American Reporter Discovers the Ge-Sen.

We usually just post about Japanese books, movies and other media. Yet, couldn't resist taking a page from Anne Ishii's blog at Vertical, and learn about modern Japanese culture from a reporter who sounds like he still probably has jet-lag.

From Newsweek...an unfortunately titled article "Zeon Attack"

"Japan's game arcades are far more extravagant and addictive than those in America. Is that a good thing for a country with a youth employment problem?"

Extravagant? Sure, compared to American ones, but hardly all that big a deal. I haven't seen a new arcade in Japan for over 10 years. The lack of youth motivation I fear has little to do with the lure of the game center.

"You may have seen "Gundam Wing" during a failed run a few years ago on the Cartoon Network. In Japan, it practically passes for religion, with conventions, extensive toy lines and libraries of manga comic books. Now it's spawned a popular, networked, multiplayer arcade game."

Those otaku sure are funny! They pray to Mobile Suit Gundam!

"Welcome to the arcades of Tokyo. In Asia and particularly Japan, video game rooms not only live, but thrive."

Is that why the popular Sega Worlds and other arcades that had admission charges in the early 90s now have free admission, and still are mostly empty?

"The modern arcade is an exotic, sensory-overload, nearly impenetrable to foreigners. "

If he can't get in an arcade, imagine him trying to find his way into a pachinko parlor.

"It is not just a palace of entertainment, but a collection of obsessive subcultures."

starting to see a pattern here....

"Kazuki and Mizuki, two high school sophomores at a Shibuya arcade, told us they play purikura about once a week to capture "memories." "

I wonder what their high score is.

"Dancing games popular in the United States, like Dance Dance Revolution, appear passé."

DDR came from the USA? Did he read the NAME of the game? It's called Dance Dance Revolution! And it's the ONLY game I see people still playing regularly in Japan.

"Players compete against each other on networked terminals in virtual baseball, soccer, tennis, mah-jong and horseracing, each with their own fanatical followings."

...yes....definately seeing a pattern....

"We talked to one college-age player, Maseki, who had an iPod stuffed in his shirt pocket and a Kirin beer in his hand. He said he plays about twice a month at about $3 a game, though the stack of character cards in his hand betrays a deeper addiction."

...there it is again. This poor young man is so addicted, he LIES about it!

"Adults want Japanese kids to leave the arcades, go to work and save the country. But they're too busy saving the world, one Gundam battle at a time."

So often I hear Japanese adults bemoan "If only it wasn't for those arcades! Our children would be working and saving our country!"


The real question is, why do reputable magazines rely on people who know very little to do reports from other countries, when there are thousands of talented and able-bodied writers who live in these countries, and can give an educated perspective? It's one thing to want to report on the sensations of a first-timer, and there certainly is a place for that, but a story on game arcades done after a walk down the street in Shibuya is borderline irresponsible, especially when the reporters wants to peg every player as "obsessive" or "fanatical".

UPDATE: Brad Stone's next article on Japan: "Robot Love:
Japan is obsessed with machines that have arms, legs and head and say 'hello.'"
Opening line: "Robots are everywhere in Japan. " and then a little later, "...the Japanese are obsessed with bipedal humanoids..." oh brother...