Of course Japanese people do it as well, including in their own country (see: Miyakojima). The escapist fantasy problem is something you see in almost every “cool” place. Island paradises, ski towns, Australian country towns, etc all have the same issue — people thinking they’re running away from their problems, but actually bringing them along to wherever they go (hence why all of these places to “rest and rewind” or whatever tend to be easy places to score drugs, meet alcoholics, and so on).
Japan attracts a disproportionate number of foreign people, especially foreign residents, who actively celebrate their ongoing escapist delusion. The difference is, Japanese society is too reserved and passive-aggressive to openly call people out on their BS. Thus, when other foreigners see this happening, we should call it out for what it is. Whattaboutism isn’t the answer.
This guy has lived in Japan for long enough to have a bit more balance than this ridiculous how-to guide to being blissfully ignorant of your temporary surroundings while attempting to extract maximum value from them.
You seem to be attacking an odd strawman here. patio11 is providing advice to visitors in Japan for a week, a large group of people that has almost zero overlap with the small but noisy "moving to Japan will fix all my problems" weeaboo crowd.
Japan attracts a disproportionate number of foreign people, especially foreign residents, who actively celebrate their ongoing escapist delusion. The difference is, Japanese society is too reserved and passive-aggressive to openly call people out on their BS. Thus, when other foreigners see this happening, we should call it out for what it is. Whattaboutism isn’t the answer.
This guy has lived in Japan for long enough to have a bit more balance than this ridiculous how-to guide to being blissfully ignorant of your temporary surroundings while attempting to extract maximum value from them.