Japanification

This article is about Japanese pop culture influences. For Japan-like stagnation, see Stagnation (disambiguation) and Lost decade (Japan).

Japanification (日本化 or 哈日族) is a term used to describe the process of becoming or wishing to become a member of Japanese society. It most commonly refers to ex-pats living for an extended period of time in Japan, though it may also be used to describe persons living outside Japan who have a certain affinity to some aspect of Japanese culture. Cultural assimilation could include adoption of Japanese mannerisms, style of clothing, taste in entertainment, and sometimes aspects of Japanese language.

In ex-pats this process often occurs because of a feeling of isolation or desire to conform, whereas outside Japan it may occur because of an especially strong interest in some kind of fan culture based in Japan, e.g. anime, manga, J-dorama, J-pop, J-rock or lolita fashion.

Taiwan

In Taiwan, the term 哈日族 is used, which means "the tribe that adores Japan." The term is taken from 哈日杏子 (Hari Kyoko), a female Taiwanese manga author.

Due to Japanese war crimes such as the Nanking Massacre and the atrocities committed in Korea under Japanese rule, anti-Japanese sentiment is much stronger in mainland China and Korea than in Taiwan, where the Japanese colonization is not remembered as bitterly.

See also

• Japanophile
• Japonism
• Japanology
• Orientalism
• Otaku
• Sinophile
• Korean wave
• Kaizen
• Japanization