Discrimination in Japan

7 comments

1. It’s kind of like being Black in the US, though most black people who’ve moved there say it’s easier being black in Japan than in the US.

2. [deleted]

3. As a short, skinny blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman you will stand out and get a lot of attention in Japan. You are literally the stereotype of “gaijin” to Japanese people.

   You will not be treated badly, but you will be treated differently. For example, if you wear a yukata to a festival, you will be fawned over and almost treated like a doll.

   You will not be expected to know Japanese and will most likely be treated as a tourists, especially if you live in a city like Tokyo.

   Also, expect to get attention from guys.

   Discrimination in Japan is hard to discuss because how you look plays so much into. And as a white person, especially a blonde-haired, blue-eyed one, you will actually get treated better than many other foreigners, but also will stick out a lot.

4. Well, you’ll get a lot of people say racism etc. Ultimately, you’re the exact image of a foreigner for Japanese people. Expect a lot of attention from guys. How people will react to you will be determined by where you are. Rural town? You’ll stick out and get a lot of attention. Tokyo? No one will care as there are so many foreigners there already

5. Make no mistake, you will be an outsider in Japan. Given your description of yourself, you will stand out. Integrating into Japanese culture as an outsider (*gaijin*) can be very difficult. Their culture is very work oriented and very traditional, and Japanese is a difficult language to learn.

   Make an effort to respect and observe their customs. Learn the language. Bow when greeting or giving thanks or apology. True integration means diving into and taking part in their way of life. To be seen as Japanese is to live as Japanese.

   You will always be treated differently to some extent, but for the most part, politely, and so long as you make the effort to be Japanese, being *gaijin* will not be much of an obstacle.

   Edit: You will most likely be expected to dye your hair black for work, as standing out is something that can be frowned upon. Individualism is considered to be a foreign concept in Japan, and is seen as childish and selfish, a detriment to the greater whole of society. Be mindful of how you speak and to whom you speak, and especially be mindful of your behavior.

6. I don’t think you will encounter much violence or verbal abuse. Japan is 99% Japanese so the key is whether you enjoy being a minority or not.
   Rather, if you are blonde and white, you will be praised by people around you. But there will be people who don’t like that.

7. It is not as much about “discrimination” as “weariness”: You are not Japanese and you will not be treated as Japanese.

   As a result you might not be allowed to rent an apartment easily, since you might “run away without paying, like a tourist”. But you will also have a lot of cultural mistakes forgiven, since you are not Japanese.

   If you do decide to live and work in Japan with a company, ask the company to negotiate your rental etc, since, as a Japanese company, they will be believed over you and rentals are easier.