Tokyoesque Insights

Body Positivity in Japan: Media Representation and Gender Fluidity…

The beauty standards in Japan have stayed roughly the same throughout the years. In fact, a majority of women do not feel confident in their bodies today, aim to be underweight, and still feel the pressure to have a thin frame in a one-size-fits-all society. So it’s safe to say when it comes to body positivity, Japan is still behind. Though this is true, female comedians, fashion designers and plus-size celebrities are championing the concept and the idea of body acceptance, so there is progress. Japan is also seeing more gender fluidity in fashion and acceptance for alternative appearances, all aiding in the shift towards a more body positive society. Advertisers struggled to navigate the shifting beauty standards in countries like China and Korea, so in this article we will discuss how you can avoid making the same mistakes in Japan by diving into the ‘body’ landscape.