Japan Interviews #18 - Can You Swim?

[19630414osman]

In japan maiji era,schools established pools.

Mr.jigoro kano=father of judo,contributed to make the pool,and class to swim from elementary to junior high school.

in japan, water is low-priced.

So almost japanese people can swim.

But,almost korean people and chinese people can not swim.

[neomysterio]

Now the question is "Can black Americans people swim?".

[BlueRazor69]

25 meters is one lap of a pool lol

[AJoshua244]

There was a time when white people didn't swim very much apparently. I just read about a captain and crew on a distressed ship who would have lost their lives if it had sunk very close to the shore. This was only about 80 years ago in Newfoundland.

[monkiemike]

Maybe wierd rumour but they dont like to swim in the ocean! (not all of them of course!)

[jodelle6]

that's a weird rumor! they live on an island people! 

[MriBackup]

Only black ppl cant swim duh

[2ndAct]

Let's happy swimming life!

[Paganbreeze]

I don't know who said Japanese can't swim.. But that's definitely only a rumor.

Japanese have great Olympic champions like Kitajima =).

It's normal pretty everyone is addicted to swimming :).

[KELLERMANisBACK]

@Paganbreeze Well in feudal Japan, many farmers stayed inland where there was more rain and the ground was more fertile for growing rice and they were never near large bodies of water to swim in. Also, many lifestyles took up the whole day and they did not have the time to learn how to. Such as fishing, you had to stay in your boat or you wouldn't catch the fish, right? Anyway, I only heard of this in a small book about feudal japan but nowhere else...

[raith2006]

why would people think that Japanese people can't swim?

[zengeng1991]

日本結構水泳強いからね

北島とか松田とか入江とか

[TheCosmicburrito2]

I've never heard of this rumor that Japanese can't swim. It makes no sense. They live on a large Island like country. Next they will say that Japanese people melt in the sun and can't be fed after midnight. Nonsense!

[sakhalinainu]

Students of elementary(1st to 6th), junior(7 to 9th), & high school in japan have swimming classes as gymnastics from June to September. So, I think it's not easy to find people who canNOT swim AT ALL.

For ex. in my elementary school, basically almost all the students in 12 year old swum 1 to a few kilometers along the coast line from one beach to another as a kind of summer program.. We had a serious training in the pool of the school everyday for that. Finally it's fun from achievement. haha

[rokged]

I really love that guy from 2:16 !!!

He's always soooo cool in the interviews, when you know what I mean. =)

[avegailtadiarca]

I'm not Japanese but I don't know how to swim, LOLZ



[SuperBookworm365]

Well, I kind of understand were the question came from the first place.

There is always a character in anime or Japanese drama, with a trauma of drowing in the sea or river.

It's almost like they have a rule to include one.

[cely988]

when those Japanese people speak English I feel like running up to them and hugging them cuz they sound so kawaii (#^.^#)~*

[CenturysSamurai]

I thought this racist term was used on Black People not Japanese? Either way it's still racist but this video is good! :)

[JL3Wind]

@CenturysSamurai it's not racist at all haha, it's a stereotype! Racism is when you perform hateful / discriminating actions against someone or value someone solely based on their race or ethnicity you know :)

[CenturysSamurai]

@JL3Wind haa i know i understand.. you are right! it's just mean either way! xD

[Eaglegirl12]

They're exactly like me with french and Spanish, I can understand almost immediately what someone is asking, but it takes me FOREVER to figure out what to say back!

[UndertakerNeverDies]

I am surprised that this is something some people might think that the japanese cant swim. I never heard of it before so its weird that its something people might think. I don't think race should have anything to do with wether you can swim or not and you know most of those people can swim farther then i can.

[kimberlina31981]

Your students are doing so well! Very impressive.

[gillianorley]

How far can I swim?

Until I drown.

[BLoodyALiceXseriX]

2:40 that guy must be a eng teacher XD

[do3bes]

This looks like an act :s

[YanadaMako]

the third guy that answered was cute :3

[Jehuty989]

i sink like a rock..

[bigxebo]

Maybe it's just me, but I realized that they improved their english! there are some people I see in your videos more often and clicking through your videos it's obvious that they improved so much :) good job!

[arivas713]

I can't believe people actually think that 'Japanese can't swim' look at a damn map-Japan is surrounded by water!-it's an island nation! really people....

[moxxfactor]

apparently they know an average size swimming pool should be 25m, which is probably why many of them answer in increments of 25m, that's half a lap.

[AbePwns]

Also, the guy at 2:16 has impressive English pronunciation.

[samosapowis]

@AbePwns yeah this guy is cool :)

[AbePwns]

Do they get told in school how far they swim? That is so odd to me that they know how far they can swim.

[localHazzard]

Shouldn't be a surprise folks in Japan can swim well since they're on an island nation with lots of easy access to water, including especially the water parks the JapanChannel guy seems to like.

[OzakiRain]

this is a stereotype of the japanese? they cant swim just cuz there japanese? -__- sounds like a pretty dumb stereotype ther human like the rest of us lol

[benitofinito]

Just so everyone knows my "Americans can't eat salad" comment was a joke.

Of course their are loads of Americans that are health conscious.

[rottenskullLTD]

Is it me or did the second person look a little like Jimmy onishi.

[123451234512345]

i think they have swimming class in there schools program ,, japanese people are sure nice and cute i just want to hug them all

[Sinjinator]

When did you learn to swim? About 5:30 pm

[1103mix1103]

Q. Can you swim?

A. Yes, I can. but I cannot breathe.

(;´д｀)

[DontTouchMyVicodin]

Could you one day ask your interviewees about art class at school? I heard a lot about sport and maths at Japanese schools, but I wonder what art is like.

[morningachimasa]

I never heard that the japanese can't swim

[GSADualshock]

I really love your interview videos. They're always really intresting. It's cool to hear what they like and dont like and such stuff even if I'm still wondering what kind of music they like :D Please keep up the good videos :D

[Dparrey]

I love these interviews. I also love seeing the same people ^^. Its pretty brave to say you'll speak a 2nd language on camera too! I don't know if I'd use my Japanese on camera haha

[baseballdude123100]

Hey, I have a question for you. How come the guy who starts at 2:16 sounds different? Like not the same japanese accent I'm used to?

[iMisaProduction]

I've always thought all Japanese could swim. XD!

[whoo689]

Hm.. What kind of Japanese accent does the guy in the blue shirt have?? Can anyone tell me? I noticed it's quite a bit diff. from the others.

[whoo689]

What does the blue-shirt guy say in the middle? "I tried that without-" something. sounds kinda like "the ack", but I know that's not right.

[whoo689]

Some people think that the Japanese can't swim??? Wow... They must not watch a lot of anime, for one thing! I can't tell you how many times I've seen scenes of schoolgirls and boys swimming or wearing swimsuits in those shows :P

[ReccaDreamer]

lol it's like that stereotypes where "all asians are smart". stupid myths and stereotypes. Of course Japanese people can swim and just like the rest of the world, there are SOME people who can't swim. Stereotypes annoys me sometimes. Nice interview by the way.

[HyperNati]

oh the person at 2:18 talks very well english =)

[BlackValleyRequiem]

Lots of schools have swim pools and classes.....and they are surrounded by ocean on all sides......why do people think they cant swim

[qxpadam]

In Sweden, according to the Swedish lifeguard association you can swim when you fall into the water, get your head under the water and after that start swimming 200 meters while 50 of those 200 meter have to be backstrokes.

[aphrodite8604]

I've never heard of this stereotype before, but I must say it's kinda odd considering japan is made up of many islands. So that means water all the way around. People are so clueless.

[brabon1]

silly...japanese are great swimmers...and are represented every olympics

[333phreak333]

Lol Japanese people can't swim. AHAHA ironic really, since Japan is completely surrounded by water. p.s still loving the school uniforms <3

[Drower]

What a strange question. If asked like this, I would probably answer normally, but if someone from my own country seriously thought I might not be able to swim I would probably feel a bit insulted.

[WiteRainbeau]

The guy at 2:17 speaks english very well, I was impressed!

[BlueHen123]

I'd never heard that sterotype of not swimming. I would assume they could, since they live on an island! Now I know Chinese don't swim much, but they live ina huge country wiht little opportunity to go swimming.

[edpark1911]

I was unaware of this myth. The country is an island surrounded by water for crying out loud. Next thing you'll hear is that Japanese don't really eat seafood.

[Flargenyargen]

Swimming is my favorite activity, so I found this to be fun to learn!

[deicidalmaniac]

When they say they can swim 25 metres what do the mean? 25metres doesn't seem very far

[mounlolol]

@deicidalmaniac Most swimming pools are 25-50m in length. Try doing even a few laps of a pool without breaks. If you haven't made a regular effort to go out swimming recently, you'll probably find it's really hard. I know I can only swim maybe 2 laps before I need to stop to breathe

[deicidalmaniac]

@mounlolol Maybe its an aussie thing, we do love our swimming..

[mounlolol]

@deicidalmaniac so am I :S

[iKilledKennyXD]

that one guy after the girl surprised me, guess he had a good teacher

[sunday325]

Most of them should know how to swim since they live on an island.

[SuperMarioBrothers09]

aww come on what kind of question is can you swim like 90% of the whole world can swim!!

[MrJuandiego1988]

i wouldve never thought of this myth! they live in a island! cmon they know how to swim!

[FoxiAndFriends]

I heard that all Japanese people have DNA. confirm/deny?

[TheTommyKay]

Zulu cant eat humans

[jamPrinny11]

i think everyone is taught how to swim in Japan, i mean according to manga

[MochiMegan]

Japanese people can't swim? People thought that..?? The ignorance is blinding me. x_x

[MMicro99]

@MochiMegan It is bit of an odd question. I think it may have something to do with a few Japanese tourists drowning on Australian beaches. But this was several years ago.

Myth? Don't think so.

[KarlHeinzofWpg]

I'm surprised they all answered the "how far" question. I can swim. How far? I don't have the faintest f**king idea. Depends how far away the land is I suppose.

[brokenthorn15]

@KarlHeinzofWpg I swam across the Danube and back twice but in different days. I guess 1 km is as far as a fit person that isn't a *great swimmer* can swim before getting really tired and having to stop more frequently than once every minute. At least in moving waters. That's just my approximation.

[redsnake93]

@KarlHeinzofWpg lol right?

[albcoyote]

@KarlHeinzofWpg HAHAHAHAHAHA XD

[MichaelMyers19]

I learned when i was 2 years old. My mother send me to a swimming school. Many say that she wanted to drown me. I don't know why

[aznlilboiz]

i heard chinese people are "lazy and they hate working."

[PandaMatrixComplex]

how can people be so ignorant to ask if its true that Japanese people cant swim. They are human just like everyone else in the world after all!!

[whoo689]

The guy at 2:16's got a very interesting accent. Did he like have 1 Canadian parent or was born in Canada but he and his parents moved to Japan later on or something? Of course, the vast majority of Canada speaks English as a first language, so I'm guessing if he IS of Canadian descent it's French Canadian or something? Very curious.

[ScizorTheOverlord]

I luv myths

[ScizorTheOverlord]

Wait what... Why would they not be able to swim?!

[jonnymohawk]

The man wearing the blue dress shirt speaks English extremely well.

[Leecher4711]

al right .. so Japanese learn to swim (never heard of that stereotype actually) but most distances .... sorry to say ... ain´t that impressive (25-100 m) ... what Im wondering: lots of them had swimming school, some even for a couple of years, but they still say they can only swim 25m??? That sounds a bit odd ... being trained like that (well I haven´t had swimming school, just single courses) shouldn´t they be pretty good at swimming by now? I was just wondering ... THX 4 the vid btw (^_^)

[shadowmyfeet]

@Leecher4711 I said the same things. Since I am going to Japan to study for a year, I will join the swimming club!

[benitofinito]

I heard Americans can't eat salad....... Snap

[Bosque1994]

@benitofinito lmfaoooo

[PinkWolfieLove]

@benitofinito How'd you know!!! there's a salad trying to get in my mouth right now.........I-I can't hold it back much longer!!!

[Rethardus]

@benitofinito

Though I know there are a lot of Americans who are annoying, I have the feeling that there's a tendecy to say something positive about a country, then directly point out how negative America is. I agree, some pattriots might get too carried about, but this has become some sort of joke like "___ people listen to Justin Bieber", it's getting repetitive.

[geezaweebrek]

@Rethardus Justin Bieber is CANADIAN by the way, LOL LOL LOL

[Rethardus]

@geezaweebrek

Did I ever say he was American?

[geezaweebrek]

@Rethardus No but I think it's funny that all Americans are listening to a Canadian artist LOL :P

[iholdurfate22]

@benitofinito We can, we just put a double bacon cheeseburger on top of it.

[XxAtomic646xX]

@benitofinito I heard British people have bad teeth.... Snap

[benitofinito]

@XxAtomic646xX You should have said "I heard British people can't brush their teeth"

[crippleman100]

@benitofinito HAHAHAHA NICE!

[TheAle89515]

@benitofinito Oh we can eat our potato salad just fine, thanks.

[majordbag2]

@benitofinito American's can eat salad...unfortunately only taco salads.

For those of you outside of the US a taco salad is cheese, salsa, meat and chips with some lettuce sprinkled on top.

[Level84]

@benitofinito Oh we eat salad, the only problem is that salads over here are loaded up with bacon, cheese, and ranch dressing.

[roumaiicp]

@benitofinito Aahahhahahaahahahhahah :D

[shizenkaii]

@benitofinito HAHA awwxD

[Cptraktorn]

@benitofinito i lol'd hard

[TEEPO129]

@benitofinito thats true :(

[nirvgardengod]

when you are surrounded by water you better learn,,

[DrummerboyDilpz]

THE SECOND GUY LOOKS LIKE MICHAEL McIntyre :O xD

[Yahatacookie]

@DrummerboyDilpz U forgot 2 put "with a tan".

[homie6801]

Whoever asked that question is a moron... although I did hear that Japanese people don't know how to breathe air or blink their eyes.

[MsBloodPig]

They seem to be getting better at English! And that's a really weird myth, I haven't even heard of it.

[mozartjpn137]

Most of the school kids learn how to swim in school. 98.9% of the public elementary schools in Tokyo have swimming pools, and likewise in most parts of Japan, except Hokkaido(36.6%, too cold and need heated swimming pool) and Okinawa(67.9%, it's a small island)

[Androth89]

i heard japanese cannot swim? is it true? can you make a video about it? PLEEASE

[whoo689]

@Androth89 trolling?

[Androth89]

@whoo689 a little :P

[mellowsky47]

My Japanese friend told me all Japanese students are taught to swim long ago. I love the people you interview, very nice people.

[725clem]

My wife was born & raised body boarding in Kamakura & she can't swim to save her life!

[mega17]

Japan is an island compared to most land masses, I don't understand why this myth exists.

It'd make more sense to as if the citizens of Moscow can swim. o.o

[Ineedagoodscreenname]

@mega17 majority of the people live in big cities where there probably not many places to swim.

[AaronDArnold]

I'm sure at least a few of the questions I have asked would seem stupid to many.

[SVTcoolguy]

I find it hard to believe that someone would actually have this question on their mind. You know that old saying, "there are no stupid questions"? Yea no, this breaks that rule.

[DreaMeRHoLic]

chinese people cant swim. japan is surrounded by wather. china isnt. so they dont realy learn it and the beaches are full but the wather is empty. have friends in hong kong who spend there freetime on chinese beaches. and they say that this is true

[RayjeeHakubi]

I have a not-so-secret crush on 0:57 xD <3

[dory98]

thats really surprising! almost no one i knew in japan could swim

[IchigoNoShoujo]

never heard of that myth, but the vid's still cool^-^

[alexaod]

their country has lots of islands. everywhere you turn there's a beach. i'm not surprised they can swim. lol!

[themanuel08v2]

yay new stereotype invented

[Arceumon]

Dammit! I'm 19 and still can't swim......

[VladPayne]

@Arceumon I hear your pain brother :D

just go and try to do it

the key is holding your back straight and working with your body, it comes natural over time

[shinx12345]

@Arceumon There's still time.

[MrWillager]

ive never heard anyone say this lol...

[sailorqueen2013]

i've never heard of this myth..i just assumed that because they are in the middle of the ocean they could lol

[mybigwang1]

Well i dont know if swimming is required in highschool for japanese people, but it seems like a falls myth.

[d4vidD3llaR0cc0]

Australian here.

I can swim all day.

really surprising to see some of them can only swim 1km.

I'm not even that fit.

[NodnarbRS]

I love swimming!

[c00lb0y10]

swimming is required for japanese schools...and anybody can doggy paddle.

[2kageromaru]

Everyone can swim... people are just scared shitless of water. :)

(yay i don't even have to do anything in le water, I can't sink)

[cloudswirls]

I can't swim. :[

...but I live in what is literally the dead center of North America, so I feel excused.

[zambimaru]

I've never once heard that Japanese people can't swim. Where the heck did that come from?

[MrNadaname]

@zambimaru When I was a kid a teacher told my class that when the first European ships came to China the Chinese couldn't swim. Can't remember if it was only in the Shanghai area or the entire country. Anyway the rumor of Asian people not being able to swim can probably be traced back to that period of history, the Chinese have learned to swim since then.

[Aitsu58]

1:48

"How fuckin' you swim"

XD

[haylz27]

@Aitsu58 LOLOL.. it's amazing how some people hear Aussie accents like that. xD

[RandomFunnyVideo]

I've actually never heard the stereotype that Japanese people couldn't swim. Good video though.

[oscarscheepstra]

It may be that I am getting used to their accent, but I think your friend's english is improving! :)

[violett407]

Where did this idiotic stereotype come from?!?

[BlueRazor69]

I think it's mainly like an urban thing. people in big cities like NY, London, Tokyo don't really ever need to swim so more of them probably can't swim like more rural or suburban people can.

[konoha4dawin]

I've never heard this myth . . .it's so freaking random like, Australians can't eat chicken or sumthing >.<

[wangabo123]

@konoha4dawin Australians can't eat chicken!? OMG!!! ITS AN EPIDEMIC!

[konoha4dawin]

@wangabo123 lulz i get et . . . swine flu and such XD

[marvelgold11]

1:47 seconds per second very funny

[NikkeinJapan]

I believe "most" elementary schools in Japan have required swimming classes as well. It was surprising to see a bunch of little kids running down the halls in their swimsuits when I arrived in Japan in the summer.

I'm curious about that one person you found who couldn't swim. We're they being modest? Are they H2O intolerant? Or did they fail swimming class? Who knows.

[NikkeinJapan]

@NikkeinJapan Were NOT We're. I failed learning to spells and makes words looks good.

[mrpeanut131]

the tittle is so funny almost cruel. theres a tsunami is coming can you swim?

[D0OMZDAYZ]

I wouldn't swim in Japanese oceans, have you seen the creepy creatures they have,

serpent sharks? lol no thanks

[gravityman000]

i always like how the people who are being interviewed they always make this expressing to explain things.

[jmwintenn]

why would someone assume that people who live on an island couldn't swim...?

i would be shocked if they couldn't swim

[crackthecorn]

@jmwintenn modern advances ...i live in san diego a beach town and i know plenty of people that don't know how to swim ..some people never learn its more of a sport or pleasure then a survival need

[RickStylus]

some people here are chinese.

[Allantir]

lol how far can you swim? haha wouldnt know an answer to that

[DontTouchMyVicodin]

f someone asked me how far I could swim, I wouldn't know a number. I don't count when I swim, I just swim.

[sybrix]

I generally stay away from water because I can't swim. The last time I attempted to swim (and nearly drowned myself), I think the only thing that saved me was kinda learning to doggie paddle in sheer desperation. XD

Anyway, interesting episode of Japan Interviews!! Keep em coming!

[jiminouye]

Yes we can swim..........just not that far :\

[Linknot100]

when i was 6 i started and got some papers / degree's for 25m, 100m, 1km. now i sometimes swim for 30-40 minutes

[ramsien]

I'm surprised to hear that people would think Japanese people (as a whole) did not learn to swim. Swimming is part of a number of high school anime; also going to the beach; and the fact that it's an island nation.

I know there are lost of stereotypes about race, sex, region, etc. but this one is just plain stupid.

[BurntIceSlushie]

Lovely interview to debunk stupid myths.

On a side note, what's with all these arguments on the comments? This is a video about SWIMMING! D:

[jazzclarinet2006]

I'd sink like a stone! Pretty bad considering I grew up in a coastal city. （≧∇≦）

[illyas1]

they live on an island, how the fug can they not swim lol

[DesertRatSnake]

i wonder how that rumor started for a nation surrounded by an ocean.?