Japan: Home of Videogames Most videogames are programmed in Asia and about 70% of those released in America are designed in Japan. Also, 60% of the gamer market is dominated by the Japanese alone (Beck 154). Needless to say, videogames play a prominent role in Japanese culture. Japan is also the law of pop culture in Asia and what it deems modern or the latest trend is followed by Korea, China, and Taiwan. Therefore, the role and views of videogames in Japan are shared by the rest of Asia.
Akihabara-Gamer’s Paradise The gaming culture is so great in Japan that there is even an entire district of Tokyo dedicated to the videogame industry. Akihabara, Akiba for short, is home to stores and shops that sell nothing but electronics, software, manga (comics), anime (cartoons), and videogames. One can virtually find anything in Akiba from electronic junk to ancient mechanical parts to the latest technology (Machiyama 88). Electronic shops of every size can be found around Akihabara Station and down Chuo Dori (Chuo Avenue) (Machiyama 88). Gamers would find Chuo Dori and the Station important places as Japanese gamers are also electronics experts and revel being surrounded by the latest technology and boasting their skills with computers and anything else electrical. In Japan, the videogame is viewed both separately and collectively as an electronic or form of technology. Technology is a defining aspect of this society and held in high regard (Machiyama 90).
One will notice that manga and anime are closely tied with videogames