Body+Image+of+Japanese+Women

Before looking at body image as it relates to Japanese women, it is important to understand that there is no word in Japan for “body image.” There are words that relate to the self, mitame and gaiken. Mitame can be translated to “outer appearance,” while gaiken, a Kanji-derived word, can be translated to how “others see one’s body or appearance.” While these words describe the body, these words are not necessarily always used in Japan to describe a //human// body. The terms can be used to describe a variety of things and gaiken, especially can have very complex meanings (Edison & Notkin, 2009.)

In addition to considering the very word "body image," it is also important to consider Japanese culture. Much research has been done surrounding the idea of Japanese women and their "attempts at looking American or Western," but those studies have often been done by people who are not Japanese and do not necessarily understand Japanese culture and ideals of beauty as it pertains to that culture.

**Weight**
When it concerns weight, smaller numbers on the scale are better for Japanese women. Studies showed that Japanese men found women with smaller, even unhealthily low BMI's to be attractive (Swami, Caprario, et al., 2006. Some studies attribute a booming health and beauty aid business in Japan to Western influence on Japanese culture or the male gaze ie. what men find attractive, women want to embody. With, studies showing then Japanese men find small women attractive, this could be a contributing factor.

In addition to the male gaze, Japan's public health agency has stated concerns over childhood obesity rates as well as a rise in overweight Japanese male adults. In contrast, Japanese women are getting thinner. Since 1984, the BMI rates for women aged 20-59 have become more thin. (Harden, 2010.) In addition, women in Japan often do not view their bodies as being thin enough, they see themselves quite differently from reality. Even those with normal BMI rates consider themselves "fat" or overweight (Makino, Hashizume, et al, 2006.)

In response to their concerns over weight in Japan, the government instituted waist line requirements in 2007. Despite accurate backlash that stated this could lead to unhealthy eating and exercise habits, these waist line requirements still exist today. Citizens are measured at an annual physical that is covered by their place of employment (Harden, 2010.)

**Skin Tone **
Skin lightening products are marketed heavily in Japan. Ads from popular Western companies can be seen, as well as more localized Japanese companies and women continue to buy them. Research has implied that Japanese women's obsession with lighter skin is because of more exposure to Western/US culture. However, some research done by non-Western groups have determined that there is a Japanese ideal of beauty that Japanese women insist has nothing to do with the United States or Western culture, but Japanese culture in the north. Japanese characterize this ideal look of Northern Japan as being light skinned, having long straight hair, being small of stature and light weight, and having a youthful appearance (Ashikari, 2005.)

**Youth and Fashion**
Both the look of youthfulness and a desire to be fashionable are important to Japanese women. Interviews with Japanese women repeatedly talked about models and their youthful appearance (Edison & Notkin, 2009.) This seems to be prevalent in research studies as well, stating that Japenese women take pride in their skin which is often smooth, lacking visible pores, and appearing youthful (Iijima-Hall, 1995.)

A popular trend in Japan, called [|harajuku] has a particular genre devoted to youthfulness, that of the Lolita. Harajuku is an area in Japan that is very popular for its forward thinking, fast paced changing fashion. The Lolita fashion is characterized by youthful outfits that might include things such as knee socks, frilly dresses, hair accessories like bows or even pigtails. The Lolita attire has also been spun in different directions into subcategories like [|goth-Lolita] which combines the darkness of goth clothing with that of the youthful, childlike-Lolita fashion.



Ashikari, M. (2005). Cultivating Japanese whiteness. Journal Of Material Culture, 10(1), 73-91. doi:10.1177/1359183505050095
 * References **

Brokhoff, M., Mussap, A. J., Mellor, D., Skouteris, H., Ricciardelli, L. A., Mccabe, M. P., & Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M. (2012). Cultural influences on body dissatisfaction, body change behaviours, and disordered eating of Japanese adolescents. Asian Journal Of Social Psychology, 15(4), 238-248. doi:10.1111/j.1467-839X.2012.01379.x

Edison, L.T., Notkin, D. (2009). Body Image in Japan and the United States, The Asia-Pacific Journal, 40, 1-9.

Harden, B. (2010, March 7). Big in Japan? Fat chance for nation’s young women, obsessed with being skinny. The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/04/AR2010030401436.html

Hiraki, K. (2006). Detecting contingency: A key to understanding development of self and social cognition. Japanese Psychological Research, 48(3), 204-212. doi:10.1111/j.1468-5884.2006.00319.x

Iijima-Hall, C. (1995). Asian eyes:Body image and eating disorders of asian and asian-american women. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, (3) 1, 8-19.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Kowner, R. (2002). Japanese body image: Structure and esteem scores in a cross-cultural perspective. International Journal Of Psychology, 37(3), 149-159. doi:10.1080/00207590143000298

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Kowner, R. (2004). When Ideals Are Too "Far Off": Physical Self-Ideal Discrepancy and Body Dissatisfaction in Japan. Genetic, Social & General Psychology Monographs, 130(4), 333-361.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Mori, K., Sekine, M., Yamagami, T., & Kagamimori, S. (2009). Relationship between body image and lifestyle factors in Japanese adolescent girls. Pediatrics International, 51(4), 507-513. doi:10.1111/j.1442-200X.2008.02771.x

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Makino, M. M., Hashizume, M. M., Yasushi, M. M., Tsuboi, K. K., & Dennerstein, L. L. (2006). Factors associated with abnormal eating attitudes among female college students in Japan. Archives Of Women's Mental Health, 9(4), 203-208. doi:10.1007/s00737-006-0128-x

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Ogasawara, C., Mitsuki, M., Egawa, T., Ohno, Y., Masutani, E., Yamamoto, Y., & Kume, Y. (1999). Validation of the Defining Characteristics of Body Image Disturbance in Japan. Nursing Diagnosis, 10(1), 15.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Swami, V., Caprario, C., Tovée, M. J., & Furnham, A. (2006). Female physical attractiveness in Britain and Japan: a cross-cultural study. European Journal Of Personality, 20(1), 69-81. doi:10.1002/per.568