Why do some Japanese look filipino or vice versa.?

Question

In tora tora tora i swear all the japanese look like flips.

Or in pearl harbour.

see the pilots they look kinda like Filipinos or south east asian.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxTyjentRso\

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFYWpr5FNE8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqgo7xWJMY0

I look japanese and flip you want to know why cause im both ahahahaha

Answer 1

The answer is fairly simple and straight-forward.  Japan is less than 2,000 miles from the philippines.  After Japanese domination during WWII, the filipinos had fairly intricated relations with Japan. In fact, about 4-5years ago, the governments of both countries negotiated a mutually-beneficial economic partnership.

As to why this hasn't occured in other countries, they (especially China) were able to shake free of Japan, especially after the a-bomb devastation handed out by Truman.  This is especially true in the years of the Cold War. Japan and the other island countries such as the philippines and indonesia remained isolated from soviet agressions, where as mainland countries such as china, korea, and vietnam fell very quickly (in the wake of destruction left by the japanese) to the persuasion of mother russia, a common ally against the west.

Answer 2

Or maybe, since the Philippines are basically a U.S. territory, it's easier to get Philippino people than actual Japanese people to act in these movies. This would have been especially true at the time Tora Tora was made.

But Japan and the Philippines aren't that distant geographically. I wouldn't be all that surprised if the people look very much alike.

Answer 3

Maybe because some invading Japanese stayed in the Philippines after WW2. And then they told to some Filipino about Fuji sama and they went to Japan to see it and stayed there. ;)