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CultureQuiet 2d · day 3

Novelist Keiichiro Hirano disputes Japan's reputation for hospitality

Author Keiichiro Hirano says Japan was never as skilled at 'omotenashi' as claimed, pointing to food and souvenirs abroad.

newest coverage 2d agosummary written 2d ago2 pieces2.3k likes & upvotes MastodonX

What to know

  • Novelist Keiichiro Hirano's post challenges the widely held self-image of Japan as a nation uniquely skilled at hospitality (omotenashi).
  • He argues this reputation predates and is unrelated to Japan's recent perceived economic/cultural decline — it was never fully deserved.
  • He cites food and souvenir quality in China, South Korea, and at European literary events as superior to Japan's offerings.
  • The post gained significant traction (2,300+ score on X) and was reposted to Mastodon, though the provided evidence shows no direct comment discussion.

Keiichiro Hirano Novelist

Novelist Keiichiro Hirano disputes Japan's reputation for hospitality
x.com

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage posts

Peak 1 piece in one hour at Sep 21, 9 AM; 2 pieces over 3 days (2 posts) Sep 21, 9 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — X 1Sep 21, 10 AM — quietSep 21, 11 AM — quietSep 21, 12 PM — quietSep 21, 1 PM — quietSep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 3 PM — quietSep 21, 4 PM — quietSep 21, 5 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 7 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Sep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 9 PM — quietSep 21, 10 PM — quietSep 21, 11 PM — quietSep 22, 12 AM — quietSep 22, 1 AM — quietSep 22, 2 AM — quietSep 22, 3 AM — quietSep 22, 4 AM — quietSep 22, 5 AM — quietSep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 7 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — quietSep 22, 9 AM — quietSep 22, 10 AM — quietSep 22, 11 AM — quietSep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 1 PM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 3 PM — quietSep 22, 4 PM — quietSep 22, 5 PM — quietSep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 7 PM — quietSep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 9 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — quietSep 22, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quiet 1
Sep 22yesterdaynow · 4:44 AM ET
  1. background

    Post is reposted and quoted on Mastodon — An account on the Mastodon instance fedibird.com quoted and reposted Hirano's original statement, extending its reach beyond X.

  2. 1
    “日本はこんなに落ちぶれる以前から、そもそもそんなに自惚れるほど、外国人に対するお持てなし上手の国でもなかったと思う。…”
    — Keiichiro Hirano (@hiranok)
    • kanageohis1964@fedibird.com

      平野啓一郎 Keiichiro Hiranoさん: 「日本はこんなに落ちぶれる以前から、そもそもそんなに自惚れるほど、外国人に対するお持てなし上手の国でもなかったと思う。というか、戦前戦後にそんな評判もなかっただろう。特に食事とか、お土産とか、そういうのは、中国や韓国に行くと圧倒される。ヨーロッパの文学関連のイヴェントなどでも食事は日本より良い。」 / X https:// x.com/hiranok/status/210204627 0613549185

      kanageohis1964@fedibird.comMastodon2d agoview on Mastodon ↗