I think there's a lot of historical ties going back a long way that explain this, which I also think are often overlooked when people talk about the western fixation on Japan.

Here's my best stab at an answer: The short story is, the western world has been tied to Japan moreso than most other countries in Asia for centuries, and Japan's position in western culture grew from that foothold more and more as time went on. This meant that for a long time now, Japan has been the most "foreign" place that westerners frequently interact with, making it naturally very interesting to talk about and think about. It's also been a relatively safe, stable, and industrialized place for a long time, meaning that it's an easy way as a westerner to visit and experience somewhere very different without having to actually go that far off the beaten path.

I think you could trace this back even as far as World War 1, where Japan was the a notable power in the allies, having a special relationship with Britain, and thus already having a special position in the European subconscious. Add on to this the close bond between America and Japan after WW2 reconstruction, which was amplified even more in the 80s when Japan became a huge presence in everyday life through its automotive and technology exports, and from there its cultural exports too, to the point where Mario and Pikachu became household names. Japanese cuisine became popular through the Japanese diaspora in America and Britain. And, of course, the position of Japanese media in western culture has continued to grow dramatically since then. So in my mind, what we're seeing now is essentially the continuation of a special relationship between Japan and the west that goes back much longer than people realize.

Wild guess: a bunch of us grew up with animes on screen from age 6 all the way up to adulthood.

In Italy, grandpas and grandmas know soccer AND dragonball. Which is kinda hilarious in a certain way.

I would quote videogames too, but animes probably had a bigger reach, think of the animes with mechas from the 70s and 80s

Some westerners are, maybe they like manga and other aspects of the exported media.

Some westerners are obsessed with Finland, the happiest country in the world.

Some westerners are obsessed with the idea of being an artist and musician in Berlin.

In short the internet makes these niches and obsessions seem larger than they are, because people with such a shared interest can find others to talk to. But I'd wager that most westerners aren't specifically obsessed with any specific country, or region.

If we found intelligent life out in space, we'd be pretty fascinated by it. I'm guessing for Europeans back in the day, there was a slight fascination with the fact that there was a slightly comparable level of civilization on the other side of the world which was totally unknown to anybody.

Europe has been warring with Middle Eastern powers forever, so there's no mystery and wonder. Someone new popping up, however, and actually rising to take the fight to established powers and become an actual competitor is pretty impressive. Maybe the Brits liked the fact they were an island, too, and lots of wonder and interest stemmed from that?

I'm guessing it'd have been the same if the Inca didn't collapse, and went on to hyperdevelop upon contact..

Would be interesting to see how Japan was referred to by Europeans in imperial times. That messaging might have continued onwards in the common psyche.

I've never been there but the clean streets and waters, customary politeness (even if sometimes play-pretend only) and exceptionally healthy environment in some way, allowing people to live in the good health for ages, is very alluring.

I'm very aware there are many dark issues as well, but you asked why.

Oh, you asked why _obsessed_? You don't really think everyone thinking Japan is an attractive country is automatically obsessed with it?

Because it has fast trains and the letters look cool, and most everything is not like in the West. Also the obvious sexual fetishism that is not mentioned once.

Because you forgot to look at how many westerners move to other countries, too, and how many people in those countries move to western countries. You're asking a question based on an assumption that doesn't hold.

It’s modern orientalism. Which is also why so many westerners feel really strongly about Japan‘s immigration, they want the culture to be frozen in time, as a sort of real life attraction park

Japan has a fantastic public image. Try living there for a few years, though. The charm quickly fades.

Because it seems to have implemented many of the ideals and aesthetics that westerners cherish but fail to achieve.