9 myths about Japan that people in other countries mistakenly believe (10 photos)

Asel Minogawa has lived in Japan for a long time. She is often asked to dispel myths or talk about the peculiarities of life in this country. She has collected the most common misconceptions about the land of the rising sun, which may surprise you.



Myth 1: Japanese children are allowed absolutely everything; until the age of 5 they are like kings



This is wrong. Here children are not allowed to do many things. Parents constantly tell their children: you can’t do this, don’t make noise, it’s dangerous, don’t go there, don’t touch, don’t interfere.

Myth 2: Microwave ovens have been banned in Japan because they cause cancer.





This is also a lie. Every home, every store has a microwave, and the Japanese use them all the time.

Myth 3: There are no homeless people in Japan



They exist, but there are very few of them; as of 2019, there were about 4,000 of them. Homeless people here rarely ask others for money; more often they have a job.

Myth 4: All Japanese are perverts



Even if they are like that, they carefully hide it. And vending machines for underwear are rare, perhaps they exist in Tokyo, and most likely only as a means of entertaining tourists.

Myth 5: Japanese women are submissive



In old movies, women were actually shown like this. However, in modern Japan, everything is in the hands of women: finances, everyday life, and they can put any man in his place.

Myth 6: Japanese people can't drink milk because everyone is lactose intolerant.



This is more common among the Chinese. In Japan, even in kindergartens they feed milk.

Myth 7: Japanese people eat fish every day



Besides fish, there is a lot of other food here. Mostly they eat it several times a week, it all depends on the season, but definitely not every day.

Myth 8: In terms of technology, Japan is ahead of the rest



It is not true. Sometimes stores don't even accept cards, only cash.

Myth 9: Every Japanese loves sumo



Another misconception. Sumo is not for everyone; more often the Japanese prefer baseball, football, tennis, swimming and running.