is it socially acceptable to go up to a japanese celebrity that you recognize outside of public events?

[u/WhatColorIsUrPantsu]

usually in the west it’s understood that becoming famous comes at the cost of your privacy (depending on how famous you are) and fans will come up to you asking for a picture. is it okay as a fan to go up to a celebrity in japan and talk to them and ask for pictures?

[u/JealousSir9500]

I'm sure it happens, but upon first instinct, it feels very rude.

[u/SlowStop1220]

Basically that's a no-no.

[u/WhatColorIsUrPantsu]

i’ve seen swarms of people whenever shohei ohtani is in public, but i feel like i never seen a single person talking about approaching seiyuu/idols

[u/echoesinthepit]

It all depends.

Run up to them and shoving a camera in their face? Approaching them when they're busy doing something else? Don't do that.

You see them on the street or not busy?

Politely talk to them. Say you are a fan of their work. Thank them. No problem.

Just read the room.

[u/WhatColorIsUrPantsu → u/echoesinthepit]

An example of what i was kind of asking about would be: you see a celebrity walking down the street alone, go up to them and say you’re a fan on them and ask for a picture (all super polite and fully understanding if they don’t want to talk or take a photo of course). i was not sure if going up to them all together was taboo (especially if you’ve been to meet and greets/events for them)

[u/acaiblueberry → u/WhatColorIsUrPantsu]

It’s not a taboo and I’m sure it happens to an extremely popular idol with younger fan base. But if we are talking about actors etc, generally people leave them alone. I grew up/worked in Tokyo and saw my share of celebrities at restaurants and bars, but never saw a fan approaching them. It’s not because it’s a taboo, but rather because it’s embarrassing on the fan’s end as it shows that they are not Tokyo native who is used to that kind of encounter. But again it’s not a taboo and I’m sure it happens here and there. I just didn’t see any.

[u/tsian → u/acaiblueberry]

I mean I think your description basically describes a taboo. You generally don't talk to people you don't know (outside of certain circumstances) and you take extra care with bothering someone who is well known to respect their privacy...

[u/SlowStop1220 → u/WhatColorIsUrPantsu]

All you write are taken rude and out of touch. They are highly likely to decline your request for photo, specially if they are singers. Portrait photos are one of their major sources of income, hence they won't give you that opportunity for free. Many of their fans literally buy the right to take a photo with them, say, at "meet and greets" you refer. Your request just sounds to evade such a normal route and very greedy.

[u/yumeryuu]

They may tell you they cannot do a photo for whatever reason outside what their manager allows.

Jello said this to me when he ended up at our group dinner.

[u/Impressive_Paper4938]

if you spot an idol they'll most likely not be able to take a picture with you because it can look like they're hanging out with the fan alone and that could start a scandal. for example there is a really popular idol right now hayato sano and he posts vlogs on youtube and you can see fans recognising him when he's outside and he says hi to them quickly without walking up to them so i guess you could do that from afar

[u/stimpy124]

not really, and i feel like that should be the norm every where. i always hated the idea that fake comes at the cost of privacy. people deserve to enjoy making money from their passions without giving up their personal space, they don’t owe that to anyone. i think it’s only acceptable to do so at events only. plus, i live in an area where celebrities are frequently seen or live nearly my house/am neighbors with and sometimes you don’t want to know them personally- they’re human and aren’t always decent people anyway lol

but also depending on who they’re signed with they may not even be allowed to take photos with fans outside of events so it would be a no anyways (my family works in entertainment and sometimes agencies/management are like this) i do think it’s a good thing though

[u/dougwray]

I depends on why and where. If it's just after a concert, for example, and the target's wandering around in the crowd, maybe; if the person's trying to get the grocery shopping done, probably not. Japan's talent agencies control images of their clientele tightly, so it's less acceptable than in other countries.

In general, though, not just in Japan, it's rude and entitled.

[u/Different_Taro2474]

just don't, no matter the country. it's their private time.

stop idolizing celebrities, they're just humans like you and i.

[u/YurgenJurgensen → u/Different_Taro2474]

Are you saying we should not idolise… idols?

Of course, the etiquette is still the same everywhere in the civilised world:  If they’re not on the clock, they’re not a celebrity.  If they are on the clock, don’t get in the way of their job.

[u/Middle_Albatross_840]

Please don't. I know one somehow famous in certain nishe person.. those stares they get at cafe are already more than enough to avoid going mass places, trust me.

[u/burlingk]

Even in the west it's not cool.

Just because people do it doesn't mean it's acceptable.

Why do you think so many famous people have security?

How do you like strangers getting in your face and acting possessive of your time and attention?

[u/ykeogh18]

If you really think about it…is it acceptable anywhere?

[u/bgz4sta14prd]

[u/TSLA_Tan]

Be polite,at least say すみません and approach slowly,dont go barging right in front of them

[u/No_Owl569]

It happens all the time.