I've been here in Tokyo for several years - perhaps too many - and have noticed a change in perceptions from when I was first here, towards the middle years, and today.
When I was first here as a Gaijin, I was looked at as a curiosity, even within Tokyo. Many nihonjin thought I was a playboy, simply because I was a foreigner.
But in about 5 years, that had started to change. People became more accepting of me, though there was still this curiosity factor, with people wanting to know me just because I was a foreigner.
Today, and for the last several years, I have finally become commonplace. What I mean is, while I don't exactly blend in, nihonjin are no longer that curious about me. It has become accepted that foreigners live in this country, that they are not all blue-eyed and blonde-haired, and even better, are not all playboys.
It has been an interesting journey, and I'm curious to see where it all goes in the future.
What is everybody else's impression of acceptance here?
When I was first here as a Gaijin, I was looked at as a curiosity, even within Tokyo. Many nihonjin thought I was a playboy, simply because I was a foreigner.
But in about 5 years, that had started to change. People became more accepting of me, though there was still this curiosity factor, with people wanting to know me just because I was a foreigner.
Today, and for the last several years, I have finally become commonplace. What I mean is, while I don't exactly blend in, nihonjin are no longer that curious about me. It has become accepted that foreigners live in this country, that they are not all blue-eyed and blonde-haired, and even better, are not all playboys.
It has been an interesting journey, and I'm curious to see where it all goes in the future.
What is everybody else's impression of acceptance here?
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コメント(16)
hello,
I've been here nearly 5 years....so not so much experience...I haven't experienced anything like sevenphotos mentioned he did in his early days, but, I have noticed this - just one thing, something Japanese people say....which is ;
"you're so Japanese"
or
"you're not English, you're more like a Japanese...oh hahaha" etc
First up I hate the foreigners who buy into that, and walk around like they own the f*kin place....
I know I'm not Japanese in anyway, and not especially Japanized either....and I know 99% of the time that comment only comes from Japanese people's kindness and so on. That's heart warming and great etc....
But, over the years I've been here, I've started to wonder if they are actually a little serious when they say it. Like, shock horror, Japanese people may actually be very similar to people from other countries?
I don't know but it's just a little thing that makes me wonder sometimes.....
but the main thing that has become a part of life here is not acceptance from Japanese, but other 'foreigners' ignoring you on the street, or showing off in Japanese a lot.
"I was here first"
"I know more about Japan than you"
"Japanese people say I'm really Japanese, I was probably a samurai in a past life, I've been to all the temples in Nara what do you know about the heian period? Oh my god you don't know how to tie a yukata!? Did I tell you I can write 1000 kanji?"
etc
I'd like to know....
why can't other foreigners (read white western males) accept other foreigners over here?
I've been here nearly 5 years....so not so much experience...I haven't experienced anything like sevenphotos mentioned he did in his early days, but, I have noticed this - just one thing, something Japanese people say....which is ;
"you're so Japanese"
or
"you're not English, you're more like a Japanese...oh hahaha" etc
First up I hate the foreigners who buy into that, and walk around like they own the f*kin place....
I know I'm not Japanese in anyway, and not especially Japanized either....and I know 99% of the time that comment only comes from Japanese people's kindness and so on. That's heart warming and great etc....
But, over the years I've been here, I've started to wonder if they are actually a little serious when they say it. Like, shock horror, Japanese people may actually be very similar to people from other countries?
I don't know but it's just a little thing that makes me wonder sometimes.....
but the main thing that has become a part of life here is not acceptance from Japanese, but other 'foreigners' ignoring you on the street, or showing off in Japanese a lot.
"I was here first"
"I know more about Japan than you"
"Japanese people say I'm really Japanese, I was probably a samurai in a past life, I've been to all the temples in Nara what do you know about the heian period? Oh my god you don't know how to tie a yukata!? Did I tell you I can write 1000 kanji?"
etc
I'd like to know....
why can't other foreigners (read white western males) accept other foreigners over here?
I kind of agree with りょこ and one of my friend who's canadian said "well, we will be always foreigner no matter what... " that's what he felt after he lived in japan for 6or7 years or so...
I'm afraid he is right...
Japan is a very small country and ISOLATED....
and long time ago, we were unable to accept foreigners and their stuff too..
It's so sad because for me, I love foreign cultures and people because I've learned so many things from them.
and I would love to talk to them and know about other countries cultures...
I dont know how to impress for acceptance..
But there are many people who like me or りょこ。。。
I hope so...
It depends on people who had environment of living overseas or not...
Hope you understand what I am trying to say here...
and forgive my bad sentences...
One of my friend who has an american husband hated japanese people were looking at them wherever.
He hated so bad..
But I think he is a good looking guy, that's why they were looking at him..
But he felt really uncomfortable...
I think taht's one of bad habit of japanese people.
Hope things will be getting better in the future...
I'm afraid he is right...
Japan is a very small country and ISOLATED....
and long time ago, we were unable to accept foreigners and their stuff too..
It's so sad because for me, I love foreign cultures and people because I've learned so many things from them.
and I would love to talk to them and know about other countries cultures...
I dont know how to impress for acceptance..
But there are many people who like me or りょこ。。。
I hope so...
It depends on people who had environment of living overseas or not...
Hope you understand what I am trying to say here...
and forgive my bad sentences...
One of my friend who has an american husband hated japanese people were looking at them wherever.
He hated so bad..
But I think he is a good looking guy, that's why they were looking at him..
But he felt really uncomfortable...
I think taht's one of bad habit of japanese people.
Hope things will be getting better in the future...
Attitudes do appear to be changing, at least in cities like Tokyo where foreigners are increasingly common.
However, the question of acceptance is not unique to Japan. I've had my own share of experiences of this nature in various countries around the world, and thankfully, much as in Japan, attitudes are becoming more progressive. Even in North American or Western European countries, if you venture out of touristy or cosmopolitan areas, you still get the feeling that someone is staring at you.
I've personally found that whilst people may accept you into their circle, in many cases still treat you as different (which is fine as it is a statement of fact, I do think the differences between me and the group average is significant compared to the differences between other native group members). I feel this may be the case especially in rural closely knit societies, and also the further up the social ladder you go.
However, the question of acceptance is not unique to Japan. I've had my own share of experiences of this nature in various countries around the world, and thankfully, much as in Japan, attitudes are becoming more progressive. Even in North American or Western European countries, if you venture out of touristy or cosmopolitan areas, you still get the feeling that someone is staring at you.
I've personally found that whilst people may accept you into their circle, in many cases still treat you as different (which is fine as it is a statement of fact, I do think the differences between me and the group average is significant compared to the differences between other native group members). I feel this may be the case especially in rural closely knit societies, and also the further up the social ladder you go.
Well...
Foreigners are always foreigners in any place other than their home country.
When I lived in Denmark, people were always looking at me... A kid said to me "oh! you speak Danish!!" when I just have said "thank you" in Danish to him.
And people said that I was so Danish when I was drinking lots of beer or wearing a Hummel's shirt or having an Eastpak.
In Cadiz, Spain, people were obviously talking about us(My Japanese friend and I) everywhere and so many people talked to us!! Even they took pictures of us...!!!
Do you really think that being a foreigner in Japan is that special?? Being an Asian in Europe could be worse :(
So, I think the situation is,MORE OR LESS, the same everywhere in the world. I know what everybody means by "accept" here. Foreigners are just foreigners like a man is a man. Just an element of personality.
Foreigners are always foreigners in any place other than their home country.
When I lived in Denmark, people were always looking at me... A kid said to me "oh! you speak Danish!!" when I just have said "thank you" in Danish to him.
And people said that I was so Danish when I was drinking lots of beer or wearing a Hummel's shirt or having an Eastpak.
In Cadiz, Spain, people were obviously talking about us(My Japanese friend and I) everywhere and so many people talked to us!! Even they took pictures of us...!!!
Do you really think that being a foreigner in Japan is that special?? Being an Asian in Europe could be worse :(
So, I think the situation is,MORE OR LESS, the same everywhere in the world. I know what everybody means by "accept" here. Foreigners are just foreigners like a man is a man. Just an element of personality.
When I went to Japan I did have that "you're being watched" kinda feeling. But it wasn't too bad. Of course since I was different I expected it but after awhile you don't really notice it at all. Of course you'll see people look at you but during my stay in Japan nobody really bothered me. (Except for the people that give out flyers! lol) I was expecting some people to be "Oh, you're a foreigner!" and practice their English. That didn't happen lol. Many people were shy.
I agree with "...". I don't like how other foreigners think that they're all that just because they want to show off their Japanese.
Someone that I was traveling with told me to shut up when I talked about Yakuza in the airplane (I wasn't even talking loudly). Then when we were on the Shinkansen he was all like "Look! That guy has no finger! He must be a Yakuza!" and kept nudging me when there was a REAL yakuza around! Or always looked down on me and asked me why I don't know this grammar rule or Kanji. It was horrible!
From my experience I think foreigners are more accepted now and that they aren't a big deal. I think everyone just minds their own business just like anywhere else. In America I don't think people go out of their way to meet and greet tourists, Americans would rather let them do their own thing but help them if they need to. I think the same goes for Japanese. Just my opinion though.
I agree with "...". I don't like how other foreigners think that they're all that just because they want to show off their Japanese.
Someone that I was traveling with told me to shut up when I talked about Yakuza in the airplane (I wasn't even talking loudly). Then when we were on the Shinkansen he was all like "Look! That guy has no finger! He must be a Yakuza!" and kept nudging me when there was a REAL yakuza around! Or always looked down on me and asked me why I don't know this grammar rule or Kanji. It was horrible!
From my experience I think foreigners are more accepted now and that they aren't a big deal. I think everyone just minds their own business just like anywhere else. In America I don't think people go out of their way to meet and greet tourists, Americans would rather let them do their own thing but help them if they need to. I think the same goes for Japanese. Just my opinion though.
Now I am in no way saying that I am not happy being who and what I am ( A black man). None of us here today had a choice. We all are what we are and we have to make the best of it. But!! I have to try to insist that being black unfortunately wins the discrimination issue. I get looked at like I just stepped off a space ship in 95% of all civilized cities. Including my own! In the states there are 4 types of people. 1. Asians, 2.Blacks, 3,Whites, and 4. Latinos, we don`t even count the American Indians in the totals. You have to go to within 50 miles of a reservation to see a "Real indian". Like Apache, or Sioux. Most Asians can blend in, in Asia. Being White you automatically demand acceptance because of a violent history of occupations. That is history and we all know it. When they have auditions in Tokyo for TV or Movie roles etc.. and they say they want a foreign man or women between the ages of 25 to 50 they mean White not black. There is no better way to see the real attitudes towards race in this country than to pay attention to the auditions that you don`t get called for because of your color.
Nothing has really improved..... but at least it has not gotten any worse. I have been here over 20 years and speak Japanese. I still get stopped by police and checked.. it could happen at any time for me. And I am use to it. But I also get stopped in L.A. So whats the difference. Of course most people prefer there own kind. That is only natural. The issue here is tolerance for others that are different from you. Not acceptance.
Nothing has really improved..... but at least it has not gotten any worse. I have been here over 20 years and speak Japanese. I still get stopped by police and checked.. it could happen at any time for me. And I am use to it. But I also get stopped in L.A. So whats the difference. Of course most people prefer there own kind. That is only natural. The issue here is tolerance for others that are different from you. Not acceptance.
As far as I'm concerned any time you look different than the casy majority of people there are always going to be those who stare or look at you with suspicion. The only time this ever shocks us is when we go from an environment where we are the majority to one where we are the minority. I'm sure you can get plenty of testimonials from people of color in the US who have gone to predominantly white upscale shopping areas, just to be tailed by security the whole time. This is a part of our biology which will take a large evolution in the human mind and psychology to change.
Personally I found the best way to deal with this is surroud myself with people of similar interests. Most of my friends around me are Japanese, and they treat me as they do any other friend in our community. The keys to integrating in my mind are:
1: learn the language as well as you can,
2: be humble and conduct yourself as other people in the social circle do, if you're in the right social circle you can still keep your unique individuality,
3: realize that you do bring a different set of experiences than those of your peers, but don't go off on how things are different in your country every time something isn't to your expectations, instead be willing to share with somebody who comes at you with curiosity
4: learn to laugh off people who come at you in an obnoxious or abrasive manner, I think of them the same as people in the US who drive around to shout things out of their car window: idiots - learn to not let them get to you,
5: view people you deal with as individuals, rather than by any stereotypes you may have, this attitude with often reflect back onto you,
6: plan on making friendships for life
None of this is easy. Time, patience, and understanding are key.
The number of foreigners and half-Japanese people in the coming years is sure to increase, and this will change the general impression of foreigners for sure. I just hope that society can learn to integrate this, rather than accepting it as a necessary evil.
Personally I found the best way to deal with this is surroud myself with people of similar interests. Most of my friends around me are Japanese, and they treat me as they do any other friend in our community. The keys to integrating in my mind are:
1: learn the language as well as you can,
2: be humble and conduct yourself as other people in the social circle do, if you're in the right social circle you can still keep your unique individuality,
3: realize that you do bring a different set of experiences than those of your peers, but don't go off on how things are different in your country every time something isn't to your expectations, instead be willing to share with somebody who comes at you with curiosity
4: learn to laugh off people who come at you in an obnoxious or abrasive manner, I think of them the same as people in the US who drive around to shout things out of their car window: idiots - learn to not let them get to you,
5: view people you deal with as individuals, rather than by any stereotypes you may have, this attitude with often reflect back onto you,
6: plan on making friendships for life
None of this is easy. Time, patience, and understanding are key.
The number of foreigners and half-Japanese people in the coming years is sure to increase, and this will change the general impression of foreigners for sure. I just hope that society can learn to integrate this, rather than accepting it as a necessary evil.
Hi there sevenphotos,
I see what you mean more or less as I've also been a 'foreigner' for over a decade somewhere else.
>that had started to change. People became more accepting of me, though there was still this curiosity factor, with people wanting to know me just because I was a foreigner.
-maybe you are the one who have changed a lot (assimilated into
environment) rather than its people.
>nihonjin are no longer that curious about me.
-Are you disappointed when people lost their interest in you as a 'foreigner'?
Although I don't mind curiosity from people that much (can't be arsed to deal with it most of the time but could gain profit from it every now and then...), I really hate patronising attitude under the guise of kindness.
However, I do think local Japanese people in general tend to treat non-Japanese in a different (awkward?) manner merely out of kindness. It's not from spite at all. (their ignorant remarks or acts can be unnecessarily unnatural and do my head in sometimes though)
I should imagine your way has changed consciously or unconsciously in the course of your life in Tokyo, but at the same time probably people's awareness has changed as well. Seeing 'foreigners' is not at all special these days in Tokyo like any other big cities. It's inevitable to become cosmopolitan and hopefully integrated...
9: >Being an Asian in Europe could be worse :(
True! especially being physically smallish female on top of that.
Being too self-conscious would do no good but just stress me out, so usually I don't care about it that much. Accepted or unaccepted, my true nature doesn't change... I really didnt have the sense of 'acceptance' in the first place...
Just my 2p
I see what you mean more or less as I've also been a 'foreigner' for over a decade somewhere else.
>that had started to change. People became more accepting of me, though there was still this curiosity factor, with people wanting to know me just because I was a foreigner.
-maybe you are the one who have changed a lot (assimilated into
environment) rather than its people.
>nihonjin are no longer that curious about me.
-Are you disappointed when people lost their interest in you as a 'foreigner'?
Although I don't mind curiosity from people that much (can't be arsed to deal with it most of the time but could gain profit from it every now and then...), I really hate patronising attitude under the guise of kindness.
However, I do think local Japanese people in general tend to treat non-Japanese in a different (awkward?) manner merely out of kindness. It's not from spite at all. (their ignorant remarks or acts can be unnecessarily unnatural and do my head in sometimes though)
I should imagine your way has changed consciously or unconsciously in the course of your life in Tokyo, but at the same time probably people's awareness has changed as well. Seeing 'foreigners' is not at all special these days in Tokyo like any other big cities. It's inevitable to become cosmopolitan and hopefully integrated...
9: >Being an Asian in Europe could be worse :(
True! especially being physically smallish female on top of that.
Being too self-conscious would do no good but just stress me out, so usually I don't care about it that much. Accepted or unaccepted, my true nature doesn't change... I really didnt have the sense of 'acceptance' in the first place...
Just my 2p
Thats what I mean when I say we need Tolerance not acceptance. We as foreigners in any country we will never be accepted as a local native citizen and to hope for this is being unrealistic. I lived on Guam for 2 years and stayed at the University of Guam Dormitory. People from all the surrounding islands came to this school and shared dorm rooms. I love island life ( I am from New Jersey). We tend to forget that we look different after a while. No mirrors in front of you all the time to remind you of how different you are from the locals. Its a one way view "out" from your prospective. You drop your guard. Thats when it happens and hurts the most. All you want to do is blend in and be happy and than wham! Reality smacks you right in the face for a wake up call. It was very hot that day. over 34C in the shade. The semester had not started yet so people were just hanging out side under a weeping banyan tree in front of the dorm trying to stay cool. They were all from the various islands like Yap, Palau, Saipan, Ponepei. etc.. I walked up to try and share some shade from the tree and one of them said " Is it too hot for you here?" I said " Yeah, its pretty hot" and they looked me up and down and said " then why don`t you go back home!" They all started laughing. Well, So, much for the welcoming comity. I was caught totally off guard by that and my jaw dropped. Any country you visit will have a similar attitude. As a visitor, if you don`t like the way things are in a host country you are expected to just leave. No one asked you to come there and no one is begging you to stay. People need to consider this when traveling through, or living in other countries. All you can hope for is tolerance. As humans we know enough to try and suppress our natural instincts that demand we stick to our own kind. We do it.. but it is still un natural and requires a lot of effort. Ask the non german players from the world cup in Germany what they think. There are still hard core Nazi youth groups roaming Nuremberg. I`ve seen them first hand.
sevenphotos:
I think the difference is probably more in your perception than the rest of the country's. After all, one person's viewpoint can change a lot faster than an entire culture's.
Anyway I never felt out of place in Tokyo, going back more than 5 years. Out in Ryu-Gasaki is a little different story. But people are used to westerners in Tokyo, and I never felt any more uncomfortable there than I do in NYC (where American-born whites are also a minority). So I don't think anything much has changed there; I think you've probably just gotten over being self-conscious about your nationality and/or race.
Of course there will always be people who look at you differently. But after you've been in that situation for a while, you learn to just ignore it, or get used to it.
I think the difference is probably more in your perception than the rest of the country's. After all, one person's viewpoint can change a lot faster than an entire culture's.
Anyway I never felt out of place in Tokyo, going back more than 5 years. Out in Ryu-Gasaki is a little different story. But people are used to westerners in Tokyo, and I never felt any more uncomfortable there than I do in NYC (where American-born whites are also a minority). So I don't think anything much has changed there; I think you've probably just gotten over being self-conscious about your nationality and/or race.
Of course there will always be people who look at you differently. But after you've been in that situation for a while, you learn to just ignore it, or get used to it.
That's the thing - I got over the self conscious part about 8 years ago. What I'm bringing to the table is over a decade of experience in Tokyo. I'm aware that my perceptions have changed, but I'm also aware of the different experiences I have through the years as well. 5 years ago is about the time perceptions were changing/changed, I think.
To answer another persons question, I don't miss the feeling of being "special" at all. I hated it, as a matter of fact. I did not have the desire to be the center of attention for my physical self - though as an artist, I do have those desires for my writing or photography.
So in a lot of ways, I am much happier with the current situation. While people in Tokyo certainly acknowledge I am a foreigner, they don't react in shock if I speak Japanese. I've not gotten that "your japanese is great!" phrase nearly as much as I used to. Nobody accuses me of being a playboy simply because I'm foreign.
In other words, I get a lot more acceptance of my actual self more than what used to be a stereotype.
To answer another persons question, I don't miss the feeling of being "special" at all. I hated it, as a matter of fact. I did not have the desire to be the center of attention for my physical self - though as an artist, I do have those desires for my writing or photography.
So in a lot of ways, I am much happier with the current situation. While people in Tokyo certainly acknowledge I am a foreigner, they don't react in shock if I speak Japanese. I've not gotten that "your japanese is great!" phrase nearly as much as I used to. Nobody accuses me of being a playboy simply because I'm foreign.
In other words, I get a lot more acceptance of my actual self more than what used to be a stereotype.
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