Job Discussion Forums

[TexasFish]

I have read a lot posts on this board and in the Job Information Journal about how gaijin are treated in Japan.

My question is: are there varying degrees of this throughout Japan? More or less as you go North or South?

Do the Japanese have internal prejudices--people in Tokyo v. people in Hokkaido or against people in Okinawa (I mention these only because of the extremes in geographic location)?

Any areas that you find are friendlier?

I ask these in the context of someone from the south who has grown up in a culture with relative sterotypes. Just curious.

Thanks again for the input.

[Longing for Nippon]

Generally Osaka(Kansai) people are not very fond of Tokyo people and possibly vice versa. I dont think there is any real rivalry or dislike for other regions people though.
As far as hospitality and friendliness goes most Japanese are very welcoming but it takes a while before they are asking you round for dinner etc. The Kansai people like to think of themselves as more out going and welcoming than their Tokyo cousins. Tokyos population are a little less outspoken or noisy! I was lucky enough to watch several Hanshin Tiger baseball games last year when they won the championship and it was a great experince. Certainly no lack of noise or self expression there!
I am sure where ever you go there will be people to welcome you.

[Glenski]

Speaking for the people in Sapporo, Hokkaido, there is very little ill feelings toward foreigners up here. An exception is the bathhouse incident in nearby Otaru. Otherwise, I have been here since 1998 and have been welcomed with open arms. I work with a nice black man from the USA who has lived here for ten years and has seen no problems. Both of us have Japanese wives.

Footnote: My black friend once visited Okinawa on his honeymoon. A restaurant owner treated him somewhat rudely because he thought my friend was in the US military. My friend set him straight and got an apology, but the fact remains that people there are very much against the foreign military.

[Gordon]

Living in Shikoku, I've heard and read that people from Shikoku are some of the friendlist in the country. I would agree as people have been nice to us.

Glenski, what about the ainu? Is that a taboo subject in Hokkaido? What do people say about them?

[Glenski]

Not much is said. There are a few model villages that show Ainu life in the past. And, there are some local festivals that Ainu take part in to demonstrate traditional things. Other than that, I have not gotten the impression that they are a taboo topic. Depends on just how much you want to discuss, probably, and just how hard you intend to slam the government for any of its wrongdoings against the Ainu. I find the whole situation pretty much like American Indians (Native Americans).

[Mark-O]

[Glenski]

http://www.debito.org/otarulawsuit.html

[Mark-O]

I see. Thanks for the link.