Mexican Tourist Shocked by Akihabara Sexualization

Yahoo News published an article highlighting a foreign view on Japan’s sexualization, interviewing a Mexican tourist living in the U.S. who visited Japan twice.

Victor, described as a Pokémon fan and enthusiast of Japanese culture, said he was impressed by Japan overall. However, something disturbed him during his visit to Akihabara.

According to him, many stores displayed images of young women in an excessively sexualized way. He was also surprised to find places where women were not allowed to enter.

He stated: “In our culture, this is not acceptable. It seemed to me that women were being treated as objects in an exaggerated manner. This is not something we can normalize.”

Akihabara is known for themed cafés, electronics, anime and gaming shops, and also many stores selling ecchi and borderline hentai content openly on display. For many Japanese fans, this is simply seen as part of otaku culture.

Yahoo News pointed out how this can feel disturbing for a foreigner. However, many Japanese netizens reacted differently, often dismissing his comments. Here are some responses:

• “Unlike Mexico, Japan faces a low birth rate, so we need stimulation.”
• “Akihabara has been a sexualized district for a long time.”
• “Comparing it to a U.S. business district makes no sense. If it’s nightlife, the U.S. is wilder.”
• “If you don’t like it, go back to your country. Japanese don’t go to Mexico either.”
• “In Mexico, women are kidnapped in broad daylight by cartels. You can’t talk.”
• “Complaining in a red-light district is a joke.”
• “Just being Mexican already discredits him.”
• “Are people even treated as humans in Mexico?”
• “Instead of whining about this, fix your country’s crime rate.”
• “Homicide rate: Mexico 24.86, USA 5.76, Japan 0.23. LOL.”
• “Japan has lolicons, but Mexico’s violence is way worse.”

Clearly, the majority of Japanese online reactions were not happy about hearing such criticism from a foreigner.

via Yahoo News

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