Would You Rather be Japanese or American?

[tada]

Because of the last 8 years, I'd have to say Japanese.

 

[user42784]

i'd say japanese as I went to America once and i had many bad experiences, i would never go again, whereas this is my third trip to japan with 18 months, so can't ague with that

 

[Uchite]

It really depends on where one is born and lives. Being that I was born and currently live in America, it is naturally American. I think if I were to ever live in Japan for the rest of my life, I may change it to Japanese. But I doubt it. If I ever came back to America it would be much easier I would think. So I voted American. I know of at least one Japanese who has been here for 45 years and will not become an American citizen, although his Japanese wife has. I think this is a case of being proud of being Japanese as he always says "we" even when talking about things going on currently in Japan.

However, I can honestly say that there were many times in Japan I was embarrassed to be an American because of the example set by so many. Once they saw I was okay, things were fine.

I remember during the Draft of the 1960's and 1970's many people were going to Canada and changing their citizenship to Canadian. I think these people were never let back into the U.S. again. How is that for Nationalism?!

 

[David Gaeddert]

Well--born and raised in USA, visited Japan for Nippon2007--Japan is my favorite country to visit, also to learn from. USA--big, prosperous, opportunity like no where else. When we do as we should, we can be the best in the world; when we do not--well. . . Mostly, I say this is my home, and where I can work and develop opportunities. Sometimes, I feel this is where I have to stay and make a stand.

Btw, Nippon 2007, Daikon47 in August of '08--does anyone know what is the Japanese SF event of 2009 I can plan for? Well, interesting thread.

 

[mgclenney]

thread is dead ☝
oh well.
I didn't vote because I could care less what nationality I am.
And nobody should care what nationality they are, it's just a place where you happened to be born.
All that matters, at least to me, is that you are human and a part of this world. And to quote a discovery commercial "the world is just awsome."

Here's the commercial if you want to watch it. It always makes me happy.


So. Even though there are some nasty things happening right now, I still think its beautiful and that the majority of the people in it are good. Its just that the crazy, irrational people are screwing it up for the rest of us, who get along w/each other, no problem.

Sorry for my rant!

 

[Matthew Ota]

Japanese Americans are Americans. If you ever go to Japan you learn this your first week there.

I know, I went there in 1989

 

[Half-n-Half]

Japanese Americans are Americans. If you ever go to Japan you learn this your first week there.
I know, I went there in 1989

Couldn't agree more.

It's hard for a lot of people to grasp this concept.

 

[Absynthia]

No offense, but neither. I'm a European, and even if I could choose, I'd choose to be European all over again.

 

[den4]

I find this categorization of one or the other to be typical of obsessive compulsive behavior....I prefer to be me, regardless of the nationality....

 

[Hezam]

I am from Yemen.
Of course i prefer to be Japanese.

 

[RavenRockstar]

Lol, hey aren't you white guys the ones who invaded America in the first place and eroded the native language and systems and stole their lands etc? IMHO, what is happening now is that you're just having done to you what your ancesters did to the original people of America- i guess you could say its karma.

rofl!
Thats pretty much my thought process
They had some thing in school to talk about illegal immigration and when the teacher asked for comment i raised my hand and said "Doesnt karma suck?"
and i got called down to the office for not being patriotic enough or something

IMO theres nothing thats particularly great about any country, but since Hannah Montannah and the Jonas Brothers are making the top 40, Im done with the US

 

[David Gaeddert]

Interesting comments-USA all the way, land of the free and home of the brave, even with flaws. Born in the USA, here is where I work, raised family, try to track kids and grands. After Nippon 2007, Nippon is my second homeland. Work in a mill that used to be part of Bethlehem Steel; some of our major customers are Honda and Toyota of America, so we really are becoming one world.

Btw, when/where is Japan's next major SF or anime convention?

 

[Pachipro]

Still trolling for '09 Japanese SF convention or affair. Help, help!

Welcome to JREF!

Maybe ArmandV can help you out as he may be our resident expert on these matters.

 

[Hezam]

if you think about that again,i think i would rather be a good person,American or Japanese or whatever..