How can you have dueal citizenship? Japan does not allow this?

OK, it seems like the majority of the Japanese Only signs are related to adult entertainment establishments. Big deal. That’s the only time I’ve encountered seeing a Japanese Only sign (not that I went out of my way to find one, I’ve had that pointed out to me).

@Mr.T, children have dual citizenship until they turn 20, then I think they have two years to decide which one to keep.

I don’t think we should label a country as racist just because of a few images played to the national anthem. Anyone can go to Google Images, grab some negative pictures, compile them into a video and play the anthem of your choice.

On a side note, that Japanese anthem is really quite beautiful!

Thanks for clearing that point up for me Nick. I appreciate the information.

The things I missed about Japan: sakura, giant beers and the rampant racism.

The Japanese will offer lots of excuses, such as foreigners make them ‘uncomfortable’ or that it’s because the Japanese can’t speak ‘English’ or that they are an ‘island’ but really there’s a deeply rooted sense of racism in Japan.

There was a case a few years ago in Hokkaido about an American who became a Japanese citizen, married a Japanese woman and had two daughters. He was denied entrance into an onsen, as was his daughter who had lighter hair. His wife and his other daughter, who looked more ‘Japanese’ were allowed to enter. If that doesn’t exemplify racism then I don’t know what does.

I was thinking along the same lines as Mr. T in his first post, Doramia. I never knew that Japanese were racist, but when I saw these signs I was thinking that they were on adult establishments whos practices may not be legal or accepted by Americans or other foreigners.

Just a reminder, we have strictly enforced rules here on Japundit about comments related to U.S. politics.

This is a Japan blog. We and our readers have no interest in what anyone thinks about U.S. party politics.

Here’s the thing on racism. It happens everywhere. Doesn’t make it good or right, but it is there. Thing is, in Japan more people haven’t caught the PC bug and the courts don’t get involved with it.

I heard a talk by a scholar of racism in the US and he commented on how interviews and surveys on the subject in the US were very suspect these days because everyone knew what they were and weren’t supposed to say, even if they didn’t actually believe or practice it.

In Japan, the PC bug is just catching on (I can never decide if Debito does more good or harm–his intentions are usually good, but I’m not sure his tactics are helpful). You’re more likely to see the true feelings beneath (ironically, considering the whole honne/tatamae idea). Also, given the rather insulated nature of Japanese society, things that white Westerners (especially Americans) find offensive aren’t offensive to Japanese in the Japanese context.

Example: black face performers. There is a specific US context for this that makes it very offensive. That context doesn’t exist in Japan. I’ve seen Japanese entertainers do it in ways that make me really cringe (comedy) and other times, particularly in imitation musical performances where it is intended to honor. I find it offensive and would prefer to not see it, but I’m not sure that makes me right when I’m in Japan, watching Japanese performers, performing for a Japanese audience. Do we have the right to enforce our morals and ethics on everyone else? Part of me says yes, part of me says no.

It’s not a matter of digging up a lot of pictures of these signs and compiling them into 1 video.

Unfortunately, I’ve never been in Japan but the impression you get from reading different sites and blogs is that there’s a lot of racism and xenophobia in Japan. Not only Western foreigners get discriminated but also Asians, such as the Chinese and the Koreans do (well, it’s kind of mutual in that later aspect).

The first problem many foreigners find while trying to get an apartment in Japan is that the owners don’t want to rent them just because they are gaijin. So… yes, there’s racism as in any other part of the world, but what? Does that make it excusable?

Anyway, if one day I decide to live in Japan and get a citizenship, I don’t want to end up resigning my nationality and end up being a second rate citizen just because I wasn’t born in Japan.

I have experienced extreme hospitality and acceptance by the Japanese that I have spent time with, in their homes. As long as you are respectful to them and take an interest in Japanese culture and history, the Japanese I have been with are extremely accepting. Once, in a Yakatori restaraunt, the owner, who knew I am an American, asked me all about amunition. He assumed that I, being an American, knew all about guns and ammo. Fortunately, I knew enough to satisfy his curiousity. Japan is a quirky county, it has people that are conservative and liberal. I cannot say that I have ever experienced racism in Japan.

I recently left Japan after living and working there for 7 years. I really enjoyed it, and for the most part it was an overwhelmingly positive experience. However, anyone who says that Japan is not a deeply racist society is either being willfully ignorant, or is just plain clueless.

Having said that, Japanese people on an individual level can be some of the nicest and most welcoming hosts that you will ever meet. During my time there, I experienced acts of kindness that I never thought possible. Ordinary Japanese people invited me into their homes, their lives and even in a couple of cases, their families. On a macro level however, Japan simply is not designed to accomodate those who are different.

Most foreigners have either experienced it themselves, or know someone who was not permitted to rent or buy an apartment in a particular building because they are not Japanese. The excuses often include everything from “It would make the neighbours uncomfortable” to “foreigners are too loud” to “You can’t understand the system for recycling garbage (true story)”, but at the end of the day, it simply comes down to you not being Japanese.

I worked in an environment where most of the employees had at least a Master’s degree, and I still experienced casual expressions of racism on a very regular basis. Never directed at me of course, and in many cases there was no malice intended, but these attitudes are ingrained from a very early age.

While I think that the video clip is somewhat inflammatory, “Japanese only” signs are real, and are not restricted to only hostess clubs and soaplands. Many establishments resort to the less obvious “members only” tactic, but the intent, and the results are the same. Nor is this restricted to rural areas. There is a club near where I lived in downtown Nagoya called “Cafe Abime” that is infamous for denying entry to foreigners. I once asked the doorman directly, and he very politely told me that under no circumstances would I be allowed in. I then asked if my friend, who is Japanese-American could get in, and they said that he might, provided he only spoke Japanese.

There are other examples of ryokans which don’t admit foreigners because they worry that they (we) will walk on the tatami in shoes or not understand how to use the bath properly.

The nature of Japanese racism was mentioned upthread, and in my experience, it is different to what I have encountered at home. In the west, people tend to discriminate against you based on what you are. In Japan, people discriminate against you because of what you are not - Japanese. Although there is a definite pecking order of foreigners with white westerners at the top, and other Asians at the bottom, often anyone not Japanese is just thrown together into the category of “Gaijin”. In some ways, it makes it a little easier to not take it so personally, but that is no defence.

Japan is a great country full of great people, but the xenophobia and racism which are so prevalent there, definitely need to be addressed.

Yes, racism is a part of Japan.
So what? If you don’t like it, you are free to leave.
I can’t imagine the gall of some people who expect to go to Japan and change it to suit their expectations.

I’m sorry that you are suffering, remora. I understand.
Please understand, though, that this is Japan. I love many things about Japan, but understand when some aspects are not to my liking. Yes, I am gaikokujin. Technically, there are some things I am not allowed to do and some places I am not allowed to go, but I have found that adopting a courteous and respectful attitude has given me access to most things that would technically not be allowed. I have been cursed at (if you can call it that) by older Japanese people, but amazingly, when I responded in keigo, they have ALL been effusively apologetic. I have been refused entry on occasion, and when I responded courteously and patiently, I have on occasion (not always, of course) had exceptions made for me.
My take is that Japanese, through experience, expect foreigners not to understand their culture and, whether intentionally or not, to be rude and disruptive. When I demonstrate that I know how to behave like a human, I am usually accommodated. In fact, it’s kind of funny how amazed many people are that I am “human.”
I can understand how frustrated and insulted many foreigners are in Japan, but making a big fuss about it just reinforces the Japanese’ stereotypes and makes things worse.

Couple points I want to make clear -
- Japan is a kind place and those signs are, well I would have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than seeing one of those signs just walking down the street.
- Mr. T. I would agree that those signs are more than likely located in red light districts and in locations where there is a high concentration foreigners. – from my 3 years living in Sasebo, Japan.
- I just wanted to point out in my last posting that I was concerned how my family would react if they encountered such a sign or attitude.
- Also, want to add that a solution to all this:
Now this is sign is not offensive and gets the job done -
“Please do not be offended but we are sorry we cannot accommodate foreigners in our establishment. This establishment offers a unique experience that is difficult deliver to foreigners due to culture and language. We lack the resources to deliver our memorable outstanding customer service to foreigners. Until we can make the appropriate changes and have the right resources to deliver our wonderful experience equally to all people, we are truly sorry and hope you understand we cannot provide our services to you today. Thanks. {Right here would be that picture of a person bowing.}”

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006041002903

because I’m not expected to understand the rules of Japanese etiquette and whatever, I am blissfully unfettered and free to blunder my way around Japan (Mr.Bean-like) with my nose in the air muttering the occasional phrase such as.. “What curious people they are!”

I give the Japanese exactly what they expect of an Englishman (in double doses) afterall, one wouldn’t
want to disappoint them would one…

remora

it’s not that they’ll refuse to rent to foreigners. it’s the paperwork, most foreigners can’t read those forms and it stresses out the staff and renters alike. take a JP friend with you. Also about the onsen: the north is very shy and conservative, and if you have tatoos it may offend the other bathers. i’ve been to many onsen in Kansai and I’ve never had a problem. i’m female and have 4 tattoos.

This may be off topic, though you could understand why there are sometimes ” Japanese only ” sighs. I’ve heard or seen several weird things about some foreigners at hotels, onsen or sport clubs in Japan.

Some foreign visitors at hotel take yukata or towels with them when they leave. Or they use tons of hot water by bathing or washing their cloths at bath room or hung out washings to dry in hotel room or on tatami in onsen ryokan, instead of asking it for the service.

I myself have seen some South Asian or East European use tons of hot water in the bath room at a sport club where I usually go to. I assume they believe they have right to use hot water as much as they want to use because they paid for it. Or they dump trashes into false garbage can, because they don’t know it’s wrong.

There are certainly many Japanese who have bad manners. But if they are foreigners they just stand out. Ordinary Japanese staffs don’t know what to do against it as they often lack communication skills.

overoften, what I have seen or heard is just a part of the problem. And I don’t find it agreeable either, some Japanese service industries can’t deal well with foreign tourists.

Besides, those who show signs like ” Japanese Only ” are definitely not doing good business.