African Americans in Japan

[Broken Rose Ren]

I am a African American female and I used to worry about going to Japan and how I would get treated. But, it's fine. I've got black friends already in Japan and they are treated fine. One of my friends recently got a job over there without any problems, she's made lot's of friends and guys even talk to her, haha.

Just don't go over there without any knowledge of the Japanese language because that is a key factor in deciding how people view you. You don't want them to think you are a know-nothing foreigner. Of course people will ask you curious questions, it may get annoying, but they don't mean anything by it or people may even stare at you, but embrace it and bow politely.

Don't let anyone tell you negative things and deter you from going because they felt as though the Japanese were being "racist".

 

[MoBay]

If you are black and you can deal with racist America then Japan will certainly be a piece of cake. Most of the attitudes that Japanese have towards blacks were initially brought there by white GIs during the occupation. In other words America has been the most prolific exporter of racism to the world. Black people are safer in Japan than they are in America, so please just go and have fun and adopt a positive attitude.

 

[Gentleman10]

Racists exist all over the world, and people who aren't racist exist all over the world too. From my personal experience, although I didn't recieve any racism as a black person (either that or I didn't care because I was enjoying myself too much to notice), I don't think you should get worked up over this versus getting worked up about the fact that you're going to a different country!

 

[ArmandV]

Just don't go over there without any knowledge of the Japanese language because that is a key factor in deciding how people view you. You don't want them to think you are a know-nothing foreigner. Of course people will ask you curious questions, it may get annoying, but they don't mean anything by it or people may even stare at you, but embrace it and bow politely.

Whether or not you "know the language" should not deter you from visiting. I don't know much of the language but have enjoyed my visits there. They wouldn't judge you as a "know-nothing," they'd just figure you don't know their language is all. They will go out of their way to try out their English skills.

 

[MoBay]

If this is any consolation: I have met black guys in Tokyo who just loves it there and don't seem to have any problems. I have this particular friend who is black around 6ft 3in, speaks Japanese fluently, good built and he is constantly being besieged by Japanese women . I have witness this situation, it is not a second hand account. However, this guy would be attractive to women of any race. The point is that if you are not able to pull the ladies at home dont think you can come to Japan and it all changes. It comes down to your personality and general attitude.

 

[Jpstw]

If you are black and you can deal with racist America then Japan will certainly be a piece of cake. Most of the attitudes that Japanese have towards blacks were initially brought there by white GIs during the occupation. In other words America has been the most prolific exporter of racism to the world. Black people are safer in Japan than they are in America, so please just go and have fun and adopt a positive attitude.

You couldnt have said it any better(actually probably could lol), but racism in America is much much larger then over in Japan, in fact if you get offended while over in Japan since your black, stop being soft .

When i go back to Japan and prosper, i took to much racism over here and see that "Black man toothpaste" not even close to offensive, extremely funny hahahah. Positive attitude all the way, most of this forums is filled with so called racism in Japan, do not be discouraged at all, just go to get rid of the stereotypes, thats what i plan on doing.Lol most people i have heard who went their as adults dont even come back so you better hope you have obligations back in Uh Mare Rikka.

 

[Broken Rose Ren]

Basically. I honestly think the most you'll come up against is stereotyping (since the Japanese are most familiar with the black people they see on t.v. you know music videos or whatnot) not actual racism. But, as black people it's up to us to to go and show the Japanese what genuine black people are all about and kick stereotyping's ***.

 

[jonathancameron]

Hello all!
I'll be going to JCMU in the fall. I have a few concerns about my trip. For one, I'm an african american. I know that the population of Japan is mostly Japanese and people of asian descent. So I was just wondering how Japanese people tend to respond to African Americans? I've heard stories ranging from playful curiosity to down right racism. I know it really depends on the person, but do you have any experience with this?
Thanks!
~Brittany

If you are a beautiful girl, many Japanese men would love you. While there are prejudices for foreigners, the Japanese do not have a history of looking down on African Americans in particular like much of the Caucasian race does. To this regard, the African Americans and the White Americans are treated exactly the same. If there are any prejudices, they are the same prejudices that all non Japanese and repatriated Japanese face. To this effect, there are no heirarchy of foreigner prejudices. The Kikokushijos and the gaikokujin are exactly the same in treatment.

 

[Mike Cash]

If you are a beautiful girl, many Japanese men would love you. While there are prejudices for foreigners, the Japanese do not have a history of looking down on African Americans in particular like much of the Caucasian race does. To this regard, the African Americans and the White Americans are treated exactly the same. If there are any prejudices, they are the same prejudices that all non Japanese and repatriated Japanese face. To this effect, there are no heirarchy of foreigner prejudices. The Kikokushijos and the gaikokujin are exactly the same in treatment.

Since I know nothing about you, I'll have to ask: Are you basing your statements on firsthand experience and observations? Or are they conjecture based on hearsay?

 

[jonathancameron]

Since I know nothing about you, I'll have to ask: Are you basing your statements on firsthand experience and observations? Or are they conjecture based on hearsay?

First hand. How can you be so naive? You explain thoughly the hierachy of these prejudices if you think they even exist. If you do, you are seeing though tainted lenses because many of us saw very little, and when prejudices arose, they were all equal to foreigners and repatirates together.

 

[jonathancameron]

I am basing on first hand observations Mike. Mike, are you Japanese or are you a Westerner like I am. (Or are you a hafu?)

 

[bexchurnside]

If you are a beautiful girl, many Japanese men would love you. While there are prejudices for foreigners, the Japanese do not have a history of looking down on African Americans in particular like much of the Caucasian race does. To this regard, the African Americans and the White Americans are treated exactly the same. If there are any prejudices, they are the same prejudices that all non Japanese and repatriated Japanese face. To this effect, there are no heirarchy of foreigner prejudices. The Kikokushijos and the gaikokujin are exactly the same in treatment.

Quite wrong, Jonathan! A repatriated Japanese and a Gaijin face very different sort of discrimination! A Japanese repatriate might know the Japanese ways better, but they expect them to embrace the culture way way more than they would ever from a full on Caucasian. Especially tough is the Issei born Japanese returnees. They are made to even go as far as "giving up" their old western ways and become fully Japanese to the point that they cannot be distinguished from the Japanese who never left. Their Japanese skills even if they are good enough to get a BA in Japanese with Summa Cum Laude, from a western university, and pass JLPT LV1, that would not suffice. They must further their skills having the nuances perfected. Yes, they will master it faster than any bright lady like myself can do even in 30 years in 2 years, but the level of achievement expected of them is surmountable enough, as they are expected to achieve the full on Japanese who never left on an equal footing. Jonathan, you posted in one place where you knew a Japanese who had to go to Ritusmeikan and take first year Japanese along with the rest of the natives to prove himself. You even found it odd, but according to my boyfriend, this is rather normal. There is also no one that would applaud them for accomplishing so much in Japanese other than the social acceptance offered to other native Japanese and being no longer being discriminated against. They are the only ones that will be eventually accepted back fully, and a higher price they must also pay.

Jonathan, since you don't have a Japanse girlfriend, you don't know the difference. I don't blame you, because it takes a long time to see these subtle differences. I couldnt have known either until my boyfriend who is all too acutely aware, pointed all this out to me.

The trick for Kikokushijos who are fluent in Japanese to native proficiency is to appear to try too hard to look western and they will just think you are just a wannabee like the rest, and think you are nothing but a japanese who wants to see the west, but has yet to do so.

 

[craftsman]

Oh please. Can someone do something? If bexchurnside and jonathoncameron are not the same poster I'll eat my computer mouse.

 

[Iron Chef]

Multiple usernames sharing the same IP... I have placed them on temporary ban for one week (along with another user name, Magoichisaika). If they persist, then the next time will be permanently. Fellow mods feel free to take any further action as you see fit.

 

[craftsman]

Thanks Iron Chef - I guess the mouse lives to see another day.

 

[Mike Cash]

I'll not bother replying, then. At least not until he gets finished disagreeing with himself.

 

[tampopo]

I guess the mouse lives to see another day- lol Craftsman!!!

 

[yukio_michael]

Just don't go over there without any knowledge of the Japanese language because that is a key factor in deciding how people view you. You don't want them to think you are a know-nothing foreigner.

I'm curious, how much of the language do you know, and how did you come to the opinion that people in Japan treat you better, differently, even if you are fluent?

 

[Mrjones]

I can see their treating people from Us better, than the rest of others anyways. Its very hard to understand Europe.

 

[macadamia_cocoa]

If you are a beautiful girl, many Japanese men would love you. While there are prejudices for foreigners, the Japanese do not have a history of looking down on African Americans in particular like much of the Caucasian race does. To this regard, the African Americans and the White Americans are treated exactly the same. If there are any prejudices, they are the same prejudices that all non Japanese and repatriated Japanese face. To this effect, there are no heirarchy of foreigner prejudices. The Kikokushijos and the gaikokujin are exactly the same in treatment.

I sort of disagree. To me, the Japanese have always related to whites more than blacks because of the tone of their skin. While foreigners have been portrayed as the "Big Bad Gaijin," blacks have stood out as the rabid foreigner - the ones who are twice as scary because of their African roots.

I honestly think they got this idea from the West, actually.

Still, at the same time, blacks have also had more admiration for the color of their skin - we seem more exotic sometimes, I guess, because we're darker. It can intimidate others. Depends on the person.

 

[Broken Rose Ren]

I'm curious, how much of the language do you know, and how did you come to the opinion that people in Japan treat you better, differently, even if you are fluent?

I know, enough for small conversations. Then again, I'm 16 so I'll be much more advanced later on. But, I said what I said because some of my Japanese pen pals have told me, that sometimes it's challenging to speak to a foreigner who doesn't have very much knowledge of the Japanese language, so many don't try. I'm not saying people will treat you better even if you are fluent, but being knowledgeable of the language would certainly help.

Oh, I apologize for using the term "know-nothing".

 

[yukio_michael]

[...]sometimes it's challenging to speak to a foreigner who doesn't have very much knowledge of the Japanese language, so many don't try.

It's challenging for me to write or instant message Japanese who don't know much English as well. It's difficult because I wind up spending an hour writing or translating a long email--- And I don't have much knowledge of where I'm making my mistakes... When I'm speaking with someone, in person, I can usually say enough that they understand my meaning--- I think people have a natural ability to do these things, and it's either this idea that the other person can't understand you, or your own fear of being misunderstood that effects conversations between Japanese and non-Japanese, at least in my experiences.

If you have the time and the resources, learning with someone in a group effort is great, and there are meetups designed specifically for that. There are those out there wanting to practice their English, and practicing your Japanese with native speakers is the best way to improve. No ammount of book study will give you the skills you will gain from actually speaking the language with someone.

Of course fluency will help you not hurt you in Japan, but what I'm saying also is that there is also sometimes the idea that natually foreigners simply can not speak Japanese, are not capable of it and this effect how Japanese interact with foreigners. Also, there are people who survive in Japan knowing little or no Japanese whatsoever.

I'd like to say howerver that when I lived in Japan, nobody assumed that I couldn't speak Japanese and people always spoke Japanese to me, even when I was asking directions... I kept having to say, yukuri, yukuri kudasai slowly please... I found that to be quite nice.

 

[Mr.Kitsune]

I'm glad this forum is up, I've been looking through my share of forums and they've all said things like " everyone will hate you" or " everyone will avoid you because japanese hate gaijins" or other random statements, I'm glad i have a full spectrum of comments to look at now.

 

[Shaka]

If you are black and you can deal with racist America then Japan will certainly be a piece of cake. Most of the attitudes that Japanese have towards blacks were initially brought there by white GIs during the occupation. In other words America has been the most prolific exporter of racism to the world. Black people are safer in Japan than they are in America, so please just go and have fun and adopt a positive attitude.

Canada is one country where black people are not discriminated, especially British Columbia in the lower mainland. Taxes are, however, heavy.

 

[TOKYO64]

I'm an African American with 11 years experience in Japan. I have seen a lot of curiousity but I've seen a little racism as well. Most of the racism I experienced were from older men and women. One time I was in Namba station with a Japanese female when a 50 something year-old woman started yelling at us. But mostly I've felt racsism from men around that age. As for the younger generation they are very curious about everything. But the funny thing about Japan is that a person's thoughts and feelings will be totally different than when they were young and in college. A college student can be very tolerant one year and then when they are 35 or so have a totally different feeling about something as they are heavily affected by the environment they live in.