Typical Japanese Images

 In this image, the stereotypical mystique of Japan is all captured in the bright red temple and beautiful landscape, the famed Mt. Fuji in the background.  The average Westerner imagines two different pictures when hearing the word Japan - one, the traditional nature-entwined glamour of the era of samurai depicted above, and the hyper-modern, technological and overpopulated city scene.  This image demonstrates the very oriental look that has been marketed to Western cultures as a typical element of Asia.

This image, that's purpose is to sell KitKat bars in Japan, plays off of the the similar-sounding phrase for good luck - "kitto katsu" - to promote giving them to friends around Spring, when they'll be starting a new school semester.  Even without this knowledge though, a Westerner could divine that the typical scene of a schoolgirl and cherry blossoms is being employed to enforce the positive myth of all Japanese people celebrating and viewing the cherry blossom trees.

 

The vending machines displayed above seem excessive to viewers from Western cultures, which is probably how the stereotype associated with Japan and vending machines came about.  On many occasions, I've heard people say things like "In Japan, you can buy anything out of a vending machine.  They probably sell children in them".  Though this is clearly a humorous exaggeration bordering on racism, the represented sentiment is quite interesting.  Japan indeed seems to have more variety in what their vending machines contain and also just more.  Also, the ones displayed in this picture are painted in bold colors with flashy, overwhelming logos, which has also come to be a trait associated with Japanese advertising.