Marketed as “an internet TV site full of great media featuring the hottest trends in Japanese subculture,” WAO!流〈RYU〉JAPAN seems to be the very first of its kind to globally extend the appeal of this Japanese soft power. It’s the first TV site in Japan to broadcast internationally, and its target audience happens to be people from outside the country.

The site features 9 main unique sections, most of them releasing 15-minute programs monthly and 5-minute shorts weekly or even daily. These programs take a form similar to what one would see on daytime television, on a channel like PBS or perhaps even BBC. Some have Japanese speaking hosts while many have “gaijin” hosts, further implying the hope for global appeal.

These 9 “channels” include:

【anime channel】『GACHI-OTA《ガチヲタ》』

A program devoted to providing insight on what is affectionately known as otaku culture, which we associate anime, manga, and video games with. Some of the videos include very interesting mini-tours through Akihabara, showing off stores like Super Potato, Club SEGA, and a train-themed maid cafe. The narrator keeps saying “dattebayo,” though…

【fashion channel】『KAWAII PATEEN 《カワイイパティーン》』

This section showcases different styles of fashion that are popular throughout Japan, particularly in Harajuku, Shibuya, and Akihabara.

【idol channel】『JAPA-DOL《ジャパドル》』

A secret look into the daily life of an idol. I imagine something along the lines of MTV, but probably a lot more informative and music-related.

【traditional channel】『TAKUMI 《匠》』

A program that focuses on the traditional side of Japanese culture and the country’s rich history, particularly its old forms of art.

【creators’ channel】『C3 -Creators’ Cool Contents-』

Shows off creators, companies, corporations, and the like, which gives insight into Japan’s constant technological development and innovation.

【manga & light novel channel】『LANOCOMI』

Highlights the latest in manga and light novels, which are the biggest outlets for Japan’s up-and-coming artists and storytellers.

【trivia channel】『ONLY in JAPAN』

“Casting light on quirky, funny & amazing Japanese culture in a way only seen through the eyes of a foreigner! Join us as we penetrate deep into the heart of Japan!”  Yeah…I’m not sure how to summarize that.

【global channel】『Japanese Culture in Foreign Lands』

This section takes a look at how Japanese culture has spread around the world. This program seems particularly interesting because it’s like Westerners looking at the Japanese looking at the West looking at Japan.

【Japanese language channel】『Fast Japanese』

A whole channel devoted to helping complete beginners pick up the Japanese language.

All in all, it’s a very interesting site, though I can’t help but wonder from whose point of view these are being made from. Are they from some random Japanese TV station who may not particularly be familiar themselves with Japanese subculture, or is it created by people who have a deep love for it and want to share it for the world? From some of the videos I watched, it’s a little difficult to tell if the shows are embracing Japanese subculture or poking fun at it (particularly the otaku side).

Still, props to the station for even coming up with this idea and realizing that there is a rather huge number of people who are interested (i.e. obsessed) with Japanese subculture.

http://waoryu.jp/

B.W.