The Role of Laughter in Japan 02-08-2026

Hello! This post is coming out of my dorm on a cold Sunday afternoon. On Friday, I ended my week with my Humor in Japan class, The Role of Laughter in Japan. This was probably the class I was most excited for, I have been fascinated by all sorts of comedy for a long time and because of how similar the structure of stand up sets or sketch comedy shows are, the really really good ones stand out - and the best comics force their work to stand out.

My favorite comedian ever, Eddie Murphy, is credited with both reviving SNL and revolutionizing the stand-up art. Along with his idol, Richard Pryor, Murphy became famous for his controversial, observational style that is both unsuitable for almost all audiences and really, really funny. His two iconic specials, Delirious and Raw showcase this unfiltered, raunchy approach and his films I watched growing up, Daddy Day Care, Norbit, Meet Dave, Coming To America, Holy Man follow suit - albeit significantly toned down. While other comedians are more popular in the States than he, when I think of US comedy I think of Eddie Murphy and in the limited things I know about Japan, it does not seem like his style would be viable in a culture synonymous with harmony, respect and discipline. On Friday, the lesson, and 22 page homework reading, focused on the idea of the "Japanese Smile", the polite way to mask negative emotions from protruding into social situations. By 'putting on a happy face', people avoid conflict and talking about taboo subjects that are seen as disrespectful, or in the wrong scene. Maybe it's because the Super Bowl is this weekend, but the concept felt like a parallel to the ideals of those who lost their marbles at NFL player Colin Kaepernick peacefully protesting the racial injustices he, and many others faced, as well as 'news' host Laura Ingraham, when she cried out for basketball superstar LeBron James to "shut up and dribble", a topic that is as prevelant today as it was 8 years ago, and hundreds of years before that.

Athletes, especially the elite ones like James and Kaepernick, have a platform that is not only ginormous, but different from anyone's on earth. No matter how many likes a comment saying "That's it. I will not be watching the NFL/NBA anymore" gets, millions of people around the world will watch every game, and subsequently see the athletes. The day I boarded my flight to Tokyo, masked US immigration agents stationed in Minneapolis (a city that is approximately 300 miles south of the Canadian border) fired 10 shots within 5 seconds at Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse recording the power-tripping men tasked with enforcing border laws, killing him. The Minnesota Timberwolves canceled that night's game in wake of the senseless murder, and while some did, I was disappointed at the lack of public outrage by athletes, especially those playing for or from the city. Even if it would change their public perception, what's the point of having a platform so large if you don't use it for speaking out against injustices? If you're not standing for something, what are you doing? Turning a blind eye to something as gross as a nurse, and 7 others since July, getting murdered by people too scared to show their face is horrifying. If someone whose job is supposedly to tell Americans what is going on in the country is telling a person that they are not discriminated against and to shut up, I find it hard to believe they have the public's interest in mind.

Tomorrow is the Super Bowl. The largest single event of the year by almost all metrics. Because the Halftime performer is likely to speak about the senseless actions of late, people are being told to not watch, and instead suffer through Kid Rock by those in power. Ignoring the comedy of Kid Rock being their best option for the Super Bowl Halftime show, it has to mean something that those responsible for the current state of the country are looking to get the largest figures in the world to shut up.

I will not be watching the Super Bowl this year as it starts at 8:30 in the morning and I have Japanese class at 9. Not because I am scared of what American icons will say or that the Patriots might win. Again. But I will watch it when I get home, and I am very hopeful that the biggest figures in the world will tell the smallest that they will not shut up, and instead do the opposite. My prediction is Seahawks 27 - Patriots 16. Thank you for reading.

Oliver