For context, I used to live in Japan in 2007 and am have now just recently moved back a few months ago. I don’t know if I’m imagining things but since I’ve been living here again I’ve barely heard the term ‘gaijin’ when speaking to Japanese people. Back in the day this term was thrown around a lot, very casually, with us foreigners constantly debating its potential offensiveness.
I also feel I get stared at way less.
I’m keen to hear the perspective of those who were also in Japan back then. I feel a lot has changed (for the better) in terms of living here more comfortably as a foreigner. Also no one smokes anymore and prices remain almost unchanged. It’s very trippy.