Why are the Japanese racist to caucasians?

Answer 1

I wouldn't say that the Japanese are racist towards Caucasians at all! It is true that Caucasians in Japan may get stared at, but it is not a hostile stare. It's a curious stare, because many Japanese people do not often see Caucasians. This is more common in rural areas. Also, other groups of people are stared at (like Africans), not just Caucasians, for the same reasons.

If you are referring to the Japanese-only facilities, I think it is most important to realize that Japan is not like America. Japan is a homogenous nation that was not built on diversity like America. For the most part, Japan is Japanese, and this is really an important characteristic of the Japanese identity. In many cases, foreigners are treated with more consideration than natives. It's not "racist" like racism in American terms. It's closer to cultural preservation.

I personally am not at all offended that as a Caucasian I cannot enter certain places in Japan (as a side note, there are actually not very many of these). I think it would be a shame if Japan DID diversify. The world already has an America (and Canada). Japanese cultural identity would be lost if it became too diverse, and I feel that this would be quite sad...

Answer 2

It would be nice to know the basis for this question.

I have been living in Japan for over 15 years and I have never know the people where I live to be racist to any people group. But as others have said, the do tend to stare at foreigners. But that has actually gotten less because the influx of foreigners has risen so much that it is not unusual to see a foreigner walking down the street in shorts, wearing a backpack.

If you have been discriminated against, I assure you that it is not the mind set of the Japanese people. You were just unlucky enough to have met with such a type of Japanese.

If you did something to be discriminated against also is another possibility. If you were overly roudy and rude, that would give them cause to not like you, or if you were with a friend that was that way... Birds of a feather. But that trait is not only Japanese, it is a global concept.

Answer 3

I think most Japanese are not as racist to Caucasians as they are toward other Asian groups such as Chinese and Korean. Most of this comes from animosity and wars they have had in the past. They do however, have a word for foreigner (gaijin and gaikokujin) that could seem somewhat predjudicial. Gaijin means outsider -at least thats the context its used in. Gaikokujin means foreigner, or stranger. The problem is that even if you are born in Japan and you dont look Japanese, you are still a Gaikokujin. If I see an American, I don't know if he/she is American or a foreigner, so I assume she/he is an American. But because Japan is not diverse at all, those issues still remain.

Answer 4

I'm sure some Japanese would be racist, as people from my own country are racist against the Japanese and other asians, middle eaterns etc. It just simply boils down to fear.

It's not a vast majority of the population, just a minority. If you do experience racism in Japan I would not get angry but reflect on the feeling and do your best not to apply it to any other culture, it's a hard thing to do, but a good lesson to learn.

By the way I lived in Japan for 18months and have visited twice for two week holidays and have never experienced or have seen racism.

Answer 5

Maybe because the Americans bomb Hiroshima and they still can't forget the pain?? You know, it is quite difficult for Asians to differentiate between an Americans and Europeans and vice versa. So all caucasians are americans to them.

Anyway, I don't think they are racist to caucasians only. No matter what is your colour, they will not give very good service and attention to those who don't speak thier language- Japanese.

Answer 6

Sometimes foreigners are not allowed in certain places. However often this is not due to "racism." Japan is mainly for the Japanese and we want things the Japanese way. If a foreigner is denied a service many times it is because the owner of the business do not want to deal with special requests or deal with miscommunication.

Answer 7

Do you think so? I didn't realise.
Can you tell me why?

I think the majority of Japanese loves Western people and culture.

Answer 8

u r raceist of thinking japanese are raceists.

i am the racesist japanese you can find, but i got raceist when i came to US. all americans are raceist in my point of view,

Answer 9

That not ture dude, they are a proud country just like france.that why they act superior to others asian race. i ll make it simple for you.
it is just like a rich men talk to a poor man