“Maid cafe’’ waitresses leave Kansai International Airport on Friday.

Osaka 'maid cafe' waitresses fly to Taiwan to attract tourists

Sunday 26th July, 06:10 AM JST

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Disillusioned at 10:00 PM JST - 25th July
This should encourage the Taiwanese Military to invade at once.

Payback is a b!tch!!!
- Is this really how Japan wants to represent its culture? Air headed bimbos dressed like 12 year old's. They should send a bunch of unisexual teenage boys with them. Way to go Japan!
sharky1 at 11:17 PM JST - 25th July

Pimping Japan...what a concept...
yosun at 12:40 AM JST - 26th July

This minor news might have led to a deep society phenomenon. " Dear Mr. Descent/ Serious/ Aged generation" : The world has changed, gradually. It’s not completely the same as you knew, new generation just like what they’re doing. You guys better learn to understand before the gap becomes too deep.
womanforwomen at 12:55 AM JST - 26th July

yosun, which part of the new generation are you talking about? The handful of ones who just don't know what they are doing? The numerous new generation ones I know are leading sensible lives, and are ashamed of the few unguided ones, who are trying to get attention and earning a name that Japan does not really need. If you carefully read the posts you will understand that they are for the benefit of Japan and its people.
outofmydepth at 10:02 AM JST - 26th July

yes, let`s take this sleazy stuff on the road and show the world what japan is really like.
tigris at 10:22 AM JST - 26th July

scantily clad.... pedo/porno-ish

Some of you seem to have serious problems. Look at the photo. You see anything that is implying sexual titillation? I certainly don't. The costumes are more conservative than what you see on any given day in Shibuya or elsewhere. Skirts are longer than many school uniforms. Seems that some posters here have seriously warped phantasies - eye of the beholder.

Second: I do research and provide media content for foreign publications. As maid cafes are since years a hot news item I have checked out about a dozen of them. Most customers are under 30 very few 'old' man if any. There is a steady stream of foreign visitors - almost all of them in their twenties. Inside the cafes no sexual innuendo whatsoever. Do you really think that the ultra conservative JTO would promote the maids if there was?

My personal problem with maids is the submission theme. I detest master/servant relationships and find it embarrassing if my coffee gets stirred by somebody else treating me like a cripple or a child. The younger Japanese generation and foreigners coming to Japan are obviously enjoying this and personally I find that worrisome. But considering the current social and political climate in Japan, Europe, the US and elsewhere not really surprising. Very few rebels and freethinkers around these days. But hey, that is my problem, so if you enjoy that kind of thing go ahead.

Third: Japanese popular culture is the hottest thing since years in SE-Asia and elsewhere, including especially Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. Japanese music, movies, manga, cosplay, the maids and fashion are in vogue. Culturally Japan is the Mekka these days, despite the history and politics. If the modern Japanese culture doesn't conform to your taste - or mine for that matter - relax. Just enjoy the show.

So before embarrassing yourself by displaying ignorance, arrogance and superiority wrapped in racial bias - get a reality check.
ChrisBiggins at 11:23 AM JST - 26th July

I think it is terribly stupid and anyone who pays to go to one of those maid cafe things, is a very silly billy indeed.
GW at 05:41 PM JST - 26th July

tigris

lol you tell us to chill then you go on about the submission thing which is part of what we see perhaps you need to take yr own advice
yosun at 10:26 PM JST - 26th July

Womanforwomen, I’m only average people so I can’t answer your question which I think only genius or idiot is able to answer. However, evolutionism proved that humankind have been naturally trying new things so we can make improvement otherwise people might still remain in Stone Age or worse like animals. Conclusively I don’t think we’re better than our next generation and at least so far they didn’t ruin the earth and leave huge debt to their next generation. These young ladies only do their jobs their way. I believe they’re also hardworking people like you even in pretty clothes. Isn’t geisha a kind of Japan tradition? Then how do you evaluate geisha? Better or not?
Potsu at 10:26 PM JST - 26th July

Tigris:"Culturally Japan is the Mekka..." That's quite funny ! Stop the comedy.
fightfan2008 at 07:05 AM JST - 27th July

^^Japan is pretty much considered mecca of Asia when it comes to popular culture. This is not just opinion, anyone who knows anything about pop culture in Asia knows this. (unless you are in denial)
usaexpat at 11:40 PM JST - 27th July

People are going to travel from Taiwan to visit a maid cafe? I think not.
Agnosto at 11:59 PM JST - 27th July

@ tigris. I would put forward that you are guilty of the ignorance that you are seeing in others. There is a definite submission theme in the majority of Japanese pornography and overall treatment of women. One need only peruse the news and you will be assaulted with strange stories of women abducted and kept in chains for extended periods of time in some weirdo's apartment. Arguably, Japan is still much safer than many western countries; however, you only need look at the pop-culture that you are a confessed proponent of and you will see gore, tentacle sex, and other strangeness.

Japanese culture has many strong points; however, manga, maid-cafes, and other strangeness is not a fair representation of what the real Japan should be. Maybe I'm an optimist but I would prefer Japan to be known for things that don't make the country look like a tawdry old whore.
tigris at 01:47 AM JST - 28th July

Agnosto

Thanks for your rather politely worded response. But please read my post careful again:

If the modern Japanese culture doesn't conform to your taste - or mine for that matter - relax.

I am not a "confessed proponent of Japanese pop culture". Some of it I find fascinating or interesting, some of it puts me off. What riles me up in this particular case is the assumptions of people who have never been at maid cafes, never talked to one of those maids and throw it together with, well, tentacle sex and gore. And then add anything else what we don't find appetizing about Japanese culture and call it good ol Japan.

Do you really feel that superior that you feel in a position to decide "what the real Japan should be"? I strongely resist that attitude like a lot of other people in todays world, no matter your do-gooder innocence.

My above mentioned displeasure with master/servant relationships or more pointedly master/slave relationships extends a little further:

The handful of ones who just don't know what they are doing? The numerous new generation ones I know are leading sensible lives, and are ashamed of the few unguided ones, who are trying to get attention and earning a name that Japan does not really need. If you carefully read the posts you will understand that they are for the benefit of Japan and its people.

This and some other posts are a classic example of the White Man's Burden, a 1700 century ideology (alive and well in 2009) where the whites have the duty to educate and culturally develop "inferior" races. It was used as an excuse for racism, slavery, paternalism, colonialism and imperialism - in other words submission.
tigris at 06:00 AM JST - 28th July

uuups Correction:not 7 but 9, 1900. Too late at night.