anyhoo as a resident here i can say that the clip does highlight 2 of my gripes about this country, chronic anthropomorphism of animals (putting clothes on dogs etc.) almost as the norm. and truly truly rotten quality television that would embarrass a banana republic.

i don’t have enough time to list the gripes i have with my own culture (UK if your wondering)

For some reason, I get the same feelings out of watching this clip as I do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AYujWCCHRk
You know its terrible to laugh, but you just can’t help it.

The upshot of these two replies is that if anyone has a negative impression of, or is concerned about, one aspect of a certain culture, to actually voice their concerns is racism.

Your upshot is completely irrelevant. I’m talking about tendency, general attitude toward a group of people, and the way of thinking, but not about just a single action, isolated incidents, and such.

So why does tormenting a bear on TV provoke (mainly) hilarity in Japan and (mainly) disgust in other countries?

We can still rationalize this as a mere cultural difference, especially on how people see the relation between humans and nature (or other animals). Some people may argue that we should never pamper or over-protect animals since wildlife are often living under far more severe condition. We are not a supreme existence born along with noble obligation, but just one species of animal.

In my opinion, introducing a lion to a bear cub is too careless since they might have fought and injured each other. But I think they must be accustomed to be frightened somday in some way, and then they must grow up so that they can judge the amount of danger they are facing correctly. That was just a lesson for a bear cub and they were laughing at his/her immature behaviour and unexpected over-reaction. Everyone on the show might have believed that everything were done under very secure condition.

The upshot of these two replies is that if anyone has a negative impression of, or is concerned about, one aspect of a certain culture, to actually voice their concerns is racism.

DC, that is not the upshot.
The upshot　is that you didn’t check and examine the facts and jump to the negative judgment, presumably based on your prejudice.

Tell me what is East Asian culture? and why do you think empathy for animals is not a part of East Asian culture, For the second question, all you have is the audience who expected funny things would happen with safety laughed at the TV show in which the bear was frightened.

You know the Buddhist tradition, and you know how the dog was saved, you must have seen how the Japanese adore dogs and cats. (I wrote another comment, which is not coming out yet, about some other aspects of the relations between Japanese and animals. )

And yet, you came up with a comment “empathy for animals is not a really part of East Asian culture”.

That’s really too much, DC.

Let’s imagine somebody shoot a film of an Asian man tricked to stumble over the stones and later grinned, realizing that it was just a trick and the TV show was exported to Britain, looking at it, the audience laughed at it . In reality some people might have frowned at it, depending on how they gauge the danger he was in.

Suppose further that somebody said,

” Empathy for non-white people are not really part of western culture”(, which roughly amount to be saying “Oh shit, Brits have no empathy for non-white people. )

Suppose still further( I am not talking about you) that this kind of people have skewed occidental fantasy on the one hand and don’t discuss in English but tell what to do on their high horse without checking the facts and don’t discourage but encourage other members to tell something like “Brits are brainwashed, brainless, Don’t visit England, don’t do business in England. The public image is that England is a modern functioning democracy.Nothing could be further from the truth. England is a fascist police state, intent on ethnic cleansing & racial purity.”

Ring a bell? (I copied the last part from a forum on Japan and pasted them with England replaced with Japan.)
Do you want this kind of people to come and live together?

Don’t get me wrong. I welcome people from different background, but not this kind of people.

>but making a comment based on the prejudice that is prevailing in the country he is from.

>Just visiting traditional Japanese restaurants confirm that the traditional Japanese don’t eat animal meat.
Just reading a short history　of Japan will tell you 生類憐れみの令.
It was mainly after the encounter with the West, the more Japanese started eating beef and pork.

I agree entirely. I’ve said the same to many Japanese friends who’ve challenged me on my vegetarianism. So why does tormenting a bear on TV provoke (mainly) hilarity in Japan and (mainly) disgust in other countries? I would say that the image of Japan abroad is one of kindness to animals; perhaps a result of the Buddhist associations. So witnessing the actual treatment of animals in Japan comes as somewhat of a surprise.

What I’m not suprised about (anymore) however is this; if one criticises *any* aspect of Japanese culture, one rarely meets a coherent argument challenging one’s views. Instead ‘RACISM RACISM, PLEASE BACK YOUR HOME COUNTRY’ is the norm.

動物の慰霊碑
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RN2H-DIMR/ohaka2/ohakalink.html

(How do you pay tribute to dead animals in your country?)

It makes me sad to see some people looking at people in “East Asian culture” in a dehumanized way.

It seems pretty obvious that empathy for animals is not a really part of East Asian culture

I　am not sure how to interpret it.
Even Taro 3Yen.com mentioned Buddhist tradition in which monks were vegetarians.
Just visiting traditional Japanese restaurants confirm that the traditional Japanese don’t eat animal meat.
Just reading a short history　of Japan will tell you 生類憐れみの令.
It was mainly after the encounter with the West, the more Japanese started eating beef and pork.

And as a Japan probe reader,you must have read a post about “Dog stuck in tire” who was saved. If it was not out of empathy, what is it?

Your comment as it is sounds like saying empathy is not a really part of English culture. Hence clips like these—whatever— which provoke hilarity in U.K. but wouldn’t never even be shown in other countries, except as a news item or documentary about human cruelty.
(You are from Britain, aren’t you?)
It shows how ignorant about U.K and the other culture he is , isn’t it?

Hence clips like these which provoke hilarity in Japan/Korea but wouldn’t never even be shown in other countries, except as a news item or documentary about animal cruelty.

I wonder why there is activism in the non-East Asian culture whose aim is to stop show/advertisement that depicts cruelty.

TV/Film/Advertisement With Animal Cruelty

I saw a television show/film/advertisement that depicts cruelty to animals. What can I do about it?

The ASPCA shares your concern about the media’s depiction of violence and cruelty towards animals for the purpose of entertainment.

http://www.bannedstuff.net/banned-commercials/banned-animal-cruelty-ad/

DC says:

What should be equally obvious is that making an observation about a culture is not racism.

Right, but it is also true that racists often use an observation about a culture to realize their aim, If someone make a sweep generalization about a culture —anyway, what is East Asian culture? and as against what? —-without checking facts and cultural conditions and leave negative judgment on it, it is likely he has racist motives or maybe he is just ignorant but making a comment based on the prejudice that is prevailing in the country he is from.

If someone just wants to visit Japan to indulge in his own curious version of ‘orientalizing fantasy and/or make comments that sound patronizing and racist, please kindly refrain from coming.

What should be equally obvious is that making an observation about a culture is not racism.

And one more equally obvious thing is that taking TV persons as representatives of an ethnic group and going into easy generalization is what racists usually do.

And yet one more equally obvious thing is that racists always pick up only negative aspects and often do negative association. Their mental illness forbid counterbalancing and thus negative impressions are accumulated.

How can you make such a sweeping statement? You only have 8 years of experience to support your extremely broad statement. You say there is no one who knows how to treat animals in this entire part of the world. Everyone here agrees this statement of yours is a big lie. We call it a typical stereotype.

You go on to say, based on your stereotype, that everyone in this part of the world should be denied of the right to use animals. This is called discrimination.

Your argument is very typical of a racist; a stereotype followed by discrimination.

What should be equally obvious is that making an observation about a culture is not racism.

2- Culture and race are not one in the same.

3- No denial was made by me of animal abuse elsewhere.

4- The fact that I live here IS important because this is the environment I live in. Therefore I have a stake in it.

5- I understand how difficult it can be on the internet. We do tend to project our fears and negativity on people when we don’t understand what they’re saying.

Now I’m assuming you’ve made it this far in your life because there is an intelligent person on the other side of the keyboard from me, and I’ve simply failed to get across my point effectively. I apologize if that’s the case.

Because I’d hate to think that you’re just one of those types on the internet that bullheadedly stick with being wrong due to pride…. Or because you’re not actually smart enough to read what’s put in front of you properly… Or even worse: Because you’re trolling to get a rise out of me.

But wrong you are. And wrong you will continue to be. Forever and ever, until the day you fess up and say sorry.

If the internet were a city, you’d be the mayor of Wrongsville, in the state of Wrongness, USA. Wrong Street would lead directly to your home. And your picture would be in the dictionary next to the word “wrong”.

You would even have to consider putting “I wuz wrong!” on your tombstone. And when mourners walk past, to lay flowers upon your grave, they say through their tears, “He was a magnificently wrong man!”

Hell, I think you just found your claim to fame, son. Maybe thanking me would be better than apologizing.

Have a nice day.

Incidentally, what other “western countries” have bullfights? And is Mexico considered a “western country”?

Nobody owes you an apology.

Spears to the face over getting scared, huh? Buncha retards

If you do not like animal abuse, why do you limit your attention to “this part of the world”

Because I live in this part of the world.

I won’t hold my breath waiting for the apology you owe me.

How about other countries that eat a lot of meat. Boy they kill a lot of domestic animals for food and it’s an awful way to treat animals.

Ironically South Korea has one of the most advanced veterinary (as in curing animals) practices in Asia. Mostly from the total destruction of food productions right after the Korean War.

Animals are animals. It doesn’t matter if they are on a farm or in a zoo. They should be treated humanely and with respect.

Your “this part of the world” comment is nothing more than racism in disguise. Japan is no worse than America, Australia, Europe, etc.

Have you ever been to a circus or any show that involves animals? Do you think those animals learned tricks for nothing? Or have you ever been to a zoo? Those animals are kept in cages. How horrible. You would not say circuses and zoos are peculiar to “this part of the world”.

If you do not like animal abuse, why do you limit your attention to “this part of the world”, unless you are a ra**st.

However, the expression on that bear’s face when he turned around and his little legs slipped out from under him was priceless. You can’t not laugh at that!

by the way, in 16 and 19~20 century, every histrical eras that japanese encountered the western culture, japanese invaded Korea and abused korean people. Western culture makes jap brutal race? hahaha

ps : I am just joking. pls be patient with my stupid joke.

The zoos in Korea are simply awful! You can tell a lot about a society by the way it treats animals.

Modern livestock-raising/ food-production techniques are indeed pretty unpleasant to behold, and I’d be more than happy to see free range meat take dominance in the market. I don’t know if it’s possible to meet the demand that the current farming techniques provide, but it’d be better for the food we consume.

However, the animals under discussion are not food animals. They are zoo animals that have different requirements for their treatment and well being, and the videos above show that they are not being met.

Now, after eight years in this part of the world, I have come across such a complete cluelessness (to put it nicely) about animals, their uses, and proper treatment, that it boggles the mind. What you saw above was a mild case, and it’s one of those sort of things where you want to sit the entire culture in the corner facing the wall.

Are you one of those racist Sea Shepherd psychos?

I hope WAZA comes down on this facility hard, or at least makes them pay large fines, perhaps even a review of their Accreditation is in order.

The very idea of introducing that bear cub to lion cubs, what appeared to be a macaque, and a juvenile kangaroo is not only dumb, but dangerous for all the animals involved. They could have easily spread diseases to each other from contact.

Now I’m just rambling….apologies to all.

Does anybody want to hazard a guess why nominal Buddhists like the Japanese enjoy animal abuse? The only cultural reason I can cook up—crappy armchair anthropology really–is that the Japanese haven’t a long experience raising livestock, so they have fewer societal mores on humane animal treatment (such as most Japanese single-family houses have their dogs tie with 1m chain in a single spot 24/7/365).

If you want to dive into the discussion of cultural or historical peculiarity of Japanese people by presenting only a few instances of animal abuse, then I will do the same.

Have a look at the following example of animal treatment by a people having a long history of raising livestock:

Undercover Investigation at Hy-Line Hatchery

You can still claim that this is typical Japanese invention, but if not, we can argue that those people having a long experience of raising livestock can do things far more efficiently and cruelly because of their rich experience of raising livestock.

Does anybody want to hazard a guess why nominal Buddhists like the Japanese enjoy animal abuse? T

I think you went too far here. Sorry but, as you say, it is crappy.
By the same logic, someone can discuss why nominal Christians like American enjoy animal abuse, citing some news.
http://news.google.co.jp/news/search?um=1&cf=all&ned=jp&hl=ja&q=animal+cruelty

I’ve seen some news about cruel breeders and cruel pet trainers on TV in Japan, If people just enjoy animal abuse, why are they on the news?, and why do people consider them problematic?

As for the audience reactions, people find humor, according to Veatch, iff

1)Something is wrong.
2)The situation is actually okay
3)Both occur at the same time.

Some people find the situation above is not okay. In that case people don’t find it funny.
Other people find the situation above is okay, perhaps because they know no life-threatening events would happen and they find it funny.

I’ve seen Japanese comedians go into the cage of lions/alligators and frightened and run away. Some people find it funny.I find it in poor taste.

I am sure I could dig up news stories about animal abuse from your country of origin and make the same kind of idiotic generalizations.

Your name link goes to an article about a Greek company slaughtering a goat to celebrate the release of a game that just so happens to be owned by Sony. ???? Is it supposed to be an example of why Japanese enjoy animal abuse?

Once I put my 1.5kg kitten in outdoor movable pen on my front lawn with my 4kg Flemish Giant rabbits. I was innocently expecting a scene from “Peaceable Kingdom” (Edward Hicks a Quaker painter, circa 1800).
Instead, from the first time I heard the huge rabbits SCREAM like the end of the world—I figured out the just the smell of predator cat set them off in spasmodic fear of death. My neighbors almost called the police thinking a mass murder of a group of children was in progress.

Continuing the bear vs lion cub “experiment” was cruel but typical of Korean and Japanese TV (and normal for the cruelty of Japanese pet shops).

Does anybody want to hazard a guess why nominal Buddhists like the Japanese enjoy animal abuse? The only cultural reason I can cook up—crappy armchair anthropology really–is that the Japanese haven’t a long experience raising livestock, so they have fewer societal mores on humane animal treatment (such as most Japanese single-family houses have their dogs tie with 1m chain in a single spot 24/7/365).

Additional references:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Japan_animal_cruelty_case
Dragon Gate dojo monkey torture
http://aspcacommunity.ning.com/forum/topics/dragon-gate-wrestling-animal