From 1% Christian Japan, "MERRY CHRISTMAS" To All (It Is Said & Seen EVERYWHERE Here)

AmericanInTokyo and Flickr.com ^ | 23 December 2007 | AmericanInTokyo

[AmericanInTokyo]

You can enjoy my recent photos in full by going to the link above at Flickr. They are under "politicallyincorrectinjapan".

These photos were all taken within the last two weeks here in the Tokyo, Japan area. Please enjoy and also think about how we, many of us in the overwhelming majority, can more fully get our Christmas back in the public social domain in America.

Another short piece could have been written about the various Japan subsidiaries of mainline US consumer products in Japan, which do not shy away from "Merry Christmas", and yet their headquarters in the US have a strict policy of "Happy Holidays" in a country much more Christian than Japan.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Good afternoon to all my friends on FR.

[SevenofNine]

HEYYY AIT Merry Christmas I didn’t know you guys in Japan celebrate Christmas like we do here in Good OLE USA

But that pretty different

[AmericanInTokyo]

Hey there, SevenofNine!

[weegee]

But isn’t it more separated from the religious aspect of the day?

There are a number of Japanese cultural fads that are permutations of American society.

It is a nation where the Ventures are bigger than Led Zepplin and still tour.

It is nice to see the pictures though. There is a thought crime in saying “Merry Christmas” in this country. I don’t belabor the point when retail people at restaurants (with no decoration) say “Happy holiday”, I just respond with Merry Christmas.

I DO say “happy holiday” at other points in the year (including New Year’s eve and Halloween) to drive the point home.

[A message]

Merry Christmas AmericanInTokyo.

Nice post.

[M Kehoe]

Merry Christmas to you.

5.56mm

[AGreatPer]

Thank you for a beautiful post. Wonderful pictures and comments.

I didn't know. It sure is like years ago here.

There has been a backlash of small proportions in the USA to get back to Christmas and the true meaning of it. So far it is small but it is a beginning.

[max americana]

Hello AIT!

I just checked your Flickr account: it says “politicallyincorrectinjapan doesn’t have any photos available to you.”...do I have to sign in?

That is interesting: NO PC POLICE that will make you feel dirty whenever you say “Merry Christmas” to another person...in 1% Christian Japan of all places.

[BallyBill]

Merry Christmas!

Liked the photos, noticed a man wearing a mask. Seems weird, but I don't get out much.

[Quix]

Actually, I greatly enjoyed the same in China and in Taiwan.

The Carols were refreshing . . .

Of course . . . the REASON FOR THE SEASON seems to get lost a lot in the translation.

But still . . . enjoying CHRISTmas so candidly is not all bad.

Sorry you feel alone there. Would have some tea somewher nice and warm with you there, if I could.

As is . . . the best of CHRISTmas wishes and for the New Year for you and all those you love and care for.

BTW,

what do you make of all the recent noise about UFO stuff there?

[joebuck]

"yes-1% Christian JAPAN"

It would be cool to visit a Church in a country where only 1% is Christian. (Japan is the only country I can think of where you wouldn't be risking death.) The perception and practices of Christians in such an environment would be most interesting. I'm sure they would put many of us to shame when it comes to faith, disipline and sacrifice. Merry Christmas Japan!

[Zetman]

Yes, it is very strange. I spent one Christmas in Japan, over the 1996/1997 Christmas-New years season. My wife is from the Kansai region. As we went about the area, I was amazed at the number of Christmas displays, both in stores, and in the various towns and cities in general. However, it was a bit disconcerting to find that December 25 in Japan is a normal work day like any other, in spite of all the decorations. It only goes so far. I don’t speak Japanese, so I had no way of noticing if Japanese people act nicer at that time of year or not, as AIT points out.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Everybody...

http://www.lzxray.com/Ronnie3.jpg

Especially in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles:

http://www.theimaginasian.com/index3.php

.

[Tolkien]

Doesn’t Japan have a holiday on Christmas Eve? If fact, since you are 14 hours ahead, it’s happening now!

[airborne]

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[DogBarkTree]

I lived and worked in Tokyo back in the 80’s. I was always impressed with the respect the Japanese had for Christmas and touched by how they wanted to share in it with us Gaijin. On the surface it may seem that the commercialism was all that mattered but I know one some level they got what it’s really about.

[Bringbackthedraft]

It is a nation where the Ventures are bigger than Led Zeppelin and still tour. ......... I’ll say! Here is the Japanese imitation.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qAixXH7oBKs&feature=related

[alfa6]

Thanks for all your posts, I find them most intersting as a rule.

And a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours.

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[VOA]

From 1% Christian Japan, "MERRY CHRISTMAS" To All (It Is Said & Seen EVERYWHERE Here)

From my missionary friends in Japan and Japanese working associates,
I've always gotten a smile about the (nearly ubiquitous?)
celebration of Christmas/XMAS in Japan.

Sure, it's still tied to Christian observance for the Christian
Japanese I've met...
but it surely has had an impact on the mainstream Japanese society.

But the one thing that does make me laugh even more is being told
that a really hot Japanese Christmas gift can be a cut of wrapped
beef of high quality.
I guess I've been spoiled by good beef being an everyday meal
when growing up in Oklahoma/Kansas!