The same can be said in reverse for Japanese people on how they see the Western world: Do they assume the USA is like Hollywood or the UK being like British Television? They perhaps assume that all Americans live in a large home with a white picket fence depicting a nuclear family as if its 1950.
All they talk about US is California or New York since most movies and TV shows use either as their main setting. Is the US in real life similar to Hollywood (everyone having a nice car, big home & white picket fence)? That’s the kind of response from non-Japanese assuming Japan is like anime.
they see it as a “utopia” that isnt the west. but in reality asia has pretty repressive laws, and restrictions, like with immigration unless your a rich foreigner. alot of westerners goes there and assume the “western customs apply there too” westerners, white ones do alot. i think alot of them live there, but the strange thing is asians love to have foreigners(white/westerners) as part of the propaganda for internal audiences. its a wierd thing amongst asian countries.
they romantacize India alot too, but most people will tell you its a underdeveloped and dirty in most places outside the capitals. other than the megadiversity areas(naitonal parks) where its beautiful, its usually on accessible to plants, animals,etc researchers.