Nov 14, 2018
Why I am so glad to see Naomi Osaka on CupNoodle packs
I saw this in the supermarket yesterday and became unexpectedly excited:
Don’t get me wrong, CupNoodle can be exciting if you’re hungry and in need of a quick heat and eat meal, but it was cool to see the young Naomi Osaka on the side.
It took me a minute to think about why I took such pleasure in seeing that, but then I realized it’s the part of me that is also mixed-race glad to see Japan championing someone who isn’t full Japanese.
I get that Japan has a long way to go, and there are many criticisms that acceptance of mixed ethnicity is relegated to the sporting world, but I’m not concerned with the current generation—they’re too stuck in their ways to change a great deal anyway. I’m more interested in Japanese youth (who consume a helluva lot of CupNoodles and who tend to idolize athletes more than adults) seeing a person of mixed race on such a big name product. It will affect their worldview for the better.
Besides, Naomi Osaka seems like a sweet, genuine, and dedicated person, and I wish her the best success. In the meantime, check out the gallery for the other versions of Naomi Osaka CupNoodle!
Gallery - Naomi Osaka CupNoodle
Hitting the books once again as a Ph.D. student in Niigata Prefecture. Although I've lived in Japan many years, life as a student in this country is a first.
Blessed Dad. Lucky Husband. Happy Gaijin (most of the time).
1 Comment
helloalissa
on Nov 14
That's cool. My student said Japanese are proud of her and I'm glad they don't seem to mind that she isn't 'full Japanese.' But it's still strange they will only embrace the half who do something awesome...