Discrimination in Japan

[orochi]

Racism is definitely a problem in Japan. I don't think it's too much worse than any other country, but it is an issue. The problem that I have is how much effort is taken to "cover it up." Japanese people often say, "Well Japanese people do it this way..." or "Well, we're Japanese..." very innocently, but it is really a veiled form of racism, I think.

Non-Japanese Asians seem to have a hard time. There are many families living in Japan that have been here for many generations. Many of them are still not Japanese citizens. Even their children, born in Japan, cannot become citizens. Some can carry a Japanese passport, though.

Me and my friends have been pulled over on our bikes for "driving while gaijin." It is really irritating. Of course, when I show them my alien registration card and it shows that I am employed at city hall, they usually shut up real quick.

The thing that really gets me is how selective some people are in their racism. While Caucasians, especially Americans, are idolized, non-Japanese who are dark-skinned are often treated differently. The assumption that all white people are Americans is also very tiring.

"Racism in Japan" is a tough issue to deal with. It's huge. We haven't even brushed on the burakumin problem yet. Despite all the signs around my town declaring such statements as "Let's Get Rid of Discrimination" and "No More Stereotyping," there is still a long, long road ahead of Japan as a nation.

This definitely shouldn't get anybody down about wanting to come here, though! These problems are problems anywhere. Japan is a great place with tons of fantastic people to meet. Don't let the backwards people stop you.

[Elizabeth]

Racism is definitely a problem in Japan. I don't think it's too much worse than any other country, but it is an issue. The problem that I have is how much effort is taken to "cover it up." Japanese people often say, "Well Japanese people do it this way..." or "Well, we're Japanese..." very innocently, but it is really a veiled form of racism, I think.

This has been a bit surprising to me as well. But it isn't necessarily always a matter of creating justifications of consciously being shielded from reality. Some friends a while back for instance were planning to invite an African American student into their home on an exchange program and were genuinely horrified when it didn't go over so well with some of their acquaintances, ashamed and shocked not to have realized racism was such a latent problem in Japan.