Recently, a heated debate has arisen among Japanese
netizens about the perception that kindness in Japan's
society is in danger of extinction . This debate was sparked
by a comment posted on Twitter, which resonated deeply with the platform's
users. The comment said:
- « Why
are there so many people in Japan who are not nice? They
are not kind to children. They are not kind to the elderly. They are not
kind to people without money. They are not kind to those who have
children. They are not friendly to people with disabilities. They are not
friendly to foreigners. They are not kind to people who have
problems. There are simply more malicious people. Why is it like
this? We didn't get that education, right?
- Is it because we don't have enough money anymore? No, there are many rich people who seem to have bad tempers. Politicians also seem to have bad tempers, especially those from the Liberal Democratic and Democratic Party for the People parties, as well as Yuriko Koike. If we were asked whether we prefer kind or malicious people, no one should doubt. I'm tired of people not being nice anymore .
The comment generated an avalanche of
responses and discussions on social media, where many users shared their own
experiences and theories about why kindness seems to be disappearing in
Japanese society. Some agreed that economic pressure
and growing inequality could be factors contributing to this perception. Others
pointed to a crisis of values, arguing that education and culture have focused
too much on personal success and competitiveness, leaving aside the importance
of empathy and courtesy.
Some users highlighted that Japan's economic
situation, characterized by growing inequality and job insecurity ,
has affected people's emotional well-being and ability to be kind.
- « There
is no benefit in being nice. Do you give food or shelter to the homeless?
That is the answer. »
- « Compared
to before the war, we are much kinder. People today would mentally break
down in pre-war times. »
- « If
kindness is related to the economy, then this is only going to get worse. ».
- « Before
we were not friendlier. »
- « In
capitalism, nice people have been eliminated. It is a society where those
who do bad things win and are not discovered. »
- « Even
if they are discovered, they are somehow forgiven. Kind and serious people
are treated badly. »
- « In
my work there are many crazy people. This is already finished. »
- « Corporal
punishment, bullying and workplace bullying were the norm in Japan before. »
- « Japan
has changed since Abe's second term. »
- « There
is no money, there is no time, there is no peace of mind. »
- « It
was not intentional evil. People understood kindness and faked it, but it
wasn't as common to see fake kindness. »
- « We
should reconsider the baseless idea that “the Japanese were always kind.”
There is enough evidence about what they were like before and during the
war. »
- « The
personal attacks and denials of this tweet reinforce the idea that nice
people have disappeared. »
- One
historian said that the world is not becoming right but “infantilizing.”
Immature people are becoming visible and gaining influence by connecting
with each other. »
- « The
networks have only made visible what always was. There has always been
evil. »
- « If
those below helped each other, they could one day unite and threaten those
above. It is better that they continue as they are. »
- « Kind
people are weak. Being nice is the only good thing about them, so it's
only natural that they get eliminated. »
- « The
level of morality has increased. We have been taught not to bother others,
so people in trouble are seen as lazy. »
- « The
use of smartphones and the decrease in reading have promoted superficial
interactions. »
- « The
collapse of the lifetime employment system and the fad of things like
YouTube, where going viral translates into profits, make being serious and
working hard look silly. »
Source: Yaraon!
