Japanese term for any joke that is not funny. It is NOT in any way intended to look down upon or make fun of
Americans, because as you may already know,
Japanese are the only people in the world who admit that they like American culture and Americans.
The reason why a joke that is not funny is said to be an “American joke” is that Japanese cannot fully understand jokes said by Americans or British or Australians for that matter. It is not only an engrish communication problem, it is also that the sense of humor of Americans and Japanese are so different that it is commonly known and said that Japanese cannot understand jokes said by Americans.
If you don’t believe me, go the movie theatre and watch an American comedy in Japan with an audience full of Japanese. Notice that you are the only one laughing at the jokes and gags and everyone is looking at you funny.