Google operates hundreds of domain names for different regions around the world, from Australia (google.com.au) to Zimbabwe (google.co.zw). And searching for the same keyword throws up different results depending on which country Google thinks you’re in.
So what happens when you search “Japan” in different countries’ Google Image Search? To find out, a curious Japanese netizen did exactly that. The image results reveal a little bit about how each country sees Japan – some just might surprise you!
Each Google Image search was done in the country’s own main language, so that for example, on Google France the search term was “Japon”, and on Google Brazil it was “Japao”.
▼ United States
▼ Africa
(The rest are actually countries, not continents, I promise.)
▼ Brazil
▼ China
Maps, subway plans, and Doraemon!
▼ Finland
Robots, CGI imagery, and stationery.
▼ Sweden
▼ Taiwan
▼ Thailand
▼ Vietnam
▼ France
▼ Germany
▼ India
▼ Mexico
▼ Norway
It’s all doom and gloom really, with whaling and disasters heavily featured.
▼ Russia
Back to light relief in Russia with this colourful floral set of results.
▼ Saudi Arabia
Pictures of schoolkids learning and cleaning the school bathrooms shows a keen interest in the Japanese education system.
▼ South Korea
The most popular results from South Korea were also, erm, fairly specialised:
Source and images: VIPPER Sokuho
Thanks for the extra image, Vedha!
Japan second-most popular country to move to according to Google Search analysis
Only 11% of Japanese people “willing to fight for their country”
Country kimono! Project completes set of over 200 designs for every nation at Tokyo Olympics【Pics】
The strongest passport in the world! Which nation’s citizens can freely visit the most countries?
Geopolitical dictionary: Japanese net users turn countries into verbs
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
Hardcore Pokémon fans in Japan are spending a TON of money on Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
Katsu weight showdown! Which Japanese supermarket gives you the most tonkatsu meat for your yen?
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
The tragedy of Mononofu, the functional two-and-a-half-story bipedal robot【Pics & Video】
79-year-old Japanese granny who fell in love with Initial D sports car finds perfect new owner【Vid】
A deep-fried sushi senbero awaits from Super Value【Japan’s Best Home Senbero】
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Starbucks releases new Wicked tumblers in Japan
Off-the-beaten-tourist-track observatory tower in Tokyo has great views of the city…for free!
Japanese mountain community’s first baby in 52 years celebrates first birthday
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are evolving as Diglett grows into Dugtrio churro!
Starbucks Japan releases a new chilled cup exclusively at Family Mart convenience stores
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in Tokyo
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Totoro sequel anime Mei and the Baby Catbus will screen at Ghibli Park this winter
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Totoro, Calcifer, other Ghibli stars returning as humidifiers ahead of Japan’s dry winter days【Pics】
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
“Good on the floor?” Five funny times Google Translate drops the ball with Japanese idioms
Japanese passport ranks yet again as the most mobile in the world in 2023
Five things that shock Japanese people living abroad
Selfie love shown between South and North Korean gymnasts
Rub-a-dub-dub and relax in a tub: Survey reveals wintertime bathing habits across Japan
East meets West in the Pacific-centered version of the world map
Japanese actress Mina Fujii is the most searched keyword in Korea and it’s not hard to see why
Tokyo’s busiest train stations have a new, free, English-compatible navigation app
Bill approving “Space Force” military branch moves forward in Japan’s parliament
Recent study once again ranks Japan as the country that sleeps the least
Tour alleged yakuza hideouts on Google Maps
“How do you google using Yahoo?” and other amazing questions from Japan’s Yahoo! Answers
Job Buddhas and paper hand jobs: Thai government’s list of jobs foreigners may not do is amazing
We visit a ramen bar in Croatia, meet a whole new version of ramen we can’t wait to make at home
Japanese Twitter users make Osaka Metro’s English translation mistakes into running joke, memes
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