She was by memory around 25 and worked legally.
I was pointing to the fact that she was in the class and Chinese which made for interesting discussion..
Printable View
I understand the situation.
What was the interesting discussion?
Just 3 words for weeks?
Bring more or them here!
Japan has signed a non-discrimination treaty. So technically speaking it is not leagal. Though it might be illeagal in Australia.Quote:
It's illegal in Australia.
It's legal in Japan.
http://www.johnpilger.com/page.asp?partid=290Quote:
In 1998, the Howard government enacted legislation that effectively took away the common-law rights that the High Court said belonged to Aborigines. Nothing like it has been passed by a modern parliament. It is just one of the disgraces that has given Australia the distinction of being the only developed country whose government has been condemned as racist by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The UN has also called racist the mandatory sentencing laws in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, which have given black Australians an imprisonment rate at least as high as that of apartheid South Africa, and have been a primary cause of one of the highest suicide rates in the world
Australia is far from racist free. IN the eyes of the UN it is seen as more racist than Japan. Granted this thread is about discrimination in Japan.
Japan is a homogenous country and Japanese are the indegenous people of Japan. Which makes it different than countries like USA, Canada, Australia which relative speaking are new countries.
I'm surrounded by aboriginies where I live in North Queensland. the tourists flock to see them, vist their national parks, waterfalls, watch them dance in the theater, then at night, go for a walk along the Esplanade to see them enjoying their beers and casks of wine whilst relaxing on the grass.
If the tourist is lucky enough, he or she may be invited into one of their three bedroom government gifted houses, or even go shopping with them on government money, visit their free legal, medical, and all other services that they are provided with free of charge..
Where is the discrmination?
I was speaking to a lovely aboriginal lady today whilst we were swimming at the gorge.. She was enjoying a BBQ with her family.. Where's the discrimination?
The UN can think what they want but honestly, live here long enough and it would be hard to see..
I've experienced it first hand in Japan, as have other's I know and this includes other Gaijin, Baraku and Japanese including returness. This is within a very short span of time..
Am I dreaming ..LOL
- Foreigners are generally not welcome in most restaurants, onsens, entertainment establishments, etc. unless accompanied by a Japanese native
- Japanese will typically avoid sitting next to a foreigner in public places - there are innumerable stories of how Japanese would rather stand than sit next to a foreigner or if a gaijin has the nerve to sit down on an empty seat next to a Japanese, they will either move away or stand up
- In jobs advertised in even English language newspapers, most of the time it will be clearly mentioned that foreigners need not apply. In Japanese language newspapers, it is understood that foreigners will simply not apply for jobs
- For those jobs where foreigners are hired sometimes - for instance as language teachers - the discrimination is evident. The salaries are lower than that for a Japanese in similar jobs, expectations are higher, firing is easy, and regardless of the importance of the job, the foreigners are never part of the inner circle - which means that decisions are taken without them and they are simply expected to execute them
- Even Japanese citizens raised overseas are regularly discriminated. Those that have spent just a few years or have absorbed some non-Japanese customs or cultural attributes are discriminated on a regular basis
- Children from parents with a non-Japanese partner are doomed in Japan
- Folks from the countryside never make it to the top
- If even one member of the family ends up in an embarrassing situation (crime, poor education, low end jobs, etc.), the other family members have to share the discrimination for generations
- The physically disabled and mentally challenged are discriminated to a point that Japan pretends that they do not exist. It is one of the un-friendliest countries in the developed world for physically handicapped people - many public buildings and means of transport have no provisions for disabled people. Japanese companies often prefer to pay an annual penalty for not hiring disabled people. Lepers are treated worse than animals in Japan
- The condition of women, though improving, is clearly a result of discrimination over centuries
I think you will find discrimination in Japan is fine, even more so if it is against a non Japanese, and the subject in Australia is far from legal.
Please read below.
Introduction by ARUDOU Debito, website author
Japan has a very mixed record on human rights, especially towards ethnic minorities, non-citizens, and other people born of distinction within its society. The Government of Japan (GOJ) signed The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1979, then the UN's International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in 1995 (effected January 14, 1996). Under the CERD, Japan promised to take measures (including legislation) at all levels of government to eliminate racial discrimination "without delay". Despite this, Japan to this day remains the only developed country without any form of a law at any level outlawing discrimination by race.
Japan officially maintains (see below) that its legal system provides adequate protection against and redress for racial discrimination, therefore a specific law against it is unnecessary. But as demonstrated in
the government's claims of sufficient protection from and redress for racial discrimination are simply not true.
- 1) the Otaru Onsens Case (where "foreigners", including naturalized Japanese citizens and their international children, were refused entry to a series of public baths in Otaru between 1993 and 2001, while the Otaru City Government was exonerated in court for refusing to take any effective measures to stop it; case is still on appeal),
- 2) statements by Tokyo Governor ISHIHARA Shintarou (who wrote in May 2001 that Chinese have criminal tendencies due to their "ethnic DNA", and called upon Japan's Self Defense Forces in April 2000 to round up all "illegal foreigners" on sight in the event of a natural disaster), and
- 3) The Community Website (where an archive of domestic discrimination against non-citizens by race or appearance has been compiled over several years),
AUSTRALIAAll Australian States and Territories have laws which make racial discrimination unlawful. The State and Territory laws work with the Commonwealth laws to protect the human rights of those people living in the particular State or Territory. In this respect, these laws, unlike the Commonwealth laws, do not cover all of Australia. They are limited to the particular State or Territory.
Like the Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act (RDA), the State and Territory laws make both direct discrimination and indirect discrimination unlawful. However, there is an important difference between the RDA and the State and Territory laws. The difference is the definition of direct discrimination. The State and Territory laws do not refer to preferences and distinctions based on race, and nor do they refer to Article 5 of the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination in relation to direct discrimination. Under the State and Territory laws, direct discrimination occurs where a person is treated less favourably than another person of a different race.
The State and Territory anti-discrimination laws are administered by specialist commissions that investigate complaints and try to resolve them by conciliation. Where the complaints cannot be resolved by conciliation, they are referred to specialist tribunals that hold hearings into the complaints. This involves all the relevant people giving evidence in the tribunal and the tribunal then makes a decision about the complaint.
New South Wales: Anti Discrimination Act (1977)
In New South Wales racial discrimination is unlawful in the areas of education, employment, the provision of goods and services, accommodation and registered clubs. For the purposes of the New South Wales Act, "race" includes colour, nationality, descent, and ethnic, ethno-religious and national origin. The Act also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground that the person has a relative or associate who is of a particular race.
The New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Act also prohibits racial vilification. Racial vilification may in serious cases amount to a criminal offence. Racial vilification under the New South Wales Act is any public act which is capable of inciting hatred towards, serious contempt for or severe ridicule of a person or a group of persons because of their race.
South Australia: Equal Opportunity Act (1984) and Racial Vilification Act (1996)
In South Australia racial discrimination is unlawful in the areas of education, employment, goods and services, accommodation, disposal of land, superannuation, clubs and associations and conferral of qualifications. Under the South Australian Act, "race" means skin colour, nationality, country of origin and ancestry. The South Australian Act also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground that the person has a relative or associate who is of a particular race.
Racial vilification is also unlawful in South Australia. The Act makes it an offence to racially vilify a person and unlawful to racially victimise a person.
Western Australia: Equal Opportunity Act (1984) and Criminal Code
In Western Australia, racial discrimination is unlawful in the areas of education, employment, access to places and vehicles, provision of goods and services, accommodation and land, and clubs. The Western Australian Act also has specific provisions making racial harassment unlawful in the areas of employment, education and accommodation.
Under the Western Australian Act, "race" includes colour, descent, ethnic or national origin and nationality. The Western Australian Act also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground that the person has a relative or associate who is of a particular race.
Racial vilification is not dealt with under the Equal Opportunity Act, but the Criminal Code makes racial harassment and incitement to racial hatred a criminal offence. The offences are specific to possession of racial material, publication of racial material for display to harass a racial group or to incite racial hatred.
Australian Capital Territory: Discrimination Act (1991)
In the Australian Capital Territory, racial discrimination is unlawful in the areas of education, employment, accommodation, clubs, goods and services and request for information. Under the Australian Capital Territory Act, "race" includes colour, descent ethnic or national origin and nationality. The Act also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground that the person has a relative or associate who is of a particular race.
Racial vilification is also unlawful and the provisions of the Australian Capital Territory Act operate in the same way as the New South Wales racial vilification provisions.
Queensland: Anti-Discrimination Act (1991)
In Queensland, racial discrimination is unlawful in the areas of education, employment, goods and services, superannuation, insurance, land, accommodation, clubs, administration of Queensland laws and programs and local government members.
For the purposes of the Queensland Act, "race" includes colour, nationality or national origin, descent or ancestry, and ethnic origin or ethnicity. The Queensland Act also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground that the person has a relative or associate who is of a particular race.
In 2001, the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Act made racial and religious vilification unlawful. Racial and religious vilification under the Queensland Act is any public act which incites hatred towards, serious contempt for or severe ridicule of a person or group of persons because of their race or religion.
Northern Territory: Anti-Discrimination Act (1992)
In the Northern Territory, racial discrimination is unlawful in the areas of education, employment, accommodation, goods and services, clubs and insurance and superannuation. For the purposes of the Northern Territory Act, "race" includes colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, descent or ancestry, and that a person is or has been an immigrant. The Northern Territory Act also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground that the person has a relative or associate who is of a particular race.
Victoria: Equal Opportunity Act (1995) and Racial and Religious Tolerance Act (2001)
In Victoria, racial discrimination is unlawful in the areas of education, employment, goods and services, accommodation and land, sport and local government.
For the purposes of the Victorian Act, "race" includes colour, nationality or national origin, descent, ancestry, and ethnic origin or ethnicity. The Act also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground that the person has a relative or associate who is of a particular race.
Racial and religious vilification are also unlawful in Victoria. The most serious forms of racial and religious vilification are a criminal offence.
Tasmania: Anti-Discrimination Act (1998)
The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act was passed in 1998 and proclaimed in December 1999. The Tasmanian Act covers discrimination on the ground of "race". It applies to discrimination and prohibited conduct in employment, education and training, the provision of facilities, goods and services, accommodation, membership and activities of clubs.
For the purposes of the Tasmanian Act, "race" includes colour, nationality, descent, ethnic, ethno-religious or national origin and the status of being or having been an immigrant.
The Tasmanian Act also contains strong inciting hatred provisions. Section 19 says that a person, by a public act, must not incite hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of, a person or a group of persons on a number of grounds including race, religious belief or affiliation or religious activity. The Act applies to inciting hatred in the areas defined for discrimination and prohibited conduct as well as in any other area or in connection with any other activity.
I am sure there are many different sides to look at it. I am sure there is discrimination in both Australia and Japan. Having gone to a Japanese school myself through much of my life with a mixed ethnic background I can't recall getting a hard time because of it ever. But I am sure some people go through a rough time in school because of it. I am sure many Australians have nothing against the indegenous people of Australia but I am sure many don't have much respect towards the culture.
You hear about all kinds of hate crimes on the news from Australia. You talk about Australia's shining example and then go on about how terrible Japan is. I am sure there are many nice things about Australia and not so many nice things about it either. Massacres of indegenous people continued until the 60s.
Where is the discrimination? Even UN is condemning Australia of racial discrimination. I would and most other people too would probably listen to what UN has to say about discrimination and not an overly patriotic Australian about discrimination in AUstralia.Quote:
The UN can think what they want but honestly, live here long enough and it would be hard to see
The plaintiff lost the case in terms of the Otaru City, didn't it?Quote:
1) the Otaru Onsens Case (where "foreigners", including naturalized Japanese citizens and their international children, were refused entry to a series of public baths in Otaru between 1993 and 2001, while the Otaru City Government was exonerated in court for refusing to take any effective measures to stop it; case is still on appeal),
Are you sure that the case is still on appeal?
Tokyo is getting safer and safer.Quote:
2) statements by Tokyo Governor ISHIHARA Shintarou (who wrote in May 2001 that Chinese have criminal tendencies due to their "ethnic DNA", and called upon Japan's Self Defense Forces in April 2000 to round up all "illegal foreigners" on sight in the event of a natural disaster), and
The French speakers lost the case, though I am not sure if they are going to appeal or not.
The plaintiffs did not include great French schools like Athenee Francais or the French Embassy here.
Youtube is nothing from your country, but it is the Internet after all.Quote:
3) The Community Website (where an archive of domestic discrimination against non-citizens by race or appearance has been compiled over several years),
Kyoto Returnee, tell me why the hate crime has never ended even though you are proud of the laws or the great muti-ethnic society.
From shining AUstralia where everyone is treated as equals and where there is no such thing called racial discrimination. White Australians should know this
http://www.johnpilger.com/page.asp?partid=328Quote:
. They know, or they ought to know, that the life expectancy of Aboriginal people is one of the lowest in the world, and that their health is the worst in the world. An entirely preventable disease, trachoma, which has been beaten in many third world countries, still blinds black Australians because of untreated cataracts and appalling living conditions. Epidemics of rheumatic fever and gastroenteritis ravage black communities as they did the slums of 19th-century England.
Australia, like white South Africa, has a deeply racist history of dispossession and cruelty, buttressed by "the law". But even history is a battleground, in which "revisionists" - the likes of Keith Windschuttle, a self-publishing and much-publicised "new historian" - can suggest that Tasmanian Aborigines lacked humanity and compassion. Not anywhere in the world with indigenous populations, not in North America, New Zealand, even South Africa, could you get away with such a slur.
I didn't read this whole thread, as it was a bit too much to read in a short time, so I did a quick search (using the search-function (ctrl+f) in FF), using the keywords "homo" and "gay", as I would like to know about LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender persons) Rights & Discrimination is Japan. I couldn't find any hits in this topic. So here's my question: Is homosexuality a source of discrimination in Japan? I've been reading some stuff about LGBT-things in Japan on wikipedia, and found that the Japanese attitude against homosexuals changed drastically during the late 19th century, as western influence was strong. Back in the old days it presumably wasn't any problem; as shinto doesn't have a problem with homosexuality and homosexuality was quite common in the army. Nowadays, political party's just don't say anything about homosexuality, so I don't know how homosexuality is viewed. I would like to know how the public views homosexuality. The general public must have an opinion, as about 5~10% of the world is homosexual (in every country whatsoever!). Could anyone answer my question?
I would say it's still pretty underground, though there are some she-hes who play on the variety show circuit, but I don't think they are seen as 'average' citizens. I have heard from someone here in Tokyo who used to frequent gay bars and clubs in Tokyo that the gay community is tighter and more welcoming to hetrosexuals than in the UK (where she is from).
I have only lived here for two years, but I have never experienced any kind of discrimination. Besides the random stares of some senior citizens and children. I have however head from a few friends who are married to foreigner men that their family has been upset that they married a non Japanese man, and put untold stress on their marriage.
I teach part time at a juku, and have never had any problems with the Japanese teachers or staff. As for the new fingerprinting and photo policy it seams more like governmental due diligence, and less like discrimination to me.
Do you get paid as much as a part-time Japanese teacher there? Do you have exactly the same benefits as a Japanese PT teacher there? Have you ever been refused housing (or were you secretly shuffled to housing that accepts foreigners, thus avoiding housing that doesn't)? There are many forms of discrimination, you know.
As for "due diligence", kindly explain what is so "due" about this policy. As for not seeming like discrimination, you obviously have not read enough.
Well, She-he's aren't very representative for the gay "community", don't you think? Also, I don't like to use the word "gay community", because than it seems if all gays are part of one single community, but that isn't. Correct me if I'm wrong, but many gays don't go especially to gay-bars etc. Still my question hasn't been fully answered; how does the large public (the 90% of the population which is heterosexual) see homoseksuality? Do most people think it's okay, or do most people think it's "wrong" ?
Right, but the shehes are the only real public display you see of the gay community here. Kind of like the don't ask, don't tell policy mostly here. I don't think you'll see many Japanese 'running out' of the closet soon.
Being Gay And Gaijin In Japan
http://jp.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/06/95/Quote:
What is it like being a homosexual foreign male in Japan? Well eScottf age 39 (who wishes his real name not the name of his partner not be used) has agreed to tell us a little bit about what it is like. Scott will tell a little about his life here in Japan on the condition that it not involve any strictly private or embarrassing details about his relationship with his Japanese partner. Thank you Scott.
Scott met his Japanese lover eTarof (age 44) in Vancouver, Canada about 5 years ago where he was working at the time as an assistant manager of a museum. Taro soon returned to Japan, where he worked as a restaurant manager, and they corresponded over the years, occasionally meeting and traveling together to various places around South East Asia. Finally, he invited Scott to join him in Japan, and Scott hesitatingly agreed to do so.
gI had been to Japan a few times before actually moving here for the long term, so I sort of knew what to expect, but I had some worries about how I would be treated and whether I would be accepted. I just took it a day at a timeh he says. gMy partner wanted us to move in with his elderly mother in Northern Japan and I was kind of hesitant about doing that. I mean I didnft know how people would react. Everyone knows him (Taro) and they soon understood what my relationship with him was. I was worried about living in a conservative city in Northern Japan.h
gWell we moved into his motherfs place and Taro started working in one of her (partnerfs mother) snacks (bars) . I helped out a little at the beginning, but we had so many people show up who were curious about me, and wanted to meet me, I had to stick around more and more, now I am working pretty much full time. I made up some dishes I thought would be tasty to our customers. Some have been hits and others have not. The Taco Salad we added to the menu is very popular, but the avocado dip however was a bombh Scott says. gItfs really a hit and miss thing, but I have very much enjoyed what I am doing here, it is what I wanted to do together with Taro.h
Scott says that his relationship with his partner has had a few difficult moments, but they remain strongly committed to each other. gWhen we first started living with his mother, I saw a side of him I didnft know existed. He is a very good son, and his mother has a very strong personality, even at her age (80) and she controls him quite a bit, but I canft say that is bad. She and I get along good. I help take care of her. I do some of the shopping, and help her with some of her personal needs. She agreed to build us a separate house on property she owns, and she did that. We moved in last summer. It is nice to have our own place now.h
Scott was worried about how he might be treated in their community, but he says after a ehoneymoon periodf things have settled down quite a bit. gA lot of Tarosf and his motherfs friends would drop by to meet me and say hello, and bring gifts. Most of them were really nice. When Taro re-opened the snack that his mother owned, the first few weeks were really busy, but now it has quieted down to a pretty regular crowd. gThe whole thing is really so normal. We have had a few problem customers, but you get that everywhere.h In fact it is so normal, it can be downright boring sometimes, according to Scott. gI have had some children point their fingers at me and laugh, but I think that is just because I am not Japanese. That happens everywhere. I have also seen some people gesture towards me and whisper so I can only guess what they are saying, but that really doesnft bother me. I would go crazy if I let that sort of thing get to me. I just smile.h
When asked if his intent was to set up a gay bar in his area, Scott replied that it was not. It just worked out that way. gMy partner and I had no intention of making our place exclusively anything, we wanted everybody, no matter who they were, to feel comfortable about coming here, but it is hard to know for sure, we get all kinds of people from every walk of life..h In fact it has been very good for Scott and Taro. They are planning to remodel and re-open another restaurant/bar soon. gWe have ideas on opening a second place. We will probably have to hire some people, but I am sure it will be successful, the place we have now is a small place and some nights the crowd here is overwhelming. We will expand carefully and slowly.h Scott says that they have several options for the future.
Scott passes the time he is not working alongside his partner, painting and studying Japanese. gThe hardest part is not being able to communicate with our customers well enough yet. I am improving, but I still have a long way to go.h gI just want people to know it is possible to be happy here and live your life as you like, no matter who you are.h That is a message that everyone can appreciate.
Wow. scary ,you are an activist like ant -japan propagandaQuote:
As for "due diligence", kindly explain what is so "due" about this policy. As for not seeming like discrimination, you obviously have not read enough.
caster,
Just trying to be sure what the poster meant by "due diligence". IMO, we foreigners have no discrimination "due" to us, so I wanted clarification on the term.
@ Caster 51: Thank you^^. From what I read in that article Japanese people seem to react quite well. Even if the children are pointing at scott for being gay, that's pretty normal, and you'll find that phenomenom also in the very LGBT-open country's.
North Korean pachinko propaganda.Quote:
Wow. scary ,you are an activist like ant -japan propaganda
Thanx Caster, that article was an interesting read.
My first post - two cents.
I've been living in Japan and working for 10 years in an English language school, first as a teacher and now as an ***'t Director. Finding discrimination is all a matter of looking under the right rug and knowing where the Japanese keep those rugs.
If I may unroll (lift) one that stands out in particular.
Three years ago, our (Japanese-run English school) company decided to fly about 40 staff members on a "fact finding" mission to Las Vegas for a all-paid weeks trip.
Even the Japanese sales reps from head office who had just joined the company a month previously were invited. Who were not invited? Our (British) Academic Director, and his two assistant directors (of whom I was one). And neither of us are American so Vegas would have been a nice trip.
My partner (the other assistant director) followed up this shocking news with a very frank and open discussion with our Japanese Center Director and basically blasted him for discriminating against foreigners. The Japanese argument (defense?) was this: Japanese join a company for life, whereas foreigners are here only for a limited time and rarely settle into one job for life. I guess the bottom line was that the trip was a reward for the anticipation of a life-long career with the company... so long as you were Japanese.
Arrogance clashed with reality when one discovered, three months after the Vegas trip, that a handful of those so-called "life long" Japanese employees jumped ship for another job.
The irony since then has been that our Brit director, myself, and the other ***'t Director have been with the company since it opened shop in Tokyo, seven years ago. We were in the building when the frigging carpet was laid and the first books arrived. We have more longevity with the company than 97 percent of the current staff and management - even three ago. This fact was apparently "swept under the carpet" when the Japanese management were deciding on what batch of dedicated emloyees to take to Las Vegas.
I have lots of stories like this because, frankly, after 10 years of being in Japan and working in a Japanese-run company, seeing through their clever veils of discrimination is as easy as putting on a hat.
But hell... where doesn't discrimination live? And considering the problems other countries have with it, at least the Japanese are super polite about it.
Despite the contradiction, I love living in Japan. I have long learned to laugh, roll with the punches, and chalk stuff up to little more than the occupational hazards you have to endure to live in a country where 80 percent of the girls you see on the street everyday make you go "Schwing!!!"
My first taste of discrimination came from a "hafu" who thought he spoke for all Japanese when he refused me employment based off of my ethnicity. He of all poeple who probably experiences discrimination more than I do would have the audacity to discriminate against me.
@Bunshinsaba
Interesting read :) Thanks for the info.
Definitely will keep it in mind, since I'm going to start my getting a job in a Japanese-run company/interviewing etc process in 2-3 months.
Well don't let me make you paranoid... I am sure you will have a great time here as most of us do. Just NEVER forget that Japan is an island and learn to forgive them sometimes as a significant number of folks have "island thinking" and all the preconceived notions and phobias about foreigners that go along with it. And they not only have them... they act upon them freely with little regard to foreigners and their views and reactions.
But unless you spend a significant amount of time in Japan, and/or work at a middle management level or higher, you may not even notice it that much... unless you get turned away from an apartment because you are a foreigner. When my (Japanese) wife and I were renting, the landlord always had to be notified if a perspective tenant was a foreigner. No big deal to me really...
Only rarely these days - after 10 years of seeing so much - do I bat a lash at some of the goofy race-related things the Japanese do, say, print, or consider... like a 2005 city-wide post-earthquake plan to deal with "Rampaging, rioting and looting foreigners !"
Jesus.
And here's a funny one.... In 2006 on Hallowe'en, some foreigners of an undisclosed race and social / work status got a little party-hearty at Ebisu station in Tokyo. So of course, Hallowe'en 2007, the Japanese management of our school issued a statement to all our (professional) teachers that they should avoid... "... getting out of control on Hallowe'en and creating disturbances."
Jesus!!
After a significant amount of time here, you may find that so many Japanese suffer from "islander's logic" when it comes to foreign people.
All cats have four legs. My dog has four legs, therefore my dog is a cat.
or... in the case of Hallowe'en
All rowdy foreigners have two legs. Our teachers have two legs therefore...
Well... can't write all day. I'm going for sushi.
As stated many times before, racism, prejudice, and discrimination are everywhere. I've never been to Japan, but I've heard more bad talk on foreign treatment than good. I've heard enough to dissuade any non-Japanese person to even want to visit. However, I've heard very good stories too and it is with a clear conscience I will first visit Japan to assess for myself.
As an American, I see many foreigners come here on their own accord, often in search of a better life. Now whether the move was instigated by those glorifying America or damning it; point is, travelers and immigrants alike find out for themselves.
If you base yourself solely on fears erected by others, where goes personal experience?
Glenski you have a good point, but be careful to acknowledge looks can be deceiving.
Bunshinsaba, i really like your explainations.
Despite what people may believe, white males in America receive more than our
fair share of racism and sexism (mostly in the form of accusations of racism or sexism).
Racism wouldn't stop me from moving to Japan, i think it would kind of amuse me.
As for jobs, they work the same way here, i wouldn't notice a difference
So it's looks as if after reading all the posts, we have now determined that discrimantion is alive and well in Japan on all sides of the fence:homer:
Plus the over-the-fence-climbers on both sides. . .
By the way, it was a befriended japanese business man, who unexpectedly once encouraged me to do so, for real! And that fence was high and dangerous and my shoes absolutely unfit for this, despite being bumpers. . .but he just waited and helped, after having climbed to the other side already. (it wasn't any better in his shoes though, so I decided to do it without shoes after all)
The simple fact, that he was sure, that I can, made me do it. Its this mentality, that I really appreciate.
Glenski - I mean that i agree with watching for discrimination in all of it's forms,
but some things witch aren't discrimination could be mistaken as such,
an investigative mind should consider that possibility.
Bunshinsaba - I apologize for sounding single-minded, i only meant that when
white people fight among ourselves we're often divided by our sexes.
I'm sure white women would have plenty to say for their part of that point,
but i prefer to leave that for them to say, i speak for my part of it.
I was in the supermarket today and an old lady approached me and said:
"Would you mind walking around the supermarket with me as you remind me of my son who died in the war"
I replied: "Sure"
We were walking around for around thirty minutes, got to the checkout, the checkout girl had finished adding up all the goods, when suddenly the lady said to me:
"I forgot my purse" "Please wait here whilst I go to my car to get it"
Around 15 minutes had passed, the lady hadn't returned.
I went out to the carpark to find her, I got to her car and starting pulling her leg, just like I'm pulling your's!
:win: