Japanese TV tends to avoid any semblance of such negativity, though. The diner takes a bite, pauses for dramatic effect, and then lets loose with an elongated cry of “Oi-shii (delicious)!”įor many viewers overseas, part of the draw for shows with on-the-spot taste tests is the chance that the tester will launch into a tirade, spewing venom and crumbs as they take the chef to task for tainting their lips with their subpar creations, then expounding on what should have been done instead. Specifically, Japanese TV is filled with programs wherein a completed dish is lovingly displayed, then bit into by the on-camera talent. But while Japan does have a handful of cooking shows, the majority of its culinary-related television programming isn’t about people preparing or selling food, it’s about people eating it. Sure, foodie culture has exploded throughout the West over the last decade, with tons of shows following the exploits of professional chefs and emerging restaurateurs. The first problem area she identified is a common complaint by foreigners in Japan: Too many programs about food. On a recent visit back to Japan, she sat down to watch domestic programming with a critical eye in order to uncover what characteristics set it apart from television produced overseas.

In an effort to shed light on the phenomenon, Japanese expat and Internet columnist Madame Riri offered a number of theories. It turns out this lukewarm reaction to the country’s programming isn’t just a foreigner thing, either, as some 75% of Japanese citizens polled by the Asashi Shimbun newspaper also said that TV has become boring. But Japanese TV? Let’s just say there’s a reason Internet access is one of the first things new arrivals in the country look to outfit their apartments with. Public transportation? Clean and punctual. There are certain things almost everyone who moves to Japan seems to like.

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