Amen to that

I see what you did there, 5.

Same with my nan, she has loads of IDs designed for old people and every single one she looks either like a mad scientist or like a cartoon baby with a bald head and one curl for a fringe.

ya know... she could dress up as a mad scientist for holloween and go along with it? (not insulting btw i bet your grandma is a wonderful person)

In Japanese culture a lot of people want whiter skin to adhere to the western view of beauty. Even covergirl and companies that sell in america have different lines in Japan and China and whatnot of bleaching foundation and powders meant to lighten your skin over time.

I know that. I was questioning this whole "trend".

East Asians wanting to have white skin predates western influence. In their old societies, someone having white skin just meant that they were not working in the fields, in the sun. They associated white skin with having a higher status.

The western view of beauty is roasting in tanning booths.

#28, same reason, different culture. Only the wealthy can afford to lay in the sun in a Swiss ski resort, while all the poor people are spending most daylight hours slaving away in some office building.

No it is not. Most people don't think "roasting" in a tanning booth is beautiful. Ugh.

It's a cultural thing in Japan unfortunately.

Same reason as Western people who sunbathe or put on bronzer, tanning lotion and the likes. Not being entirely satisfied with your natural looks and wanting to change or enchance them in some way is pretty much the basic idea of the whole beauty industry, wherever you live.

Once upon a time a suntan was considered healthy particularly if it had a nice bronze shine to it, while white pale skin was considered sickly. this was the held view particularly in the 60's and 70's. This was of course before the dangers of skin cancer was well publicized. Of course these days everyone knows better. Mind you some sun exposure is desirable.