Have you ever wondered what social media is like in other parts of the world? Our Marketing Rep, Stacy, lives in Okinawa, Japan, a small island south of Tokyo. She dives into the social media realm as we learn about the culture and social media use!
What Is Social Media Like In Japan?
Typically, Facebook or Instagram is the top app in the U.S., but in Japan, the most used app is called Line, which is very similar to Whatsapp. You can make video calls, text, send gifs, etc. the reason this is highly used because it’s the easiest way to communicate! Twitter is the second biggest app used in Japan. There is no Facebook Marketplace in Japan! Instagram is a great way to connect with individuals. Local restaurants, spas, and hotels all use Instagram because it’s a widely used app for many people.
Technology & Internet Access
It’s widespread to see Free Wifi offered all around town as well, it may not be THE BEST, but it’s normal to see it “advertised” throughout the island. To get access to American media, you need a VPN. Otherwise, everything is in Japanese! Which is a little difficult to understand for non-native speakers! 🙂
Cash…Yen, Please
One shocking thing was the limited use of credit cards, online reservations, and online purchasing—coming from a country that relies so heavily on making purchases online, from clothes to food and having it delivered to your car – Ah, yes, the luxury of Target. That is not common here in Japan. In Japan, you must either call to make any reservation or physically go into a store to purchase your items. Most people make purchases and pay rent and utilities with yen instead of paying with a card. Now, I am sure there are many people who D.O. pay with the card, but it’s not as common as you’d think. Also, when you pay your utilities – you go to a local convenience store and pay for your water, electricity, sewage, and gas, all in yen. It makes paying bills pretty convenient because it’s all in one spot.
I just always thought it was the same all over the world. Learning how to get set up and running here in Japan has been interesting! Does anyone else have foreign social media/internet stories? Please share in the comments!
