Job Discussion Forums

[MrWright]

I have a question about the xenophobia one might encounter in Japan. I have heard it is really bad in Korea and assume there will be some almost no matter where I go. People are people, after all. But how does Japan do on this issue? Also, what might the attitude be towards a foreigner with tattoos? I have 2 2/3 sleeves, but nice, high quality, colorful stuff. Not prison/gang looking, scary tats. Will that count against me? I assume I'll need to wear long sleeve shirts while I'm teaching, but how might the general reaction in public be? I know apperance is important, and in general I look very clean cut and proper. Thanks.

[shogoz]

Hey hey.

I went for a holiday a couple of years ago in Japan (Osaka) and i got majorly looked at because i'm a westerner. Freaked me out a bit while i had all my luggage next to me and was getting stares by someone who obviously hadn't seen somebody with blond hair before. i would probably expect a few more stares if you show your tattoos but yeah, depending on where you stay it may be different.

[Glenski]

People who have lived in Korea report that the level of xenophobia is much lower in Japan. Expect to be stared at a bit, though, especially by young children and by anyone if you are in a rural area. They just don't get the chance to see a foreigner live.

Tattoos. You may actually be refused service in some onsens with tattoos that large and noticeable. Yes, cover them securely when you work. They may look "high quality" to you, but they are not the norm here, and even though young people with tattoos are growing in number, there is still a bit of a stigma about them.

[seklarwia]

Even the tattoos that are appearing here are mostly very small, so depending on where you live, it might be best not to have them on display too much.

Even piercings are not as common in western countries. In my school, only one other female teacher has pierced ears. And our BOE doesn't allow students to have any done before highschool.

Be prepared: If you haven't already secured a job, many overseas interviewers will ask you about tattoos and piercings. And you may get turned down for having tattoos.

As to piercings, on girls a couple of piercings in the lobe aren't a problem as long as you're not wearing bangles through them, but anything else that can be seen, may cause a problem at work.

And I heard a guy with a single stud get asked to either remove it or get a matching piercing in the other ear... he took the stud out.

[Apsara]

There is a subculture of young people who are getting bigger tattoos these days (go to Enoshima Beach in summer if you want to see a concentration of them), but it's still seen as rebellious, and particularly large areas like sleeves have gang associations. Because you are not Japanese nobody will think you are a member of the yakuza, but the stigma is still there and most gyms and hot springs will not allow you in. I have a tiny tattoo on my foot that I have to cover just to go to the gym, if that gives you any idea.

As I say here a lot, levels of staring are relative. If you have been to China or India you aren't going to think that the staring here is much at all. The guy Shogoz mentioned has almost certainly seen people with blonde hair before, Japan is not that isolated- if you have your tattoos covered up any one who looks at you for more than a couple of seconds is likely to just be a weirdo. Having the tattoos on display is going to bring more looks, but it's basically just because you're a curiosity more than anything else. Some foreigners here tend to get very worked up about it, but you're better off just ignoring it really.

I have been here (Tokyo) almost 12 years and can't really think of any times I have encountered outright racism. The more Japanese you speak the smoother everything goes in general though. The most annoying thing for me probably is repeatedly having my credit card applications rejected, which is almost certainly because I'm not Japanese. In the end I had to get a card on my husband's account.

[MrWright]

Thanks everyone. I cover the tattoos while in class here in the U.S. So thats no problem. I think its a safe bet to do so no matter what country one is in. And I don't mind getting stared at. Spent a lot of time in Nepal, and got stared at there regularly. People are just curious and I don't take it personally. But I am worried about general hostility from the public while I am just out and about. Sounds like I would be violating a cultural taboo there in Japan, and therefore seen as a foreign delinquint. Not ok with that, but I also don't want to spend all waking hours away from home in a long sleeve shirt. Does anyone know if it would be the same, or worse, in Korea? For some reason I can't log in on that forum to ask. Thanks again.

[Glenski]

[Apsara]

No no, you won't be seen as a foreign delinquent- merely a curiosity to some people, as I said above. Older people might disapprove (same where you're from, I bet), but this is Japan- they won't say anything about it. Young people are unlikely to care. I'm a yoga instructor, and I know a number of foreign guys who teach yoga here in Tokyo who are covered in tattoos, and they don't have problems other than the gym/onsen thing.

In central Tokyo (and I'm guessing Osaka), anything goes. In rural areas you will stand out more, particularly so with the tattoos, but outright hostility because of the tattoos is extremely unlikely.

[Gaijinheadpothead]

We're all subject to stares because we are so weird and wonderful.

It all depends on your own thoughts about it.
How you handle at times.

Hey I never complian when theres a group of girls staring me down
on the train.

If you are proud ofyourself and have a healthy self-esteem,
nothing like that should worry you.

Most of the stares are just interest, sometimes it's over the top really,
but it makes me laugh personally.

I have never felt discriminated against here, I don't think your tatoos
will cause you any trouble.

There is a rule against them in the onsens but they didn't just
make that up for you!! lol I think it's all about Yakuza.

Enjoy the attention you get here cause you won't get none of it at home I say!! desuyo!