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SuperFly
Joined: 09 Jul 2003
Location: In the doghouse
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 Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:14 pm Post subject: Korea haters- so you thought Korea was bad? |
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I surf some Japan blogs. I don't wanna tell you who wrote this one, but I wanted to share...so I ain't linkin' the site, mmK?
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In Japan a foreigner is required by law to have his Alien Registration Card, commonly called the �Gaijin Card�, or his passport on their person at all times when out and about. Failure to produce either document when asked by a policeman can really land one in hot water as I was to find out one night.
I was returning from the video store at about 11pm on my bicycle when I noticed the flashing of the familiar red lights of a Japanese police car that had passed me in the opposite lane and made a u-turn to come up behind me. Okay, I thought, they�re probably just going to ask me for my gaijin card. No problem. My bicycle light was on so this was just going to be a routine stop. I�ve been through this a few times in the past several years so I figured no sweat.
I stopped my bicycle and waited for them to come up to me. Two policemen approached from the rear, one on either side of me. Seeing that I was a foreigner one started speaking in really, and I mean really, bad broken English.
�Goodu ebiningu sir. You fromu Zama campu?� I answered in English that I was not from the base and that I was a student. Seeing that he was having a little difficulty with the word student I answered in Japanese as I wanted to get this over with and back home to watch my new movie. He replied in Japanese that he was surprised that I could speak Japanese and asked what I was doing and where I was going. I told him. He then asked for my gaijin card. �Sure�, I replied, and reached around to my back pocket to retrieve it. To my utter astonishment it wasn�t there! I realized that I had left it home on my kotatsu (small Japanese table with a heater under it)! What an idiot! This was like the first time I ever left home without my gaijin card and I get stopped by the police! I think the last time I was asked for my gaijin card was maybe three years previous.
With my heart beating real fast, I told the officer, in the politest Japanese I could muster up, that I left it home and that if they would come to my apartment, I would show it to them. He didn�t know what to do and asked his partner. His partner said that they could just take me home and see if it was there and check it. The questioning officer sucked air, scratched the back of his head, and said he was unsure and would have to check with his superiors. As he walked back to his car to get on the radio with his superiors I thought to myself what a couple of keystone cops (idiots) these two were! Couldn�t they make a decision by themselves? This seemed so simple, I thought. Well, what may seem like a simple solution to foreigners was not as simple to the Japanese as I was about to find out.
After a couple of minutes, the questioning officer returned and said that they would take me home and have a look at my gaijin card. Whew, was I relieved. They loaded my bicycle into the trunk and I got into the back seat for the five minute ride to my apartment.
During the ride the other officer turned to me and said in Japanese, �What kind of movies did you have recorded? Porno movies?� and he laughed. I told him that they were just US movies, but I had a feeling he didn�t believe me. What an asshole, I thought to myself.
When we got to my apartment, they unloaded my bicycle and escorted me into my apartment. They didn�t even wait in the genkan (entranceway). They entered my apartment like they belonged there! I showed them that my gaijin card was on my kotatsu and gave it to the questioning officer. He looked it over while the other officer walked around my apartment opening a drawer, my clothes closet and the closet where I kept my futon. I found this rather repulsive and an invasion of my privacy as I didn�t think he had a right to do that. But I didn�t say anything as it was I who broke the law and could�ve been arrested or taken in. I felt I was lucky for not being taken in.
The questioning officer said that everything was ok and said he was just going out to the car to let his superiors know. Before leaving he mentioned that he was surprised that I had a typical Japanese apartment with no furniture other than a TV, a desk, a clothes closet, and a few small cabinets that held my phone and other personal effects (Also known as �Color Boxes� in Japan.) I told him that I was very comfortable living this way and rather enjoyed it. He said that he expected to find a typical American style living arrangement with a sofa, coffee table, kitchen table, etc.
Anyway, he went out to the patrol car and the other officer just made small talk about the university I was attending, if I liked Japanese food, how good my Japanese was etc. etc. All the things I have been asked a countless number of times before by Japanese people. I answered as politely as I could.
After a few minutes the questioning officer came back in, bowed and apologized to me because he would have to take me in to the station! WHAT? It seems his superiors had checked the regulations and the regulations stated that any foreigner that did not have his gaijin card with him at the time of being asked for it had to be taken to the police station. This was really turning into a nightmare now. I had showed them my gaijin card. It was legal. It proved I was a student. Why in God�s name did they have to take me to the station? Just because I didn�t have my gaijin card on my person a mere 5 minutes distance from my apartment? Can�t anyone in this country make a decision by themselves? Must they always go word for word by the book?
In Japan, the sad answer is yes as everyone is afraid to make a decision for themselves. I had seen this before in any number of situations in Japan where no one is willing to make a decision without first checking the rules, or with their superiors, or with the group. When in doubt (which they always seem to be), they go by the book. Well, it seems even this officer�s superiors couldn�t make a decision on this one either, and even THEY had to check with the regulations and were going by the book. How simple, I thought, would it be for someone to say, �Ok, no problem. Your gaijin card is in order, just don�t forget it again.� Case closed. But nooooo. Not in Japan.
So, the questioning officer apologized again and offered to give me a ride back home after questioning. Big deal! I thought. Thanks a lot! I was then driven to the police station in Zama city where I was questioned for almost two hours! This may surprise some as it sure as hell surprised the hell out of me. But not only did they ask for information about me, but also about my family, my mother and father, my brothers and sisters, their names, addresses, ages, names and ages of their husbands/wives, children, if any, and just about anything you could think of. The information was extremely personal, quite unnecessary and a severe invasion of my privacy. But this was their country and I had broken their law. I was probably questioned as they would question any Japanese, as they were reading from a book on this interrogation!
Although I gave the correct names of my family I gave them false addresses as I figured this was none of their business and if they did check, and it was found to be false, I would just tell them that they must�ve moved. They never checked. It was just routine questioning they probably ask of anyone and everyone, Japanese or not.
After this questioning was over, I was informed that I would receive a summons to appear in court in Yokohama and that it would be in my best interest to have a formal letter of apology ready to hand to the judge so that he may go light on me. Go light on me? I thought. What for? For not having my gaijin card on me? Jeeze, what a strict country! And how senseless, I thought, for something so simple as not having one�s gaijin card on their person. I was also told that I could receive a financial penalty, be deported from the country, or maybe even receive some jail time! Oh great. Now I may be even kicked out of the country for just forgetting my gaijin card. (I really didn�t think I would receive any jail time or get kicked out of the country for such a small infraction but you never know in Japan.) And with only a year and a half left until graduation to boot! I remember thinking to myself, why am I living here in this crazy country? I was then taken home by the same two officers who apologized to me again.
A week or so later I was summoned back to the police station for further questioning by two detectives who asked me the same questions I answered previously. How redundant. But hey, this is Japan. Live in Japan and you live by their rules and laws no matter how silly I think they might be.
Well, in Japan, as the old saying goes, their bark is worse than their bite. I received my notice to appear in court in Yokohama about two months later. I dressed in a suit and had my letter of apology in hand, written in Japanese by a friend of mine to ensure there were no mistakes and who also accompanied me to court. I appeared before the judge and the charges against me were read. I bowed real low, apologized, and handed my formal letter of apology to the judge. After he read it he said that I had broken a law and that since I was remorseful, no action would be taken against me. However, he said that if I was caught without my gaijin card again I could receive jail time, be fined, be deported from the country or all three! I was then dismissed with no fine or other action against me. I bowed real low, apoligized again and left.
As we rode the train home I reflected on the hassle and worry I went through these past couple of months for something so simple (to me) as not having my gaijin card on my person when asked for it. But it did not diminish my view on Japan or my love for the country as this was the law where I was residing and, like any Japanese person, I was expected to obey the law no matter how inane and senseless it seemed to me.
In Japan rules are rules and the law is the law, and everyone is expected, and required to, follow the law. However, the courts are really quite lenient when one shows true remorse.
Needless to say, I never forgot my gaijin card again and I recommend that if you live in, or are visiting Japan, do not get caught without your gaijin card or passport as you will be in for the hassle of your life.
As for myself, I eventually came to terms with my love-hate relationship with Japan and remained there for more than nine more years. |
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laogaiguk
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Location: somewhere in Korea
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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| I loved Japan and might even go back. I also have a few close Japanese friends. Having said that, anyone who thinks it is more foreigner friendly than Korea hasn't lived in the two. The difference is Koreans are more direct about it. Seriously, I have yet to be asked here in Korea, "So, when are you leaving?" There are other things too. |
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SuperFly
Joined: 09 Jul 2003
Location: In the doghouse
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Could you imagine the 300 page thread on this site if someone was sent to court and fined because they didn't have their ARC card on them? |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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| In Japan rules are rules and the law is the law, and everyone is expected, and required to, follow the law. |
It is remarkable that two countries so similar in so many ways are so diametrically opposite in this one way. In Korea, rules and laws are merely mild suggestions and no one is expected, much less required, to follow the law. |
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pastis
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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I don't think that story can be called typical... Regarding Japanese police, a few (rare) are racist pigs who will humiliate you at the slightest opportunity, but the vast majority I've ever seen or encountered are quite friendly and helpful. Interestingly enough, the main job of the kobans, as far as I could tell, is not to fight crime (there being practically no real crime to fight), but rather to give directions to passers-by - a task they perfom quite diligently (seeing as navigating through unfamiliar parts of Tokyo is nigh impossible even for taxi drivers). I've actually had police take the time to voluntarily drive me to places I was looking for (like a free taxi service!) and more than once too. I can't imagine police doing that anywhere else, certainly not in the U.S.
But then I've also had police wave me down just for making an improper lane-change on my scooter (even though everyone does it) and proceed to yell at me at length, force me to dismount and walk my scooter along for several kms watching me all the way... And some cops are just so damned bored with having nothing to do or any real problems to solve, that they'll stop people for insignificant things like J-walking... So it just depends. But generally the vast majority of Japanese cops are quite respectful and helpful (even though I'm not a huge fan of cops in general).
Having said that, Japan is also famous for its iron-cage-like bureaucracy, and "rules are rules" mentality. The inability of some people to make simple decisions without consulting their superiors can be frustrating. It doesn't sound like those police were trying to be racist to the guy in the OP's post; as far as I can tell they were just being incompetent twits - playing it so much by the book when they should've just used a bit of common sense. But sometimes that's just Japan for you... it's a great country nevertheless, and still a much easier place to live than Korea overall (IMO)... |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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I can't imagine police doing that anywhere else, certainly not in the U.S.
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It happened to me once. I was crossing the Mississippi River bridge from Iowa to Illinois once upon a time. Car over-heated and died. A highway patrolman stopped, put me in the back seat and off we went looking for a repairman. Nice guy. |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Ya-ta Boy wrote: |
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| In Japan rules are rules and the law is the law, and everyone is expected, and required to, follow the law. |
It is remarkable that two countries so similar in so many ways are so diametrically opposite in this one way. In Korea, rules and laws are merely mild suggestions and no one is expected, much less required, to follow the law. |
EXACTLY the quote and comment I was gonna make!
The Japanese and Koreans are FUNDAMENTALLY different in this way, and to overlook that is to miss a big part of the culture.
In Korea, responsibilities arise out of relationships with individuals and groups, from the smallest (family, friends, organizations joined, etc) sphere upward.
In Japan, it's a top-down system (and up again, with all their consultations) that makes LAW and EMPEROR and COUNTRY sooooooo important.
Koreans may be proud of being Korean but don't mistake that as loyalty or a sense of responsibility: Koreans would sell out their country in a nanosecond to protect their region (three kingdoms) or home city or organization or family. The Japanese would sacrifice their family and city for their country and the Law if need be.
The underlying cultural differences are actually quite stark.
Like comparing the neighbouring French and German. |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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No big deal really. The guy broke the law, the proper steps were made, and nothing happened in the end. Nice to see police doing their jobs. Just like you would see in Canada, some police will give a warning, some won't, depends upon your luck.
I also used to get rides in police cars all the time if I was seen walking somewhere. Probably helped that my dad was the head detective at the time though. |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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| ajgeddes wrote: |
| No big deal really. The guy broke the law, the proper steps were made, and nothing happened in the end. Nice to see police doing their jobs. |
Then Japan, Germany and Bush's vision of America is for you. |
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bluelake
Joined: 01 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:12 pm Post subject: |
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I forget if I ever mentioned this anecdote; I heard it many years ago. Back in the '30s (during the Japanese occupation of Korea), a Western missionary woman was teaching school here. She ordered a pull-down world map for a geography class she taught. She received a notice from the post office that it arrived and she should pick it up. She went there and the postal clerk (Japanese) slid it out through the hole in his clerk's window.
Just when the lady was starting to leave, the clerk asked her to slide it back in the window again. Puzzled, she did so. The clerk pulled out a rule and measured the box. Then, he pulled out his manual. After that, he said to her, "I'm sorry, you can't have this; it's one centimeter too long and cannot go through the mail." I guess it took her three months to finally get it back. |
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ChopChaeJoe
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:12 pm Post subject: |
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| What else would you expect from the fine folks who brought us Pearl Harbor? |
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pastis
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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| ChopChaeJoe wrote: |
| What else would you expect from the fine folks who brought us Pearl Harbor? |
Your "wit" sucks. |
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rocklee
Joined: 04 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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Sounds like one of those 3rd rated blog stories.
The police usually leave people alone and were incredibly helpful when I needed to find the road authority centre for my car when I was there. As for living in Japan, I loved it. Best place in Asia IMO. |
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rocklee
Joined: 04 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul
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pastis
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
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| Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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omg, that guy was such a loser...
All I can say props to the garbage man for not taking that sh*t lying down. That skid got what he deserved - what a fucking low life. If he had spat on my bike or worse yet thrown it my truck, I'd have beat his ass too. Hopefully he got deported or better yet locked up. Guys like that should never, ever be allowed to leave their native suburbs.
And you're right, his Japanese sucked really bad, he sounded less intelligent than the mentally ill homeless guy he was provoking. |
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