As a Chinese American student...

[jkc]

I am a Chinese American student that is planning on going to Japan to study for 1 year at a university. I was born and raised here in America, living most of my life in Texas. After reading positive and negative experiences in multiple forums, websites, and blogs, I wonder though, how would I be treated in Japan by the people there? Discriminated? Okay as long as I don't speak? I have studied some Japanese, a requirement for Liberal Arts majors at my university, but I am not great at it. Looking Asian could be a bonus, but I also read that Chinese people are discriminated against. I barely speak Cantonese, since I don't really use it here. So I would consider my primary language English, and my country of citizenship America.

By no means do I base whether or not I go to Japan on your comments, but I would just like to know what I should expect while I am there.

 

[pipokun]

Chinese, or Mandarin, is the most popular second foreign language in colleges here.

 

[Gaijinian]

That does not really answer the question...
You will have the advantage of not constantly being stared at, but once someone knows your not Japanese, I think it will be the typical Gaijin experience.

As far as anti-Chinese sentiment, there defiantly is some, but I would not be too worried.

Have a good time!

 

[Daiten]

Ok, Now I am really scared of going to Japan.

 

[dreamer]

Well... the experiences are really different depending on the locations and the people. Being a French Chinese, I have the same fears as you (although I am fluent in Cantonese and ok in Mandarin) but I think I will still try an go to Japan for 6 month, just to see what will happen.

 

[MajideSaiaku]

What little descrimination in japan against other asians is ussually just slight annoyance at chinese and korean behaviour towards japan.

In general most japanese dont seem interested in politics, and enjoy chinese food and stuff, asia is back on the popularity menu in japan so, i dont think you'll experience too much trouble.

Being asian will help you blend in quite well.

Im a white-boi and i barely got second looks, so i reckon its only my taller blonder louder more unique brethren that get the most attention, aslong as your a reasonable size and dark haired they seem to ignore you basically.

At least that was my experience.

Yeah, foreigners arent such a big deal in Japan anymore, at least the cities.

 

[Mars Man]

At my university there are a fair number of Chinese students. They don't mix with the Japanese students (and vis-versa) as much as we would like, but they do mix some, and there are no real problems as far as we can see. There are, at the moment, three Korean students, one girl from Myanmar, one guy from Sri Lanka, and on girl from somewhere...I can't recall.

There is no problem really, but I can't say much about their private lives.

 

[epigene]

As Mars Man says, I don't see any serious problems for Chinese visiting Japan.

Regarding tourists, I discovered recently that some 80% (this is a very rough, personal estimate) of tourists I saw in Tokyo's sightseeing & shopping areas were Chinese (from Hong Kong, Taiwan and a growing number from mainland China). There are a lot of signs written in Chinese (and Korean) in major tourist stopovers and shops.

If coming as a student, there won't be any problem either, because the Japanese generally respect people of any nationality who come to study. Making friends might be harder, because it will need effort for both the Chinese and Japanese sides since they're not used to each other.

The talk about Japanese prejudice against the Chinese comes from illegals from mainland China who commit crimes. If it is clear to the Japanese that you obviously don't have such a background, I'm sure you'll find your stay enjoyable.

I personally don't want to think all Japanese are like what you have heard about... The Japanese may act wary at first but will change and become friendly the instant you show you are sincere and friendly.

I wish you all planning to come to Japan to have a great time here!