Creepy crawlies comin’ out o’ the woods
Two days ago: I get up from my train seat motioning to get off and the man standing in front of me, grasping a dangling handle, won’t budge. I duck under his arm and swing around to his right, but the door is to his left so now I must walk behind him. It’s a bit crowded, but now that there’s an open seat in front of him, he can move forward. Instead, he takes a step back, blocking my exit. Train bell starts ringing, warning passengers the doors are about to close. I nudge him forward and take a step towards the door, when something catches my foot. I angle my feet to let loose whatever has snagged, but it moves with me and I soon realize there’s a foot out in front of me, ostensibly trying to trip me. I assume this must be an accident, and I try to shake around it. Instead, the foot sticks out further – and it’s now clear who’s foot this is. It belongs to the passenger who was standing in front of me when I was seated – he’s now stretching his foot backwards to try and trip me on my way out the door!
This morning: I’m walking along the train platform waiting for the train when a short Japanese woman walking in the opposite direction, wearing a cough mask, and probably in her 60s starts shaking her hands at me, making cross and ‘x’ motions. I thought she was practicing her conducting skills. Minutes later she’s walking towards me, this time staring right at me doing the same motions – and this time she’s mumbling something and making curse-like motions.
Two weeks ago some anti-foreigner / Japanese racism news caused a bit of a stir. I hope – I truly hope – these annoying acts were just coincidences. But I can’t shake the feeling there’s a connection here, because in my 13+ years of living on this island, I’ve never experienced such racism before.
Update: I’ve been Dugg. Gen has a post. Shin does too.
By the way, artistically challenged and own a Wii? Check out MiiStation!
February 22nd, 2007 at 4:18 pm
That is creepy as hell. I was out with Nicho the other day (actually a couple days ago) when a Japanese gentleman started harassing him as we were checking at the register telling us to “hurry the hell up” even though he arrived there like 5 seconds ago. Nicho wouldn’t put up with it and started chewing him out. I think there’s some trouble brewing deep inside Japan.
February 23rd, 2007 at 10:04 am
Well, we didn’t do them any favors in WWII (could be why the 60+ year old was trying to hex you, she would have grown up in that mess) and our current war makes us look very bad. Just some thoughts on where they are coming from. While it may such, retaliating won’t win them over. Just my 2 cents.
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:21 am
Perhaps it was just that these two weren’t the most sane of individuals on the Metro on those two days. I highly doubt that it was racism, being a black American and having visited Japan (Kyoto and Nagoya) I was received extremely well by everyone that I encountered. These two may have just been your run of the mill nut-jobs that you meet in any large city.
Or I could be wrong …
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:30 am
are you nuts? Japan is one of the most racist countries I’ve ever been to. maybe your just waking up!
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:44 am
Let’s also jump to the conclusion that the Japanese people are enriching uranium for nuclear weapons.
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:56 am
maybe these incidents are just a surface scratch of the seemingly ever-growing incivility towards others in this world. i suspect you could be geographically anywhere
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:58 am
So I was in Japan in 2004 and I travelled a bit around the southern part of the island. I was completely caught off guard by the intentional kindness of the people. For instance, when I had no idea how to get to a trainstation and asked a lady in a shop, she took my arm and walked with me for about two minutes and dropped me off right at the trainstation.
I also saw the ugly side that you allude to when a man barked at me on the subway when I accidently nudged his leg with my foot.
Long story short, it has to do with honor. Honor in a sense that very few people understand outside of Japan, and I think the country of Japan is going through a lot of changes and this racism is a bit of an uncomfortable growing pain. I think that the Japanese are maybe the most honorable and respectable ethnicity or race or country or whatever you want to call it, and to think that the country will all of a sudden turn racist is pretty reactionary. They have been a completely homogenious island for thousands of years and any foriegners will innately cause wonder and suspension and with that comes with fear. All in all, the spike of racism you speak of may be a slight shift in national consciousness that will go away with time. I hope.
February 23rd, 2007 at 12:15 pm
“Well, we didn’t do them any favors in WWII (could be why the 60+ year old was trying to hex you, she would have grown up in that mess) and our current war makes us look very bad. Just some thoughts on where they are coming from. While it may such, retaliating won’t win them over. Just my 2 cents.”
We didn’t do them any favors???? Who did what to who!! Does Pearl Harbor ring a bell?
They deserved every little thing they got from us after what they did.
February 23rd, 2007 at 12:18 pm
as if the older woman could automatically tell he was american…….you’re the winner sherlock
February 23rd, 2007 at 12:51 pm
I was born in Korea and now I live in the States. I have been living in the States for 20 years now. But, I constantly witnessed racism since the day one; both directed to me and directed to other ethnic mimority. It’s sad to see that some Asian countries are catching up with other so-called civilized nations in terms of how they treat “outsiders.”
February 23rd, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Are you an idiot, of course we did them favors after WWII. The only reason they’re a leading industrialized country rather than a barely emerging one is the help the west gave it.
February 23rd, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Remember Pearl Harbor? We didn’t exactly bomb them for no reason. But I agree our image from the war in Iraq and the middle east makes us look bad. I hope this doesn’t grow too much and affect Japan’s tourism.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:08 pm
No kidding. I was currently in japan for about 6 monthes. I thought it would be nice to get out of the US and see another country. What a load, I was X’d out of many shops, restraunts, and bars. All this just because I am an american. Screw Japan.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:10 pm
You are the white devil, that’s why. heh. Seriously, though, that sucks.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Sounds typical. I lived in Osaka for almost two years and something like that would happen to me every couple of weeks. I’ve been hit with walking canes, I’ve had parents pull their children away from me, I’ve been knocked down several times, and I’ve been harassed by Japanese Nationalist. I can’t believe this hasn’t happened to you more often.
At least your not a woman. My wife had numerous men trying to convince her to go to love hotels. When she turned them down they would often get loud and threatening.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:23 pm
It’s funny that those two things are notable in Tokyo. In San Francisco, that happens all the time to everybody!
These are two incidents, but are there any indicators that they are racist?
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:28 pm
“Well, we didn’t do them any favors in WWII…” Uhm, no I don’t suppose we did. However, who in their right mind would have expected us to?
That is like saying, “You know that serial killer/rapist that attacked us, their neighbors and everyone else around them? Well, when we finally managed to fend him off and then subdue him he apparently didn’t feel we did him any favors”.
The Japanese have always had an unusually virulent undercurrent of racism (towards anyone not Japanese… not just this group or that group) flowing through their society and while that undercurrent has spent the past few decades well out of sight, it has been making a slow but steady comeback over the past decade or so. Hopefully it will remain strongest only with a minority of people but if history is any indicator I suspect it will only grow stronger in the years to come.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Yankeesnt
your an idiot. noom
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Japan is racist as hell, and if you don’t know that, you haven’t been here long enough. To the black-American Jared that posted… Blacks get racism worse than whites in this country by a lot. Japanese bought heavily into the racist and anti-semitic ideologies produced in the west and still hold on to them a fair bit (a common idea here is that the violence in America is a result of all the black and Hispanic people living there). the Japanese are not, for the most part, bad people. they ARE ignorant as any middle American who’s never met a Black or Jewish person before. don’t take their crap, don’t accept it saying, “well we gave them a hard time in WWII”.
Also, to Yankeesnt, the amount of anti-Korean racism in this country is insane. There are people of Korean descent whose families have been living in Japan for 3 or 4 generations that have yet to gain citizenship. The US, while FAR from being a racism-free nation, is about 50 years ahead of Japan in both minority and women’s rights.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Stop your whining, it’s not like American media is any fairer. When you start seeing random foreigner being killed then you can start complaining.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:33 pm
In my limited experience with Japanese culture (three weeks spread across Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, plus some time on Oahu), I’ve been the target of mild but obvious racism several times. In Oahu, in a Japanese family restaurant a few blocks off the main drag, we ordered the same breakfast as the Japanese family next to us. When they arrived, ours was about half the size of the other family’s. Taking the Shinkasen from Kyoto to Tokyo, I was obviously shunned; the whole car was full, but nobody sat on the seats adjacent to me.
On the whole, much nicer than being a black in the American south, but still….
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:34 pm
I should probably add that these incidents were in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s; this stuff isn’t new.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:37 pm
i’m sorry your colonial sense of entitlement has been threatened. i shall play the worlds smallest violin just for you.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:37 pm
All of you guys are wrong. America is one of the most prejudice countries in existence. You were discriminated against by a Japanese. Wow!!! Let’s give you a treat. Many minorities in the states experience racism by Anglos, and let me tell you. I feel no pity for your experience. It is natural and for this to be found on digg is ridiculous. Now, try and not be prejudice against any Latins, Asians. Blacks, or anyone else. You can’t right. I’ve proven my point, in the land of the free and the brave… I am discriminated against often, yet I accept it, why because people are ignorant and condescending.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:50 pm
I think Pearl Harbour and the bombing of Hiroshima are drastically different events.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:53 pm
damn you guys are dumb. seriously. dumb. also, equating starting a war with devestating a country after it’s defeated is preeeeeetty shortsighted. everybody is prejudiced, i mean come on. i hate dumb people, so i’m prejudiced against them. i think they’re useless. i see dumb people…they’re everywhere.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:55 pm
What happened to the Japanese at the hands of the Americans and Canadians during WWII was ridiculous. It should never have happened, regardless of whether they bombed a harbour or not. What did the innocent citizens just trying to make a living do that warranted being gathered up, ship off to some Hitler-esque death camp and having all of their possessions and property confiscated. Even little things like a doll from Japan would be stolen from a mere child born in the new country. Oddly enough, nobody treated the Germans in this way. Guess it pays to have a different colour of skin when the powers that be need someone to point a finger at.
As for what has happened to you in Japan, you are not to blame for anything that anyone other than you do, do not take such crap from these people. They have some messed up sense of honor, how about not criminalizing innocent people for crimes they did not commit. Unless you happen to be the guy that raided there house 40 years ago, or just got back from Iraq raping innocent 14 year old Iraqi girls then you do not deserve such actions against you, and not speaking up for yourself is admitting crimes you did not commit.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:57 pm
haha whoops, nothing like calling everybody dumb then misspelling devastating. i love you guys, you all make me feel good about myself.
February 23rd, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Maybe if you could speak Japanese, you’d know what was going on.
I’m a white dude and I live in Tokyo as well, by the way.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:01 pm
It doesn’t matter if you were in Japan, USA, Russia or South Africa. You were challenged by a stranger. You allowed it to happen. Deal with it pal.
Next time stand up for yourself.
As far as the old lady, that’s just funny. You should have got a video of that one!
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I live in Thailand but know Japan well. A couple of facts
99.5% of Japanese citizens are pure japanese. They don’t allow citizenship to non pure bloods. Why because they don’t believe in equality or integration. This is a common theme in most Asian countries. Nationalistic beliefs and culture trump equality and inclusion.
In WW2 Japan was responsible for about 30 million deaths through out Asia. Nearly 20 million chinese alone. They did have it coming and wasn’t just about Pearl Harbor.
Racism is not a “Western” disease and existed in full strength long before America was even born.
Having said that most Asian people in countries from Thailand to Korea are normal people who are kind and compassionate. Sure some are nasty but in general Asians tend to be non confrontational. So even if they do think you are the “white devil” they will usually be kind to you in person. Causing someone to lose face in Asia is cause for a killing so they generally let you preserve your appearance.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I find this both surprising and not at the same time. Human nature doesn’t surprise me, but I just spent 3 months in Osaka, and not once did anything so overt happen to me. The only thing I really noticed was that the guys who hand out Pachinko flyers would usually turn their backs when I came by…but I don’t play pachinko.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:04 pm
@ spidey: what the hell kind of logic is this: “Now, try and not be prejudice against any Latins, Asians. Blacks, or anyone else. You can’t right. I’ve proven my point.”
No, you didn’t prove your point. I’m white, my best friend is black, and I have many asian friends and a few hispanic friends as well. I consider myself to be accepting of all other races and ethnicities, and I am definetely NOT a racist.
Not everyone is a racist, just a few ignorant ass people that don’t deserve to live in this great country. Racism is not something that should be accepted, it shouldnt be tolerated, and when it happens, it should be spoken out against.
The japanese are a little bit different because one of the ideas in their country like another poster said is that they’re anti-everyone-thats-not-japanese. although its improved quite a bit that ideal that runs through their society to a certain degree.
my 2 cents
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:09 pm
I lived in Nagoya, Japan for 8 years – if this is the first time that you’ve experienced racism there I would say that it is a miricle that you haven’t noticed sooner! I had several experiences with taxis that would not take me because I was a foreigner even though I speak Japanese. I was assaulted on a train by a “chikan” and when reported was asked why was I on the train so late. Restaurants that would say that they were full with only two customers inside, no one willing to sit next to you on the subway…the list goes on. But, inasmuch as you can’t stop it – you can start by making them aware that you are a Gaikokojin (person from outside country) and NOT a gaijin (outsider). I have lived all over the world and Japan was the worst with their blatant racism.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Japanese’ mentality mentioned above comes from the sense of inferiority. And in a lot of cases, the sense has roots in the consciousness of the lack of ability to speak international language, that is English.
I’m Japanese.
I’ll be pleased if you, non-Japanese, know the two cases are just extreme examples.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Japan is a very peculiar country. It may appear to us that they are racist. And that may be true. I understand it a bit differently, albeit, that understanding is not much better.
The Japanese are very homogenious. They are one very big family. Their gene pool is not very diverse. In that they are very close nit. Their national pride is big (probably only outdone in asia by the Koreans). Piss one off and you are likely to have a mob.
Their culture defines a system of walls. That is a wall between what they think and what is socially acceptable to portray. On the inside a Japanese person may have many reservations about a westerner. But their outward behavior will be very friendly. That is what is expected of them in society. In other words they are very good at biting their lip for the greater good of getting along.
They have been moving away from a group based culture for some time now. This is deminishing the hard and fast definitions of what is expected behavior in society. Another way to look at this is their stucture is crumbling and shifting. What they once could rely on is no so anymore. That is like pulling the rug out from under you. This will just exacerbate the problem. Nothing like a little confusion.
For the most part you do not see many problems when interacting with them. I saw only very little when I was there. But that was over 10 years ago. Current events can stir the pot. All it takes is the rape of a young Japanese girl by a GI. No doubt, the propaganda on the Iraq situation is rehashing new/old feelings. Years of abuse by us and the constant kissing up that most Japanese do to foreigners just might be taking its toll on them.
The Japanese have clear boundaries between them and foreigners. As long as you stay in your corner everything will go OK. But all it takes is for you to lose honor in their eyes is for you to step out. Something we Americans do so very well. All you have to do is get a Japanese girlfriend, read Japanese porn on a train, meet 60+ old lady who had a granddaughter who got pregnent by a GI who raped her, meet a man on the train who is pissed because he lost his job to an American, or even get really good at the Japanese language. The closer you get to the Japanese the more likely you are going to get resistance. They would rather you stay a cute stupid american that they can treat like a lost puppy.
Also, keep in mind most Japanese do not learn about the real reason we bombed them in WWII. They learn that Japan was expanding in great success. Then the US came and dropped the bombs to end all that. I knew a Japanese girl that nearly had a breakdown when she learned the truth.
Now, you think this is bad. There are thousands of Americans that are racist beyond belief. My wife is Korean and gets it all the time. There are thousands of ticked off Americans who lost jobs to Japanese electronic or automobile manufacturers. Yeah. That’s right. They blame the Japanese because they do it better. I guess we are all human.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Yeah, Enrique ur retarded Japan is NOT enriching uranium for nukes, i mean for fucks sake they DON’T HAVE A FUCKING MILITARY they have a police thats all, they got rid of military after WWII and became and completely neutral nation friendly (Not the individual people just the country’s status) to everyone
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:18 pm
I think it’s important to note that in America, discrimination based on race is a crime, defined by the 1964 Civil Rights Act, whereas in Japan, no such law exists. Gaizin being turned away at restaurants, shops, and especially public baths is an ongoing problem that would be solved by a similar civil rights law in Japan.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Hmmm…..I just love the comments that certainly imply that this is somehow America’s fault. Just like everything else is America’s fault. For those who fell asleep in History class a brief review might be in order. Going back to the early 1900’s:
1. Japan invades China. This occurs during the 1930’s before the outbreak of the second Sino-Japanese war in 1937. This includes the infamous “Rape of Nanjing”. For those of you who haven’t even heard of this… From wikipedia:
The Nanking massacre, commonly known as “The Rape of Nanking,” is an infamous war crime incident committed by the Japanese military carried out by Japanese troops in and around Nanjing (then known in English as Nanking), China, after it fell to the Imperial Japanese Army on December 13, 1937. The duration of the massacre is not clearly defined, although the period of carnage lasted well into the next six weeks, until early February 1938.
During the occupation of Nanjing, the Japanese army committed numerous atrocities, such as rape, looting, arson and the execution of prisoners of war and civilians. Although the executions began under the pretext of eliminating Chinese soldiers disguised as civilians, a large number of innocent men were intentionally identified as enemy combatants and killed, or simply killed in any event as the massacre gathered momentum. A large number of women and children were also killed, as rape and murder became more widespread.
The extent of the atrocities is hotly debated between China and Japan, with numbers[1] ranging from some Japanese claims of several hundred,[2] to the Chinese claim of a non-combatant death toll of 300,000[3]. A number of Japanese researchers consider 100,000 – 200,000 to be an approximate value.[4] Other nations usually believe the death toll to be between 150,000 – 300,000.[5] This number was first promulgated in January of 1938 by Harold Timperly, a journalist in China during the Japanese invasion, based on reports from contemporary eyewitnesses. Many other sources, including Iris Chang’s commercially-successful The Rape of Nanking, also promote 300,000 as the death toll…
From every reliable account the killing of innocent civilians was more than 100,000. and THE JAPANESE HAVE NEVER EVER OFFICIALLY APOLOGIZED!!!! Fast forward to December 7, 1941. The United States was attacked unprovoked. You might argue that the US should not have dropped the atomic bombs on Japan, however it kept the US from having to invade the Japanese islands. Roughly 200,000 people died from the effects of the bombs. If the invasion had taken place many more people would have died. Again from wikipedia:
Casualty predictions varied widely, but were extremely high for both sides: depending on the degree to which Japanese civilians resisted the invasion, estimates ran into the millions for American casualties and the tens of millions for Japanese casualties
So, as terrible a decision as it was, it saved lives on both sides in the end. Not only that, but the US rebuild Japan (and Europe for that matter) after all this was done. Ever hear of the Marshall plan?
So you can take the anti-Americanism and shove it somewhere unpleasant. I am honestly tired of people disparaging anything American after everything that the America has done for the world in the last 100 years.
And before you think I am some naive, backwards American “hick” – I have been to both Japan and China. Several times actually. And yes, there is racism here in the U.S. I would say it is one of the major problems we face. The problem with racism in general is that it is a individual choice. Usually it is developed through the teaching of parents. I don’t even have an answer. Maybe I just needed to get on my soap-box.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:20 pm
japan is the most racist country? try going to a white church in lousiana if yer not white.
White people are the worst. White people have murdered millions of other races. Straight MURDERED. ask aborigines, ask indians, ask jews, ask blacks, ask asians. read history. Whites are like cancer
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Discrimination will always be a exist as long as people find differences between themselves and others. To have or create conflict, whether intentional or not, is human.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Discrimination will always exist. That’s what I meant to type.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:34 pm
I live in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. If I ride a bike in cycling gear, some Mexican laborer men hoot and say I’m gay when I’m riding down the street. I’m not homosexual at all. But didn’t you know this happened in Japan, because the U.S. said Japan should apologize/acknowledge for forcing the comfort women to be prostitutes. Mongolia is much better than Japan in this respect. Mongolian free lifestyle is more like American lifestyle, and in some ways the most European Asian country. Puffy Amiyumi is cute, but Mongolian music is much better than Japanese music.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:34 pm
I have travelled the world, been to Japan, China South East Asia and beyond lived in Europe, had child years in Devon – In all my years the two countries that get all the problem is the US and Australia – two countries with no history and full of bigoted people.
America gets a hard time because it just can not keep it’s nose out of other peoples business. A country that bombs its own people, drugs it’s own people and lies to the world. American Government worlds no 1 terrorist.
Australia is becoming not much better, with it’s weak government and lack of any real backbone. Racism is wrong and you should not of experienced what you did. Go to Europe and discover what is to be in a multicultural environment
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Dude, what we did to them in WWII? Look up the Rape of Nanking, the Manila Massacre, and many other assorted atrocities committed by the Japanese military in WWII, and tell me if we did something wrong! I’m a filipino american with a filipina girlfriend, and when she went to japan, the japanese all assume she was a bargirl! Racism in action!
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:45 pm
[...] M@Blog writes about some recent racist actions that were directed to him while on the train. Read about it here. It think it’s kind of extreme but probably something in the media has flared up the less-than-friendly Japanese to cause this. Some of the comments are interesting, pointing out that most places are racists or fascist (USA being one, towards Asians) in one way or another. [...]
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:47 pm
This entry is hilarious. Welcome to reality…people are racist. I suppose it’s a good thing that you at least know what it feels like to be singled out and attacked just because of your skin color. The next time a white person crosses the street just because I’m walking towards them I’ll think of this entry.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
The blog would certainly be a lot more meaningful if the person identified their ethnicity/race. Am I to assume they are White?
February 23rd, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Its probably all those damn Ninjas, and they’re Bushido nonsense
February 23rd, 2007 at 3:11 pm
@ old man,
you are the biggest loser. eat shit and die, dickhead!
February 23rd, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Chad, get off your high horse. Latinos do not consider themselves “hispanics”. That term is derogatory because it was used by Nixon as a way to describe Latinos in order to make them sound white. That is such a nasty-sounding word. Please refrain from using that word. Descendants of the Europeans are of the worse kind because even though they constitute about 20% of the world population, they have cause the most destruction with their white plight and colonialism antics/mision civilastrice. I stated my point, because… We are all prejudice, once we assume or believe any stereotype, we ahve succumbed to it. So grow up.
I’ve experienced prejudice first hand because I had a Korean gf by her parents. It happens all of the time, I get stared down by Anglos frequently, yet I muster up the strength and put it aside. Life is too short to holda grudge against someone who is misinformed.
Chad!!!!! GTFO!
February 23rd, 2007 at 3:23 pm
You must be wearing something wrong, or doing something wrong. Or perhaps the two people you encountered were two people that either remember the war, or dislike what foreigners are doing to tamper in asian politics, or world politics.
It may be moral disgust, or cultural, or simply the fact that the history of Japanese prejudice has been well documented and present throughout its entire history. Foreigners, all foreigners, are looked down upon. This is pretty much identical in China. And it’s no different in the US. There’s just as much racism in the US and the western world. Anti-semitism is on the rise in Europe, there is blatant anti-muslim sentiments in the western world.
Maybe you just haven’t considered that racism may be far more prevalent than you thought? Most people keep it to themselves, but when pushed may very well show it.
February 23rd, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Could it be that these particular Japanese people just don’t like YOU? I’m guessing that any women who turn down your pickup lines must also be lesbians right? You’ve lived a pretty sheltered life if this is the first someone picked on you. Racism exists everywhere, quit freaking out and move on.
February 23rd, 2007 at 4:03 pm
WWII Prisoners of war were used as slave labor in Japan by companies we all know well today. My great uncle has plenty of horror stories to share about Mitsubishi. The US let Japan off easy after Imperial Japan fell. Japan has been allowed to rewrite its own history too.
And for those that just love, love, love those Japanese video games: Why is it that so many of our favorites refuse to bother learning even the most common English terms? Simple: It’s beneath them.
America is guilty of quite a lot.. I’ve seen my share of racism all over the 40+ states I’ve traveled through (though not where you’d expect), but don’t go blindly into black and white views of the world. Not everyone in America is stupid, racist, evil or horrible. Same goes for Japan.. but neither is overflowing with saints either. Imperial Japan was bad, bad, bad and modern Japan should not be allowed to rewrite the past.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_731
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_war_crimes
http://www.guardian.co.uk/elsewhere/journalist/story/0,7792,1338296,00.html
February 23rd, 2007 at 4:20 pm
We didn’t do them any favors???? Who did what to who!! Does Pearl Harbor ring a bell?
They deserved every little thing they got from us after what they did.
Based on this assumption and all the US wars of aggression in the last 60 years … I’d say its time to nuke New York and LA …
February 23rd, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Roughly 200,000 people died from the effects of the bombs. If the invasion had taken place many more people would have died. Again from wikipedia:
Casualty predictions varied widely, but were extremely high for both sides: depending on the degree to which Japanese civilians resisted the invasion, estimates ran into the millions for American casualties and the tens of millions for Japanese casualties
So, as terrible a decision as it was, it saved lives on both sides in the end. Not only that, but the US rebuild Japan (and Europe for that matter) after all this was done. Ever hear of the Marshall plan?
Lets switch that … you know, most of the sane world, even within your “Allies”, carry a grunge against the US of A…
Roughly 20,000,000 people will die from the effects of the bombs. If the invasion (of the US Mainland) will take place many more people will die. Again from wikipedia:
Casualty predictions vary widely, but are extremely high for both sides: depending on the degree to which American civilians resist the invasion, estimates run into the millions for Western casualties and the tens of millions for American casualties
So, as terrible a decision as it will be, it’ll save lives on both sides in the end. Not only that, but the Western World will rebuild the USA after all this will be done. Ever hear of the Merkel plan?
… Would a future like that be OK for you?
February 23rd, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Japan is a big country like the US, and I’m hypothesizing that this racism is probably more prevalent in certain places. This is sort of like when people say the South is a place your more likely to encounter racism. What I’m saying is that in Tokyo perhaps the racism is less likely to happen since it’s more tourist-y and westernized.
To be honest, I’m sort of this disappointed that this is such a problem, but it’s not entirely surprising. When my mother(Hispanic) and father(Caucasian) were in Mexico, a cab driver refused to carry my father. Of course, this pissed off my mom. Another incident like this occurred when my mom was in the Mexico City airport and this woman got pissed at her because I didn’t speak Spanish.
February 23rd, 2007 at 4:49 pm
As a brown person I experience racism on a daily basis in the USofA.
Why cant Jap’s be racist if Americans are?
February 23rd, 2007 at 4:54 pm
“White people are the worst. White people have murdered millions of other races. Straight MURDERED. ask aborigines, ask indians, ask jews, ask blacks, ask asians. read history. Whites are like cancer”
Do you — not see the irony in this paragraph? I mean … seriously.
February 23rd, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Hey,
I’m in college with several Japanese kids. Some are friendly, others are rude. I ask when they’re rude what’s wrong and this changes things quickly. So instead of keeping hush…I’ll ask “Why are you so snappy?” “Why are you so upset”…etc…
This usually changes their disposition quick. It is a way to point out a mistake and show concern and at the same time may be remedy what ever is upsetting them. There was one Japanese student that was always super rude to me and generally sour here in America. I asked his friend why. The next day he was much more pleasant and has been since.
I know that the Japanese man in general can be VERY rude. However they can also be very kind. I suppose it depends on the person.
February 23rd, 2007 at 5:22 pm
WHAT? Ive never been to japan but I have a pretty good understanding of their culture from watching FF Tokyo drift. We’re cool with them. No but really i like them I drive their cars. If I was over there getting harrassed I would just smile and make a big bomb motion with my hands and arms. and sounds. I love japan and their culture but they did some pretty heinous stuff to the chinese ppl and american soldiers. that and pearl harbor.
February 23rd, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Racist is Racist that ….. stop whining the world is a very discriminate place
February 23rd, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Racist is a strong word. The treatment he has got here is obviously abhorrent, but to denigrate the whole country on a couple of incidents is rather unfair.
My experience of Japan has been the utter confirmation of the idea of the gaijin and the idea of the Japanese as thoroughly distinct entities in the mind of the average Japanese. This results ordinarily in unbelievable levels of hospitality and kindness towards foreigners (as noted by some forumites). But that essential perceived difference that propels the kindness in most cases can also propel antagonism. It is definitely a far more nationalistic country than any other I have visited.
BUT racist in this case implies perceived Japanese superiority over other races, whereas the truth is usually closer to perceived Japanese difference. In fact, most Japanese are far too critical of themselves in comparison to Westerners and western culture.
February 23rd, 2007 at 5:52 pm
My wife and I were in Tokyo in Spring 2005. We were there for almost 2 weeks and had a great time. The typical person on the street was not very “friendly” by an American’s more outgoing standards, but for them it is normal. All of the waitresses and store clerks were very friendly, and we really missed the service and cleanliness of tokyo when we came back home to LA. As we’d heard, we witnessed that Japanese strangers don’t talk to each other on trains there. We heard a few people referring to “gaijin” behind our backs, but it seemed more in innocent curiosity than racism (and I’m sure they assumed we didn’t understand anyway).
As for the comments on Pearl Harbor and Nanking, there’s one problem. Unfortunately there is a huge disconnect between what a military decides to do, and what the people back home are in favor of, or are even aware of. No government gives citizens a line-item vote on what to do in a war, either you support it, or you get called a traitor. Same here, same there.
To this day many of them probably don’t know fully about their nation’s actions abroad during the war. Their textbooks certainly don’t spell it out. And even those that do know, may not feel responsible, since most of them were not yet born, and would never have had any resprtto stop it even if they were. Should today’s New Yorker’s feel personally ashamed for the Union army’s looting of the south during the Civil War? Were your grandparents given a vote on whether to nuke Hiroshima? Of course not, and neither were the Japanese public consulted before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It’s a double-edged sword, and you can’t have it both ways.
February 23rd, 2007 at 6:07 pm
I wouldn’t be so quick to judge europe as being so multicultural. They are tolerant, but mostly only to those in europe. I’ve heard of people getting much racism in Germany and England. Pretty much, wherever you go, you will get people who are ignorant. It’s hard to find a place where you will be universally accepted. Even in the U.S. People of different religions or lifestyles are discriminated against. I am not white, and have experienced racism being expressed first hand very openly in the States. However, the best thing to do, i believe, is just stand up for yourself and show these people that they have not judged you correctly. Only then, can we teach people not to judge us on first impressions alone. People can be changed, no matter how set in their ways they are. It just takes, sadly, a really long time.
February 23rd, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Come on, it not like the Japanese illegally abducted you and tortured you.
February 23rd, 2007 at 6:24 pm
a dose of the whitemans own medicine perhaps?
February 23rd, 2007 at 6:40 pm
“neuralzen
February 23rd, 2007 at 10:04 am
Well, we didn’t do them any favors in WWII (could be why the 60+ year old was trying to hex you, she would have grown up in that mess) and our current war makes us look very bad. Just some thoughts on where they are coming from. While it may such, retaliating won’t win them over. Just my 2 cents.”
You’re an idiot. I mean, that is the dumbest thing any human being has ever said in the history of all mankind. Take your 2¢ back.
February 23rd, 2007 at 6:59 pm
What if it had been another American that did it? Would you have concluded that all Americans are jerks? Or would you have realized that it was just one guy?
This may come as a surprise but there are good and bad people everywhere.
The vast majority of the Japanese on the train that day did *not* trip you.
And as for all the finger pointing on historical crimes, very few people in any country even know the kinds of things their governments do, let alone have any control over it. Blaming people for things that happened before they were even born is pure propaganda and can only make relations worse, not better.
February 23rd, 2007 at 7:20 pm
You know why the Japanese and Americans are starting to get into each other’s nerves? Two sides of the same coin. Times have changed after you gullibly allowed your arrogant president a second term. Who appointed you to be the guardians of the world, anyway? The only legitimate reason for America’s police power is WMD. India, Pakistan, Korea, Iran, and now Japan have awaken to this reality and now demand to not be policed around by virtue of having the same kind of WMD themselves. We are just waiting for the Bush counterparts in these countries before we see a real FRYDAY.
February 23rd, 2007 at 7:23 pm
For those talking of bombs and favours… if you knew your history, you’d know that Pearl Harbour wasn’t a case of Japan randomly making an attack against the US for no reason. Putting it in perspective… Japan attacks a military base, the US drops TWO of the most dangerous and disgusting weapons ever made on civilian cities – the decision to do so was based on the fact that the US really *wanted* to test these weapons and find out how they effect the people being dropped on. I’d say that’s a good reason to be unhappy with America.
Lets add to that the current situation of US bases in Japan where there have been complaint after complaint of rapes, drunken violence and general disruption. What happend when Japan got the US to remove some of the troops (which btw Japan is made to pay for and feed in most cases)? Japan was made to foot a lot of the bill to fly these troops back to the US!
Sorry if some people don’t like me saying it, but the US have been utterly shameful in the treatment of Japan. Yes some good things have come of it, but that doesn’t excuse anything.
If some one bullies you for years and years, tormenting and hurting you, and as a result you get strong and thick-skinned, do you turn around and thank the bully? No, you kick him in the face and move on.
February 23rd, 2007 at 7:46 pm
NO one should have to go through racism or discrimination, but sadly you’re facing the effects of your countries historical decisions to drop an A-bomb. It’s not fair, but at least you now have a better understanding of racism..if everyone could at some point experience what you have – the problem would stop itself.
Japan is a weird place, on the one hand it seems like they’re accepting of North Americans and yet on the other hand, they’re are subtle signs of disdain and anger against the West (see Hiroshima peace park, it would be unwise to advertise your American patriotism obviously). You’ll always be a gaijan for the most part in Japan.
February 23rd, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Anyone forgetting about the black ships. That came way before pearl harbour.
February 23rd, 2007 at 7:49 pm
I find it hard to believe that you’ve lived in Japan for 13 years and just now are seeing racism in the country. Not only does Japan have Japanese-only bars, nightclubs, and restaraunts with signs in English that no foreigners are allowed, but they have the utmost contempt for the Koreans, the Chinese, the Americans, the Europeans, etc. I seem to remember that ‘gaijin’ literally means ‘barbarian’.
A friend of mine who is Japanese-American, looks completely Japanese and speaks Japanese fluently moved to Tokyo to work as a typical salaryman. He had to leave after a year because he was treated with such contempt for not being Japanese.
Japan is a disturbing country full of the sort of rabid nationalism and sense of superiority that WWII forced out of most of Europe. I would very much like to know how this went over your head for a full THIRTEEN years!
February 23rd, 2007 at 7:52 pm
I’d like to add: All of you who say he gets no pity because Americans are racist are being as racist as those you despise. Not all 300+ million Americans are racist, and this one individual should not be blamed for what his countrymen do. It is simply immoral, let alone irrational, to blame one individual for what his country’s government or for what some (or even most) of his countrymen do.
February 23rd, 2007 at 7:58 pm
I’d like to hear the story from the point of view of the guy on the train who allegedly tripped the american guy. It would probably be VERY different.
I also hate how this has turned into a “America vs. Japan” debate. One cannot compare the two, due to the vastly different cultures.
And they may well be sore about WWII. They see a Caucasian person and assume “American”. And then the thought process starts, which for some older or more nationalistic people will lead to “Nukes” or the like.
But in America (and similarly the UK, and other countries in Europe and in the East), when you hear “German”, most people immediately think “Nazi”. My gf is German, she gets the “Nazi” remarks. This is much the same thing.
February 23rd, 2007 at 7:59 pm
[...] on Japan and Racism February 23, 2007 Posted by fukumimi in Japan, Society, blogosphere. trackback Thanks to some link love from my friend Matt, whose post hit the Digg’s World News page andthe top page of Digg, the post I wrote on the way the same statistics are described by Japanese and English versions of the same newspaper has been getting a ton of hits. I hope at least a few of them stay around or check in once in a while….. [...]
February 23rd, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Please for all of you condoning, defending or otherwise justifying the use of a nuclear weapon on civilians, that was an aberration of humanity, on par with ethnic cleansing, racial prejudice and quite a few stains that history has left us, and that we continue to propose.
As for Japan, I have been there twice, the first time many years ago. That was a lesson on civility, politeness and education of the masses. The second time I was, I think anyway, racially abused by an old man.
To jump to conclusions is easy and probably wrong, the truth is most countries have a hard time holding on to their national identity in these times, and racism is possibly a reaction to the notion of that loss. Not acceptable but nonetheless it does happen.
For a country such as Japan, traditionally isolated and largely independent of the world for so long, this may be tolerated more than in other places. That is subjective, I realise.
February 23rd, 2007 at 9:59 pm
@fento: With all the raving “what we/they did to them/us” loonies posting here, I almost hesitate to single out your more modest post for objection, but:
“It has to do with honor”? Come on, that’s such bad-Hollywood-script schlock. Honor is as honor does, and 20+ years in Japan (and many more outside) make it clear to me that honor resides in (or is absent from) individuals alone, not in “ethnicity or race of country or whatever you want to call it”. Bad fiction aside, Japan isn’t one whit different there.
“Completely homogenous island” is similar nonsense. Unless you only meant to say that there is a contingent of nutcases in Japan who believe such goofiness. Indeed, such folks do exist. They may be homogenous in their shared delusions, if nothing else.
Anyway, the “racism” cases alluded to in the main post are really trivial. Generic human nuttiness. Let’s move on.
February 23rd, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Boy, you people amaze me. The US has done things that I find heinous, sure. Some people are racist, sure. Some cultures are racist to the core. Does any of that justifysuch actions? If it does, then turnabout, all the previous actions are justified.
Sure, I’ve had little old ladies in Japan cross the street to get away from me, had the crossed arms trying to keep me out of certain shops. I’ve also had a man who spoke no English come up to me when I spoke no Japanese and take me to the Post Office when I was lost. Yakuza have come up to me more than once and introduced themselves quite politely and treated me with respect. In my town, kids sometimes point at the gaijin, but they’re more likely to come around and talk to me. Nowadays, I even sometimes have kids who are surprised that I’m ‘not’ Japanese (I certainly don’t look it; blonde and blue-eyed, and all).
And I really don’t understand why people make such a big fuss about the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, yet ignore the fire-bombings of Tokyo and Dresden. More people died, most of them dying much more slowly and in much greater pain, by burning or suffocation as the fire storm took all the oxygen out of the air. I’d rather be nuked, than napalmed citywide.
And no, the US is by no means a perfect country. I don’t happen to agree with ‘W’s policies at the moment, either. That doesn’t make the US resposible for all the ills in the world.
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Someone trips you up on a train, and some more bad shit happens to you in a day and the whole country’s racist?
Maybe it was a bad day for you. The bus driver didn’t let me on this morning. Was it ‘cos the bus was full, or ‘cos I was coloured? Get over it, seriously.
You want racism? Try growing up as the only Asian kid in a white primary school in suburban Australia. The only reason why it’s not an issue for ethnics now is because they’ve grown up with it and are so desensitised.
I think because white people haven’t grown up as the subject of racism two isolated events happen and they think the whole country’s out to get them. Seriously, get used to it.
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:19 pm
There is no question that other countries don’t like Americans. Any visitor with a thimble-full of empathy can understand that. But it’s not like the Japanese like any other country either. I think humans will never get along with other humans. I also think that old woman was probably just a grouch with the beginnings of Alzheimers. The guy on the train? I dunno, maybe he wanted to sit down but your American ass was in the way.
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:19 pm
A:
no one should be desensitised to racism. and racism towards white people happens all the time, in all forms, clearly not in sub-urban australia, where i imagine everyone is white.
one should not get over it either, its a violation of basic human rights. thats something that i for one will fight for.
February 23rd, 2007 at 11:24 pm
I was talking to some students from New York on a train from Brussels to Amsterdam this week. They said they commonly claim to be Canadians when travelling in Europe. They get less hate that way.
February 24th, 2007 at 12:05 am
On a side note: Whoever posted “I learned a lot about their culture from watching F&F Tokyo Drift,” you owe me a new keyboard.
//going to smell like coffee all day.
February 24th, 2007 at 12:12 am
I am ashamed at some of the comments I’m seeing on this post. Some come across as extremely raciest, and others are just plain ignorant. Most Americans have never heard of the firebombing we did to Japan during WWII. We had broken the back of the Japanese military before we ever dropped the atomic bombs, so it wasn’t completely necessary. Dropping the atomic bombs was meant more for a show of power to the world.
The U.S. miliatary diliberatly targeted civilian populations to cripple the support of the emperor of Japan. We (the U.S.) killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people. Thousands of children were left orphaned and without care, which as a result died. This was our doing. Do your research:
Firebombing:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Tokyo_in_World_War_II
Watch the film “The Fog of War.” Defense Secretary McNamara talks about the strategey behind the bombings and how it still haunts him to this day.
Yes, they attacked us unprovocted in WWII and killed several thousand soldiers. In return, we killed hundreds of thousands of innocent civiilians. Doesn’t seem just, does it?
February 24th, 2007 at 12:17 am
Apparently some posters show complete ignorance by making asinine statements that “Caucasians” and/or Americans are the most racist people in the world, particularly Southerners. It shows that have never been out of the little bubble they created (or away from home) and victims of ignorance and propaganda. The reality is Asians are extremely racist and have just as much contempt for other Asians as white or black people. Koreans don’t like Japanese who in turn hate Chinese. Having traveled and lived in Asia and Europe, racism has no boundaries and applies to everyone, regardless of color, not just “White Southerners.” Please, do a little reading and exploring.
Racism is not uncommon – anywhere. Simply put, most people do not like others they cannot ethnically or culturally identify with. Dogs don’t like cats because cats are not dogs. Humans are also animals and animals have social structures.
If you review a little history you’ll find Asia in general has willfully isolated itself from the western world and has always been nationalistic. It lends itself to racism. Germany did not invent Nationalism either.
Racism cannot be legislated away but lessened by education and acceptance of our differences and exploring the similarities we have as human animals. We all eat, wear clothes and have families. The fact technology has expanded communications means little, it has also taken away the social element of actually interacting with others. Fertile grounds to perpetuate racism. It has brought us no closer together.
Get out of any major city and it’s easy to see some form of racism from the common folk. They don’t interact with foreigners so it’s quite easy to maintain it. This applies to Ohio, New York, Taiwan, Bayern (Bavaria), Tongduchon, anywhere. “You look different and act different; you must be bad!”
The English didn’t care too much for the Scots either. Cheers to Deeps who has an excellent point to his/her post. If you are confronted by bigotry or racism, be nice. It goes a long way. Ignorance and racism are cooperative partners.
February 24th, 2007 at 1:25 am
Life is good.
It’s great that we can all have the luxury to discuss about how we’re accepted by other nationalities abroad, using computers built by childworkers while we have our goons running the continent and destroying people to get at the ressources we need to feed our new 300HP american cars and SUV. At least we sip on equitable coffee while waiting to elect the next Bush president. Morons.
February 24th, 2007 at 2:00 am
Being an African American male who has been to Japan numerous times, I have experienced a bit of reacism. I usually just brush it off or look into their eyes with my 6ft 195 pound frame. Then I laugh it off thinking about how many Japanese Women I’ve been with.
Yeah you can give me dirty looks and try to trip me but more then likely I can get and satisfy your woman.
February 24th, 2007 at 4:21 am
Sounds a lot like coincidence. The first guy might’ve been racist, but maybe he was just a dick. The woman sounded simply insane.
“Well, we didn’t do them any favors in WWII (could be why the 60+ year old was trying to hex you, she would have grown up in that mess) and our current war makes us look very bad. Just some thoughts on where they are coming from. While it may such, retaliating won’t win them over. Just my 2 cents.”
Wow. Way cool how you justify racism.
February 24th, 2007 at 4:43 am
Wow, overreact much? So you had a couple people being rude to you. Could be racism, could be a few rude people. You are in a city of millions. Bound to have a few days where you run into situations like this.
I’ve lived in Japan for years. Asking people to get out of the way in Japanese on a train has worked every time. Sometimes you have to push a little, but that’s par for the course on any crowded train in any country.
You’ll find more blatant racism in Japan when you try to rent an apartment. My Japanese wife has faced at least as much racism in the US as I’ve ever faced in Japan. People are racist, or crazy, or just plain rude everywhere.
I hope you realize that crossing the fingers in an “x” pattern simply means “no”. 10 to 1 says she was a bit loony.
February 24th, 2007 at 5:27 am
hey doug… the thought ever cross your narrow mind that japanese family eating in the japanese family restraunt might have known eachother?? you seem like a drama queen and that’s probably why you think the world is out to get you. Stop being so ignorant and pittiful. Hawaii is nothing like you painted it out to be. Aloha bitches.
February 24th, 2007 at 8:22 am
In respect to the attacks on Pearl Harbour and Japan,people really ought to read about our treatment of them with our economic embargos and really left them without any economic options except to attack and weaken us to the point where we could not continue our stranglehold on their supplies (especially oil). Quite a few of OUR military and intelligence personnel knew we had left no option except for attack,OUR people warned of an eminent attack all the way up to the same week of the attack. These are continuos warnings,over a long period of time that only intensified up until the week of the attack and OUR government let us sit there with our pants around our ankles and needlessly let our unprepared men die. With a controlled media we DO NOT KNOW THE TRUTH,so ignorance is VERY common. Please read and study information that is NOT on the TV,Cable,Satelite,Newspapers,the less you know,the more EXTREME the TRUTH sounds. Read our REAL foreign policy,the rules of the IMF and World Bank imposed on poorer countries,THE REAL International Law and the illegalities of our so called “wars”,it’s so convenient when the military “actions” or “wars” are somewhere else. I am not putting all of the blame on the Americans,but yes , there is a handful of SUPER powerful and Super rich people that gain by our losses,both foreign and abroad,these people do NOT CARE what color of skin you have or what language you speak,WE DO NOT COUNT,except we produce the goods they sell,we fight their economic wars and die in them and through the destruction of the family unit,divide and conquer. Without knowing the truth ,WE WILL : Show Hate,Not Understand Others,Pass the Blame to others ,etc. WHAT IS SO IMPORTANT IS : We need to stop focusing on the differences in each others and unify against those that manipulate our thoughts,our futures and our lives. It IS SOOO much bigger than any ONE of us. There are TWO levels of human beings on this planet,the people who manage world society (and gain from that) and the REST of us!!!! In these two groups ,all of us on responding to this post are worthless human beings without names or faces,just numbers and economic value. Until we unite ,educate,LEARN,we will not be able to change the course of the world. So please Read,Ask,Question to open your mind and maybe one day help humanity toward a better future and coexistence. In the scope of world politics, I love and respect my fellow human brothers,because (even with all of our differences) we are cast in the same fight to exist/survive. Imagine……HONOR….REAL HONOR…toward ALL HUMAN BEINGS……IT may be myth,religion or whatever, I do not know the Japanese culture….but I love the thought of people still living with HONOR…and understanding what that really is and what significance that has in todays world….whew! I am white,live out of the US and would give my life for the betterment of mankind!! Read Che Guevera!! Imagine ONE human being that feels he needs to FIGHT for for the betterment of mankind!!! ONE MAN…One man can inspire twenty and those can affect another thousand and THEN the MANY can correct the actions of the FEW!!!
PEACE ,with all the significance of what one “little” word can carry!!
February 24th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
I’ve been here 23 years and fun like this happens to me at least once a week.
Why?
Seemingly, because I’m both a gaijin and I’m handicapped walking on crutches. Hell, it happened again today at Ueno station—a silly salarymen tried to push me down the stairs several times on purpose. The third time I managed to trip him and left him at the bottom of the stairs.
For the most part, the offensive folks are mentally stressed out and mistakenly think that gaijin are an easy outlet. Commuting on the train in Tokyo is a delight—It shows the Japanese at the nose-picking, toothsucking best.
February 26th, 2007 at 4:46 am
@Richard:
“Life is good.
It’s great that we can all have the luxury to discuss about how we’re accepted by other nationalities abroad, using computers built by childworkers while we have our goons running the continent and destroying people to get at the ressources we need to feed our new 300HP american cars and SUV. At least we sip on equitable coffee while waiting to elect the next Bush president. Morons.”
What?
Computers built by childworkers? Tell me you’re joking. Never heard of automated assembly lines? No? Don’t use the comments for this article to have a completely irrelevant rant and then insult people.
February 26th, 2007 at 9:05 am
[...] Well okay, my experiences last week weren’t nearly as bad as the following, but it seems the xenophobic trouble that’s brewin’ isn’t just localized to Japan: Martin Varsavsky of Fon reports two American students were attacked by skinheads in Madrid. Could this have anything to do with Bush’s international politics and “leadership”? [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
[...] February 26, 2007 at 7:34 am · Filed under Uncategorized An American’s Sudden Brush With Japanese Racism Imagine after years of living in peace you wake up one day and a Japanese man tries to trip you on the train and a woman starts chanting hexes at you while making the cross! Is Japan suddenly going ultra-nationalist? Creepy.[news][world & business][world news] [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Racism in Tokyo…
Matt Romaine opens the proverbial can of worms that is Racism in Japan. He recounted two episodes of apparent racism and after being Dugg, the invevitable deluge came. I’ve experienced minor things that could possibly be due to racism, but……
February 27th, 2007 at 2:48 am
wait. is this thread really about if there is racism in japan? yes, there is. ask the koreans who live there. asians of all countries have the same amount of racism as the rest of the world. sometimes more. it’s kind of naive and…well, racist for people to be suprised by it.
February 27th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
[...] I came across a blog by a fellow gaijin resident of Japan and a post he made about some “racist” incidents he supposedly experienced here. [...]
February 27th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Total bullshit. This guy is either leaving out some very important factors regarding his own appearance and/or behavior or he’s making up shit to get dugg and blog visitors (which he definitely succeeded in). I’ve lived in Japan for 13 and a half years myself and never even come close to experiencing anything remotely similar.
Incidentally, if some guy blocked my exit from a train with his leg he’d get one warning to move it and then a broken leg or maybe some sharply kicked nuts.
February 28th, 2007 at 9:28 am
[...] M@Blog » Creepy crawlies comin’ out o’ the woods Matt talks about his recent experiences living in Japan. (tags: japan racism) [...]
March 13th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
It is the misconseption that Japanese people are especially polite that causes this kind of misunderstanding. People are people the world over. DUH! There are good, bad, kind, and rude people in every country. In my twenty years in Osaka, I’ve seen pretty much most of it all.
GAMAN means to bear, put up with, or endure something.
I’m from northern California, but I’ve lived in Kansai for twenty years in Hirakata, Hirano, Yao, Saidaiji, Kyobashi, Senboku, Abeno, Tennouji, Shinsekai, Fuse, and Higashi Osaka, and I wouldn’t want to be any other place on earth, but so far I have yet to experience the politeness the Japanese seem to be so famous for overseas.
So-called Japanese Politeness seems to be based on Gaman and Saving Face, to the point of utter stupidity.
Why do people put up with neighborhood dogs that bark constantly?
Why do people put up with rude old men who fart, hawk up phlegm, and spit on subway platforms?
Why isn’t curfew enforced? Minors are out at all hours being mischievous and making all kinds of noise.
Every foreigner, in their own time and place in Japan, has many likes, dislikes, complaints, experiences, and tales.
I think many Japanese have good intentions, for the most part, but I don’t like the way some don’t know what to do when they find themselves in the presents of a foreigner–they laugh nervously and bow a lot, especially if they’re in a foreign country where they’re out of their group, their comfort zone, where their roles are explicitly defined for them.
I can’t help but remember when I was in Guam, when I had to practically walk the entire way back to the resort from the Japanese consulate because no taxis would stop for me. Finally, one did stop, and I asked the driver, “Is something going on today?”
The driver grunted and touched his small display of Mother Mary and the Christ Child on his dashboard.
“I just flagged about five taxis,” I continued, “but they didn’t even slow down.”
“Most driver only pick up Japanese,” the driver said. “They tip. White boy like you do not tip.”
“I tip!” I said. “I just don’t like it when you guys think you can keep ALL the change. It happened to me this morning. You guys just keep it and open the door without saying a word.”
The driver looked in his rearview mirror at me and grunted again.
“I think most Japanese can speak enough English to ask for their change, but the way you guys just keep it! They don’t want to make waves and embarrass you–that would make them very uncomfortable. They probably think you’re too stupid to figure it out!”
“What you say?” the driver said, and slowed the taxi.
“Yeah, pull over and let me out!” I said. I tossed aside a ten-dollar bill as I got out of the taxi and slammed the door. The driver flipped me his middle finger and sped off.
I walked the rest of the way back to the hotel in anger; I hated ignorant westerners and assholes that took advantage of what they considered Japanese Politeness. I thought it was, for the most part, just the lack of international skills of some Japanese, who, when out of their group that defines them to the core, have problems acting and reacting, so they rely on Saving Face and Gaman, even in their own country, which I don’t think is true politeness.
Politeness means to act in a courteous manner, but it also means to show regard for others, even if it means a few words of rectification, the act of offering an improvement to replace a fault, and not just putting up with it.
March 18th, 2007 at 9:21 am
wow…two people make the WHOLE country racist
and here we’re busy portrayin muslims as terrorists, but hey, WE’RE not racist…
April 10th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Racism exists and it is deplorable. Do you know what it’s like to be discriminated against? I do, every time I visit the in-laws I get the feeling they wish I was dead.
May 30th, 2007 at 2:30 am
Yeah, well…
Japan is the most race concious country I have ever been to. It is true Japanese people are generally polite. But don’t forget the fact that they are polite because they consider it “Japanese” to be polite. In other words, the “lesser races” are not as polite as they are.
Yeah, many will help you only because they feel like the Japanese language is something “unlearnable” to foreigners. It doesn’t matter how good your Japanese is, they will still treat you like your ignorant. For people who trully, and I mean trully, don’t understand the Japanese language this may be a good quality. But try talking to Westerners who have lived in Japan for over 10 years and speak fluently, and they’ll tell you how annoyed they are by this.
Those of you who have had conversations with Japanese people in Japan will notice the conversation never goes to far past talking about the “Japanese master race” and “culture.” I know some of you out there will post some type of comment to defend the Japanese on this topic, but please don’t deny the fact that all they talk about is their own country. Oh, and if they ask you about your country it’s only to point out that they’re different. Usually they do this to point out how they’re culturally superior. You don’t believe me? Pay attention during your next conversation.
How about their ABO Blood-Type theory about personality traits? Most Japanese are type A, and guess what, of course they consider that the “hard worker” and overall best trait. You want to know something even more scary about the “master race”? The average Japanese thinks that the type A blood type IS FOUND ONLY IN JAPAN!!!! Don’t believe me? Play a joke on the next japanese person you meet and tell them that you are type A even if you really aren’t. That’ll really confuse them. A little history lesson…this blood type theory came about during WWII when the Japanese were doing genetic tests on Taiwanese people to find out why they were so “uncivilized.” Please do your research before your respond to that one!
Any Koreans reading this entry? Try talking to some of the Koreans whose perents or grandperents were brought to Japan as slaves during WWII. Ask them why the Japanese government doesn’t even give them citizenships. Ask your Korean friends why they can’t get decent Jobs.
Racism is everywhere, period. But what gets me mad is when idiot Westerners who don’t even speak Japanese well defend Japanese racism. Racism shouldn’t be defended anywhere by anybody, period!!!!!
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:50 am
Xenophobia and racism are nothing new anywhere. In USA there is all this propaganda against Muslims and Hispanics. Europe is even worse with gangs of neo-nazzis attacking immigrants nightly.
August 14th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Geez, people, what is up with all the hate? WWII was over 60 years ago, which means IT IS OVER. Yes it happened, and I’m sure there is still some residual tension, but the people of the younger generations (like myself) want to move on. I’m an American. I am white. I speak Japanese. I have spent time in Japan. The majority of the Japanese people I have met were very nice and helpful, but not everyone will like you. That’s just tough, and you shouldn’t expect to be treated like a king or even with respect just because you are American. However, if you maintain a positive spirit and actually think about others before yourself, show respect and kindness to others, and maybe actually learn about the people, culture, and place you are visiting/living, you will earn respect from most people in time. Also, America is wrong. A lot. We are secretly infecting Japanese society with our media and images of pop stars like Britney Spears just so some rich white guys can make a buck. We should promote the good things America has to offer and leave the crap back home so we and we alone can deal with it. When you spew hate and blame it only gives people more reason to hate and blame you back. Both countries have plenty of reasons to not get along, but why focus on that? Why not focus on a future of partnership together? Seriously.
August 16th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
to spidey79: Someone needs to start reading further into the racial label of “latin” or “latino”. You are right about the Nixon connection, but you’re disparagement of “whites” is laughable. You sound like as though you’re Latin yourself and you have dissociated yourself of your own ethnic origins, like many latins do. The fact is that the word latin is Euro-Centric in nature as well. The word was originally applied to nations that were associated or were a part of the Roman Empire in its heyday, which includes nations such as France, Portugal, Italy, Romania, and any other additional European nations I have not mentioned. The word was in reference to a specific language and peoples found in Italy, in the area known as Latium. This Wikipedia entry better explains what Latin is:
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin]
“Latin (lingua Latīna, pronounced [laˈtiːna]) is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through Roman conquest, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe. It later evolved into such languages as French, Italian, Romanian, Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan. It was also the international language of science and scholarship in central and western Europe until the 17th century. There are two varieties of Latin: Classical Latin, the literary dialect used in poetry and prose, and Vulgar Latin, the form of the language spoken by ordinary people. Vulgar Latin was preserved as a spoken language in much of Europe after the decline of the Roman Empire, and by the 9th century diverged into the various Romance languages.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Latin survived as the lingua franca of educated classes in the West, and this survival was reinforced by the adoption of Latin by the Catholic Church. In this milieu it survived as a mother-tongue at least into the second millennium A.D. and is referred to as Medieval Latin. The Renaissance had the paradoxical effect of briefly reinforcing the position of Latin as a spoken language, through its (re?)adoption by the Renaissance Humanists – for example the French essayist Montaigne (1533-1592) spoke Latin as his mother-tongue.[citation needed] After the 16th century, the popularity of Medieval Latin began to decline.
Latin lives on in the form of Ecclesiastical Latin used for edicts and papal bulls issued by the Catholic Church. Much Latin vocabulary is used in science, academia, and law. Classical Latin, the literary language of the late Republic and early Empire, is still taught in many primary, grammar, and secondary schools, often combined with Greek in the study of Classics, though its role has diminished since the early 20th century. The Latin alphabet, together with its modern variants such as the English, Spanish and French alphabets, is the most widely used alphabet in the world.”
So in reality, somewhere in the long line of your heritage, your indigenous mother or grandmother was raped or boned by a filthy, swarthy, hairy, smelly, un-bathed, disease ridden Spaniard. And where do all Spaniards come from? Answer: Europe. And what does Europe’s indigenous population consist of? Answer: White people. So in all reality, no matter how you shake, bake it, or baste it – every single jorge, maria, and santos in every area of the world that the Latins (French, Italians, Spaniards, Portuguese) have invaded – we’re all white in some measure. So to berate, bombast, and ridicule “whites” is really just a proverbial self imposed slapping of the face and an ass-fucking of one’s self.
Just food for thought and my two cents.
March 22nd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Dude, stop being a pussy in on the train. No one moves out of the way on the train. If you havent learned by now the way to do it is barge through.
March 22nd, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I will tell you another experience. One I have NEVER experienced in Japan. I was in California Palo Alto to be exact. I was looking in the window of Blockbusters and said something to my friend. A passing delightful young white woman probably university student said “Why don’t go back where you came from ?”.
America is the most racist place I have ever been to. Its hard to imagine but black people were only aloud to sit in the same glass room or same place in the bus from the 60s! That mentality hasn’t really changed unfortunately.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I was in Ueno koen today with my Japanese girlfriend watching the koi when a man came up and berated her for being with me, saying that she was polluting the Japanese race. I as you can imagine am of non-Japanese decent(I’m a whiteboy). Its funny cause as far as I know the two of us dont have any offspring yet. Racism is very much alive in Japan, hell the UN named the country in its report on Xenophobia.