The No. 1 thing that foreign men find 'not so kawaii' about Japanese women

way of walking? How superficial! I think in general I think Japanese women need to work on maturity

Personality has a lot to do with it, and some men like Japanese women who tend to be more feminine and tend to worry more about their appearance such as makeup, clothes, etc. Personally, I'm not saying I don't like well dressed women, but I get fed up with women who's priorty is a makeup and spend all their money on clothes and don't seem to have opinions on any issues except beauty issues and fashion.

Can't stand the dorky, pigeon-toed walk and baby-talking. Next is the brand-crap obsession.

Every woman in the world is dirferent if you don't like it so don't look it her.

The last time I was in the States and Australia I heard something even more irritating than the Japanese helium-voiced stupidity from young men and women. That horrible rising intonation in every sentence.

As a long term resident, these standard "Japanese women" articles are of zero interest to me.

The real takeaway, for me, is the blend of both narcissism and insecurity in asking "what do others think about us?" Why do people care so much about that? What drives that, exactly?

"International perceptions of Japan..." --- the number of times we have all been asked "what do you think about X aspect of Japan?" --- People often seem so delighted to hear the positives and so crestfallen to hear complaints. Like any country, there are good and bad points. Why care so much about the "perception?"

Yes, they walk funny and really not cute at all. At 1st when I seen how they walk and how they talk, think that they are a bit mental probl... For the way they walking with high heels and 99% they wear the shoe with one size up...and the toe pointed inward....is not at all cute...but funny (for others), and faking the voice, by nasal sounds not their mouth... After 3 years here, I got use and I don't stare at them like before... Now I'm seeing that they try to dress like "dolls"... and the strange think is that the "dolls" are over 40s..

The fake voice that some have in order to sound cute but it really doesn't.

Speak your mind and stop trying to be a 'cute' Disney character.

I love everything mentioned about Japanese women, but the most important thing for me is, if she is a kind person, that is all that matters.

Only thing I dont get is seeing them walking theme parks in 6 inch heels and you can tell they are suffering for their fashion........

The walk is terrible for their feet/**shoes........I notice many females who shoes looked worn out from wear

Tsuma-----nai.

My wife likes to long hikes in the mountains, or riding a bicycle up steep hills, or when the weather is bad working out or swimming at the sports club. I never noticed if she does all that pigeon toed or not.

I'm with you on this one Smith.

I think Japanese women are fantastic. No complaints.

I've lived here for over 10 years.... The whole pigeon toe walk comes from ladies trying to sacrifice for fashion, usually wearing heels too big for their feet. Most of the shoes are hand me downs and they wear them because they like the look, whether or not they fit. Another aspect is that Japanese women look at other Japanese women as "lazy" when they walk pigeon toed... however, my views of Japanese women. One big misconception is that Japanese women, who like Japanese men act and talk the same as Japanese women who are interested in foreign men..... It is absolutely positively different and a whole other can of worms I don't feel like typing. Lol

Japanese girls are very cute!

As a long term resident, these standard "Japanese women" articles are of zero interest to me. well if that was the case you wouldnt have even read the article let alone commented on it.

I am simply amazed that not one of you here, nor those in the study, mentioned the three worst of the worst elements:

Obsession with Disney - even well into their 20s, 30s & beyond. Obsession with terrible TV - especially knowing the private lives of every 'tarento' under the sun.

and last, but not least...

Unhealthy obsession with Johnny's Jimusho groups or others of that ilk. That is by far the worst.

Other than that, no complaints! I can't believe 'arukikata' was the top submission...

Couldn't resist surveying a few 'Kawaii' Japanese women attending a London Imperial College Japanese Society event this morning and the most irritating aspects regarding foreign men, was a unnerving propensity to stare in a rather peculiar deviant manner at a women feet, and a miserable attitude toward helping a damsel in distress with her luggage.

Ah. Just tell a woman her "true" voice reveals her strength and confidence. It works. I can live during the few times, she and her friends go high pitched to appear more youthful.

My wife doesn't walk pigeon toed. Her posture is straight, and her mannerisms are what attracted me to her.

I admire my wife's bravery. Nitpicking doesn't help a relationship grow.

I think Japanese women are pretty wonderful.

At least few of them indulge in the terrible "vocal fry" that is endemic among American young women. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEqVgtLQ7qM

Are the pigeon-toes a regional thing? Because I live in Kyoto and walking around town, I see only a few girls who walk like that, especially high-school girls. Mature Kyoto women I see walk with toes forward.

The pigeon-toe walk is attractive in kimono - my wife walks that way when she wears one. Otherwise, she's got her feet ready to kick some butt. Neophytes: look for this kind of multidimensional woman.

I've lived here for a LONG time now and have never stopped being amazed at just how beautiful your average Japanese woman is, and never once do I recall thinking, "Wow! She walks terribly!" or anything as superficial as that. If that's the biggest complaint of some people, then I say that's a good thing.

And why are Japanese so obsessed with what other people think of them?

"One of the biggest themes revolves around international perceptions of Japan..."

snaggle/shark teeth are not cute, pigeon toe walk probably comes about by sitting on your legs too long at a young age, my mother in law refused to let my wife sit on her legs for long periods when she was a child, she now has one the slimest sexy legs of any Japanese women ive met and she walks like a woman should!

Fashion is very interesting, but anything that is unhealthful should be discouraged. IMO, excessive use of pointy-toed high heels is bad for the feet.

Personally, I am turned off by high, squeaky voices.

According to the latest poll ...for an ongoing women empowerment project, 98% of foreign men perceive Japanese women to be “kawaii” (“cute”).

How in the world is a poll about whether or not men perceive Japanese women to be cute supposed to contribute to their "empowerment?" That logic confounds me.

I think I just experienced yet another "only in Japan" moment of cognitive dissonance — women's empowerment Japan style.

I would like to hear opinions about japanese women from men who are not Japan freaks or otakus at any point of their lives. I am curious about real unbiased answers.

Pigeon toed walking comes from wearing kimonos tightly bound at the knees and sitting on their knees for long periods of time. Wrap your knees together and see how you walk.

Walking without using ones upper body for counter balance comes from Samurai culture. It was to show you have no attentions of attacking by making certain movements or hiding your attentions depending on the circumstances. In fact, the samurai had a way of walking that required them to move the same side arm and leg at the same time.

It is just cultural traditions passed down. Some just still happen to be popular!

Talk about objectifying Japanese women! How about looking at women in Japan as interesting human beings not the sum of their racial and cultural attributes, or would that be too difficult for some of you?

This was interesting to me. I had thought that maybe the pidgeon-toed walking was some genetic defect; personally I certainly don't find it attractive, but it's not sooo serious. In general, Japanese women are wonderful - enough said.

Cuet. Sometimes sexy even. . . . . . But very low self-esteem.

Japanese women are amazing, and they can walk MY way, anytime!

On a final note, I personally don’t see why this survey needed to exclude the opinions of foreign women in the first place

Is the writer dense or what? It's an article about foreign men's opinions, geez, go out and take another brainless survey.

A. Obsession with Disney beyond puberty is an international thing.

Obsession with bad TV also exists everywhere.

D. Show me any country whose most popular groups are anywhere near their best.

I just think that some Japanese women can pull off the "pigeon toe" walk pretty well while others I feel like their pain every step they take especially when going up and down stairs in heels.

@jokamachi,that is an extremely bias take on women in general. Have you ever been around the world or with a woman from another country? A joshua stated each and every woman is different even Japanese. I would list them highly as some of the most beautiful women in the world and yes I have been around the world and many women. Also as others stated, the voices of some are way more irritating than the walk. I have not noticed the pigeon toes as much as I have noticed the knock knees lately.As man, I got mad respect for women walking in his heels as I only can imagine how painful and difficult it looks. I guess I have concentrated more on how many,especially on an average how attractive and sexy many looks in heels and the legging that compliment the curves of their bodies and the fitness of their calfs. Very well put together.

Jeez

It would be hard to get an accurate opinion of Japanese women from foreign men who dont know anything about japan. Because they would just give their opinion of asian women in general (Korean, Filipinas, Chinese etc.)

So most comments posted above are pretty accurate since the guys "here" have been around the block.

If you're sick, stay home and then come back to work!

I prefer to stay at work. My j-company doesn't give me enough vacation days to warrant wasting some of them sick, and possibly making my family sick on top of that. I agree about the masks though. It is annoying how people wear them every day, regardless of whether they are sick. And sometimes you can see them staring at you, but you can't see them. That is really not cute!

Give me pigeon-toed over sweat-pants and no makeup any day.

EVEN SNOWING, THEY WEAR 5 OR 6 INC EXCITING !!!!

Im just glad a don't have to listen to that COLP! CLOP! CLOP! CLOP! of the heal-toe "go-getter" types anymore.

My friend (male) was pigeon toed. Strange that he had the same bowlegged calfs just like many ladies here.

Apologies - I put "3." at the bottom in my previous comment, but it went back to "1."

@Jason Santana

It can be hard walking in any different way.. (E.g.. some type of samurai style.. forget the name...) or different Shoes.. Like walking in the Snow or walking with High heals..(Or even walking in the snow in high heals.. haha) But the more you do it the better you get. Though yea, some do it more natural.. I find it hard to judge.. as all girls.. women.. start walking in high heals.. for the first time at differen't stages, Even some women in late 20's 30's might never of worn high heals before.

My Japanese girlfriend works in high heals,(She always has too) so.. she can basically run in them..^^ Its happened before.. Running.. to her shop.. so not to be late for work.. I was running with her in sports shoes and she was keeping up with me..

I find no problem with the different style of walking.. (Even samurai.. walk a little different, and everyone loves samurai right??) I really wouldn't care how a girl walks.. and the way of talking.. I don't think most girls speak in a 'cute' voice all the time its only sometimes..(For work.. or friends.. or just playing around..) So its no problem.. I even sometimes like the 'cute' voice some girls put on. As its just a different form of "acting", it can be cute and interesting at times.

@ Michal Ostrihoň

Yea I agree having someone who is kind is important, but at least I know for me at first.. I am attracted to they way the act (when on a date) And how the dress.. ect..

As most people are kind when you first meet them.. So I find I base it off looks at first... I kind feel its natural! and also if they are still kind after meeting and getting to know them.. then I most likely gonna be happy.

yhe pigeon yoed walk has nothingbto do eith tryingbto be cute, its the by product of sitting in seiza.

i don't care so much how their toes are pointed but the fact that their legs aren't straight and they tend to wobble a lot while they walk. Not sure if that is all the same phenomenon or not, but it definitely is the biggest turnoff for me, although their teeth are a close second.

I like it , I think it's kawaii :3

How in the world is a poll about whether or not men perceive Japanese women to be cute supposed to contribute to their "empowerment?" That logic confounds me.

Well said! I was beginning to wonder if that little oddity would pass this community by.

I think I just experienced yet another "only in Japan" moment of cognitive dissonance — women's empowerment Japan style.

I'm not sure I'd call it an "only in Japan" moment- I've known plenty of American women who display a similar level of cognitive dissonance regarding empowerment, though it manifests through different cultural behavior.

Oh well, small steps forward, I guess. Better to at least choose between different disempowerment options than to just passively accept the disempowerment that is the status quo.

I'm pretty sure that I filled in the questionnaire that lead to these figures. If it was, and I remember correctly it was multiple choice and heavily biased to the way J girls walk. With links to YouTube videos to choose which girls walk was more "kawaii".

So when you think that these people are all superficial, bare in mind there was no option for "obsessed with Disney" or their "childishness"

PamiPame: I would like to hear opinions about japanese women from men who are not Japan freaks or otakus at any point of their lives. I am curious about real unbiased answers.

From watching episodes of "Hotaru no Hikari" and "Zenkai Girl" on youtube, they seem kind of militaristic in the office environment.

(sigh) It's cause they wear flip-flops so much when they are little. When you walk with your feet straight the flip-flop comes off. When you walk with your toes pointing outwards, the outside of the heel strikes the ground and feels uncomfortable. Therefore, the children learn to walk pigeon-toed. it keeps the flip-flop from coming off, and it doesn't hurt the area of the heel as the front ball of the foot is striking the ground. It used to be more common than it is now. Just an observation. I like it better than they think it's cute.

I would like to hear opinions about japanese women from men who are not Japan freaks or otakus at any point of their lives. I am curious about real unbiased answers.

I've never been an otaku or a Japan freak.

Note that the following is a generalization, and not reflective of every Japanese woman, but rather trends I noticed while dating in this country, and from seeing other people's relationships as well as my own. Every woman is different.

I think Japanese women are great in a lot of ways. They take care to be feminine, and to take care of their appearance. And they like to take care of their men. They usually make really good mothers as well, dedicating themselves fully to raising children. And rather than wanting to argue, many of them will try to find a middle ground.

However, they often aren't the best conversationalists. Japanese people tend to avoid conflict. Expressing strong opinions about things can lead to conflict, so strong opinions are generally avoided. This means that it's often quite hard to have a deep conversation about things that would require expressing a strong opinion. I used to think that they were just holding back, but over time I realized that because they don't have a culture of debate, and deep conversation, most of them have never really formed strong opinions on things, which is why it's hard for them to have a deep conversation. If you say something strong to them, a lot of time they will never have thought about it, and will not have a particular opinion, either in agreement or opposition. That all said, this lack of conflict is directly responsible for a lot of the positives I mentioned about them above, so it comes with both its pros and cons.

Japanese women also often aren't great with the outdoors. If you are into camping, hiking, or anything that requires a degree of roughing it, it greatly limits the amount of Japanese women out there available. They do exist - I have a client who climbs mountains with her husband all the time - but they are definitely in the minority.

Personally, I don't think they can be judged as better or worse than women from other countries - it depends on what your priorities in a partner are. My wife, who embodies a lot of everything I've written here, is excellent for me. But she would drive other men crazy. So rather than better or worse, they are just different.

@San Diegan

(sigh) It's cause they wear flip-flops so much when they are little.

You can keep flip flops from coming of by simply squeezing your big toe. You can walk straight because I see people do it all the time. It goes further back than simply flip flops. When Japanese people use to wear getas with tightly worn kimonos. The individual design of the getas would determine how a person would walk. It also determined a person's stride.

Couldn't you attribute every single trait that's listed as under "personality"? The way they talk, dress, walk all depends on that..

researchers surveyed approximately 50 foreign men who had been living in Japan for at least a year regarding what they think about Japanese women

Wow, 50, yes, fifty men. Now that is causing a stir. The opinions of these men and add to that the voices of the JT contributors. Together they paint a myopic and unfair picture of the way Japanese women walk, talk and behave.In settings where the women are no more than observed strangers, companions, temporary casual friends, hostesses. The negative criticism is just an indication of the narrow horizon shown by some and lack of awareness of women's peculiarities in one's home countries. Please go easy on this subject and show some respect.

When I read "Not so kawaii" I was thinking of personality traits, rather than appearance.

First, to is kinda contradictory to say "Kawaii" and high heels in the same sentence, Kawaii suggests me "cutesy", "childish", whereas "high heel" suggests me "mature woman".

But then, When I visited Japan 4 years ago I did notice their walk. As I've seen that way of walk before, either in plain shoes, flip flops, sport shoes and high heels I thought it was more related with some upbringing rather than a "trait", that is, the girls can't help it, because their way of sitting when they were little, or in the case of my country, their wobbly walk is attributed to NOT being swaddled when they were babies, anyhow, whether this last statement is true or not, you can see plenty of women that have that distinctive way of walking.

As for that being the number 1 not so kawaii, it's weird, since I would've thought that it was their excessive make up or obsession with fashion, then again I'm a woman, so I think differently, although a survey of only 50 foreign men in Japan is quite small a sample

As for that being the number 1 not so kawaii, it's weird, since I would've thought that it was their excessive make up or obsession with fashion

Obsession with make-up and fashion can be annoying, but its not really anti-cute. The problem is when you have the make-up and fashion down pat, but can't walk straight. Its true, not every Japanese woman walks this way, but the percentage that do is really alarming.

I dated a Japanese girl, who herself hated the way SOME other Japanese girls would talk in squeeky voices, wear heels and miniskirts in WINTER and all of the other things some (usually younger) Japanese girls do. She herself like wearing jeans, t-shirts and trainers, so it's down to the individual.

I think they're are just as many Japanese women wearing everyday, "normal" clothes and things as there are ultra-feminine "kawaii" girls. Just take a look around you, and you'll notice older women, young girls, etc in "baggy tops and jeans", too. I think that some areas of Tokyo, or equivalent satellite cities for inaka girls, encourage them to dress up just to go to that city or town on a certain day. Consider Takasaki in Gunma, Chiba City, Kashiwa or Ueno (each connected to deepest, darkest inaka by rapid lines) and you'll see plenty of girls out in their finest just for that day.

My pet peeve, are face masks. Although they generally irritate me for all people seem wearing them (they don't protect you from viruses, silly Japanese people! If you're sick, stay home and then come back to work!), regardless of sex, seeing girls who have obviously taken lots of effort to look "nice", then only to ruin that look by wearing something as banal and silly looking as a medical facemask is mind boggling. It's like preparing an exquisite meal at a top hotel, and then squiring Heinz tomato sauce all over it.

I'm lucky. My wife just don't give shit.

My wonderful friend doesn't do anything mentioned in these posts. She's definitely cooler than most of the gripers on here. The gripers here probably went to Tokyo when they wee too young and got married, or have no hobbies, or haven't figured it out yet.

lol

P.S. She's a country girl.....hint....hint

Selfie photos and showing them to me.

1 is enough but having a constant bombardment of selfies is annoying. " Really how many selfies do you need ? "

You know what annoys me the most ! It is women taking to many selfies of themselves to the point I " quit " facebook and other membership sites.

I can't go out with a woman who takes over 10 self portraits a day. Can't be her boyfriend anymore. It's annoying.

I am talking about all women above the age of 21, of course they act like they are 14 or something.

And I had women's photos with the puckered lips. I am really tired of that crap.

Get to the damn point already. This must be one of the worst articles I have ever started reading (started, because it quickly got to the point where I just don't care anymore). So much talk to say so little.

A small % of people in any population walk 'funny', not all Japanese women walk funny, an absolutely idiotic stereotype, some of the women who play the role of 'cutey' helpless seal pup are doing so to get 'That man'. That said, hearing that voice, the 'briko kusai' and the actions that go with it from a woman, not a child, can be very 'culturally challenging'; However,THIS AGAIN IS NOT EVERY japanese woman. There are plenty of Japanese women, who are, well, adults.

Firstly basing a study on a mere sampling of 50 people is ludicrous and invalidates any research. secondly the average japanese woman is not cute at all. Thirdly yes many buy wrong sized or heel that are way too high and tgere walk suffers because of it. Ive been here for 21 years, some japanese women are cute but most are over made up and simply are not cute at all.

How about associating with more decent Japanese women?

Please notice how J. women kneel, with their toes/feet pointed inward under their rear end. They do this their entire lives. Surely it helps explain the nature of their gait. Yes?

However, if you’ve spent any time in Japan, you may have noticed that many Japanese women have a very distinctive “pigeon-toed” way of walking, with their toes pointed inward. It’s a very common sight, and supposedly the main reason why a large number of women walk this way is simply because they think it looks cute.

This explanation is totally off the mark. It is true that generally speaking Japanese people (men and women) do not walk in a balanced way. We could say it is functional dysfunction. It has nothing to do with cuteness!! Basically, when humans walk, we should push with our hamstrings and posterior thigh muscles and use our hip joint. Whereas most Japanese pull their leg forward with their quadriceps and anterior thigh muscles. When we push one leg forward, our opposite shoulder and by extension arm should also push forward to counter balance and the centre of our chest should not turn, for should our pelvis. Japanese people generally do not move their shoulders while walking as it is all lower body movement with short steps. This also leads to a more hunched-over walk. The reason for this unique way of walking might just be kids copying their parents as Japanese kids under 3 or 4 years old walk in a more balanced fashion and at some point in their upbringing this changes. Now Japanese women wearing high heels have difficulty using their quadriceps and anterior thigh muscles, so rather they twist their pelvis one way and twist their upper bodies the other way (with their arms swinging behind their backs) to counter balance, which is why it strikes foreign eyes as odd or unattractive and may look like they are walking pigeon-toed.

No understanding of fidelity in a relationship.

Japanese women are many times good looking. But, much like anything Japanese, perception and appearance is seems to be more important than content. I have met a few Japanese people with some sort of personality and am always uplifted by this. The majority, however are a bunch of uneductated, grumpy, non-personalities without much personality whatsoever. Incredibly unattractive. That, of course, goes for both the men and the women.

Japanese women are the best in the world. No others even come close.