How are Black people treated in Japan?

Question

Are Black people treat badly, like for ex: Everybody moving from their seats when you sit on the train, or Pointing at you, or are they nice people who won't care what color u are? I will like to know, How about a Mexican? How do they treat Mexicans? or black people who look Black and Mexican? Thanks

Answer 1

yo EAT.. you're up early belting this answer out.. its all good dude.

Not much to add, everyone else gave excellent answers, even mercedes...she is entitled to her opinion. racist or not...remember as long as we have different races, we will ALWAY have racist, unfortunately theu will always gonna be around. we just gotta deal with them sometimes..

Black people here are doing fine, BUT since 1995 , many African, Arabs and Brazilians are filling up the jails. Now , non asian inmates are rising in numbers in japanese prisons....This is NOT cool. Some places outright bans non japanese due to fights and crime.. even the whorehouses that have mostly non japanese girls working there, do not allow non japanese men to enter, let alone brothers..

As for Hipanics, no probs, japanese girls like LATIN men..not only mexicans..LATIN...

Peace

Answer 2

If you are nice and sincere they'll love you. Theres this new commercial out now- I forgot which company though haha- about cell phones and the main guy is a black (american?) who can speak Japanese. popular.

As for your specific questions:
Will they move away from you on the train when you sit?
**Probably not.

Will they point at you?
**They probably won't point at you because you7re black. Mostly becacuse you are a foreigner. So don't take it too personally.

Do they care what color you are?
**In the beginning, a few people ,may be apprehensive, not all. Of course, you'll run into rude people every now and then, just like anyother place. Over time though, they'll see you for the person you really are.

How about a Mexican?
**Same as all other foreigners

Or black people who look black and mexican?
**Unless you specifically tell them, if you are a mix of black and mexican, they'll just assume you are 100% black.

Answer 3

You'll be fine. I've been to Japan and I'm black too. They were so nice and friendly towards me. I even had these Japanese people talk to me the whole flight there. They're very nice, curteous, and kind. They might stare sometimes but that's because you're a foreigner and they find you interesting. I even saw some Japanese girls with black guys. Anyways, good luck and have fun for me!! It's great there.

Answer 4

Japan is a very respectful country, you may get looked at for being a foriegner, but not in a negative way. Racial divides do not exist in Japan, however, there can be an intolerance to Americans do to disapproval of our military by some Japanese, especially in Okinawa. It's a fun, safe place to go live or visit and the people on the most part are warm and friendly ... go enjoy :)

Answer 5

Most will treat you with respect, while some may not, almost like elsewhere in the world. However, be prepared to be looked at all the time, you might see some kids talking to each other, smiling or giggling and pointing at you, but don't take this for anything but healthy curiosity, because Japan is a very racially homogenous country and most people never saw a "live" black person. It is not racism in any way, it can be sometimes embarassing, sometimes funny...and sometimes very useful to break the ice and meet people. It is very much like this in many parts of the world, for white folks in China's countryside for example. First time I was in Beijing in 1984, I was surrounded by starring squads everywhere I went, it was funny and got me to meet a lot of nice people. In other parts like South America of Africa's country side, Asians will get the same curious treatment.

Answer 6

Kylej...I lived in Japan. I was just there as I go often. I agree with the last poster that being a foreigner or gaijin is a bigger thing than being Black per se. Over all, if you are a kind person who shows a lot of patience they will respond 10 times nicer. As one of the diaspora,I understand how it feels to wonder how you will be treated overseas as a non-white. In many places it is different. Usually out of fear. it is your behavior that will win you friends. I have been to Vietnam/Thailand/Cambodia/Mexico/Taiwan to name a few. You will get more stares depending on how dark your skin, but in some countries your Nationality will play a part in the perception of you.

As for Japan...many non-military Brothers/sisters love it. Non of my friends had any serious problems associated with race. More with adapting to another culture. come on over dude. enjoy travelling.Dont worry about posters like mercedes or respond to that rudeness.

Answer 7

Most will treat you normally.
"Normally" meaning the way they treat most foreigners.
The term racist doesn't apply 100% to the Japanese because it's more subtle. They treat foreigners in a special way and this can be taken as being racist if you think about it. Most will not show hatred to a specific race but they will treat you as an outsider or "Gaijin" and I usually look upon that as being somewhat "racist".
Say if a black person was sitting on the train in Japan and the seat next to his was empty and across from him there was a Japanese guy with another empty seat next to him. I think most Japanese will prefer to sit next to the Japanese guy than sit next to the Black guy. Not out of hatred toward Black people, but because they feel more comfortable sitting next to something or someone that they are familiar with rather than something or someone they are unfamiliar or not used to.
Is this a form or "racism"? in a way I think yes, but is it mean-spirited? I tend to think no.

But they are usually very nice to Gaijins.
The younger crowd usually like foreigners and they tend to be very friendly. They also think becoming friends with English speakers is a good way to practice their language skills.
Also the African-American culture like music and fashion is an essential part of the younger generation in Japan so some idolize black people. At least they did when I was a teen / early 20's.

On another note I think sometimes black people get a bad rap in Tokyo because a few years back there was just so so SO! many wanna-be Black Americans/Jamaicans who were actually from Africa wearing FUBU and trying to talk ebonics that many of the younger kids kinda got tired of all the BS.


mercedesofladies34 we don't mind black people coming to Japan. Just as long as people like YOU stay out. Or better yet why don't you move to North Korea! I hear they're hiring racist psychos!

Answer 8

I'm sure some Japanese people are nice to blacks, mexicans, etc, but others might not be.. you can't generalize the whole country.. the word Gaijin is a derogatory term that's used by some Japanese people to describe any foreigner, so some Japanese people dislike foreigners, but I'm sure many are accepting of foreigners.. some Japanese are very shy though, so if someone does get up and move if you sit next to them, I wouldn't take it personally..

Answer 9

Jap pple love americans in general. especially chiks love white , black, jap americans. BUT if you are indian or arabic, they well totally look down on you and probably they won't even talk to you even if you ask them question. many youn pple are more open minded, but you might have some problems with older floks if i be honest with you. older pple dpn't loke black pple. (or gaijin)
many japs don't even speak english well, so if you gonna go, try to learn some japanese and respect them, once they know you are a nice person, they well be 100 times nicer to you. good luck

Answer 10

i haven't been there but i work in a japanese company and we have senseis who tell us about their culture :) aside from some comments that the younger generation are into looking for Blacks (accordingly, it's really happening), they don't normally discriminate... then again, every country, i believe, will always have a segment of the population against foreigners while another would welcome them with open arms while yet another group will stay neutral...

from the stories i hear from co-workers, it varies how the Japs treat foreigners... one group i know loved their stay there because the Japs they met were soooo accomodating (they treated them like they were their best friends or even children from the stories hehe) while yet others find them strict, etc...

don't take the actions of a few for the whole ;)