[paganel]

Sometimes news like this is upvoted, because it involves Japan, towards each a lot of Western techies have an unhealthy obsession on, but the moment when those techies are advised to not use the self-service thing at the super-market they start going bananas.

[AdrianB1]

Japan is a very interesting country for Western people (US and Canada, Western Europe) because it is by far the most developed country that is not Western. In this regard, it is unique and intriguing.

[davkan]

Yes, it seems to me like one of the few places you can go to get a completely fish out water experience while also not feeling the wealth disparity.

I’m not well travelled but, Canada just feels like home of course, and Italy didn’t feel strange in the slightest.

Japan was like being transported to a different world.

Guatemala was as well but, getting picked up by a bodyguard at the airport and driving past slums on the way to a gated community of mansions left a sour taste that still lingers.

[ronnier]

I also find it odd that there’s daily top ranked Japan related articles on HN.

[haunter]

HN is the breeding ground of the Thing Japan meme https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/thing-japan