LEARN 04
Otaku culture transcends borders!
Let's respect our country and culture.
The feeling of liking your favorite idol knows no borders.
However, what is considered "normal" varies depending on where you live.
Otaku activities are already connected to the world.
Posts by your favorite artists are filled with comments in many different languages. People travel from Japan to overseas concerts, and people travel from overseas to attend concerts in Japan. With the spread of social media and live streaming, this kind of scene has become commonplace.
Fandoms are inherently communities that transcend national borders . The simple fact that we support the same person allows us to connect with people of different languages and nationalities. This is something truly special.
The feeling of "liking" someone can transcend national borders.
Q. If we all "like" the same thing, does that mean we're all the same?
Even if you support the same person, what's considered normal can differ depending on where you grew up.
For example, these differences
How to cheer : Shouting, standing, sitting. Venue etiquette varies by country and region.
・Everyone has their own calendar, holidays , and important events.
- Some people have dietary restrictions due to their religion or beliefs.
- Nuances of words / Translation can sometimes change the meaning or intensity.
- The perception of money /the perceived value of merchandise and tickets varies greatly from country to country.
This isn't about what's right or wrong. It's simply knowing that they're different. That alone changes how the message is conveyed.
Things to be careful about
As a fandom grows, misunderstandings become more likely. Here are some common examples:
Situations where misunderstandings are likely to occur
- Translation discrepancies / Machine translation can sometimes make jokes sound like insults.
- Imposing "common sense" / Expecting others to follow the same manners as one's own country.
Making assumptions or generalizing by saying "People from group X are like this" blinds you to the person in front of you.
- Disparities in tickets and information / What you can get varies depending on where you live.
Tips for pausing for a moment
When you hear something that makes you think, "Huh?", take a moment to pause and consider that the translation might be off, or the context might be different. Just doing that can prevent misunderstandings.
Q. Is this related to the SDGs?
The SDGs are not just about the environment. At their core is the idea of leaving no one behind.
「みんなの好き」を大切にすること
I hope that the place where people support their favorite idols will be a comfortable place for everyone.
This leads to the following goal:
Goal 10: Reduce inequalities within and among countries.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Goal 17 | Partnerships for the Goals
Cherishing your own "likes" and cherishing someone else's "likes" are the same thing. Fandom is also a place where you can practice that every day.
Q. So, what can we do?
Here are some actions related to this article. After reading, try at least one of them!
