what is the reason for racism in Japan ?

[bexchurnside]

Again, it's all a matter of choice. We all make choices with all of the positive and negative consequences that accompany it.
Is it a perfect world? No, of course it isn't. Is Japan a perfect country? No, of course not. No such place exists.
In my opinion, 'where racism in Japan originates from' is purely academic. By the way, I am a white guy living in Japan, so I am actually speaking from experience, limited as it is. I have very little problems with racism here. I do from time to time get treated differently, but guess what? I am different. I don't see the big deal.
In terms of the Issei, there's a phenomenon here called "kikokushijo" which is exactly what you're describing. It's a real problem, to be sure. I feel for your husband, but if wishes to repatriate, he has to do so knowing the results of his choice. This problem with language is one such problem. It's not just language, either. It's cultural.
Repatriating must be the most difficult thing to do. I personally feel changed enough by Japan that if I were to repatriate to America, I can see how I would have a difficult time.
Good luck!
(And seriously, in a society like Japan, the best thing to do is change yourself before you can start to try to change others. I personally don't respect foreign people who expect Japanese people to bend to their will somehow without first trying to make a real effort to get into the Japanese mind to understand where they're coming from.)

Thank you about the Kikokushijo. I want to ask you, are the Kikokushijos and the Hakujin treated the same or different? Could you tell me how they are treated differently, and which is treated harsher, and etc., the best you can? Please write in detail.

 

[Rena]

I don't know what's the reason.

anyways...

are they really that racist? :erm: (I mean the stuff people say about em)
y/n

 

[leonmarino]

This must be the weirdest topics I've seen in a while.

So if I understand you correctly, the topic is "racism amongst Japanese youth aged 20-25"? What is the hypothesis? That all Japanese in that category are racist? And on what do you base your thoughts? On your personal encounters with racism in Japan? Is it enough data and experience to generalize for a whole nation?

☝

 

[godppgo]

Why because I am a foreigner. The long and the short of it is this. I dont look Japanese, my name is not Japanese, Heck I am not Japanese.
!

Agree with every points you brought up.

Trust me, even if you look like a Japanese, having a name resembling Japnese name, it will not help one bit(other than the blend in effect). As long as the blood flowing in your body is not 100% pure Japanese, you will never be Japanese.

 

[Nicholas0016]

No matter what color you are or race, somebody is always going to make fun of you. Aot of people just suck.

-nick-

 

[Qutiepie]

As long as the blood flowing in your body is not 100% pure Japanese, you will never be Japanese.

I think it's rooted in the concept of Nihonjiron :genji:

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

Thank you about the Kikokushijo. I want to ask you, are the Kikokushijos and the Hakujin treated the same or different? Could you tell me how they are treated differently, and which is treated harsher, and etc., the best you can? Please write in detail.

I, among several others, have begun to doubt your identity. I do not wish to respond to you any further until it is cleared up.

If you are who you say you are, let me apologize. If not, it's people like you that are making me lose interest in this forum. Thanks a lot. (That's sarcam, by the way)

 

[Mrjones]

I don't know what's the reason.
anyways...
are they really that racist? :erm: (I mean the stuff people say about em)
y/n

In my opinion most of the younger people in my prefecture are, I am not saying its like that everywhere in Japan. In Finland peopöe who say things like :"Finland belongs to Finnish people", are common signs and statemens(oneliners) of neonazi groups. Though seems to be very common here among everybody.
I made this topic so people can discuss about this, overall we should not be a shamed to discuss these difficult topics. I think its good to discuss about racism not as whole, but rather when its related to certain type of group or behaviour. I really dont think all the racism in the world is related to each others.

 

[caster51]

I made this topic so people can discuss about this, overall we should not be a shamed to discuss these difficult topics

How much do you ppl like to descuss about racism.?
sometime I feel to stop discussing about that.
The ditch of the confrontation has been only expanded.

what is the reason for racism in Japan ?

AT first, virus is not human or race.

if there is it in japan.....
It is very simple.
The body refuses the invasion of the virus.
there is a little immunity against virus.
society's antibody refuses......

It is possible to correspond to the change by the environment of outside.
However not inside.
it is natural that antibody fights againt unknown virus.

however, in some virus ,Immunity can be easily done in some measure except HIV.
The basis of Japan might disappear because the japanese does not want be like other country.
othere country is always talking " racist matters" because that exsist .
they are always fighting and making a trouble.

sometime virus use a tool of weapon " a human rights" like ADL.
we dont want it because of trouble. it makes a society destroy.

I think japanese society generous againt virus because sometimes she need Antigen because of own Evolution.

 

[Mrjones]

The body refuses the invasion of the virus.
there is a little immunity against virus.
society's antibody refuses......
It is possible to correspond to the change by the environment of outside.
However not inside.
it is natural that antibody fights againt unknown virus.
however, in some virus ,Immunity can be easily done in some measure except HIV.
The basis of Japan might disappear because the japanese does not want be like other country.
othere country is always talking " racist matters" because that exsist .
they are always fighting and making a trouble.
sometime virus use a tool of weapon " a human rights" like ADL.
we dont want it because of trouble. it makes a society destroy.
I think japanese society generous againt virus because sometimes she need Antigen because of own Evolution.

Ok I agree, lets say that people whom are older than 25 are more tolerant and accepting becouse of the maturity. That goes well with your virus theory also.

I dont understand how is it not possible to change environtment inside ? What proves that is so ?
Also I dont think virus or hiv is really the best way to compare things related to racism.

 

[Davey]

First of all, racism is every where in the world. Racism is because someone is different than the minority of the group, isn't?

Secondly, less than 1% of all people in Japan are foreigners. How can you expeced 99% to be not racist at all? I think maybe even less than 5% of all Japanese are racists... still that would be more than 5 million Japanese.

So yeah, don't care too much about it, and let it pass you by! That's my opinion.

 

[Mrjones]

Yeah, I am just discussing this thing here, becouse its really the only place where I can do that. ..Well there are other forums though.

 

[caster51]

I dont understand how is it not possible to change environtment inside

it means fighting...

 

[Goldiegirl]

Racists age 25 and younger were trained by racist parents.

 

[Mrjones]

Frankly I think that with time and good politics you can change pretty much everything inside any country.

 

[caster51]

Frankly I think that with time and good politics you can change pretty much everything inside any country

I dont think so..
that is a moral thing.
that is why USA rely on Law

you need only ostensible ?

 

[Goldiegirl]

Why does everyone foreign in Japan who has been slighted in some way feel that they have some great duty to change Japan or expect Japan to change? Really it amazes me...You go to THEIR country, live by THEIR rules or customs or quit your complaining and go HOME! Sorry, but sometimes this just makes me crazy. I get sooooo mad when foreigners come to the USA and they want to make it like their old country...if that's what you want stay at home!

 

[Mrjones]

heh, but talking about changeing something in internet forums is really not related to changing anything, just burning some steam off really.

 

[Goldiegirl]

The question should be why should Japan change for you? Maybe you need to change to better fit in with Japan.

 

[Mrjones]

Yeah yeah, so I should change becouse some people want to be racistic. Dont worry I get over it.

 

[Goldiegirl]

That's great that you can get over it, I am very glad to hear that. Sounds like you are taking a step in the right direction.

 

[Mrjones]

Yesterday was bad becouse, some college student spread out some racistic slurs to my girlfriend. I dont like, need, or deserve that...

I got drunk and post it to forums.. whatever really, its a weekend coming.

 

[Goldiegirl]

I do agree that being called names hurts. I am sorry for that. Really!

 

[gaijinalways]

Mikawa ossan posted

On the other hand, you can just accept the things are and eliminate a good part of that stress. Yes, there will still be bad days, but you will be able to keep in localized and therefore have a much easier time dealing with this stress.

I always wonder how people do this. Yes, I understand that things will not change quickly, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to make a difference and make some people more aware or aware (which to my mind is a bigger problem, as discrimination/xenophobia awareness in Japan seems low on the radar of most of the natives).

mrjones posted

Yeah yeah, so I should change becouse some people want to be racistic. Dont worry I get over it.

Yes, changing how you respond to it is important, but you have to do this in a context considering what you're comfortable with.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

I always wonder how people do this. Yes, I understand that things will not change quickly, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to make a difference and make some people more aware or aware (which to my mind is a bigger problem, as discrimination/xenophobia awareness in Japan seems low on the radar of most of the natives).

When I first started living in Japan, there were days when I just literally cried and cried in frustration. At the time, it was really my only release. I don't think there were any forums like this at the time, and I didn't have any foreign friends. All I had was myself, some American movies I would sometimes rent, and my Japanese friends.

After a certain point, I don't know. I guess I just "built character" as the saying goes.

I think part of it is, that I don't see a lot of Japanese behavior as racist at all, but rather "non-racism" for lack of a better term. Japanese people can be just as inconsiderate of each other, as well. Think about handicapped people here. Think about kikokushijo. Think about obese people. Think about burakumin (who still aparently face discrimination in certain parts).