Job Discussion Forums

kana · Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

I have recently moved to Japan, and I started working at a private cram school. Recently one of my coworkers made a racist remark against my ethnicity to my face and in front of another coworker. I brought it up with the boss, but the person turned it around on me and made me look like the bad guy for confronting her about it. All I wanted was an apology, but this person wont even do that. The work environment has become extremely stressful and I don�t know what to do. Any suggestions?

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

What did they say? A little racism is kind of normal here, because people are on average a lot more "innocent" about it than people in most western countries. There's Japanese, and then there's everyone else. Can't say whether you should take it personally though, since you didn't say what they said.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I think the word you're looking for is naive or even ignorant rather than innocent. Things take a little time to sink in here when it comes to offending foreigners (witness McDonald's recent Mr. James campaign). But yes, we do need more information as to exactly what was said.

Cool Teacher · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 7:21 am Post subject:

Whoah! Why does everyone assume kana's co-worker wsa Japanese and thereofre "understand" the racist comment? Confused

How do you know it was naiive or whatever? No one knows what was said so why is anyone condoning it or minimizing it? Confused

I think a bit more clarification is neceesary kana. No one can tell you a good strategy on such little info I am afraid. Sad

Ryu Hayabusa · Joined: 08 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

I also pictured the co-worker as Japanese. Since the boss took her side, and the boss is probably Japanese, I figured that she would explain things in Japanese and be better able to twist facts around and explain what happened in a way that would favour her. Plus, if a Japanese boss favoured a Japanese employee over a foreign employee, it wouldn't surprise me in the least.

Inflames · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 486

Cool Teacher · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 2:26 pm Post subject:

SoulCal · Joined: 03 Aug 2009 Posts: 28

@ kana

You have to realize that image is everything in Japan. Now, assuming that the people who made the comments to you and who tried to spin it back on you are Japanese, you will understand this situation better when I tell you the following.

The lives of Japanese people revolve around their ideas of obligation and shame, the latter is what is relevant in this situation. Assuming they were Japanese, they realize what transpired was offensive to you (either intentional or not), and since you made this event public, it brought a sense of shame to them (either justified in their minds or not). So, their next step is to put out the fire by putting all of the wrongdoing back onto you, and as as result, they are able to save face among their peers and do not have to deal with any sense of shame on their own. Problem solved, for them.

I understand how you feel because I have experienced racist comments and ignorant beliefs that I found really insulting as well. But, all foreigners living in Japan will experience racism, its just a matter of time. If youre not of Asian descent, then you stand out more to them and are an easier target. There are a lot of Korean and Chinese who live in Japan that choose to take on Japanese names and learn the Japanese language fluently, so they can blend in easier, and they can avoid these situations better than you. Japan is still a very racist country, a lot of people on the outside misperceive that. In the future, I recommend you bite your lip around the Japanese, as they will generally not sympathize with you due to their lack of understanding or care, and save your venting for your foreign friends or online forums. Being a whistleblower in Japan is going against the grain, and the Japanese look down on that tremendously. Even if youre reasons are justified, as I said before, the importance of upholding their image outweighs your feelings.

kana · Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 13

Thank you all for your feedback. I guess it's better for me just to accept the fact that I am in another country and I will face discrimination no matter what. I just wish it waited at least a year past my start date. I want to work here and I should blend in as much as possible even though I stick out like a sore thumb being the Caucasian American in the countryside of Japan that I am. What was said was wrong, but I want to work here, so maybe I have to suck it up and live with it. One thing is for sure, I am not going to let one person's comments ruin my career. But before I go on without confirming if there is anything I can do or not. Can someone tell me if I have a contract that says I have to give three months notice, do I really have to live up to this or can I quit right away due to my situation?

Thank you all very much.

Cool Teacher · Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 2:42 am Post subject: Re: Thank you

SoulCal · Joined: 03 Aug 2009 Posts: 28

3 months notice is definitely not legal, even if it is in your contract. Just because a company types something on paper doesnt make it legal. I think federal law is something like 2-4 weeks, but you should research it if you really want to make sure. Like the previous poster noted, not giving the amount of notice that your company had previously requested will most likely screw your chances of any possible bonus, but to be honest, they will try to screw you anyway. Just look at my previous thread about my experience with bonuses, and by the way, I gave the 4 month notice that was requested. Also, I would periodically check with management to see what my standing was with head office, and it was always good, but that didnt matter in the end. Evil or Very Mad

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=74495

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

kana,
If you're not going to tell us what was said and by whom, we really can't judge the situation fairly. Help us to help you.

Gaijinheadpothead · Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 27

Well said , we have to define this 'racism'.

I try never to take any offence to anything here because I may find myself jumping to conclusions.

Don't demand an apology , let them know what you thought they said and that you don't like it. If they have any decency they will apologise themselves if there was any confusion.

But I get the incling that you may have over reacted which is fine where ever you come from. But here you MUST be sensitive to the way they do things. Demanding an apology is a BIG no here.

ALL IN MY OPINION!! ; )

(P.S. I may be totally wrong but that's because I don't have enough info on what happened, all I can do is follow my instincts here.)