men has it in the same industry is very interesting. It is good that you bring up their voices too! I appreciate your hard work and look forward to your next video.
    370
  46. Japan is no different then anywhere else. People get the false since of safety because of the low crime rate. That doesn’t mean you shouldn't watch out for shady practices. I come from a small community which has had huge problems with trafficking. Never thought my sleepy boring town would have such problems like this. Which is probably what makes it an easy target. These kind of services come with considerable risk to ones personal safety. Not to mention their pocketbook so best to avoid them altogether. Good info here as always. :)
    367
  47. Nobita, this is tremendous. It's virtually a mini documentary, not just a video. I'm a Christian in Canada, so I'm delighted to see it growing and spreading in Japan.
    366
  48. For anyone interested in a manga about being Autistic in Japan, read Asper Kanojo (aka That's My Atypical Girl). It shows the struggles that Autism leads to in daily life, and relationships. I really liked it
    362
  49. if the government is run by the elderly they should build housings with caregivers for the elderly to not burden the young population
    362
  50. Hey Nobita, do you want to feel better about making mistakes in English? Here is the biggest one I made in Japanese: One time, I was meeting a group of Japanese friends after work at an izakaya. I was running late because I had finished work late, so by the time I arrived, they were all already seated and eating merrily. I made my way to join them and sit at the end of the table, next to people I didn't know because all the other seats were taken. Wanting to be polite, I wanted to ask: "ここに座ってもいいですか" (koko ni suwatte mo iidesuka? = May I sit here?) but I said instead: "ここに触ってもいいですか" (koko ni sawatte mo iidesuka = May I touch here?). So I changed one letter but it changed the whole game. Aaaaaaaand of course, I was pointing at the chair in front of me with my index finger while saying that, but it looked like I was pointing at something else. So, from their point of view, those two Japanese men saw a deranged foreigner coming up to them asking if she could fondle herself in front of them in a restaurant. Ah, good times. Don't be embarrassed about making mistakes! It means you can speak a foreign language and that's super cool! :D
    358