Westernization in Asian Countries

China

Although the Chinese youths are very accepting of western ideas and customs, the older generation, especially the government officials are skeptical of what this integration could bring.

Mixed Opinions

Overall, the opinion of western influence in China is mixed: many will express negative feelings towards American foreign policy, but at the same time, are more appreciative of changes that have occurred as a result of westernization (Fish).

Appeal of Hollywood

Hollywood themes of spontaneity, nonconformity, and self-realization particularly resonated with young Chinese fans of American TV (Fish).

The Chinese people love American movies, sports, and music, and want to visit America. On the other hand, they’ve gotten used to China’s improving living standards and are proud of its rise, and they’ve seen the tensions between China and the U.S. and other countries in the last few decades and feel Western countries haven’t treated China well, so they have mixed feelings.

American TV shows and the ideas portrayed through them are becoming increasingly popular with the Chinese youths. The most appealing aspect is authenticity. This fascination is coinciding with the rise of the new ‘golden age’ of quality television in America, with complex characters and unconventional storytelling. By comparison, Chinese TV can feel uninspired with relatively predictable plotlines and unambiguous characters. Heroes are heroes and villains are villains.”

Chinese perspective

“Ideological and cultural fields are the focal areas of their long-term infiltration,” he said. “The international culture of the West is strong while we are weak" (Fish).

This quote, taken from Hu Jintao, the previous president, portrays the Chinese perspective of westernization. According to Hu Jintao, the Chinese people are appreciative yet apprehensive of the increasing amount of western ideas and culture that has taken root in China.

ALAR/P II Informative Writing

Westernization in Asian Countries

China, South Korea, and Japan

Japan

Korea

Japan was very accepting of westernization, which is reflected in their diet, fashion, and music.

The US is regarded as a symbol of urbanization, modernization, and freedom for South Koreans.

Music

Japanese jazz was created from the influx of American luxury liners crossing the Pacific to Asian countries like Japan (Atkins).

Diet

English Language

Social Desires

Because the American ships often had orchestras on them, the music was thus “transported” to Japan. This is a prime example of how westernization of Japanese music started: from the introduction of Jazz through international traveling. Since Japanese jazz was the first main form of westernized Japanese music, it also led the way for other styles of Japanese music to incorporate western styles, such as J-pop or J-rock.

After the surge of western influence in Japan in 1964, Japanese people started eating more than 300% more animal fat, protein, and fat in general (Watanabe).

Koreans think of English language ability as the most important element to promote careers (Park 53).

Many Korean women aspire to go to America because they want to run away from Korean patriarchal society” (Park 59).

The explanation for this drastic change in the Japanese people's’ diets can be explained through westernization. During the 1950-1960s, Japan adopted more and more western customs and ideas, such as the first supermarket, which opened in 1963, introduction of propane, and the use of electricity and gas. These changes also brought about western foods into the Japanese diet. Because westerners promoted the importance of milk and animal proteins in their diet, these trends carried over to the Japanese diet.

Fashion

The most obvious way globalization

affects the Korean educational process is through the increasing emphasis on the English language. English is especially important for obtaining sought-after jobs in Korean conglomerate firms like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, as well as high-paying jobs in transnational companies. Those seeking personal economic advancement, therefore, tend to internalize American values by learning English, and Korean students generally prefer the United States as a place to learn the skill. It internalizes the cultural values that the language shapes, and, in this sense, many Korean students are internalizing US cultural values.

During the Taisho period (1912-1926), wearing Western clothing was a symbol of sophistication and an expression of modernity (Kawamura).

This is an example of indirect Americanization. Although Korea did not fully adopt the (mostly) equal society in terms of gender in America, the idea still penetrated society. This is evident in the many Korean women immigrating to America to escape the patriarchal society of Korea. This also shows the appeal of American culture that has traveled all the way to Korea.

Because western culture had such a great impact on Japan during the Meiji restoration, the Japanese were very appreciative of western “luxuries,” and wearing western clothes was a way to show higher class. Workers, especially men, started wearing business suits, and kimonos eventually started disappearing from casual life.

Cosmetic Surgery

A psychiatrist Ryu In-Kyun examined how many Korean college girls received cosmetic surgery in 2007. 52.5% received cosmetic surgery and 82.1% wanted to receive cosmetic surgery (Park 55).

Koreans' excessive preferences for US values lead Korean people to devalue their culture, especially their bodies, which is a negative effect of American influence in Korea. The reason behind the drastic amount of college girls receiving plastic surgery is the belief that “western” faces are more attractive.