Why is baseball popular in japan?

[Acidreptile]

I always wondered that,but I never knew why.

[YaksokuDa]

After the war they got Americanised...that's basically it.
It's the same with the Phillipines, they got Americanised and they love Basketball.

Most popular sports in certain countries are popular from influence.
India former British territory, loves Cricket, Australia loves Rugby and Cricket.

[Acidreptile]

Ah I see....I think that this is a bad thing.Not baseball,be "americanized".

[YaksokuDa]

Originally Posted by Acidreptile

Ah I see....I think that this is a bad thing.Not baseball,be "americanized".

For any cultue to influence another is bad news. It's not fair.

[MMM]

YaksokuDa, I am sorry, but baseball was not brought into Japan post-WWII, but was actually introduced to Japan in the late 1800s. Professional baseball has been incredibly popular in Japan for almost 100 years.

High school baseball championships are held every year in Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo-ken (smack dab between Osaka and Kobe). The best teams from each prefecture vie for the National title, and many of the best players will be scouted for pro teams.

I think we are talking in slightly simplistic terms to simply call "Americanization" a "bad thing" in the scope of this topic.

Is it so terrible for one culture to have influence on another?

Are we not all on Japan forums?

[Skyraida]

i remember watching "baseball" on samurai champloo, it dealt some truth, but in a more funny concept manner.

[YaksokuDa]

Originally Posted by MMM

Is it so terrible for one culture to have influence on another?

Are we not all on Japan forums?

Well then I stand corrected about Baseball in Japan.

but, I don't get the bit quoted..

[Hatredcopter]

That's kinda hypocritical to say it's bad if one culture influences another... I mean, Japanese culture has influenced Western culture quite a bit, no? Anime is very popular in the US, Europe and in many other places, and sushi is a popular food these days too. Anime itself derived from art and animation techniques that were developed in europe and the US. If the west hadn't influenced Japan in the ways it did, I would think that Japan would not be the economic world leader that it is today.

[YaksokuDa]

Originally Posted by Hatredcopter

That's kinda hypocritical to say it's bad if one culture influences another... I mean, Japanese culture has influenced Western culture quite a bit, no? Anime is very popular in the US, Europe and in many other places, and sushi is a popular food these days too. Anime itself derived from art and animation techniques that were developed in europe and the US. If the west hadn't influenced Japan in the ways it did, I would think that Japan would not be the economic world leader that it is today.

Don't forget electronics.

Personally, I prefer the spiritual side to Japan, but all is good.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by YaksokuDa

Well then I stand corrected about Baseball in Japan.

but, I don't get the bit quoted..

I meant that aren't we all here because we have been influenced by Japan? I wouldn't have it any other way!