Russia through the Eyes of a Foreigner: on Stereotypes in the Youth University Environment - Japanese and not Only

Abstract

The results of a Russian-Japanese student research on the ideas that exist in the Japanese youth environment about natural conditions and culture of Russia, as well as the perception of the Japanese Russian language and the difficulties with its study are presented. The study revealed both quite traditional and stable stereotypical views of Japanese people, and their unexpected comments about modern culture and the Russian language. In general, Japanese university youth have shown themselves to be a subtle observer and thoughtful critic of Russian reality. For comparison, the article presents the perception of Russia by a young Nigerian.