Why are Japanese people in general so xenophobic and unwilling to befriend non-Japanese people?

Question

Japanese students studying abroad always prefer the company of fellow Japanese and usually don't allow acquaintanceships with non-Japanese to develop beyond superficial interactions and conversation.

Answer 1

Most of the Japanese people I have met out-side of Japan would love to make friends with non-Japanese. Many of them have some non-Japanese friends but even so they often do spend most of their time with other Japanese people.

I think many Japanese people go to language schools when first go overseas and generally end up making friends from within their class or school- often these friends are Japanese.

Whilst many students do make friends with students of other nationalities it may be difficult for them to communicate effectively in English and so it is certainly easier for them to hang out with their Japanese friends.

Not many people walk up to big groups of Japanese people and say "let's be friends!" so once they start hanging out with other Japanese people they may have even more difficulty making non-Japanese friends.

Answer 2

Thank you for especially worrying about or giving special advice to Japanese students who are studying abroad. Actually not only Japanese students but also majority of International students from Asia which are studying at western countries do so (note:I don't know much about students from non-Asian countries). For example, Chinese students stick together, Students from India stick together. Many Indonesian and Malaysian students stick together, many students from Thailand stick together, many Korean students stick together, many student from Islamic countries stick together, and etc. You will realize it soon if you visit a university of your country (or aboroad .....if you're from Japan...)
But I also met many Japanese students who prefer to socialise with non- Japanese students than Japanese students when they are studying abroad. Or if you particularly had such impression to Japanese, it might be depending on school or countries which they are studying I guess.

Answer 3

If you went to Japan and saw two groups of people, one American, and one Japanese, you'd be talking to the Americans. People hang around other people who they feel comfortable with. It does'nt mean they are "xenophobic". Maybe you can learn Japanese and then try to talk to these people...

Answer 4

That's not true the Japanese love Black people and Americans

Answer 5

It would seem to be common sense because of societal similarities i.e. common language, cultural background, cultural mores, familiar interactions with others, etc. How would you react in Japan?(particularly if you were uncomfortable in the language, customs, and personal interactions).

Answer 6

So not true. All them Japanese women heading to black men. Or vice versa.

Answer 7

Well David is my friend and I'm not Japanese

Answer 8

C'mon, my boyfriend is Japanese and besides me he has a bunch of non-Japanese friends.

Answer 9

This is a trait of all foreigners...people are more comfortable in a familar environment.

Answer 10

maybe their instructions when away from family is to "stick together" for safety reasons.