Unfortunately, this is not how Japanese feel about themselves.  The research that Meesh Matsumoto completed recently showed that both Japanese men and women actually lack self-esteem.  This is partly responsible for the obsession in Japan with branded goods and too much attention paid to looks – especially by women.  During our travel to Japan recently, we were surprised to see the contrast between how women dress in places like supermarkets and public parks.  Most Japanese women were actually dressed up in these places with proper makeup while in the US, women were all comfortably dressed in casual clothing.  An expert we spoke to while in Japan explained the phenomenon, “Japanese people feel that their bodies are not pretty enough – they find something wrong with their height, weight, hair color, teeth, legs, or whatever – and they try to cover up their perceived defects by being well dressed, putting on a lot of makeup and carrying expensive accessories”.

Kyoko, a Japanese girl, recently asked us, “I am happy to know that there are some people in the world who think we are beautiful since most people who visit MYNIPPON belong to that category.  But, probably most Japanese think they are very ugly, and thus, hate their appearance. But what do most people think about appearance (looks) of Japanese?  Are Japanese considered ugly or beautiful?”  (Related:  Body image tips from Hillary Duff)

Nigel represents thousands of men when he responds, “I personally find Japanese women extremely attractive.  They can look wonderful without any makeup at all.  But I have to confess that I like them even more when wearing full and even - and let's be honest - heavy makeup.  The contrast of jet black hair, porcelain white face and red lipstick quite bowls me over.  Incidentally, as a glamour enthusiast, it annoys me greatly when beauty writers talk with forked tongues about make-up, urging a glamorous look one moment, then "don’t over-do it" the next.  I think the Japanese women have it just right”.

Shawn agrees with Nigel, “It's up to real women to define their own beauty.  Keep your heads up, ladies.  Beauty is something that cannot be classified easily.  All Asians are not beautiful, and the ones who are, often take good care of their bodies and take the time to dress well.  This is something that, if any girl follows, will greatly improve her appeal.  It takes a certain degree of self control and discipline, but it is attainable.”  

While women tend to be a bit more reserved when expressing their opinions about the looks of Japanese men, the terms that have been used have a consistent theme – they are different than most other guys.  The words used included trendy, cute, stylish, charming, and others. (Related:  Teenager body esteem)

If the whole world thinks of Japanese in such positive light, why do Japanese think so poorly of themselves?  Why mannequins in Japan are more likely to be blondes?  Why almost every girl today in urban Japan has her hair dyed?  Why do magazines feature so many non-Japanese models modeling clothes for the Japanese?  Why have Japanese abandoned their traditional clothing altogether in favor of western fashion?  And as Jean Takarada recently commented after her trip to Japan, “I felt like I was just in an America II.”

It seems that something more complex is in play here.  The vast majority of the Japanese are definitely not dressing up or changing their appearance to attract non-Japanese.  They are doing it to attract other Japanese.  The foreigners in fact are vehemently protesting as is apparent from a series of articles that we have done.  So why are Japanese trying to attract other Japanese by looking like non-Japanese and/or over-dressing?  Is the answer that simple – the Japanese just don’t like how they look.  Or is it that these over-dressed, non-Japanese looking Japanese are just trying to be different in a rather homogeneous society?  Maki, a 25-year old employee of a biotech firm in Tokyo, thinks so.  She tells us, “People who change their hair color just want to be look different from other Japanese.  Certainly, they look the same but this is how they think.  What's in vogue in the entertainment world is always the hot item.  If the media thinks blonde hair is in fashion, some people try to copy it and then everyone else follows because after all we are such a homogeneous society that we have to look all the same.”

Victor Nsien agrees with Maki.  He supports the choices that Japanese women make with regards to their appearance, “When it comes to identity and uniqueness, it would be a boring and dull world if everyone looked the same. Each culture and nationality brings a lively and exciting color into the realm of our mundane existence. So, young Japanese women should take a pride in their uniqueness and beauty. It is really important to have good esteem of one’s self.”

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