Job Discussion Forums

[Hoser]

I've never heard of this guy before. Where are you guys hearing about him from? Newspapers? TV? Online?

[shuize]

Debito seems to have found his niche. Good for him, I guess. Although, I personally don't see "racism" in every case a landlord declines to rent to a foreigner. Having let property in the past myself, I've found that renters usually present enough problems as it is without having to deal with the added headache of language/cultural barriers.

[Symphany]

I can't believe how much disguised racism this forum gets away with. Shuize, are you saying that if you were in the United States and you refused to rent to some young Mexicans, or a family from Haiti then it would be okay?

[shuize]

[dove]

But in the United States there are laws to prevent discrimination when looking for an apartment. (And yes, i know that some landlords get around the legislation). A few years ago, when I was renting in the competitive Seattle market, the apartment manager told me that, by law, she rents on a first come, first served basis; BUT that first person must be employed and pass a credit check. If the first person in line fails, the next in line gets a chance.
As I understand it, Japan has anti-discrimination legislation on the books, but they are enforced arbitrarily. Maybe I can see the point about a landlord's fear of communication problems, but what about when a spouse is Japanese and the landlord still refuses to rent because the other partner is a foreigner? Or what about when a landlord refuses to rent to a foreigner because of the fear of strange cooking smells (As if a Japanese apartment doesn't stink when you grill up some samma). The US is filled with advocates who will help you if you are victim to housing discrimination; Japan needs more advocates for the foreigners who plan to live here permanently, especially when it comes to something as necessary as housing.

[markle]

Yes, the homeless gaijin situation here is dreadful.

However once you do get an apartment you have much more tenant protection than back home. What you lose in the straight you make-up on the roundabout.
Shuize is overstating it but he does raise a valid point, you can't say that there aren't foreigners who don't cause some friction here. Take for example the gomi nazi and trouble with neighbours thread. Now some of that is genuine and some is bitchy neighbours but it does add up to perception that having gaijin can lead to headaches which are difficult to resolve. Racism? maybe but of the mosquito bite kind.

BTW Legislation doesn't eliminate racism it just gives more work to lawyers.

[dove]

No, what is dreadful is going to a real estate agent and being told "We don't rent to foreigners." Of course, there are some that do deal with foreigners, but the outright discrimination is dreadful. I guess you won't understand the feeling until it happens to you.

[shuize]

[shuize]

[gaijinalways]

Shuize, as people have stated, many people trying to rent have a foreign spouse or speak passable Japanese. They are often being refused a rental unit based on a foreign name or face. They are not even remotely considering doing the things that you are talking about.

And yes Natsume is correct, 'muckraker' has different connotations, though I would usuallty consider them to be negative.

Sorry Natsume, even with your explanation you come off sounding very biased. Yes, we know there are degrees of discrimination, but pretending like some discrimination is better or more important than others sounds like you don't want to deal with it.

[shuize]

[Deicide]

[AgentMulderUK]

An opinion about Korea...

As individuals I have found them really great to teach, as they offer opinions about matters and seem willing to open up.

There frequent references to the greatness of their country I take with a pinch of salt.

Korea still remains one of the few countries worldwide that has contributed nothing, if you really think about it.
(the sound of Korea fans falling over..)

I am pretty sure, from my own questioning, that most "Westerners" think Korea is just the North Communist part, rather that the 2-for-1 deal it is at the moment. People on these boards, by their very nature, will obviously be aware of this error.


Go ask your family what they know about Korea.

The only response I got was "crap cars".

Those of us that have been there and those that have some exposure can immediately real off 10 things that are essentially Korean. Many more with in depth knowledge will real off 20 more...but you can do that with any country if you look hard enough and with a powerful enough microscope.

I am talking about those outside of its immediate sphere.


When was the last time your mates back home went out to a restaurant for a "Korean", or couldn't wait to get hold of the latest Korean movie/car/music?

The few Korean students I have had in Japan always recoil in horror when I don't know the location of their home town.

I have known Japanese people, who don't even know where Korea is, other than it's someplace in Asia.

I find it amusing they can be so self-confident and arrogant, with no basis for it whatsoever. But I have nothing against them and like I said, I love teaching them if I get the chance.

[Deicide]

[shuize]