‘Perfect Japan’ posts spark Gen Z social media backlashAFP, TOKYOTake an everyday video on any suburban transport network, add anime-style music and a rosy filter, and it’s suddenly a scene from the Japanese holiday of your dreams. That’s the “Japan effect”: a Gen Z social media trend satirizing the often-romanticized image of the Asian country, which welcomed a record number of visitors last year. Residents of Kyoto and other tourist hotspots have expressed exasperation with selfie-taking crowds, and now an online backlash against Japan fever is growing. For instance, many women have experienced groping, said Sato, a contributor to “Blossom The Project,” an Instagram account focused on Japanese social issues. When asked if posts about Japan could be unrealistic, she said: “To tell the truth, no...

Source: Taipei Times March 24, 2026 17:15 UTC