2016-12-24 12:20 Christmas and Expectations
Y (Kuma's owner)
It's finally Christmas Eve today. I like the decorations and an atmosphere of Christmas. I live in Australia now, but I had been living most of my life in Japan. Most Japanese are not Christian but there are lots of Christmas decorations at shopping centres, department stores and public spaces. I don't know how the custom of decorating Christmas was widespread.
There are many customs that came from overseas as well. One of them is Valentine's Day. There's a famous rumor about Valentine's Day that said one of the famous chocolate companies used Valentine's Day for increasing sales. That rumor also indicates the real company's name and that makes the rumor sound more realistic. Therefore, in Japan, people buy only chocolates for Valentine's Day.
Regarding Christmas, I have no idea how it started in Japan. As at least I know, Christmas has no religious meaning for most Japanese. Japanese are not religious. There is a very simple way of thinking, Christmas means Santa Claus or gifts. Christmastime is the season of beautiful decorations, Christmas trees, cakes and gifts. That's what most Japanese think of. I wonder what people who are pious Christians think of these customs?
For people who work for retailers or other businesses, Christmas is the best chance to sell products or services in the year. For children, this is the big chance to get their favorite toys. People have expectations individually.
Whatever reasons we have, people love Christmas.