Japanese vs North American Style/Fashion. The power of media on men

2. Japanese vs North American Style/Fashion. The power of media on men • English Intensive 2B • July 2, 2009

3. THESIS STATEMENT • Japanese men are more fashionable than North American men. However, North American men are more self-conscious about their body than Japanese men.

4. NORTH AMERICA

5. North American Men & Culture • Gain the confidence they need and can be noticed by both women and their peers. • Factors strong influence through television. Famous dramas present many good looking and muscular men that are seen to be popular among women.

6. The OC: Survey with Japanese and NA women

7. Problem • N.A men are becoming more self-conscious and at the same time, losing self-confidence • Mass media are believed to be a pervasive force in shaping physical appearance ideals and have been shown to negatively impact females' body image.” In this study researchers found that males experience a similar sense of disappointment and depression concerning their own physical fitness or even the sex appeal.

8. It is no longer good enough to simply have a functional body. The media says men need to have a “perfect body.” • muscle dsymorphia • In a study of 10,000 Ontario residents, researchers at the University of Toronto found that one out of every six people who qualified for a full or partial diagnosis of anorexia was male. • http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-get-a-beautiful-girl-friend5-tips-for-Guys

9. Another factor

11. Abercrombie & Fitch

12. JAPAN

13. Japanese Men & Culture • Japanese men are known to be very fashionable amongst foreigners. • Main Factors  Fashion magazines, peers, girls, posters, affordable for teenagers • Not just clothes, but hair, eye brow, accessories

14. Gyaru-O/Onii kei • Onii-kei combines the styles known in Japanese as Ame-kaji ("American casual") and Ita-kaji ("Italian casual") with rocker touches to create a glamorous, sexy look. • Shibuya • Harajuku • Kabukicho

15. Herbivore Men/草食系男子 • Possible ‘problem’ arising in Japan amongst Japanese men? • 草食系男子（Literally: Herbivore men ) • Or in simple English “Fashionable wussies”, are increasing across the country • 2/3 of the Japanese men in Japan are Herbivores (twenties and thirties)

16. Herbivore Men/草食系男子 • Not interested in careers, dating, marriage, and sex. Too shy to meet women. • They spend almost as much on cosmetics and clothes as women. • Totally far from the classic stereotypes of long, workaholic Japanese salary man • He will happily share a night with a woman without laying a hand on her • Sociologist Yuko Nakanishi says “Japanese men had it good for a long time. They were macho and sexist, and neglected their wives, so it's good that they're discovering their feminine side, and learning to cooperate.”

18. EXTREME CASE: • A Tokyo-based company called WishRoom is even selling men's bras, some to middle-aged salary-men. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6U7g-yFjw0

19. In Conclusion • Media plays a strong role in influencing our decisions in terms of appearances. Peers are also one key factor • NA  Muscles and having a healthier body. • Japan  Fashionable • Despite the negative influences and effects the media caused, it does have one positive influence amongst young adults. • Teaches us not to look sloppy, leaving a good first impression is important, helps gives us confidence