Penis envy.

Easier to localise?

When my wife lived in Japan for 3 years, she learned that this is basically a way to appear cool. At least in video games it's, for the most part, correct English.

Here's the best example I saw when I was there earlier this year:

I thought it had to do with certain post-World War II issues and the US relationship with Japan.

You were not, sir. "I said to the cabbie, your good fortune is prayed!"

So, after living in Japan for 5 years, translating some media properties, and playing tons and tons of Japanese PSX, PS2, PS3 games, the best answer is:

You know the garnish that comes next to the steak? It doesn't do anything. It doesn't make the steak *delicious* because you don't eat it. It just sits there, uneaten, but it makes the plate look nicer.

You don't need it. The waiter doesn't need to add it. It doesn't need to be there. Thing is, it's already been so many years now that steaks come with garnish/parsley/etc for so long, that no one can really think of what to do instead. So the garnish remains.

That's basically how English is used in Japan.

Particularly in video games.

I feel sorry for the French, though. You think *our* language is getting butchered in order to add "flair" to a flyer or sign? The French language gets utterly brutalized, nonsensically, for the same reason.