Photo: PR Times
lifestyle

Survey asks which country’s fashion is the most influential in Japanese street style

22 Comments
By Dale Roll, SoraNews24

In Japan, there are a lot of unique kinds of fashion, but the most popular looks for everyday streetwear are influenced by fashion from all over the world. Rakuten Group sought to find out which country’s fashion is the most influential in Japan and why, so between July 1 and 2 they surveyed 5,124 users of their flea market app Rakuma.

3,896 women and 1,228 men over the age of 10 were asked, “Which country besides Japan do you reference the most in terms of fashion?” Many respondents answered with the U.S., France, Italy or the UK, but far and away the most popular answer from Japanese women was Korea.

▼ The countries whose fashion Japanese women most reference, by age group. Key: red for South Korea, blue for The U.S., orange for France, green for Italy, yellow for the UK, purple for Spain, pink for China, and grey for “other”. Starting with women aged 10-20, all the way down to women 60 and up.

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In fact, Korea was the top answer for almost every age group. Girls and teens between the ages of 10 and 20, in particular, seemed to overwhelming accept Korea as their foreign flagbearer for fashion, as 77.3 percent of them picked Korea as their top answer. Women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s also seemed to find inspiration in Korean fashion, as Korea was the top answer for each of those age groups (56.7, 36.4, and 24.3 percent respectively).

Older women, on the other hand, seemed to prefer European fashion. “France” was the top answer for women in their 50s, and the second for women in their 60s and older. The oldest age group also seemed to reference Italian fashion, as 17.1 percent of respondents voted for Italy. While U.S. fashion occupied the title as second most popular for younger Japanese women, European styles beat out American clothing for the most and second most popular among many older women.

But while women preferred Korean fashion, men seemed to prefer American fashion over the styles of any other country. More than 40 percent of respondents in every age group voted “The U.S.” as the country they most reference for fashion (besides Japan).

▼ The countries whose fashion Japanese men most reference, by age group (same key as above)

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Younger men in their teens and 20s also like Korean fashion, which came second in both age groups with 28.7 and 13.8 percent of the vote respectively, but as men get older, they appear to begin to prefer the dressier fashion popular in Italy. Italian fashion was voted as the second most inspirational by 26 percent of men in their 60s and older.

The men were also given a free space to write which male celebrities they took most inspiration from, and, despite being given the option to write any name, the most popular answer for all age groups was former SMAP member Takuya Kimura, who continues to be one of Japan’s most admired celebrities. International smash hit K-Pop group BTS was the second most popular answer, most selected by teens, and for older gentlemen in their 40s and above, TV personality and comedian George Tokoro, with his penchant for nice T-shirts, was most popular, and third all-around.

Respondents were also asked to vote for reasons why that country’s fashion most appealed to them, with the option to choose multiple reasons. For men and women of all age groups, the top reason why Korean fashion was voted as the most referenced was “Because it’s cheap and easy to find” (64.8 percent). More than a third also said that “Because I like the celebrities and artists of that country”, but it seems like accessibility was key.

Responses for other countries were slightly more evenly divided. For American fashion, the top reason was “Because I can really express myself” (43.2 percent), while the majority of respondents who voted for French and Italian fashion said it was “Because they have brands I can trust” (43.2 percent and 51.4 percent respectively).

Where do they find their international fashion inspirations? Instagram, of course! For those who take fashions cues mostly from Korea and the U.S.–who are primarily younger people–browsing social media is a must. But for the older generation, old-school fashion magazines are what they use to study European fashion.

This all makes us wonder, though; since the top reason many of these fashions were chosen is because they’re cheap and accessible, and since the respondents’ most referenced celebrities are mostly Japanese, would Japan have come out as the top answer if it was an option? With Disney kimono and ukiyo-e sneakers now available, it’s really hard to say it wouldn’t.

Source: PR Times, My Navi News via Otacom

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© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

22 Comments
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This all makes us wonder, though; since the top reason many of these fashions were chosen is because they’re cheap and accessible, and since the respondents’ most referenced celebrities are mostly Japanese, would Japan have come out as the top answer if it was an option? With Disney kimono and ukiyo-e sneakers now available, it’s really hard to say it wouldn’t.

Yes and no; American, Korean, Italian styles but with Japanese characteristics is what people want to wear. No young people wear kimonos.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

All of this begs the question of who the Americans, Koreans et al are influenced by. This data just kicks the can down the road.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Japanese men and young men, Americans have no clue how to dress.

If you want to look like slobs, follow the Americans. Americans look like homeless men most of the time. I live here and know how bad it is in USA.

The Europeans know how to dress.

Lights out.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Japanese men and young men, Americans have no clue how to dress.

If you want to look like slobs, follow the Americans. Americans look like homeless men most of the time. I live here and know how bad it is in USA.

The Europeans know how to dress.

Lights out.

So says the fashion police. Yeah right! (sarcasm)

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Here in Kobe i would say its Korean Korean and Korean with a dash of American.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

HillclimberToday  01:35 pm JST

Define "Korean fashion". There's no difference between it and Japanese fashion (because they just copy whatever is popular in Shinjuku at the time and sell it back to the Japanese)

Yes, and of course. South Korean doesn't influence Japan, it's the other way around. But this article is a solid effort in disguising that fact.

Lol you seem like you have a strong ax to grind when it comes to Japan vs. Korea. That said unless you've been living in a cave for the past few years, I don't think it's controversial at all to say that currently BTS is more popular on a global scale and within Japan than J-pop is popular globally and within Korea.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

American fashion - a hoodie & a handgun ?

2 ( +5 / -3 )

My Japanese wife is influenced by convenience - i take her to Europe to see my family and she goes bazerk on local european brands (maje, sandro etc...). Basically whereever i take her, she manages to buy clothes at their local stores... shes also influenced by my credit card limit..

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Koreans are generally thin and in shape like the Japanese. Of course, they will be influenced by the Koreans.

Europeans, Americans, and most other Western cultures have huge people and thus fashion fits their body sizes. Biologically they really should not survive long, but the human mind manages to save most overweight people with advanced medicine.

I will go with the Koreans and Japanese. Much healthier-looking, acting, eating, and living.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The fact is, America is the leader in fashion. America defines fashion. Even the Europeans follow US fashion trends closely. We have to live with it.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

@Hillclimber

Define "Korean fashion"

That's something that Oyaji sans like us wouldn't understand...

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Jind

Americans look like homeless men most of the time. I live here and know how bad it is in USA.

The American fashion that Japanese men refer to is "Hip Hop" style, aka African American Street Fashion. "Hip Hop" is a legitimate multi-billion dollar a year fashion industry.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I don't see traditional korean clothes. Korea fashion, America fashion, Japan fashion, all the same.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I’ll never forget that American Idol song and black singer many many years ago:

Pants on the ground

Pants on the ground

lookin like a fool with your pants on the ground

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Young Japanese and Korean people generally make an effort and wear stylish casual ensembles. The difference between Europe/US and JP/KR is striking.

In the UK, young people, given free rein, tend to dress like gang members or hookers. As they move into their late 20s and 30s, they often dress younger than their figures can aesthetically handle.

Personally, I have lived in jeans for most of my life, as they are comfortable and hard-wearing. My clothes budget is tiny and has not dented the environment as much as it would have done if I was a dedicated follower of fashion. I have never had a desire to dress like any celebrity and am happy if people consider me a shabby nonentity. I'm less likely to get mugged that way and am not attempting to entice a mate.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

American fashion? I highly doubt it. I always see plenty of unwanted and discounted XXXL clothes in the discount rack at Uniqlo.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

There is no American fashion outside a cap, a T-shirt and jeans, or anything similar.

There is no fashion week outside Europe.

What is ghe difference between Korean fashion and Japanese one ?

Please explain.

If we are talking about casual clothing, that is not fashion.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

How can you guys live in Japan so long and not know what amekaji is? What do you think the denim mills in Okayama are weaving?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

American fashion always comes first when you talk about influence fashion. I love it

https://www.topsandbottomsusa.com

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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