Black guy in Japan

[Lacan]

Hello, I'm a west indies Black planning to move and live Japan, but but I've been warned people of my "kind" shouldn't expect a warm welcome.
I' just finished my formation as a scientist but there no job for scientist in
France. I found a job in a Japan, the USA, Canada and China. I do love Japan
but my (european) friends there are telling me not to come. What should I do??? :?

 

[shotime77780]

Youll be an ultra-minority when you go there, i only saw about 2 black guys when i was in tokyo for a week. But since when did the japanese hate blacks?

 

[BrennaCeDria]

Yea, the impression I get is that all gaijin are treated equally.

 

[Foxtrot Uniform]

Thats weird. In Kobe, there are a lot of black guys, and most of them own their own stores and sell clothes and stuff. A lot of japanese people like to emmulate their style of clothing, so I wouldn't know how such a rumor came up.

 

[Mike Cash]

Yea, the impression I get is that all gaijin are treated equally.

As in all other areas of life, some people are treated more equally than others.

 

[PopCulturePooka]

Tokyo has a lot of black guys comparitively speaking.

Biggest hurdle I really see you facing is trying to convince many people, especially youth, that you aren't a hip hopping gangsta rap club tout from nigeria.

Seriously.

 

[kochisho]

yeah...those nigerians are funny. i ran into a few hangin outside a hip hop clothing store in kyoto. I thought they were Americans so I went to say whats up as I walked by. Then When they spoke I didn't understand a word they were talking about. They asked if I was American I said yes and I asked them where they were from and they said Jamacia. I told them they were full of ****, I know many Jamacians and I know how they talk.
I bet they were telling Japanese or anyone else they thought they could fool that they were from NYC or L.A...LOL

For the brotha who asked. Yes, they're a lot of blacks in Japan. Mostly in tokyo or on/ near U.S Military bases. Japanese people are know for smiling to your face while hating your guts so it's hard to tell how they feel about you.
But in General, Whites are treated better and respected more than blacks. But that doesn't mean whites don't experience discrimination.
I was in Jail with a black guy in Japan and he was treated much worst than me. He was there before me and tried to get the U.S consulate to see him. I got there and the U.S Consulate was there the next day. It could be about race but it also could be the fact I had my family calling and screaming at the U.S consulate to see me while he lived in Japan for 6 years and had no family contacts in America.
I recommend before you choose to live anywhere, go there and visit first.
Good Luck.,

 

[Paul-san]

What's up my brotha? I would have to say..."Take their advise with a grain of salt". Like anywhere, even stateside...and I'm a black American male, you will always have folks who admire you, and those who won't. I was stationed on Okinawa for 5 yrs, and loved every minute of it. I was treated and accepted very well. I also spent some time in mainland Japan (Fukuaoka) and was treated like a king from the moment I stepped off the plane. All I can say is go with your heart. Don't let yourself miss out on a once in a lifetime experience. In most cases, the people you'll have to watch out for are the "Europeons". I have nothing against them personnally, and honestly nothing at all, but the individuals waving you off just may be jealous of your opportunity. Go for it! Good luck!

 

[budd]

"All I can say is go with your heart. Don't let yourself miss out on a once in a lifetime experience. In most cases, the people you'll have to watch out for are the "Europeons"."
ditto, except i would say "Westerners" period.

 

[Hero]

eer.. why would a black man in japan have to worry about the westerners in most cases?
I'm westerner who has no problem against black ppl. Don't see why he'd have to worry about "us"...

Err.. do the westerners in Japan take out their frustration and stuff (from the Japanese descrimination against them) towards black ppl?

I have problem against stupid/ignorant ppl. Of which ppl of all colors have ppl like this.
And it's usually the stupid/ignorant ones who descriminate, are racist, etc...

 

[shotime77780]

now why hasnt anyone created a thread on how hispanics are treated in Japan?

 

[King of Tokyo]

I'd check out Black Tokyo for more information and maybe even join their Forum to have some of your questions answered. My impression is that in most cases to Japanese a gaijin is a gaijin. Some may seem to take to white gaijins more, then there may be some who take to black gaijins more. I think you definately should go because it is a great experience, and you won't regret it, but anyway like I said you can check out Black Tokyo to find out more about being black in Japan, it will be much more informative than I. Heh.

Black Tokyo

Welcome to Japan: FAQ AKA Being black in Nippon

Excerpt from FAQ

Q) I just arrived/I really want to go to Japan! But will I experience racism?

A) It Depends. While I can say for sure, there won窶冲 be any burning crosses outside your door. There is racism in Japan. Not to make an excuse for a person窶冱 depravity, but Japan is a homogenous country. Everyone窶冱 experience will be different, some will never see any racism and some will seem to be a victim of it frequently.

 

[giant_robot]

I have a black friend who spent a couple weeks in Japan, and I asked him if anyone discriminated against him. He said that there were so few black people in Japan that most people he met were just too shocked to be racist. It was like, he was a minority, but not big enough for anyone to consider him a threat or have any reason to hate him.

 

[MeAndroo]

My black friends not only were well accepted, but were offered parts in some English commercials and children's shows along with whites and hispanics. I definitely wouldn't count on it, but for every hugely negative story, there's a positive one that goes with it.

One thing: be prepared for signs that advertise hip hop and r n b music as "black music," as well as Japanese kids wearing "Black 4 Life" clothing.

 

[Lacan]

Back guy in japan

Thanks for the answers. I guess I'll try living there for a few month and see what happens. King of Tokyo, thanks for the links they will help a lot.

 

[Kyoko-san]

now why hasnt anyone created a thread on how hispanics are treated in Japan?

I guess this applies to me so; how are we treated in Japan?
/Latino who lives in Sweden/Europe =)

 

[chikazukiyasui]

Thanks for the answers. I guess I'll try living there for a few month and see what happens. King of Tokyo, thanks for the links they will help a lot.

My gut feeling is that you'll enjoy Japan. Probably, you'll get some extra pleasure from smiling quietly to yourself when white gaijin complain about discrimination!