Japanese Blood Type Obsession

Annalisa Triola

Blood Type in Japan

In Japan, it is popular beliefe that your ABO blood type is a factor determining your personality, compatibility with others, and your temperment. Blood type in Japan is similar to horoscopes and astrological signs in the west. Like horoscopes, Scientists often dismiss blood type personalities are psuedoscience.

When meeting new people, Japanese will often often ask each other what their blood type is. Celebrities and politicians will often publish their blood type on their website and in their bio’s.

Type A

Atributes• Earnest• Reserved• Sensible• Shy• Responsible• Stubborn• Conservative• TenseType A is the most common blood

type in Japan and is the most favored of all blood types.

Type BAtributes

• Wild• Active• Creative• Passionate• Strong• Unpredictable• Selfish• Unforgiving• Free-thinkingB is often considered the opposite of

type A. Type B is sometimes looked down upon in Japan, the “black sheep”.

Type ABAtributes

• Cool• Controlled• Socialable• Rational• Indecisive• Bi-polar• Forgetful• Harsh• IrresponsibleType AB are often considered hard to

read. AB is often considered the best blood type for musicians and artists.

Type OAtributes

• Agreeable• Sociable• Optimistic • Confident• Vain• Jealous• Rude• Trendsetting• ambitiousType O is considered the best type

for politicians and athletes.

Compatibility

• Type A is most compatible with A and AB• Type B is most compatible with B and AB• Type AB is compatible with all types• Type O is most compatible with O AB

History of Blood TypingThe history of blood typing is not so friendly. It started during World War II when the Nazi’s thought they could breed a better race by breeding certain blood types together. The Japanese also thought blood type could be racial, a study during the 1920’s and 30’s showed that Type O was the most common blood type in Taiwan, and that the Taiwanese were genetically pre-disposed to revolting against the Japanese occupation, while the Ainu ethnic group were submisive and had a quieter temperment had less type O blood. Some Japanese scientist encouraged intermarrige between to Taiwanese and the Japanese to reduce the number of Type O’s in Taiwan. These were soon after proven to pseudo science and that blood type should not effect your personality traits.The current obsession with blood typing came into popular culture during the 1970’s when a series of books we published on the personalities of different blood types. The books are highly unscientific but remain very popular even today.

Bura Hara

Blood Type HarassmentDespite the widely known fact that blood type is not a determinate of ones character, the Japanese still hold it highly important. Your blood type can even make or break being hired for a job. While many say they don’t hold prejudices against blood type any more, the wrong blood types can still be the cause of elementary school bullying, getting turned down for a date, or even losing a political election.

Blood Type Obsession

In Japan your blood type in on your school ID, job application, you can even put it on your facebook.There is a large amount blood type merchandaising in Japan. You buy almost anything with your blood type on it, from mugs to socks to jewelry and soap. Some department stores even sell gift bags tailored to a women’s blood type.

Famous Type A’s

Famous Type Bs

Famous Type ABs

Famous Type Os