Cruel Japanese Pranks

This is a bit long, but it’s worth sitting through, whether you think it’s funny or you think the Japanese have gone overboard with their pranks.  The Japanese have always had an odd sense of humor.  This kind of prank would never work in the U.S. or in the Philippines.  Personally, I think it’s pretty mean, verging on cruel, especially since it involves a kid.  But this was actually televised on Japanese national television.  Anyway, have a see and make up your own mind.  LOL or cruel?

Here’s another one from the same show.  I forgot the title of the show, but it’s something like, “king of scary face”, or something that sounds like that.  After watching this, you’ll understand why.

Remember, the Japanese also came up with the sexually groundbreaking cinematic moment, “In The Realm Of The Senses”, where sex and death were inherently intertwined.  Their point of view is decidedly unique, and what passes off as offensive to other cultures, is accepted as a genuine inquiry into the human state.  Value judgments are withheld, and the myriad conclusions eagerly awaited.  I’m endlessly fascinated with the way the Japanese collective mind works.  They often blur the distinctions between right and wrong, and redefines what is acceptable and what isn’t.  I don’t always agree with it, in fact I often vacillate between being impressed and getting offended, but I’m mesmerized at the skewed way their logic sometimes progresses.  So their approach to humor is no different to the oftentimes odd manner by which they tackle the other aspects of life like sex and death; you may not always get it, but you’re drawn to it, much like how some people could not turn their eyes away from an impending train wreck.