Originally posted by Kunzite Perhaps the Japanese are considerably less up-tight?
You should know better, given your location - please feel free to take this as a question.
I find that question difficult, because I normally try to avoid make in generalizations about the Japanese or any other nationality. What I would say from observations is this.
You see a lot of crazy, eccentric advertising in Japan compared to other countries I know. You only have to switch on Japanese TV for a while to see that. So it seems that Japanese companies know that customers respond well to a certain degree of silliness.
You see a lot more variety of cameras in people’s hands in Japan than overseas. People are more likely to be using the minor brands, colored cameras and niche items, like the GR and Sigma DP series. I don’t think there are many Japanese photographers who are image-conscious about what their choice of equipment says about them as a photographer.
On the other hand, you can find many cases where the Japanese take things very seriously, particularly in terms of social and business manners. Ultimately, photography is a hobby for most people, so it doesn't really come into that.
The best way to find out is to travel here, and if you are interested in photography and don’t mind winter, CP+ is a pretty good time to do that.