Job Discussion Forums

Chroniclesoffreedom · Joined: 13 Jan 2015 Posts: 261

I was watching a video (actually quite a few videos) by YouTube user kanadajin3. And I believe she only talks from her own experience and I respect her. This video kinda struck me the most. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vv_V6usTYGI
She explains how you can become Japanese. But I was told recently that anywhere in Asia you go, you will never truly belong and people would always see you as an outsider. I read stuff online recently about Japan that suggested you would always be the subject of discrimination. And you would always have to obey the "no foreigners allowed" signs that you see everythere. So even if you did become a Japanese citizen, would alot of the discrimination simply slip away so long as you learn the culture and customs as well as language? And last but not least, at least become a permanent resident? Would you still have trouble renting apartments and such?

I'm just deciding where in Asia I want to go. So far I considered China and also Taiwan. Now I'm looking into Japan as well. And the first thing that concerns me above all is how well I could fit in if I am culturally sensitive and flexable. Would I be able to become part of any social circle of people? Would I be able to find a girlfriend? I read mixed things about Japan and this is why I'm posting this. So any thoughts would be appreciated.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Rather than relying on YouTube for info, go to the source: http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/information/tnl-01.html

Regardless, you're just 25 years old and have never lived outside Canada. Why do you feel the need to pursue citizenship in a country you've never lived in?

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

in Canada, when you arrive, you start the immigration process to become a Canadian. Around 80% of immigrants to Canada become Canadians. It's what Canadians tend to expect when you uproot and start a life in another country. (For more, listen to CBC Ideas recent podcast of Adrienne Clarkson's Massey Lecture).

In Japan, only about 1% of the population is foreign. However, there are many Japanese people of mixed ancestry, and their ethnicity is not accounted for in statistics. Still, the number of vsisibly not Japanese is tiny. You'll stand out anywhere you go, except for big city centres like Osaka and Tokyo.

In Japan, you get a visa, and perhaps eventually spousal or permanent resident status. As an ethnic other, you're going to stand out, especially while you are still learning the language and culture.

Yes, as the Youtuber says, you can become a Japanese citizen. I know two Japanese citizens that were formerly Canadian. They were both over 40 when they decided to make the big decision for the sakes of their children, and because they realized they wanted to spend the rest of their lives here.

Meanwhile there are few "no foreigners allowed" signs, and they tend to be fixed to the doors of sketchy establishments like hostess bars.

Remember, there is no legislation in Japan to protect you from racist prejudice. The law is vague on discrimination. Somebody else can elaborate on that one.

In employment, you may find you are shut out of many industries ( you'll never see a foreigner working in the train systems), but even so, you can work In a few industries as a Japan rookie, and even become a public employee. I have been a government worker twice in Japan.

You may think the visa system is precarious, but over time, you get longer visas and you can eventually apply for permanent resident status.

For me, I prefer to keep my citizenship as is for now.

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

I haven't the read the content of your post, but I'm not going to mince words: she's a misinformer who, along with Debito, needs to stop spreading their drivel. She's been pretty convincingly demonstrated to be a liar and I wouldn't listen to anything she says without investigating further.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Rusty is pretty harsh, but I agree. The Youtuber exaggerates a lot. It's not nearly as easy to immigrate to Japan as she claims.

Her video about how people smell is bunk, and racist.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Not to jump on her, but she also claims how it is fairly easy to get a non teaching job here. That's hard to do, esp if you want to make a living

kpjf · Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 385

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Ah, YouTube. A lot of people gossiping about each other to generate drama and clicks.

For daily life stuff, refer to http://www.survivingnjapan.com

For language and culture, http://www.tofugu.com

Watch NHK World in English. There are many human interest programs about Japanese and foreign residents' lives.

Imoortant legal info, like the labour code, copyright law and immigration, is available from official webpages in English.

Social stuff depends on where your job places you, type of employment, your interests, your Japanese language ability, etc. . I second what kpjf says.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Wow, didn't know about the drama. I guess she is more than a little off.

nightsintodreams · Joined: 18 May 2010 Posts: 558

She is full of crap, don't listen to a word of it.

I disagree with people on this forum a lot, but it's usually a difference of a opinion only. This girl is just a complete weebo and a liar who hasn't got anything worthwhile to say.

She acts as if she's fully intergrated into Japan after 4/5 years and talks about her "Japanese ability", but watch some of the videos of her speaking Japanese on her other channel. She can barely say a full sentence in one take. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure her Japanese is pretty good for the amount of time she's spent here, but it's noway near as good as she believes it to be. She has not intergrated.

Having said that, she's a small slim girl who's done everything she can to look as Japanese as possible. I imagine she does blend in a little better than a 6ft Rugby player would.

ssjup81 · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 5:33 am Post subject:

I'm curious. On my way home this evening, I'm going to watch some that user's videos. Sounds like the user is completely bogus.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I watched a bit and regretted it. Five to 8 minutes of little to no content.

This Youtuber appears to be well integrated and informed. He has a lot of tips for those new to Japan.

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL54734B4601A97FC7

And then there is Chris Gen, who is a bilingual bij (born in Japan) foreigner. He's got language and culture advice.

https://m.youtube.com/user/StreetEnglishTV

kpjf · Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 385

nightsintodreams · Joined: 18 May 2010 Posts: 558

The answer to that question is quite simple, "weaboos".

Take a look at her Japanese language videos. It's worth mentioning that she's claimed to be fluent in Japanese multiple times. Even though it doesn't seem she can make a full sentence in one take and appears to be reading from a script. https://m.youtube.com/user/doudemomira

Don't take advice from any of the Jbloggers.

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

Ehhhh, I generally agree that the Jvloggers should be taken, first and foremost, for entertainment value, but there are some who are worthwhile. Hikosaemon, for example, I think is a great resource and is always incredibly fair, not to mention AN ACTUAL FLUENT JAPANESE SPEAKER. I really respect the guy.

Victor/Givemeabreakman, while more in the entertainment category, is great fun to watch as he rambles over his chu-hi. I don't give his opinions and views so much stock and he looks to shake hornets' nests, but at least he's never boring.

I liked Mimei's more poetic free-form video diaries but no idea if she still does them. They were kind of different from the usual "Guy stands in front of camera and rambles for 30 minutes." Haven't bothered to keep up with her stuff though.

Need to shout out Ami Yamato, this slightly mysterious but charming (British-?)Japanese woman who basically creates these incredibly interesting, if short, CG shorts with her character. Seriously trippy.

Also, the elephant in the room, Kanadajin3's "White Japanese People," while melodramatic and ridiculously hokey, was her one video that I think wasn't completely worthless and a shame that she just isn't rational enough to step back and explore such an overlooked topic with sensitivity and empathy instead of stupidity and bathos. I already said my piece on the rest of her output and I think TokyoLiz and nights said it far better and more coolly than I ever could.

Besides that, I don't watch (m)any of them because not my deal, but I'm certain they're lovely and interesting people. You'd also be surprised how many Japanese people, even if their English isn't perfect, will sit and watch these things. 2ch has more than a few dissections of their collective works and my then-girlfriend in Japan was the one who introduced me to Mimei and she knew a whole slew of other Japan-based youtubers.

What a world.