Japan is a nation that took extraordinary leaps and bounds in socialization and modernization following his initial contact with the world outside his islands. What was once a nation known for being a hikikomori (shut-in) is now a proud and polite nation known for their technological advancements and being among the leaders for erotic works, advanced robotics, unfailing politeness, and a careful preservation of traditional culture while adapting to the modern world. He is friends with several nations, most especially Prussia: who had the greatest influence on how Japan decided to modernize upon initial contact with the outside world. Even in the modern day, the pair are considerably close to one another to the point where many would outright call them lovers.
That being said, Japan is still Japan, and it shows in ways many would expect and be surprised by. As would be suggested by practically inventing the modern concepts of “otaku” culture and “hentai”, Japan has moments where he proves himself to be incredibly geeky and highly proficient with all manner of technology. He is also known amongst his friends and enemies for being one of the few nations in the world who can be unflinchingly polite, even while insulting people. His predilection for politeness comes from his isolationist years, during which he developed the five pillars of honor system for dictating how one ought to live their lives. Japan also uses honorifics when speaking to people, although he will drop these honorifics when speaking to his closest of friends. Prussia is among the nations whom Japan speaks to without honorifics.
Japan’s relationships with different countries reflect how the nations feel about each other in the modern age. He’s currently still in recovery from the tsunami and earthquake that caused the nuclear disaster in his country, but is holding strong. It’ll be a very cold day in hell before Japan blatantly asks for assistance, but in times of crisis, he will rarely refuse assistance offered by other nations. In spite of all the cruelty they cause, he also carries a mark of pride regarding the Yakuza, knowing the mob organization to be among the first responders to many a national crisis before any official relief force can be brought in to help. Japan also holds a fondness for many older aspects of Japanese culture and can be coaxed into talking about Japanese history under the right circumstance.
Overall, Japan is a nation that doesn’t look particularly intimidating, but the fact that he’s lasted for so long in spite of the isolationism and surpassing many other nations in various subject matters speaks for itself. Though he has had little need to fight in recent years, Japan is still a proficient fighter ready to defend the honor of his country and his people.
People who have met Japan will often remark on how he doesn’t smile much, but close friends will be among the first to talk about how he can be amazingly adorable and loving. Japan usually denies such accusations. In his days as a shut-in, he rarely ever spoke to people. Among the most notable occasions was when France came to visit and offered Japan a cat in return for opening his door to start up friendly relations between their nations. Japan’s response was to only open the door to his home just a sliver that he may be permitted to just take the cat. His otaku and perverted sides show up in ways that even other nations don’t expect, like Italy’s shocked response when he found traditional pornography in the seemingly innocent Japan’s home. Japan also has a closet in his home exclusively for his cosplay clothing and accessories.
Though he still holds firm to many of his old beliefs, it is noted that while he still remembers the youkai (demons/spirits) that roam his country, he can no longer see them as he used to. The modernization he went through, especially World War 2, are among the major contributing factors in this. Japan looks back on the war with regret, as do other nations, but reassures himself by thinking of how he did what was expected of him at the time. This was also a period in Japanese history where he found himself at odds with different cultures and their traditions, such as Italy’s fondness for open displays of attention and how other nations would rather accept defeat rather than commit honorable suicide.
Though he has moved past some of those old days of traditionalism, there is still a part of Japan that adheres to the old traditions in the strictest of ways. He still wears kimonos and yukatas (traditional Japanese clothing), but occasionally dabbles in Western styles of dress. One of the most striking examples of his Western clothing is his white military uniform from the World War.
A final word about Japan’s personality: He loves cute things. If it’s small, big-eyed, floppy eared, fluffy, squeaks, peeps, mewls, barks, or has a twitchy nose of any sort, he will find a way to make it his own. When he was working on submarines as part of the Axis, one of the most important things he paid attention to was how many different colors and patterns he could create for the subs. Truly, a man of vision, talent, and an living magnet for adorable things.
[CANON] Japan aka Kiku Honda l l Axis Powers Hetalia l l No Reserve l l 2 of 3
Japan is a nation that took extraordinary leaps and bounds in socialization and modernization following his initial contact with the world outside his islands. What was once a nation known for being a hikikomori (shut-in) is now a proud and polite nation known for their technological advancements and being among the leaders for erotic works, advanced robotics, unfailing politeness, and a careful preservation of traditional culture while adapting to the modern world. He is friends with several nations, most especially Prussia: who had the greatest influence on how Japan decided to modernize upon initial contact with the outside world. Even in the modern day, the pair are considerably close to one another to the point where many would outright call them lovers.
That being said, Japan is still Japan, and it shows in ways many would expect and be surprised by. As would be suggested by practically inventing the modern concepts of “otaku” culture and “hentai”, Japan has moments where he proves himself to be incredibly geeky and highly proficient with all manner of technology. He is also known amongst his friends and enemies for being one of the few nations in the world who can be unflinchingly polite, even while insulting people. His predilection for politeness comes from his isolationist years, during which he developed the five pillars of honor system for dictating how one ought to live their lives. Japan also uses honorifics when speaking to people, although he will drop these honorifics when speaking to his closest of friends. Prussia is among the nations whom Japan speaks to without honorifics.
Japan’s relationships with different countries reflect how the nations feel about each other in the modern age. He’s currently still in recovery from the tsunami and earthquake that caused the nuclear disaster in his country, but is holding strong. It’ll be a very cold day in hell before Japan blatantly asks for assistance, but in times of crisis, he will rarely refuse assistance offered by other nations. In spite of all the cruelty they cause, he also carries a mark of pride regarding the Yakuza, knowing the mob organization to be among the first responders to many a national crisis before any official relief force can be brought in to help. Japan also holds a fondness for many older aspects of Japanese culture and can be coaxed into talking about Japanese history under the right circumstance.
Overall, Japan is a nation that doesn’t look particularly intimidating, but the fact that he’s lasted for so long in spite of the isolationism and surpassing many other nations in various subject matters speaks for itself. Though he has had little need to fight in recent years, Japan is still a proficient fighter ready to defend the honor of his country and his people.
People who have met Japan will often remark on how he doesn’t smile much, but close friends will be among the first to talk about how he can be amazingly adorable and loving. Japan usually denies such accusations. In his days as a shut-in, he rarely ever spoke to people. Among the most notable occasions was when France came to visit and offered Japan a cat in return for opening his door to start up friendly relations between their nations. Japan’s response was to only open the door to his home just a sliver that he may be permitted to just take the cat. His otaku and perverted sides show up in ways that even other nations don’t expect, like Italy’s shocked response when he found traditional pornography in the seemingly innocent Japan’s home. Japan also has a closet in his home exclusively for his cosplay clothing and accessories.
Though he still holds firm to many of his old beliefs, it is noted that while he still remembers the youkai (demons/spirits) that roam his country, he can no longer see them as he used to. The modernization he went through, especially World War 2, are among the major contributing factors in this. Japan looks back on the war with regret, as do other nations, but reassures himself by thinking of how he did what was expected of him at the time. This was also a period in Japanese history where he found himself at odds with different cultures and their traditions, such as Italy’s fondness for open displays of attention and how other nations would rather accept defeat rather than commit honorable suicide.
Though he has moved past some of those old days of traditionalism, there is still a part of Japan that adheres to the old traditions in the strictest of ways. He still wears kimonos and yukatas (traditional Japanese clothing), but occasionally dabbles in Western styles of dress. One of the most striking examples of his Western clothing is his white military uniform from the World War.
A final word about Japan’s personality: He loves cute things. If it’s small, big-eyed, floppy eared, fluffy, squeaks, peeps, mewls, barks, or has a twitchy nose of any sort, he will find a way to make it his own. When he was working on submarines as part of the Axis, one of the most important things he paid attention to was how many different colors and patterns he could create for the subs. Truly, a man of vision, talent, and an living magnet for adorable things.