Job Discussion Forums

[jademonkey]

All Australians are beer swilling hooligans and we all have pet crocodiles and speak an incomprehensible brogue... wait...

[gaijinalways]

I think it pertinent to also look at a survey done a few years ago when several developed countries were surveyed about their attitudes to neighbors living nearby. The Japanese ranked 3rd highest for preferring criminals to foreigners as neighbors ! Who was number one you ask? The Belgians, with I believe the French or the Dutch in second.

I would say Japan is what you make of it (like many places), and depending on where you live, your experience may be enjoyable or merely bearable. Mine own has been somewhere in between.

[southofreality]

[jefeelloco]

[ohahakehte]

ive been in japan for over 2 years and ive encountered very very few incidents of being discriminated against because im foreign. seriously the whole japanese "two-faced" thing (if you want to call it that) has its good sides...for all i know every japanese person ive ever met could hate my guts but i wouldnt know it from the way they treated me.
sure, it annoys me that japanese sometimes think im cute and novel because im trying to learn their language, that i can use chopsticks (heaven forbid!) and that i like japanese food - but japanese people in general know how to be nice.
the situation in korea is quite different. koreans make it clear that you are a foreigner and that youll never be korean. though i never experienced any outright racism in korea i was reminded countless times that "korea is for koreans." that many koreans couldnt chill out and let me feel welcome for just the year that i lived there shows how insular they can be.

[Vince]

How you carry yourself significantly influences the situation. The basics are to learn as much Japanese, spoken and written, as is practical for your situation; don't unconsciously adopt the less flattering mannerisms of the Japanese (i.e. embarrassed giggling); and stay diplomatic.

[mmike]

What you'll really find is that your perceptions towards Japanese people will change from day to day. In your original post, you described how many people felt on what my friends and I came to call "Japan days," when you'd feel like you hated the entire country and everyone in it. Sometimes, I'd feel frustrated, usually after a long day, and get really grumpy about Japanese people and culture.

Japan does have a significant dark side, after all. What a lot of people don't talk about is the suicide factor, specifically having to witness one (especially train suicides). Japan has the highest suicide rate in the world, as much as approximately 30,000 a year. To give you an impression, that's around half the number of soldiers America lost during the entire Vietnam war, per year in Japan, a country with half the population of the US. Though I never saw anyone die directly, I was present during one and several people including my western girlfriend witnessed someone actually being killed by train. That stays with you for a while... I tell you this because that's what really would give me a negative feeling about the place, more than anything else.

Anyways, that's just to show you that no culture is perfect. All cultures have great things about them, and it's all in keeping a positive attitude. Frankly, Japanese people are rather racist, but its not their fault due to growing up in a very collectivist monoculture. It's pretty easy to keep your chin up in Japan, as you probably don't understand what people are saying about you anyways. Once you understand a little about being a visible minority (though it doesn't compare to say, being black in the south in the 60's), you're entire perception will change for the better.

Basically, all the things people have said have at least been true for that person. You'll experience the range, if you get out there, and it will make your true Japanese friends all the more rewarding. No one forum post will come even close to describing the full experience.

I did a full one year stint in Osaka, and left with the intention of returning. Right now, I'm interviewing for at least a 2-year stay, hopefully leaving in January. I wouldn't be going back if the positives didn't outweigh the negatives.

[tokyo story]

My wife is Japanese and practically all of my friends are Japanese. It's not difficult to make friends in Japan. It's the first thing I did when I got here... Jobs and somewhere to live, they take care of themselves. Making friends? You need to go out and do it. A lot of people come to Japan & never make friends with Japanese people. They just hang out with other English teachers. That'll alienate you right there.

Anyway, there's no point being self-conscious in Japan. You're a foreigner, that's an inescapable fact. That's the first thing anybody's gonna notice about you.

[gaijinalways]

I think it would depend on your spouse and your socialization habits.

My wife tends to only go out with other women, so going as the lone male may be more counter productive. She does sometimes joins me when I go out with other coworkers, but she doesn't usually like to do it, even though there are other wives attending at times.

[gonzarelli]

[gaijinalways]

I would say it runs both ways, with some Japanese feeling superior and inferior at the same time depending on the issue or the nationality that they are dealing with .