Job Discussion Forums

MrWright · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 167 Location: Arizona

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 · Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

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

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 · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:20 pm Post subject:

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 · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

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 · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 167 Location: Arizona

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

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

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 · Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 27

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!

Greg_R · Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

While I was in Japan I didnt feel like I was being stared at all the time. Seen 1 gaijin seen them all.

mizzoumike76 · Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 12:10 am Post subject:

If a school takes issue with your tattoos, it is likely because they are worried about how the parents will react. The school staff themselves probably won't care, but oh my how they worry about the parents' thoughts.....especially now, with the current economy and sagging enrollment.

I'm in Nagano City. When I first arrived, I felt I was being stared at a lot. Now, I realize most of that was probably psychological and really, I'm not as awesome and interesting as to the general public as I thought I was. Perhaps initially, it was curiosity about "the new guy in the neighborhood", and now that they're used to me, people are quite friendly and warm. After living in a Mediterranean country, it took me a while to grasp the very different culture here.

I've only once experienced prejudice outright; I was in Nagasaki, looking for a hotel room at 3am. The owner of a small place said she had a room, but she didn't rent to foreigners. We're both very clean cut looking people around 30, very tired and clearly not "trouble", but the lady stood firm. I was incensed, but after working in a hotel for a long time in the States, I figured she had her reasons and I was glad to not give her my business.

Other posters are right; I don't think anyone will ever say anything to you outright. However, if you're behaving badly or come across someone with an axe to grind, who knows.

The few times I have been to Tokyo, I felt like just part of the crowd.

Also, it depends on what you look like. I'm 6 feet/183cm, not super tall. Even in Japan, there are lots of people as tall as me or taller. But I was much heavier when I arrived and students loved to call me "metabo" or say "you are fat!". For guys, not a big deal. We laugh it off and think it's cute. For ladies, I can bet this is not welcome attention.

Beckyyy · Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Posts: 4

Does this apply to women as well? This meaning, not being a big deal because I am a foreigner, etc etc and all that jazz in between.

I have two tattoos on my wrists one being 7 cm and on the other 3 cm.

I'm sorry if I'm missing the bigger picture, its just that whenever the subject of tattoos are in order, it seems as if only men reply with their experiences.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

Don't display your tattoos. Tattoos = Yakuza.

Most onsen and swimming pools have a ban on tattoos of any size, but you can sometimes get away with it at municipal baths. My local municipal pool was a veritable Yakuza party.

OneJoelFifty · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 463

Good point actually - the Yakuza must bathe somewhere!