- 19 Jan 2005
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Back in the late 70's, a movement was started by a letter to the Japan Times demanding, and insisting, that the Japanese Government refrain from using the term "Gaijin" from all official documents and language. Instead the word "Gaikokujin" should be used. This person was particularily referring to the "Gaijin Card" and the fact that that in some English translations the term "alien" was used at City Halls, airports, immigration offices, etc.
He, or she, said that, paraphrasing here, "I am not from another planet. I am from earth, the same as you and therefore should be referred to as a person from a foreign country and not an alien from another planet."
This soon gained momentum with more and more letters being written, and a few stories written by foreign journalists of the English language versions of the Asahi & Yomuri Shinbuns in sympathy with this person. The debate lasted some years and I don't remember if it was resolved before I left. However, I do recall during my recent bi-annual visits there the past few years that the term foreigner is used rather than the word alien at the airport.
To me, I was totally against it as I didn't care one way or the other. After all I do seem alien to the Japanese and I am a foreigner. I was so used to the word "gaijin", that it didn't phase me that it ment alien. To other foreigners living in Japan it was a real sore point and it particularly irked them. (It irked those the most that didn't learn to speak the language or learn the culture. Hmmmmm). Apparently it still does today. Sometimes this PC thing can get a little too out of hand.
If I'm not mistaken, I think my Japanese wife here in America has what is known as an.......... "Alien Registration Card". Ahem. Does that mean she is from another planet??? or are "Illegal Aliens" here in the states from other galaxies? Just wondering?
He, or she, said that, paraphrasing here, "I am not from another planet. I am from earth, the same as you and therefore should be referred to as a person from a foreign country and not an alien from another planet."
This soon gained momentum with more and more letters being written, and a few stories written by foreign journalists of the English language versions of the Asahi & Yomuri Shinbuns in sympathy with this person. The debate lasted some years and I don't remember if it was resolved before I left. However, I do recall during my recent bi-annual visits there the past few years that the term foreigner is used rather than the word alien at the airport.
To me, I was totally against it as I didn't care one way or the other. After all I do seem alien to the Japanese and I am a foreigner. I was so used to the word "gaijin", that it didn't phase me that it ment alien. To other foreigners living in Japan it was a real sore point and it particularly irked them. (It irked those the most that didn't learn to speak the language or learn the culture. Hmmmmm). Apparently it still does today. Sometimes this PC thing can get a little too out of hand.
If I'm not mistaken, I think my Japanese wife here in America has what is known as an.......... "Alien Registration Card". Ahem. Does that mean she is from another planet??? or are "Illegal Aliens" here in the states from other galaxies? Just wondering?
I use the avatar as I thought it would be appropriate for this site as, stated earlier, I have been called "alien" for so long by the Japanese that it has become a part of my being on this planet, so to speak. Even when I was granted permanent residence in Japan I was considered a "resident alien". So, when I slipped and told people the truth about being an alien after some drinking, they just thought I was from another country so my cover was not blown. 
