Japanese Racism?

Question

I would like to know how they treat Caucasians in Japan. I might consider moving there and would prefer if I got responses from people that actually live there. And no, I`m not those naive anime fans who believe Japan is the greatest in the world.

These answers are great but my question isn`t truly resolved yet. Another question, which part`s of Japan are much more welcoming or comfortable to live in? Rural or Urban areas? Examples please.

I forgot to mention that I`m still too young to move there on my own, and I`m looking for a foreign exchange program. Anybody know a cheap one? They are too expensive.

Answer 1

Japan is very crowded !!! Yes, they have some racism if you can't speak Japanese like them. LMAO !!!

Answer 2

I'm Japanese, who used to live in the urban cities when I was there, and I noticed that Caucasians are treated "specially." And I say that in quotes, because they will always treat you differently, because the majority is Japanese, unlike some places in America, where the majority can be any race.

They'll be polite to you, especially if you are blond...just like there are crazed anime fans in America, there are American fans in Japan, and they are only being nice to you to get to know you and want to go out with you or something (which some anime fans do in the US).

Anyway, even if you were discriminated or something, you are not likely to notice, because in Japanese society, people do not show their true feelings in front of the people: they are what you call a "back-stabber" talking about you behind your back.

However, don't assume that people are going to be racist against you, because of course, there are nice people just as there are mean people. In Japan, Caucasians and African Americans probably have a easy time than other races, to say the truth. Also, I just wanted to let you know that they are stereotypical.

As to living in rural or urban places, it really depends on what you prefer to be your lifestyle. If you like the busy environment and be a little bit more independent, then go to the urban places. If you want an easy-going life, and get to know everyone in town, who probably would be nicer compared to the people in the cities, then move to the rural areas.

Lastly, make sure that you learn Japanese really well before you go. In the past few years, they started to add English to the name of the train stations, etc., but it is not like Quebec, where people speak French, but know English too. Most people learn English in middle school or high school, but they don't speak English, almost none at all.

Answer 3

I actually agree with Daniel on this one.
I don't know if it's a "step beyond racism" but it certainly is a different form of racism than what you find in the US. Unlike the US, people won't come right out and tell you that you are a [insert racial slur here] and that they hate your kind.
At least in the US you are able to distinguish that you are being discriminated and know when you are being hated on so you can avoid people like them.
In Japan the discrimination (that you receive in daily life) is so subtle (not non-existant, it's underneath a layer of politeness but always visible) that you sometimes don't realize that you're being discriminated against until you think about it.

If you look different they will out right TREAT you differently. (ie: if you're caucasian they will tell you up front that you are a "Gaijin" or outsider, but with a smile.) The problem is the Japanese do not think of this as being mean-spirited or rude. They treat you differently because they obviously know you're different. They will assume that you "think" differently, have different taste in food, know different things and act differently in certain situations.
Usually true.

I guess if you want to be accepted completely, you will have disappointments. If you want to co-exist then that is possible and I've seen many "gaijins" happily living in Japan treated as such. I've also seen many get pissed off everytime someone speaks to them in english which I understand because it annoys the hell out of me everytime someone says "Nihao" (Chinese for hello) to me in the States.

I speak fluent Japanese, have Japanese citizenship, look Japanese, eat Japanese, went to school in Japan etc and still, the moment they realize that I was raised in the US I am treated (not as intensely as people with different skin color) differently. And yes they do call me "gaijin" half jokingly but half seriously.
So maybe that gives you an idea of how hard it is to completely fit-in to Japan.

Also as Daniel has said (and I agree with this one as well) if you're caucasian and since (usually) back home caucasians are considered the majority, being a minority in Japan will be a new experience. This may also feel like "racism" but then again it's what every minority in the US experience everyday.

Overall though caucasians are treated I think rather nicely in Tokyo. In other rural areas....I'm not too sure. Ask Adam. I'm sure he's had first hand experience. Also twikfat.

Answer 4

As others said, I think no/less problem basically.
However, your additional question have the odd ring. Which country in the world give foreigner a big welcome?
I don't think even the people in the developing countries which embrace positive immigration policy, like South American nations in the early 20th century, did give a big welcome. The only nation which heap you with favors is your home country.

Japan is not immigrant country and people doesn't speak English much, actually.
If you are young and thinking to move or work in Japan someday, please learn Japanese very hard. I don't think it is impossible. Steven Segal, the US actor, came to Japan when he was 17 years old. He speaks Japanese fluently today and says "I was raised in Japan".

FYI:
http://www.jpss.jp/eng/index.html
http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/index.html
http://www.jasso.go.jp/study_j/bridgestojapan_e.html

Answer 5

Steven Segal is the man! But that was the only factual information in that "story."

japan is a highly xenophobic society. Is it racist? I think it is a step beyond racism. In japan, foreigners, even non-japanese that are BORN on japanese soil are considered outsiders - hence the term, "gaijin." This is ALWAYS the case! Do you really think they consider Steven Segal, japanese?! But in America, do we consider Arnold Schwarzenegger, American? Yes.

Perhaps you have done your research on japan and know this already, but since you posed the question - if you come to japan and expect to be treated EQUALLY with the japanese you will be sorely disappointed. What's worse, is that typically Anglos from America, Canada, etc. are used to being the majority in your society. But if you live in japan, YOU are the minority. And the japanese will treat you as such. So if you are not prepared to handle that, again, expect to be disappointed.

Definitely read Yoichi's post - this is highly typical of how most japanese people think. VERY stereotypical. For example, if one Brazilian kills a girl, then ALL Brazilians kill girls. Never mind that there have been MORE japanese people in japan convicted of the identical crime he speaks of!

I can't tell you how many times I have heard the phrase "We japanese think...." come out of a japanese persons mouth. They take a certain amount of pride in sharing everything! Including a single brain, I think sometimes!

I am shocked to see "eatmyworld" agreeing with anything that I have written! haha...Surely mark your calendars!

Answer 6

Ha ha! At least you're not one of those weird anime fans. They have no idea what to expect and many are surprised when they get here.

Anyway, we've lived in Japan for more than 8 years and have never had a problem. We live in more of a rural area. We're not in a big city. But the people have always been very friendly and polite. We've been to Tokyo and never had a problem there either. We love being here and hope to stay as long as possible.

Answer 7

I live there. It's not bad. If you look like a total tourist and open your map in middle of Shinagawa or Shinjuku station, someone will always help you out.

The Japanese aren't overly racists to caucasians and surely there's no hate crime against them. It's much safer than walking in redneck county in middle of hillbilly county in Tennessee.

The only thing I would be careful is going to "onsen" or public baths. That's where the oldies congregate and they might stare at you. But don't worry . Staring is considered pretty normal in Japan and it's nothing like racisim. You just get used to it and enjoy being different.

Answer 8

I've been there. Japanese a generally very polite. You will always get some exceptions in any country but you should have no problems. Thats the case in most of Asia.

Answer 9

Ok, i was born in tokyo and am japanese 100%.
Honestly, what i feel against outsiders are as follows.
White and black from outside are supposed to be able to speak English, actually some of them cant since they come from Italy, Russia, etc but I can hardly distinguish.
People from Mideast are supposed to be criminals and I dont like to get close to them. Brazilian too, he killed a little girl.
People from India are supposed to work at computer companies to calculate digital bit.
Philipinos are supposed to come here to get marry Japanese guys.
Chinese think they beat Japan in economics.
American think they should win against all but i dont know who they fight with.
hmm.. i had an experience of a short trip in the USA and all the girls gave me a big smile when passing thru and i almost misunderstood they liked me.
A black man asked me in a convenience store in NYC, "Im looking for a..." but actually i was just a tourist not stuff.
A black man asked for pot at greenwich village, and i said, sorry i left them at a hotel.

well, as you already know that japanese consists of one race and we know what others think or feel without words.

I've noticed some people say Japan is nice and gentle and Im so glad to hear that but i have to say my opinion to let you know.

Maybe some people are gentle but limited to white becuase they want to learn english, in other word they dont see you.
Maybe some people are gentle but the truth is they dont know how to say "suck my d**k" or "i wanna lick your c**t"
In japanese system, white are accorded precedence and thats not fair at all.

I know it's not the only thing.
And i see people's charactor, so when you come to japan, please be nice and patient.

Answer 10

I hate the term "gaijin"