Synopsis

Across Japan's cities, a profusion of signs and posters depict characters imbued with human qualities. This inclination appears deeply rooted in cultural sensibilities and perhaps even the national character itself. This installment of Japanology Plus explores the theme of anthropomorphism. Our guest expert, Professor Sadashige Aoki of Hosei University, has examined the social ramifications of this phenomenon, writing extensively on "character culture." In Plus One, we consider whether Japanese