Job Discussion Forums

[JimDunlop2]

This should be a good discussion, as I know for a fact that results may vary.

But let me share the latest chapter of my life in Japan with y'all.

I just recently managed to get a "Tsutaya" membership -- despite everyone's horror stories of overt racism faced there. Of all my friends who have a membership there, they tell me that they've been told any and all of the following:

- you need a nihonjin to vouch for you when you go in
- you need to speak Japanese in order to get a membership card
- you MUST show your gaikokujin touroku AND proof of residence using a current utility bill with your name and address on it
- proof of residence is ONLY a valid utility bill that is 1 but no more than 2 months old
- you MUST have a land-based phone line at home -- not just a keitai
(This one I can vouch for the authenticity, as it happened to a good friend of mine just recently)
- you must be able to write your name/address in kanji
- you must understand Japanese because you must verbally agree to not lend or give out your card to other foreigners/friends

Whereas ALL of my Japanese friends merely shake their heads when they hear this and say, "No way. All I ever had to do to get a card, was walk in, fill out a form and that was it!"

SO, being a good journalist, I decided to emulate TV's MYTHBUSTERS, and test out these claims.

I happily walked into a local neighborhood Tsutaya, (without a Japanese friend in tow). In fact, I brought two other foreigners with me -- my wife and a friend, just so our presence would be a little more obvious. I walked over to the counter, filled out an application form (in Japanese), (not only was it not so hard, but there were example-forms shown to help those who might be a little on the obtuse side)..... Went over to a clerk, politely handed over the form, and when asked for a gaikokujin touroku, I apologized and explained that I only had my Japanese driver's license on me... Would that be OK with them? Without even batting an eye, they took it, asked if they could make a copy, which they then did, by scanning it AND the application form at the same time, using a machine that seemed to be custom-designed for the sole purpose of processing new member applications.... not just the foreigners. And lo and behold, 5 minutes later, I had DVDs in hand, walked out the door without even so much as a glance, or dirty look, or even having to agree to any ridiculous policies, conditions, etc... The clerk just gave me a quick rundown of the "house rules" including rental charges, late charges, how their "point system" works, etc, etc. You know, the standard "Blockbuster" speech like you get back home.... But that's it!

Conclusion: Tsutaya racism myth: BUSTED

So, here's my theory. Please bash away at it if you wish..... I don't mind!

I figure, that in many Japanese situations, if you come across as a green-off-the-boat n00b, you'll get a much harder time than if you take time and trouble to "go native" so to speak, try to behave as "Japanese" as possible. I think that in many cases, mustering up your best Japanese language and behavior/mannerism in ALL but physical appearance will result in being treated as such.

Adjunct: the above is amplified in situations/locations where foreigners are less likely to be found, would normally have no business visiting them, or geographically remote, because it implies that you know enough so as to get there in the first place. Eg. a store that can be accessed pretty much only by car, as opposed to walking, bicycle or public transportation.

[Bat Girl]

[denise]

I got a Tsutaya membership about a month or so after I got here, and I had no problems at all. I had a friend (a fellow foreigner who speaks Japanese) go with me, translate, and help me fill out the forms. The clerks could tell that I was pretty clueless, at least in terms of language ability, but it did not cause a problem then, and I have not yet had any problems there.

Then again, they're used to seeing us all over town. Foreigners are not a novelty here at all, small town though it is.

d

[bshabu]

I have several memberships there. I have lived in a few locations in Japan, starting when I was a college student. all they wanted was to copy my Alien Regi. They ask all people(Japanese and non alike) for proof of residents They have never treated anyway, but as a customer.
Here is my experience.

[homersimpson]

[JimDunlop2]

I suspected that the issues might be more regional than anything. I also live in an area where "No Foreigners Allowed" signs appear on many onsen doors. (No, I don't live in Hokkaido, but if you ever visit Debito Arudo's website, you'll probably figure out where I live in pretty short order)....

Like I say, I can vouch for some of my friends who have experienced difficulties... But again, I also had no problems at all. I wasn't even asked for proof of residence...

The verbal oath and land-based tel. # though, were definitely issues for one friend of mine.

JD

[chi-chi-]

Hmm I disagree.
I found Japan to be a lot different than Korea in this respect (and Taiwan). In Taiwan they know their language is hella hard and that their culture is really different, so they are more live and let live, no matter how you act.
In Korea, a lot of times they just expect you to know their language (even if you had no opportunities to learn it before arrival) and to know their customs, like things are done their way everywhere. You get used to it after a while, though.
In Japan, I had one lady who was real suprised that foreigners like cherry blossoms, just like the Japanese. They will look at foreigners wierd if they wear Japanese clothes. And I had a group of hs students who showed complete disinterest in me, until they found out I was fob (fresh of the boat, or um plane). Then they were all into it, hey, a nifty gaijin after all haha.
3 completely different attitudes. Korea is where you're expected to go native, in Taiwan they don't care if you do or you don't, and in Japan they will look at you wierd if you do.

[Nismo]

[crazyteacher]

I just walked into tsutaya and pointed at myself and said "join ok?" and handed them my gaijin card so they could fill out the form for me.

[Nagoyaguy]

I had no trouble at Tsutaya either.

I have BIG problems handing over my Alien Card, though. It has way too much information on it that the shop does NOT need to know. My passport number, visa sponsor, date of expiry, etc. By law, the only people that can ask for it are police or immigration officials. NOT pimply kids in shops.

Give them something else. Like a drivers licence. What do Japanese people show if they dont have a DL?

My gym wanted to copy my alien card and I refused. I was applying with a Japanese friend, and my friend didnt have to show any ID at all. Just did the paperwork. I asked why, and the gym staff started humming and hawing. "eto, ano ne, gaikokujin no baai desukedo....". Different rules for gaijin basically. Anyway, I spoke to the manager and got it cleared up.

Dont put up with it and things will eventually improve.

[Akula the shark]

I have always thought that in the mind of a Japanese that a gaijin is a gaijin is a gaijin, whether you go native or not.

[craven]

I've got a membership in Tsutaya and Geo video, and in both cases the clerk filled out the application for me. They did see my gaijin card, but I've found you need that sucker to do ANYTHING in Japan.
Like other posters have said, these things tend to be regional. Where I live it's next to impossible to do anything official without your hanko stamp, while a friend of mine in Tokyo never owned one in the 5 years he was here.
As far as handing out personal information goes, I hate it. That being said, my japanese friends seem to be far more comfortable giving information to police, landlords, banks, work, etc than I would be back home. I've gotten more used to it over time here, but it still makes me rather uncomfortable...

[Brooks]

when I got a cell phone I was told that I could pay by credit card only.
I heard that lots of people leave Japan without paying their bills.

Sometimes I find that my school ID works in lieu of my alien card, but other times it doesn`t. At some places I don`t know why they want to see it. Like the post office. I sent some money to the US last week to my father. I don`t know why they had to see the alien card, but I often have to wait there for 15 minutes so I don`t want to argue.

with Tsutaya, it was easy. I did show my alien card. That Tsutaya is near a US military base(Camp Zama), so they are used to Americans. I got my renewal notice from them. When I renewed last time I didn`t have to pay.

[spidey]

IMHO...

If you speak Japanese well...most Japanese will look at you with amazement and probably compliment you on how well you speak.

On the other hand...if you try to look and act Japanese, most Japanese will probably just look at you funny and wonder what the hell you are trying to prove.

Kind of a catch 22 situation.

S

[Nagoyaguy]

Maybe I am a paranoid conspiracy nut and total basket case, but nobody sees my alien card without a damn good reason. Particularly when I have other ID that is comparable. Particularly in situations where other (Japanese) customers do not have to 'prove' anything.

One time a hotel even asked me for it! "no", I said, "isnt my credit card good enough?" Finally, it was. Too many people feel that they have the right to violate your (our) personal privacy when they have no legal right to do so. Plus,as another poster pointed out, information in Japan is NOT well guarded or kept confidential. I dont want my details copied and made available to all and sundry.