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 Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 2:55 pm
To be frank, I am curious about the japanese people...
You see, recently, I learned that many other countries are keeping racism alive.
Spain, Italy, and now I am trying to see where Japan stands....
The Asain Americans, they don't seem racist, because my first friends were asain and this list could go on. But the parents are pretty scary.
So now, After learning about Italy and Spain, I am wondering just how much different the Japanese are from the newer generation of asains here in america. how deep is racism there? Is it simmilar to america, italy? Orare there so few blacks that it dosn't matter?
Are we just lower than dirt to you guys? Stupid? All the same?
I seriously need an honest answer. Because, If my concern is even a little true then I need to take my hard earned skills and talents elesewhere.
P.S.- I am not going to "blow up" in your face and curse at you for being honest. I just need to know this, because I want my life to be at its fullest and a racist country can't do that for me.
Thanks to anyone who responds, you are VERY brave and honest. Probably pure hearted, cause any good person would be honest about something like this.
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 8:08 am
I wouldn't call Japanese people racist in the sense that they are racist against a particular ethnic group. However, many people in Japan are quite xenophobic, meaning that there is discrimination against any foreigner regardless of race or nationality.
However, you generally don't encounter a lot of this on the surface. Maybe in rural areas, you'll get the occasional neighborhood that the people stare at you or cross the street to avoid you. But most places are pretty metropolitan and you don't see that behavior a lot.
Mainly, though, the attitude towards foreigners that I've encountered has been one of polite interest and friendliness, but you will never be Japanese. You are not part of their country, and no matter how long you live there or how much you know about Japan, you're never going to be a part of the country or its people.
Granted, this is a sweeping generalization that doesn't apply to everyone. In fact, there was one naturalized citizen that made it to the Diet (the governing body of Japan). Still, the in group/out group attitude can be strong.
If there's any one particular group that is discriminated against more than others, I would probably say Koreans can have it pretty rough in Japan.
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Ivy Lana Lee Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 11:01 am
To me no matter where you go, there is always the possibility of people you are around who will think that they the superior. But in other places as much as you want to know about them, they want to know about you. Also it depend if you go a certain district.
For instance, I was in Paris a few years back, and I was staying in what was called the "Artist District." I didn't have to go far for anything I wanted, including an internet cafe. But this place was more like online gaming central, rather than office work. (I hope that makes sense.) They knew I was a tourist and would get my business, but I was looked at strangely so much to the point that I went in every-other-day only for 20 minutes tops. In the same area I would go to get something to eat, and they were so nice, and would prepare anything even it wasn't on the menu. My sister and I and a fluffy pizza not a flat-bread pizza, so they took a french-roll and made us like pizza bread, but it was fresh from the oven. So it's a 50-50 chance.
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Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 2:15 am
Ivy has it nailed on the head. Black people (who will be called kokujin, just like white people will be called hakujin- there isn't as much emphasis on political correctness when it comes to talking about ethnic groups, strangely enough) are especially easy to spot as being foreign, but so are white people who are very tall, have blond hair, and blue eyes. Anyone who is radically outside of the Japanese mold is going to get some strange looks out in the rural areas/areas with an older or more old-fashioned population. I have heard rare stories about restaurants or bars that will not serve any foreigners, but have never encountered one myself. I have however received several free presents just for being foreign and working in the area. As for cities and younger generations, I heavily doubt anyone would bat an eyelash at a foreigner. The time I spent in Tokyo and the Kansai area there were quite a lot of foreigners and we all went about our business without fuss.
I'll agree that Japan does have a racist underbelly, but Koreans take the brunt than anyone else. Japan has a long history with the Chinese and Koreans and there is quite a lot of bad blood that has passed between them.
Other than that, I'd say it's a mixture of national pride and identity. Japanese are aware that they are Japanese, and also tend to believe that this makes them dramatically different from every other citizen of the world. So they'll be happy to welcome you- they're usually extremely curious about what outsiders think of them, the culture, and the country, but don't expect to ever blend in and be treated exactly the same as just another Japanese.
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Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 2:53 pm
Very interesting... for some reason, I think i'd like to go now.
Im not saying I would be perfect, but everything about japan is so different from everything elese and I think I can keep up with the pace of things better there.
I dont mind as long as they wont do anything stupid like
"Your tan! I refuse to hire you!" or jepordize my life cause of the way I look...
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Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 3:47 am
They are a good deal more direct about appearance here. They're quite blunt when it comes to weight and I've heard men talking to women about how they've gotten a little fat, or people telling their friends "You're going bald, aren't you?".
On a slightly different note the kids in my small town will study my face very seriously, or ask to look closely at my eyes (some daycare kids insisted my eyes were yellow and got all squirelly). A friend of mind complained to me that she's always being told she has a small line on her nose. I think Japanese people are just very interested in the differences between people, and don't necessarily see small flaws as a bad thing, more like a distinguishing feature. It's a bit hard to say, though.
I do encourage you to go visit. Everywhere I've gone, 99% of the people I've met have been very friendly and curious about me. Now and again I'll meet some old guy who sees me coming and goes the other way. But you gotta remember there are people living here who grew up in the wake of WWII, when relations weren't so sweet between our countries. It's not like they're nursing grudges, but there are some leftover habits or old ways of thinking.
But for the most part people will do their best to take care of you. When it comes to jobs you might have a slightly harder time finding work, but if you can speak Japanese you should be able to get by.
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Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 1:41 am
I've only ever received warm hearted talk from Japanese people. I have never been treated disrespectfully for being foreign (granted I've never actually gone there. I talk with the exchange students and I have many online penpals).
But, I can assure you that racism extends worldwide. I wouldn't necessarily call a prejudice to something different a bad thing. We as animals are skeptical of those different from us. We are weary. Its when one is being disrespected or mistreated solely on ethnicity that this prejudice becomes a problem.
A lot of people say we need to work towards a world free of prejudice; and while as sweet a sentiment as that is, it is impossible. Its just us being weary of the unknown and unfamiliar.
Taking this back to the Japanese in particular. I have been told that in Okinawa, americans are highly watched and the natives do not really prefer our company due to our military and the assholes that get drunk and disgrace all americans with their disrespectful acts. But as a whole I believe Japan has a tendancy to not like foreigners when they do not act within the social norm, nor do they try. I'm sure if you go to Japan with an open mind, you have done your research, speak slower for better accuracy, think about your situations carefully, you can be just as accepted.
The big thing is to try not to draw attention to you. Let them know you are trying your best to fit into their social norms. We're all going to be different, but most have a higher respect for those that try to adjust. I'm not saying disregard how you were raised, but I'm saying don't run around being disrespectful (even if what you're doing would be just as respectful at home).
But yeah... racism exists world wide. It even exists in Japan. From what I've heard, Filipinos are to Japanese as Mexicans are to Americans. This has not been something I've looked into; but this is what I've been told. Take it with a grain of salt. And try not to get personally offended by comments foreigners make.
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Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 8:22 am
Well, racism is everywhere even in my own country (Which is Malaysia, mind you) My country, well its mutliracial (Chinese, Muslim,Indian and others) but there's still some racist.. Back to Japanese.. Well, they have to be some racist we're just Humans.. (I never been to Japan, even if I did It'll be hard to go racist on me there cuz they won't even be able to tell the diffrence between me and that Korean tourist..)
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 3:35 pm
I'm agree with Erriol about: "Racism is everywhere"...
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