掲示板 Forums - Japan culture

What do you love about Japan??

I've lived in Japan for 1 year and a bit. I love how safe it is. Even though I have had racism (twice), I've never felt unsafe. I like the food, the people, the history. I've lived in 5 countries, and even though I can't speak to anyone here properly, Japan is my favourite place to live.... even if the yen is pathetic right now, which makes it hard to visit home.

Would you tell us about your experiences with racism? If you're comfortable doing so. It's unfortunate we still deal with it, all over, in the 21st century... People often mention it on insta about Japan, but don't often give details. I was wondering if it is truly racism, or more general xenophobia there? Ofc it can be both...

No doubt racism and xenophobia exist in other countries, like in Scandinavia, which you do see people complaining about online, as well. But people seem more vocal about it happening in Japan, and also about criticizing Japan in general. So I'm wondering why/how that is...?

I love the cutesy items and desserts a lot. I also like the way that there is a sort of respect for your superiors that western culture doesn’t have anymore. I’ve never actually been to Japan, but from what I hear it sounds like a really convenient place to live in because of how things are structured. It seems like Japanese people want to make life nice. One of the only things I really don’t like about Japan is the fact that foreigners aren’t accepted in society like other people are. It seems sort of exclusive… Ooh! I also love the scenery and the ocean!!

I love animae, food, pastrys, mitsuya cider (soda), robots, Sakura trees in the spring, matcha green tea, candy, nekos (cats;) and ICE CREAM!!!

チャットタスクはどうやってやるの

Yeah of course. So yeah, it could be either xenophobia or racism (or both) in my case. I was targeted because I'm foreign, so I'd say it's both. My bad cases were actually letters. The first time, someone handed me a note that basically said I'm not welcome in Japan and I should leave. The second was very similar except I was verbally called a parasite and loads of other things in Japanese, alongside the note telling me I'm not welcome, they pay for me with taxes,etc etc. Usual racist stuff.

The thing is, after speaking to people, I know this is rare and targeted. Japanese laws basically say that whoever throws the first punch gets punished, so this type of racism/xenophobia sometimes happens due to racist stereotypes. I am 187cm (6'2) and 100kg (220lbs), so I fit the "big aggressive foreigner" stereotypes. The plan is, the racist targets big foreigners thinking they are violent, gets punched, then the foreigner gets deported. It's like poking a dog until the dog bites then the dog gets put down. I'm a big softie, so it didn't work. I just told my job and they felt really bad and reported it etc.

The only other ones are "foreigner pricing", which sucks because I get paid in yen. Also sometimes I will be sitting on a packed train and everyone will be standing shoulder to shoulder like sardines and no one will want to sit next to me... but I'm ok with that haha.

Wow, I'm really surprised by this I've never thought or heard of this before😦😦..... I've heard something like this in the US especially.. but I would never have guessed it in Japan..

I don't know why some people hate other societies... maybe because it's something they're not used to... or something new they don't want to try🤔🤔

I guessed and still think that it is good to meet other people and learn about their cultures... In the end we are all human beings no matter our country or the life we ​​live...

I'm sorry to hear that .

This seems to be a natural thing that we must accept, especially if our environment is like this.

Did you know that sometimes people look at me like I'm some strange animal?

This bothers me a lot, but in order not to be sad, I always say that my difference makes me special.. and I do not want to be like anyone.. and I feel proud of my difference.

We don't need stereotypes and overarching labels applied to entire groups of people - while that may be ok in some corners of the internet, please refrain from posting that here.