[samurai007]

I agree with you, Miyukisama, and the OP. The Japan I grew to know and love was the inaka, the countryside. That is one of the nice things about the JET program, most people end up outside the big cities, in the country somewhere. You get to meet Japanese people who seldom, if ever, have a chance to meet and talk with a foreigner. You get to see real life in Japan, in small towns with farmers, fishermen, etc, rather than just the cosplayers at Yoyogi Park. I think JETs and ex-JETs are slowly creating a new, more realistic view of Japan, by sharing their experiences with those back home. I know I try to do my part to talk about the real Japan here and on other forums, as well as in real life.

I think it's worth noting, though, that it works both ways. Some Japanese have stereotypes of other countries based on the media they see from that country. I was asked many times if I owned a gun, if I had ever seen anyone shot in real life (or shot anyone myself), etc. Some Japanese who have never been outside Japan have rather unrealistic views of other countries, just as some in those countries have about Japan. I hope that as world-wide interpersonal communications advance, such as the internet, there will be greater understanding of real life in all other countries.