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Answerman - Some People Can't Carry iTunes

mdo7 wrote:

If that was true then Japan's digital music sales would've been up already like on the same level as Korea and Taiwan's digital music sales.

Why do you say that? The market for PMP and cell phones, carriers, etc are different in TW and KR than in Japan. The consumer trends for physical goods are also different for those countries.

I am almost tempted to ask you to elaborate this because you may see something I'm missing, but I'm afraid that you'll just pull out some kind of copypasta bandwagon that misses the point I'm trying to address.

omoikane wrote:

mdo7 wrote: If that was true then Japan's digital music sales would've been up already like on the same level as Korea and Taiwan's digital music sales. Why do you say that? The market for PMP and cell phones, carriers, etc are different in TW and KR than in Japan. The consumer trends for physical goods are also different for those countries. I am almost tempted to ask you to elaborate this because you may see something I'm missing, but I'm afraid that you'll just pull out some kind of copypasta bandwagon that misses the point I'm trying to address.

I can give you links if you want to know more, but I've been studying the 2 music markets for both Japan and Korea. I see major differences when it comes to marketing, sales, and how they react to globalization. But I can tell you this, Japan doesn't really embrace the internet unlike Korea (which is the reason why K-pop got popular outside of Asia) and Taiwan (which could probably replicate K-pop success if Taiwanese pop ever get popular outside of Asia). I mention in my previous post that Taiwan is catching up to their Korean counterpart in IT. Japan doesn't look like they want to get themselves involve into IT tech which would require making internet a big thing. That's why there's not a lot of wi-fi hotspots in Japan. However Japan is increasing wi-fi for tourist only and not for local resident. Meanwhile in Korea and Taiwan:

Free wi-fi now offered in public area in Korea

Travelling to Taiwan? Free public Wi-Fi launched in Taipei

Taiwan offers free Wi-Fi to all foreign tourists

So that's why Korea and Taiwan are "wired", Japan not quite "wired".

... and all of this actually supports my statements. So I still don't understand by what you mean "If that was true then Japan's digital music sales would've been up already like on the same level as Korea and Taiwan's digital music sales."

@mdo7

You keep telling us what Japan is doing wrong and what Japan should do to fix this. Since you have stated you are not talking about the government, I assume you mean the Japanese entertainment industry as a whole when you say "Japan".

Unfortunately there are a couple of problems with this. The Japanese entertainment industry is not run by a single individual or even a small group of individuals that could decide to make these changes and actually enforce those decisions. What you have is an industry run but dozens, and at the talent level hundreds of people. Each of those people are making decisions on what they think is best for them, their company or their talent. Being human they make those decisions mostly well within their comfort zone. They are unlikely to change as long as they are making money or think they may make money.

The second problem is that none of them are listening to you. I am sure some of those decision makers are aware of ANN. However I would say that it is highly unlikely that any are reading the forums here. The possibility that one would be reading this thread for advice on how to run his business is nil.

As to your advice, you may be right or you may be wrong, it doesn't matter. If you argue with us long enough you may convince several forum members, though you haven't had much luck at that so far. However, nothing you say here will have any impact on the Japanese entertainment industry. All your posts on the subject are a complete exercise in futility. (As is this post but for different reasons) You really should find something else to soapbox about.

No, anime is dying. Back in 2004(I think) the home video market was about $4 billion. Now it's barely $800 million(according to ask John) which mean it took a 500% decline, if my math is correct.

I usually wait for it to happen so people will say "mdo7 was correct, we should've listen to him."

@mdo7

And you missed my point entirely. I'm trying to say that your multiple posts are an exercise in speculation with as much substance as spun sugar. Having explained your views to us there is little or no point in continuing.

You have identified what you think is wrong with the Japanese entertainment industry. I suspect that the members of the industry don't even think there is a problem much less exactly what you have stated.

You have stated what actions would fix the problem. You may be right, however it is also possible that the members of the entertainment industry would not accept this regardless of the consequences.

You have speculated to the effect that economic forces will force these actions in any case. Maybe yes, maybe no, only time will tell. I can't say I look forward to hearing the same predictions for the next five to ten years.

Your comments are much like those the claim the anime industry is being ruined by too much/too little moe, or fanservice, or whatever. They then state what anime programs should be made. That is sort of like fleas trying to discuss how to run the dog. A lot of discussion with no point.

The Japanese entertainment industry in general and the anime industry in particular are what they are. Nothing we say here is going to change that. We should be looking at what they have done not what we wish they would do. We should cherish the good stuff and let the bad stuff go. Discussion of what they have done makes sense, discussion of what they should do is pointless. They will do what they want without help from us.

Quote:

I usually wait for it to happen so people will say "mdo7 was correct, we should've listen to him."

Good luck with that. Even in the remote chance you are right, no one will remember.

So you really don't care if Japanese entertainment industry don't want to globalize their product or not allow their entertainment to get out of Japan. Japan has done good achievements when it comes to anime, but you're not concern if other Asian countries like Korea and Taiwan surpass Japan in other field like IT, music, and live-action dramas. Japan is falling behind that on a worldwide scale. I want to see Japan being competitive like on the same level as Korea and Taiwan when it comes to exporting music, IT, and I want to see Japan exporting more of their J-dramas not only anime and manga.

mdo7 wrote:

Quote:

So you really don't care if Japanese entertainment industry don't want to globalize their product or not allow their entertainment to get out of Japan. Japan has done good achievements when it comes to anime, but you're not concern if other Asian countries like Korea and Taiwan surpass Japan in other field like IT, music, and live-action dramas. Japan is falling behind that on a worldwide scale. I want to see Japan being competitive like on the same level as Korea and Taiwan when it comes to exporting music, IT, and I want to see Japan exporting more of their J-dramas not only anime and manga.

I didn't say anything about whether I care or not. I didn't say anything about what I would like to see them do. What I said was that it doesn't matter if I care, it doesn't matter what I want. The members of the Japanese entertainment industry will do what they want and nothing you or I say here on the forums will have any effect on that. That is all.

I got into anime because they provided entertainment I couldn't get elsewhere. While I don't like everything there is enough good to keep me happy. It has been over 16 years now and they haven't disappointed me yet. I trust them to keep me entertained for the foreseeable future. I have no intention of trying to tell them what to do.

Countries rise and fall, sometime it is the result of good or bad decision by people in power sometimes it is due to circumstances out of their control. It is a natural cycle.

mdo7

Where did you get the idea that K-pop and K-dramas are "mainstream". While I could undoubtedly find them somewhere on line, no form of Korean entertainment is playing anywhere around here. Other than on this forum I don't think I have run into anyone who is aware of any form of Korean entertainment. In order to be mainstream, the general public would have to at least know it exists even if they don't follow it. For all our sins, Jersey Shore was mainstream, Korean drama is not.

Well I care about Japan not only because of anime and manga. But because when I see Japan fall behind their Korean and Taiwanese part, it upset me, Japan is the leading Asian countries and seeing Taiwan and Korea rising up in music, dramas, and IT makes me go "why is Japan not catching up to those 2 countries".

Korea