A data scientist analyzed 2,671 website screenshots from popular sites across different countries using AI and machine learning to investigate whether Japanese web design is truly more maximalist than other regions. The study used ResNet models and t-SNE visualization to cluster websites by visual similarity, confirming that Japanese sites tend to favor lighter colors and denser layouts. The research explores three potential causes: writing system constraints (CJK characters), cultural differences, and Japan's unique technology adoption patterns, particularly their separate smartphone evolution that bypassed the iPhone-driven minimalism trend that influenced Western web design.
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