Why is it Difficult For Japanese to Understand American Humor?

I had an enormous culture shock while I watched TV. At that time, I was watching a comedy show on TV. Then I put on the subtitles, so I could understand what the actors and actresses said. Suddenly, my R.A. who was next to me and people in the show laughed. I was really confused because it was really not humorous at all! Also, during the University Prep class, students laughed a lot at what the teacher said. I can't believe it. Why is it difficult for Japanese to understand American humor?

Japanese comedians can make people laugh with only one word or one sound. Now, Japanese people really like the stand-up comedy called manzai. In general, a manzai duo has 2 people, and each has a role. One, called boke, tells funny jokes. Another, tsukkomi, points out boke's jokes to make them clear. Usually tsukkomi butts in when boke tells a joke, and berates or hits boke. People laugh at their jokes and actions because they have unusual ideas, actions, sayings or humorous puns.

Japanese like to be the same, so different and unreal things are strange and funny. Also, actions that are too violent are not acceptable because Japan is the most peaceful country in the world, so Japanese haven't gotten used to seeing fighting. At first, they may be able to laugh, but if it lasts for a long time, people are bored and don't want to watch it. That's why Japanese comedy is mostly made by verbal humor. It is not too violent, so it can be seen by all generations.

American comedians on the other hand tend to be physical. They suddenly hit the wall or fall down, so they are really misfortunate in a drama. For example, sometimes water unexpectedly comes down on people's head, or they are really crazy about eating something delicious, or they are beaten. In slapstick comedies, two people are chasing each other or falling down. That humor is a little bit violent, so it is easy to understand the meaning of the joke because it's visual.

The reason why the U.S. likes action comedies is diversity. People from around the world have their own ways of thinking, so it's difficult to have humor related to a certain culture in America. Violence is bad in the U.S., but it's more acceptable than in Japan because Japan pays attention to the rudeness more than they do in the U.S.

The reason why Japanese can't laugh at American comedy is Japanese think it's not enough. Japanese are used to watching the humor that is verbal and non-verbal, but not slapstick. Also, Americans can't understand Japanese humor because Japanese humor is too language specific. Japanese humor is only for people who speak Japanese very fluently. Therefore, the comedy is difficult to translate. However, if people try to understand another cultural background well, it can be helpful to try to understand the humor, too.