How do the Japanese really feal about U.S. citizens visiting and living in their country? From what I have read and heard is that the Japanese likes foreginers but at the same time they don't. I want to konw what the "truth" is.
Well, visiting and living are two different things. Visitors are tourists, and for the most part, the locals have to deal with them just like anyone else. I have recently heard that the vendors in the Tokyo Tsukiji fish market are upset over foreign tourists who step off the guided walkways and go behind the counters and hug fish to get their pictures taken. They pop off flash pictures during the buying and selling time, such that it is nearly impossible for buyers and sellers to see what each other is gesturing (like in stock markets).
Living in Japan. Sometimes it depends on where you live. Near a military base has got to be hard on foreigners, especially Americans, because of all the problems they draw. How much a foreigner shows respect for local rules and customs will matter, no matter where you live, but you will also find places even today that post "Japanese only" signs around Japan. Many landlords refuse to rent to foreigners (note that I am not singling out Americans) for various unsupported reasons, but this is changing.
Also I have heard that It is safe for U.S citizens and other foreginers to live in Japan. If it is safe what is all of the talk about?
Generally speaking, yes, it is very safe to live here.
I know that is if Very very very hard to find a place to live in Japan if you are a foreginer.
Here is where I will say that you are wrong. Perhaps you have had some specific experience to the contrary, but overall you are not correct. What is so hard? Please answer that so that I can respond better. For now, all I can say is that, like any other country, you need the proper visa to stay here, and it is not that hard to get for most.
I've been here almost 10 years, just in case that matters.
Blackgirls are nice wrote:
I read that if you are a foreigner that can speak Japanese almost fluently (Especially street Japanese or Japanese slang) than you will make more friends there.
Well, being able to speak fluently will obviously make communication easier, but it is not a guarantee that people will like you. In fact, some Japanese will avoid talking in Japanese around such foreigners because they don't want the foreigners to know what they are talking about.
quakerman wrote:
according to my friend who is a japanese exchange student. He says that most japanese will avoind foreigneres becaseu they cant speak good english. He says that in japan school system they learn how to read and write englihs but not speak it
Your friend is wrong. Perhaps your Japanese student never had the chance, but by and large it does happen. They study English for 6 years in JHS and SHS, and it is predominantly for reading and writing in order to pass college entrance exams. They DO learn speaking, but conversational skills are usually taught by foreign teachers, and students are not used to their style. They are used to a teacher-dominated class and not making mistakes, so they are very self-conscious about using English in spoken context. They can speak, not very well, but they are very hesistant to do so.