Recently, I saw a story about an Italian visitor to Japan who felt that "there are few things to eat if you are a vegetarian, and Japanese food lacks diversity."
As a Latvian who deeply loves Japanese culture, seeing this made me think a little.
It is not bad to feel "troubled"
First of all, I don't think it's a bad thing for foreigners to feel inconvenience in Japan.
There are various ways of thinking and eating habits in the world, such as religion, allergies, vegetarianism, and veganism.
When you go to Japan and find that there are fewer dishes you can eat because fish dashi (broth) is used more than expected, it is natural to feel "I'm in trouble."
However, I feel it is a bit different to think that a country "lacks diversity" just because of that experience of "having few choices for oneself."
This is because there is a food culture, history, and way of life that has been nurtured in that country over a long period of time.
I think it is a good thing to increase vegetarian menus and other options so that foreigners can spend their time more easily.
But accepting foreigners and a country changing to match the values of foreigners are not the same thing.
"Becoming a country that is kind to foreigners" and "Becoming a country that conforms to foreigners" are different.
And I believe that true diversity is not about making everything meet the same standards, but about being able to respect the "differences" that exist in each country.
Even within "inconvenience," there is the culture of that country
The reason why fish dashi is often used in Japanese cuisine is not because of a lack of consideration for foreigners.
In Japan, which is surrounded by the sea, people have eaten fish and seaweed since ancient times and have made use of the ingredients available in that land.
At the end of that accumulation lies today's Japanese food culture.
Even if it is inconvenient for some foreigners, for Japan, it is an important culture that has been passed down for hundreds of years.
That's why I think it's important to think, "Why is it like this in this country?" when you encounter something different from your own culture or habits, rather than putting that difference into words as a complaint.
If you look into it, you might find a history you didn't know or values that the people of that country have cherished.
If they accommodate you, say "Thank you"
Of course, it is wonderful that more restaurants are finding ways for various people to enjoy their meals, and that the environment is being prepared to make it easier for foreigners to travel. I think there are many restaurants that are taking such measures.
Compared to the past, I also think the number of shops with multilingual menus has increased significantly.
But foreigners must not think that this is "natural to do."
If they accommodate you, say "Thank you."
If they don't, you can adapt yourself to that environment, or you can look for a place or method that suits you.
Going abroad means entering a culture that is different from the world you usually live in.
Therefore, it is necessary not only for the receiving side but also for the visiting side to have a spirit of respecting the culture of that country.
You can understand it well if you think from your own perspective
This is not just about Japan.
My home country, Latvia, also has its own Latvian cuisine, language, customs, and a long history.
I am happy that many people from all over the world come to visit.
I think it's also a good thing for the country to become easier for foreigners to live in.
However, if we prioritize conforming to foreigners too much and the things that are uniquely Latvian are gradually lost, I would surely feel lonely.
I think the same can be said for any country.
Therefore, I believe that no country needs to change the culture that its people have connected over generations just to match foreigners.
The reason I like Japan is because Japan is Japan
To begin with, one of the reasons I came to like Japan was because it was a country completely different from Latvia.
The food is different.
The language is different.
The customs are different.
Even the things taken for granted are different.
Every time I learned something for the first time, I became interested, thinking, "Why do they do this in Japan?"
And as I looked into it, I came to like Japanese history and culture even more.
What if every country in the world became the same in terms of food, service, and customs so that foreign travelers wouldn't be troubled?
Travel might certainly become more convenient.
But I think it would become much more boring than it is now.
Because it's different, you want to know more.
Because it's different, it's interesting.
Because it's different, there is a meaning to going to that country.
I am happy that Japan is kind to foreigners.
But at the same time, I don't want Japan to lose its "Japaneseness" by conforming too much to foreigners.
And we foreigners should not just demand that Japan "be like this," but first get to know what is in Japan, understand its background, and respect it.
I think that kind of relationship is the most wonderful.
I want Japan to continue to be Japan.
As a Latvian who came to love Japanese culture from outside Japan, that is what I think. 🇱🇻🇯🇵
Artur
