From Self-Deprecation to Recognition of Positive Qualities in the Post-2011 Era in Japan

Over the past several decades, criticism of Japan for lagging behind other advanced countries in various aspects, including the social system and lifestyle, has been popular among Japanese intellectuals. There has been a trend where individuals expressing such critical opinions are portrayed as cool and possessing excellent insights, as promoted by the media. Consequently, a self-deprecating view of Japan has gradually infiltrated society without people realizing it. However, following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, the brighter aspects of Japan and its people have been reevaluated and recognized by the general public or the silent majority. This change is due to the attention of foreign media, which commonly highlighted the positive qualities of Japanese people, such as honesty, organization, adherence to rules, cooperation, and resilience. These days, excessive self-deprecating thoughts have begun to shift, albeit slowly, towards the opposite perspective, particularly among the younger generation. These are my personal perspectives.

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