How do Japanese people feel about Gaijin?

Question

I wanted to know if Japanese people can accept 'gaijin' who can speak Japanese and want to assimilate..

I really want to live in Japan, but I don't want to be discriminated against.

Answer 1

Speaking the language is a big bonus for you, it shows that you're respecting them and you should have no problems, unless you have a bad attitude.

Answer 2

It all depends on how the Japanese person was raised.

If the person was raised very traditionally, there might be some sentiment about it. On one example, my soon to be father-in-law loves gaijin because he's been around them and fortunately, they've all been good people. My future bro-in-law also loves foreigners mainly because he loves American culture and his work often takes him to the USA, where he's met a lot of good American people. It all depends on thier experiences with the gaijin and the upbringing.

My fiance stated that his late mother (may she rest in peace) wasn't so accepting of foreigners, but mainly because of the upbringing. I've been told that some of the older generation are very traditional and dont like outside people coming into thier culture.

Unfortunately, some of the negative stereotypes come from lack of manners on the part of the gaijin. Some don't have any respect for the culture and tend to frighten the Japanese. My brother, who was stationed in Okinawa for a few months, said this was especially true. Although he was a good-hearted, well behaved soldier, he was denied entry to many places because the people there thought the military people to be drunk, rude, annoying rapists.

You'll be fine I think. You'll probably make a lot of friends :)

Answer 3

You will always be a gaijin.

This does not necessarily mean that you will be treated poorly, however. Especially if you speak Japanese, you will be able to make friends with people who will respect you as an individual. Because their population is so uniform ethnically, many Japanese people are especially interested in learning about life in other countries. Will you meet people who are prejudiced against you? Of course. But I found them to be very much in the minority. Surround yourself with the good eggs, and don't let the bad ones bring you down.

Answer 4

i think you do know how to live abroad.
dont worry.
japanese people love to accept those gaijin like you.
all answerer got thumbs down because there are some trolls in japan section. all answers above me are right.
i know lots of gaijin dont respect japanese and japanese culture. they always complain about japan and nobody accept them in japan.
you are not like them.
there are lots of japanese who love gaijin and want to help gaijin.
have a happy japanese life!

Answer 5

i dont know why some of these people are telling you that they will treat you differenly...
japanese people will openly accept you.. especially if you are of different race because they only have japanese people there. you would be mezurashii (unique) .. especially down south.. i used to go to public school just for the summer and they treat me like royalty! their so, amazed with americans and other countries.

Answer 6

I don't see what so great about a country that alienates their own kind just because they aren't full-blooded Japanese. sounds kinda like Hitler is in charge over there.

Answer 7

i don't know why, but Japanese people (in Japan at least) are like . . . obsessed with foreigners. i don't think you will be discriminated against, you'll be like . . . an idol amongst them, trust me. they idolise western cultures for some reason . . . like, they are obsessed with French and Italian brand names, and they like to have everything translated to English or French, which is why you will see some pretty weird "Engrish" in Japan.

Answer 8

You can't really assimilate completely in Japan. It's not like the US.

Answer 9

You, me, and 1,000,000 other people want to live in Japan. How are you going to live there ? You need a job ! And if you knew anything about Japanese culture, you would'nt have asked that question. You would always be a gaijin ! Even Koreans born in Japan are still considered gaijin. Like it or not, it's a fact. If you're not born in Japan of Japanese parents, you're a gaijin. How about Thailand ? They'll accept anyone.

Answer 10

Japanese love Gaijins. They are very interested in our culture, just as you are interested in theirs.

=]]]

Answer 11

You will be accepted favorably.

But you should take notice that some might not show you their honest feelings (Honne and Tatemae).

It might require considerable time to be accepted you from the heart.