asian gaijins

[meelynn]

How are non-Japanese Asian-Americans viewed/treated in Japan? My greatest fear is that when I go, I will be ostracized for not knowing how to conduct myself, speaking piss poor Japanese, and being fat. Lord knows I'll probably go clomping into an upscale place with shoes on covered in tattoos.
Also, is being Asian-American a disadvantage when applying for JET? I hear they prefer the Jason Andersons (for anyone who used "Elementary Functional Japanese" textbooks) over the Margaret Chos.

 

[maushan3]

If you are afraid of something, chance is, that will happen to you, unfortunately, it's the law of attraction. Yes, I personally know some Japanese that have differences with other non-Japanese, but I bet if you keep your head up high in the sky and try to do your best and just not being obnoxious, I bet you will hold whatever-your-nationality is high with the Japanese. They will get a very good impression of you.

Mauricio

 

[Shibuyaexpat]

How are non-Japanese Asian-Americans viewed/treated in Japan? My greatest fear is that when I go, I will be ostracized for not knowing how to conduct myself, speaking piss poor Japanese, and being fat. Lord knows I'll probably go clomping into an upscale place with shoes on covered in tattoos.
Also, is being Asian-American a disadvantage when applying for JET? I hear they prefer the Jason Andersons (for anyone who used "Elementary Functional Japanese" textbooks) over the Margaret Chos.

HAHAHA!!! Loved your post!
As an American of Asian descent who lived there for 2 years, I can say that as long as you make the effort (hell this applies for everyone, everywhere), most (if not all) Japanese will admire you for it. I got to know so many Caucasian expats who made no attempt to learn the language and by in large, they drew the most resentment from both the fellow expats and citizens.

Like you, what I lacked in language skills, my stomach more than made up for in size. However, the more time you spend there, you'll find that the former will improve and the latter will diminish (I just ate the traditional Japanese food and walked everywhere, and lost about 15 kilos). Also (if you're a guy), don't be too shocked when people reference your size to that of sumo wrestlers. This is not meant to be completely derogatory. The size factor aside, sumo wrestlers are well-regarded and your size will one of gentle ribbing--not meant to be hurtful. Related to this, do not--under any circumstance--be tempted to point out the relatively small size of Japanese men (physique--for those dirty minded). They consider this to be a deep insult!!

Just for your reference, most "upscale" restaurants don't require you to take off your shoes. Also, if you have tattoos, you may be prevented from joining a gym (an indirect rule to limit yakuza membership--or so I've been told).

 

[Glenski]

Many Japanese youths are overweight, thanks to Macdonalds and their ilk.
Shibuyaexpat is right in that you will probably lose weight here simply because it is too difficult to operate a car, and you will walk or ride bike a lot.

People will allow you to blend in because of your appearance. That can be good, compared to what some other foreigners may face. The only down side is when you open your mouth and surprise people into realizing that Japanese cannot come out of your Japanese mouth. Get used to it fast, and learn Japanese fast.

JET hires people from 30 countries. Apply and don't worry about being Asian. Some schools that JET sends ALTs to will specifically request certain nationalities, gender, or races. You may be among the lucky.

 

[pipokun]

Keeping a simple food diary in which you write down everything you eat is the best way to lose your weight. If possible, share it with your boyfriend or friends.
Someone saying "I don't know why I cannot lose my weight, even though I eat less", tends to eat more than he/she imagines.

It takes you about a year before you come to Japan as a new JET teacher, so I fully apologise if the diary does not work.

 

[JimmySeal]

Shibuyaexpat is right in that you will probably lose weight here simply because it is too difficult to operate a car, and you will walk or ride bike a lot.

Heh. I moved to the countryside in Japan, immediately bought a car, and was making my own income for the first time ever so I could eat all I wanted. Needless to say, I gained some weight. Then I visited home for two weeks and ate all the meat I possibly could so I returned to Japan looking like marshmallow man. I've managed to get most of the weight off, but it sure ain't easy.

 

[marsans]

My mom is half American half Guamanian (well Guam is an American territory so, ah whatever, you catch my drift). Anyways, when she lived in Japan for a job a while ago before I was born and she told me she hated it, because every Japanese person would only speak to her in Japanese, and she felt looked down upon.

Like Glenski said, the Japanese will, because of your appearance, most likely expect you to speak Japanese.

 

[yotanf4i]

I hear they prefer the Jason Andersons (for anyone who used "Elementary Functional Japanese" textbooks) over the Margaret Chos.

Hahahaha, funniest thing I've read in a while. I think it makes a difference where you go as well. Country side or Tokyo (or any of the other large cities)? Are going to the Japanese equivalent of the "Deep South" or New York or LA?

Being of Japanese heritage (and speak Japanese), I've had situations where people would expect me to be Japanese but I couldn't keep up. For instance, registreing my residience at the city hall or filling out forms at a furniture shop, where they would hand me a form and expect that I would know what to do with it. My writing and reading skill is as good as a first grader so I have had to ask for help from the clerks. So far, folks here have been very helpful.

In that sense, coming to Japan is similar to living in any other country where you don't understand the language. If you can imagine a Japanese person coming to the States with little or no understanding of how things are done in the US, it'll be challenging.

But, as others have mentioned, if you make the effort, you can get by. I work with a few Asian co-workers here in Tokyo and they are also doing just fine. You also have the benefit of having this board where you can ask questions of those of us that have gone through it.

I say don't let that stop you from applying for the JET program.

Good luck.

 

[pipokun]

When we speak Japanese, we are hated.
When we speak English, we offend people without knowing some speak Japanese or not all non-Japanese speak English.

Life is not easy.

 

[Davey]

Life is not easy.

Life would be very boring if everything would be easy.

Being an Asian foreigner in Japan can have it good points and bad points. Indeed more people would expect you can speak Japanese, but I have also heard that a lot of Japanese are more comfortable having an Asian looking English teacher than a western looking English teacher. Just something I have heard... not sure about it.

Anyway, have fun in life and don't care to much what others think of you (hear me talking).

 

[meelynn]

HAHAHA!!! Loved your post!
As an American of Asian descent who lived there for 2 years, I can say that as long as you make the effort (hell this applies for everyone, everywhere), most (if not all) Japanese will admire you for it. I got to know so many Caucasian expats who made no attempt to learn the language and by in large, they drew the most resentment from both the fellow expats and citizens.
Like you, what I lacked in language skills, my stomach more than made up for in size. However, the more time you spend there, you'll find that the former will improve and the latter will diminish (I just ate the traditional Japanese food and walked everywhere, and lost about 15 kilos). Also (if you're a guy), don't be too shocked when people reference your size to that of sumo wrestlers. This is not meant to be completely derogatory. The size factor aside, sumo wrestlers are well-regarded and your size will one of gentle ribbing--not meant to be hurtful. Related to this, do not--under any circumstance--be tempted to point out the relatively small size of Japanese men (physique--for those dirty minded). They consider this to be a deep insult!!
Just for your reference, most "upscale" restaurants don't require you to take off your shoes. Also, if you have tattoos, you may be prevented from joining a gym (an indirect rule to limit yakuza membership--or so I've been told).

Ah yes in fact weight loss is one reason I would like to go to Japan! My Japanese friends all have horror stories about how when they went back to Japan after studying in the USA as a size 0 instead of a 00, their friends all pinched their fat and told them to stop eating. Ah the horrors of East Asian women. At least there are more fat girls in Japan than in Korea.

To be totally blunt, f#!k whiteys (and all others) who play in Japan for years without learning Japanese. What a waste of an experience!

When we speak Japanese, we are hated.
When we speak English, we offend people without knowing some speak Japanese or not all non-Japanese speak English.
Life is not easy.

Good, shove their noses in it and make them eat it. Tolerance is good as long as we don't tolerate things that shouldn't be tolerated.

 

[Shibuyaexpat]

At least there are more fat girls in Japan than in Korea.

I have relatives still there (Korea), so I visit quite often. I find that in general, weight gain is a problem in both countries. When you get to Japan, I think you'll be surprised at how truly thin Japanese people are. So much so that when I returned to the States, my perception of the world was thrown of wildly.

To be totally blunt, f#!k whiteys (and all others) who play in Japan for years without learning Japanese. What a waste of an experience!

While I understand your sentiment, please note that there are those who do try and are unable to get over their shyness. I'd hate to paint a picture of all expats in this manner. Most of the ones I met were excited and anxious to learn the Japanese language and culture as much as possible.

 

[frostyg02uk]

I think there has been some great answers so far. i agree that as long as your willing to try and fit in most will accept you. the ones that dont...well we all have jerks in our countries. Your probably fit in more then i did considering im 6ft4 and white as snow but no one ever made me feel out of place or unwelcome in anyway. your main problem will most likly be the moments when natives speak to you in Japanese but im sure it wont be hard for you to learn "sorry im not Japanese" or whatever way you want to say it.
About your weight your probably lose alot of it from traveling and also general eating in Japan as the food is quite healthy, unless like me you spend your days and nights eating chicken ramen ;oP But ive always thought if you dont like what you see dont look, most things will only be an issue if you let it be or make it one but i think that extends to all countries.
lastly your tattoos could be a problem but it shouldnt disrupt your life too much, just try to understand that in Japan tattoos come along with Yazuka its nothing personal.
K well best of luck but i think your be fine. from what i can tell by your posts you dont seem shy or backwards in going forwards so i reckon your do great there.

 

[meelynn]

While I understand your sentiment, please note that there are those who do try and are unable to get over their shyness. I'd hate to paint a picture of all expats in this manner. Most of the ones I met were excited and anxious to learn the Japanese language and culture as much as possible.

Oh man I hope I didn't come off as dismissing all expats in such a neg. light! My nose only turns up to people who make no effort/don't care/have no desire to assimilate at all. I'd imagine most expats would WANT to better understand their new environment and be able to talk to people. It's awfully lonely for those who haven't learned English in the USA - I imagine it would be similar in Japan.
And yeah, I mean a fat Japanese girl is probably the equivalent of my size (US women's size 8) or smaller. I'd imagine that the only truly obese people they've got are either sumos or too embarrassed to go outside.

frostygouk ~
Thanks for the encouraging words! I haven't actually gotten said tattoos yet; perhaps I'll put it off so as to avoid issues if I ever get a chance to go to Japan. And yeah, my manfriend is 6'1 and he reported having a lot of trouble getting through standard make doors and such in Tokyo - things like that make me glad I look the way I do. I'm sure bicycle cops won't be pulling me over asking for my passport at all hours of the night.

 

[frostyg02uk]

Yeah i had that head sore thing especially in traditional houses haha. Maybe you could get your tattoos still but in another place. The feet are often exposed as im sure you know.