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

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.

NORTH AMERICA

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.

The OC: Survey with Japanese and NA women

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.

 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.  beautiful-girl-friend5-tips-for-Guys

Another factor

Abercrombie & Fitch

JAPAN

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

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

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)

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.”

EXTREME CASE:  A Tokyo-based company called WishRoom is even selling men's bras, some to middle-aged salary-men.  yFjw0 yFjw0

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