So, let's begin...
1. TRAINS
Believe it or not.....This happens occasionally.
and yes.....there have been MANY incidents of groping...
2. DISCRIMINATION
There aren't any pictures for this, sorry. Discrimination against foreigners may have lessened in recent decades, but it still exists, even in places like Tokyo which is where most of the foreigners are. For example, it is kind of hard to get a job in Japan that doesn't involve teaching or acting, as these are what a majority of foreigners (who aren't famous) do. Japanese companies sort of see anybody who isn't Japanese as more trouble than they are worth. Unfortunately, we seem to have been pegged with the notion that we are "just visiting" or , due to the language barrier, a waste of time and money when they can just hire a Japanese person. Without being able to speak Japanese fluently AND having a respectable knowledge of Japanese culture ( aka "Why they do the ritualistic things that they do"), there aren't many options, other than to "just visit". Of course there are exceptions; some people have done quite well in Japan in other lines of work, but given the fact that the country has a 1% non-Japanese demographic, those instances are quite rare.
3. APARTMENTS
In places like Tokyo, this is not uncommon...
Bedroom / Living Room / Kitchen / Front Door
If your claustrophobic, please look away...
Many Japanese apartment complexes have no central heating....
Ever been in Tokyo in winter....brrrrr.....
4. CLASHING MINDSETS
In the western world, the individualistic mentality is common place. However, in Japan, there is widespread conformity. While this may not be a bad thing, many foreigners have complained they have come into conflict with the "group mentality" of Japan, sighting that they have been in some instances where they have come up with simpler, more efficient ways to do things, but have been immediately shutdown.
5. ACCEPTANCE
Finally...and this is from people who have been living in Japan for a long period of time...the issue of acceptance in Japan. Sadly, foreigners have always been seen as "black sheep" in the Japanese community. From stares on the train, to constantly being stopped by police who demand your ID, foreigners have garnered a, currently declining, reputation of being rebels, troublemakers, and rogues. While these views may be going out the door (very slowly BTW), it doesn't stop us from feeling a bit alienated.
I have heard these as well from friends that have lived there but their take on number 2, 4 and 5 were more because of the way tourist behave, especially americans. Americans tend to be arrogant and expect the world to think and be like, well america and can be very demanding and demeaning when it is not. But they also tell me that for those that take the time to learn and respect the culture and speak the language those incidents are not so bad and they had no problems when they lived there once the stereo type was over come.
ReplyDeleteThanks! very interesting post. Good perspective !
ReplyDeleteVery good and interesting post. I remember hearing about the intense discrimination many years ago. A friend of my family is a Japanese descent Peruvian and when she tried to find work in Japan (even though she can speak Japanese), they were very prejudice towards her because they didn't consider her 100% Japanese. That was a while ago so I don't know how much things have changed (if any), but it really shocked me at the time.
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