Job Discussion Forums

dondelion · Joined: 05 Feb 2015 Posts: 9

I am considering a move to Japan with my wife and mixed nationality child, and wanted to ask -- is there an atmosphere of intolerance of outsiders in Japan? Does it make day to day life difficult or grim for your wife or child?

I currently live in Korea, where it is a serious issue for mixed nationality ESL teachers and their families ( I will say no more about it since I gather it's a board rule to not discuss Korean life in detail here on the Japan board, but take a look at the Korea board for full details...)

Please note, I am not trying to stir up a troll war or a venting thread -- I honestly want to know if there is a rejection of outsiders, or an over all atmosphere of hostility to foreigners in Japan, and to what degree it effects daily life.

Thanks in advance for your views.

If you prefer to PM me, that's fine too.

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

It'll depend somewhat on where you live. In bigger cities, I don't think it'll be an issue. I've known a number of American/Korean couples in Japan, and they seemed to live happy lives there (and there are lots of foreigner/Japanese couples, of course).

In smaller towns, I still don't think it'll be a big deal for you and your wife. Your child might get picked on a bit by other kids in school. When I taught at primary schools and junior high schools, there were a few 'halfs'. Some got teased, but some were quite popular.

Do either you or your wife speak Japanese? If you are non-Asian, people will likely expect you not to speak Japanese, but if your wife is Korean, people will probably not be sure how to interact with her because they'll expect at first that she'll speak Japanese. Some Japanese people dislike Koreans, but, from what I understand, not as much as many Koreans dislike Japanese. Korean music and dramas have become quite popular in Japan.

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

Bullying can be an issue especially at some public schools.

There were anti-Korean demonstrations in Shin-Okubo.

Lots of Koreans in Japan.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

I would say it depends on you. If you are white, then your kids will look like the typical "half. If you are black or south Asian, your kids may have problems.

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

Egh, I find that anti-Korean sentiment isn't as pronounced in Japan as anti-Japanese sentiment is in Korea and even then it's just when historical issues get brought up.

Overall, as white-looking foreigner in Japan you'll find bias is positive than anything although if your wife is a non-Japanese Asian there may be some awkwardness. Blacks and South Asians will be slightly more disconnected originally but it's not as grave as usually played up - usually. For the most part, people just deal though - you'll stand out but if you make an effort to fit into the community people will be welcoming.

RM1983 · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 360

My SO is Korean and she has lived here for a good while now. She is fluent in Japanese. Not many problems in the way of direct racism at all. Sometimes we are out and she overhears a nasty comment (not directed at her) and she has walked through the middle of a heated anti-Korean protest in Shinjuku but there is no way you could say where she was from.

So she slots in very well and we have a little gang of Korean friends here.

Some of my students at school have Korean family, and seem fine but ive heard a little low-level 'banter' about kids from mixed parents at times. Nothing that would have even got you a detention back in my day but still. I have heard though that it does sometimes happen - kids can be ostracized for being mixed race.

I suppose our main problem has been housing. It is tricky to find a place that takes foreigners without getting ripped off, even with one of us fluent in Japanese. We ended paying quite a high fee last time, basically for beig foreign.

Also she gets some stuff at work along the lines of "be more Japanese" and gets scolded if she forgets to say something in the polite way or whatever.

It has been said a million times but speaking Japanese really is key here. Your kid can learn it but you and your wife? Also, more of an issue might be the dire state of the industry here, Id imagine if you are supporting your family alone that you will need to work twice as hard here than Korea and with no guarantees it would work out.
If it were me Id stick with Korea and put jr in an expensive international school!

water rat · Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Posts: 1098 Location: North Antarctica

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

I know a Taiwanese woman who has had problems in renting.
as you get older you want to have your own place, especially after 50.

Fluency in Japanese is not enough.
Some people here always look for any differences and are intolerant,
such as people speaking with an accent.

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

You are lucky.
There is discrimination in Kanagawa but I guess it depends on the school.
I have heard of it with a half-white boy, a half-black boy and a returnee girl down in Zushi who went to a public school.
I think public schools are the worst and if the parents have money, they put their kid in a private school.