Least discrimatory city

[Michigander87]

I have noticed most of you guys are from Japan or have been there for a number of years. There is lots of talk about racism and such, but what in your opinion are the least discrimatory cities within Japan? Not just social wise but business/housing as well.

 

[Glenski]

Haven't had a problem in Sapporo since I came in '98. There are lots of foreigners around, and it is very close to Otaru, where the infamous bathhouse incident took place, but I'm not talking about there.

A lot of times, discrimination is in the eye of the beholder. That means two things:

1) How willing is someone to accept what they see as discrimination -- blatant or otherwise? Some people on this forum have said they don't care if they are banned from a shop or bar, whereas others really hate such a thing.

2) How blatant is it? That is, are you facing a "no foreigners" sign, or is it more subtle, such as in hiring practices?

 

[Mike Cash]

Oh, trust me, Glenski.....there's nothing subtle about it when it comes to hiring practices. I've faced that more times than I care to recall and it has always been about as subtle as a circus poster.

 

[Michigander87]

What ward in Sapporo are you in, or are all wards basicly the same?

 

[Mike Cash]

You're way overthinking all this stuff, OP.

If you're a white guy coming over here to be an English teacher, discrimination is not something you have to give much thought to at all.

 

[Michigander87]

That's a relief, it just seems everyother post has a story or warning of racism in all parts of Japan.. Just digging for a little insight makes me paranoid

 

[Mike Cash]

That's because for most of them it's the first time in their life they've been on the receiving end and they love to sensationalize and horriblize it.

People also tend to forget that what they write is mostly read by people with no personal experience to provide an informed and balanced context for considering the stories. Naturally, people come away with an inaccurate and skewed perception of what reality must be like.

And, as I mentioned in another of your threads, the people who ***** and whine the most about being noticed as a foreigner or being treated as a foreigner by and large tend to be the people whose sole reason for being able to come here, remain here, and make a living here in the first place is entirely centered around the fact that they are foreigners. I have always found it bizarre that people who pimp out their foreignness for their daily bread then take offense at having their foreignness noticed. It's like women who hang out about a yard and a half of cleavage in the wind then get in a huff when someone looks at it.

 

[Iron Chef]

I have always found it bizarre that people who pimp out their foreignness for their daily bread then take offense at having their foreignness noticed.

lol couldn't agree more.

To the OP: I've lived in Sapporo, Nagoya, and now Fukuoka and I can honestly say I don't think of any one area to be more discriminatory than any other. It's like Glenski said, it's all relative to what you as an individual take offense at or consider to be a sensitive issue. My advice is just take it all in stride and try not to overanalyze the situation even when you think you've been affronted. How's that saying go... "Like water off a duck's back" or something. You'll have more fun that way if you worry less about what people think about/of you and just do your thing.

 

[diceke]

And, as I mentioned in another of your threads, the people who ***** and whine the most about being noticed as a foreigner or being treated as a foreigner by and large tend to be the people whose sole reason for being able to come here, remain here, and make a living here in the first place is entirely centered around the fact that they are foreigners. I have always found it bizarre that people who pimp out their foreignness for their daily bread then take offense at having their foreignness noticed. It's like women who hang out about a yard and a half of cleavage in the wind then get in a huff when someone looks at it.

Well-said!

 

[Michigander87]

Thanks for your input guys! Much appreciated!

 

[Glenski]

What ward in Sapporo are you in, or are all wards basicly the same?

I used to live in Oasa, Atsubetsu, and Kiyota sections of Sapporo. I'm still on Hokkaido , but no longer in Sapporo.

 

[gaijinalways]

Hmm, I guess it means you haven't been fired or made redundant because of it Mike. I think in that case you might have noticed it more, especially in the pocketbook.

It kind of depends, seeing filapina bars with signs that say 'No foreigners' does seem a bit strange.

 

[Mike Cash]

Hmm, I guess it means you haven't been fired or made redundant because of it Mike. I think in that case you might have noticed it more, especially in the pocketbook

I have caught it on the other end more than you would believe. I have been refused employment based on being a foreigner, despite industry qualifications and experience....and had the reason for refusal clearly stated to me in no uncertain terms. And there have been many times I was even refused a job interview on the same basis and with the same clarity.

It kind of depends, seeing filipina bars with signs that say 'No foreigners' does seem a bit strange.

Actually, the reason for that is very easy to guess with a little thought.