First 4 min. of my Feature-Length Doc (Being Japanese)
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Watch Being Japanese on RUclips. Part 1 • Being Japanese Part 1 ... and part 2 • Being Japanese Part 2 ...
I spent 3 years making a documentary, asking the question, "What is Being Japanese?"
I hope this gives you all a fuller picture of the documentary and how I found myself making it. Starting today you can now rent it for $5USD on Vimeo vimeo.com/ondemand/beingjapanese
National identity comes from our culture over a long period of time, if you grow up and are raised in a Japanese culture you'll be Japanese.
If I go and live among the Native Americans for a few years and learn the language I won't be Native American. It's something given to you from the culture you are raised in over a long period of time, that's my view at least.
But who knows, everything has become subjective now days, so if you want to you can swap everything willy-nilly, gender, race, national identity.
@@Bill-zp2mt Nope, I disagree just because you grew up in Japan will not accepted as Japanese. Case and point, "Dainich" Korean. They been in Japan for generations, but still not accepted.
@@soc7052 A Japanese person who grew up in Germany is a Japanese then? You are twisting nationality and ancestry. Just because someone has a heritage X but lives in country Y that doesn't mean he is an X. He will not feel any sense of belonging (or the same) with country X because he grew up in Country Y. Don't you get it? Someone's roots are different from someone's sense of belonging. Those 2 concept aren't the same thing. Also don't end with 'case and point' during a sentence. It makes you sound like you aren't open for a debate and and idea that has not been debated is weak and narrow-minded.
@@exodiahg9937 If you’ve grew up in homogenized society, will understand I’m talking about. I’m not sure how diverse the Germany is but suffice to say that it is far more diverse than Japan, Korea or China. Japan is one of the more homogenized country in Asia. If you’re not an Asian, you stand out. I’m not saying that it is good/bad; it is a fact. With that said, I can only make reference to US/Canada (since they are similar in demographically).
Yes, if you’re born and raised in US/Canada, you ARE American/Canadian. No question asked. But this is a big “but”, US/Canada is a nation based on “idea”. People immigrated there for a better life. Everyone is from somewhere in search of “better” life. Your argument is based on the perspective of someone who grew up in diverse society. Japan is not. Korea is not. China is not.
It is difficult to relate/understand what’s like to be born and raise in the society where everyone around you has the common ancestry and cultural tradition. This is reason why Greg even asking “what it means to be Being Japanese”. Have you ever heard anyone questioning, “What is means to be American or Canadian”?
That is why I cited the “Zainichi” Korean. For generation, there were denied to be “Japanese” even though most of their ancestors were brought to Japan involuntarily. For generations, they were born and raised in Japan but they were treated as foreigners. The Zainichi Korean is a perfect example that fits your argument, heritage X but born and raised in country Y. The point is that Japan does not share you opinion. I would suggest watch Eido Inoue interview by Greg. His was born as Adrian David Havill. The case and point I’m making here are that he changed his name. Why?
hi Greg, Just buy the video. However, I can't use the subtitles function. I tried both VLC and Quicktime. Any idea? thanks
This is gonna be so good! Going to watch this weekend
This really whet my appetite to watch it, thanks! Before I do, and maybe subject to change given your movie, I will speak a bit for a conservative perspective. I am conservative. Speaking from a cultural conservative perspective, most will say that the cultural identity is that which adheres to a historical and social behavioral background. Therefore someone who adheres to a ethnic and cultural background is what the background proclaims. This is why so many Japanese will never admit anyone who isn't born and raised in Japan as Japanese. They worry about preserving their culture and identity. I totally get it and support it. Change will happen, but slowly, as it should be.
Today I learned Greg's last name is Lam, which is also my mom's maiden name.
Congratulations on the documentary!
Wow looks fascinating, will definitely rent this to watch with my friends and family sometime soon!
First 4 minutes has me intrigued! Looking forward to watching the rest ^^ it's a interesting topic. I have always questioned my cultural identity because I am of mixed heritage. Though I grew up in England, people would often ask me where I was from, and when I responded "I am from here", they would ask "but where are you *really* from?" It's a strange thing.
I’ve just rented and watched it, it’s a fantastic documentary, interesting for those of us who love Japan and also very relatable if you come from two (or more) different cultures, like I do. I recognised a lot of the issues the “hafu” were going through. All I can hope for is that people can be educated out of ignorance and xenophobia. This film is a step towards that. Thank you Greg.
I purchased it immediately upon release and thoroughly enjoyed it! I highly recommend it!
In Singapore, where I originally was from many families share similar diverse backgrounds and ethnicity like yours. I’m buying this video as I’ve been a subscriber to your channel since the early years and enjoy you and your family’s sharing👍🙂
Your work is incredibly brilliant, Greg! And I have to say that among all world leaders, Justin Trudeau has a knack for for putting profound ideas in very easy to understand terms.
I'm hooked! Will definitely be watching this on the weekend.
Even if it came out awhile ago, I just wanna say congrats on the release of your film! I can see that a lot of hard work went into it, and I’m definitely planning on giving it a watch.
Thanks!
Aloha from Hawaii. I love your productions.
Will be renting my copy, soon as I have time.
Possibly tomorrow, can hardy wait.
Looks great! Can’t wait to see your movie!
I can’t wait for the full documentary… this is very good. I live in Japan and I studied archaeology in college so I’m very much interested in different cultures especially Japan
It's out on Vimeo right now :-) You don't have to wait vimeo.com/ondemand/beingjapanese
So happy you did this documentary. I know it took you a long time, but I'd love to see another long documentary from you again if you're interested in doing so. I could watch hours and hours on the transportation and education systems of Japan (even how 'Japanese schools' outside of Japan handle education, there are a few here in England), and even one on thermoses but obviously the last one may not appeal to everyone, heh.
Hey, that thermoses video has 250K views! So perhaps not as niche as one would think. I was planning on making "Being Canadian", but I'm kind of burned out from making my first feature-length documentary, so I won't be starting anything like this again for a couple years I think. But I do have plans to work on mini-doc series, so that'll probably fulfill the same kind of in-depth coverage. One topic I'm collecting footage on is gender equality in Japan. It'll be a multi-part series. I'll be doing a few videos about Japanese neighbourhoods. Once the pandemic settles down, I plan on filming more things in Japanese schools.
@@LifeWhereImFromX Looking forward to all of the above then, especially the Japanese neighbourhoods one. I sometimes watch video of you biking through Japanese neighbourhoods as a way to get calm and relax.
@@decemberclouds The first neighbourhood one should be out next week!
I love stories about Japanese neighbourhoods! I can't get enough of their streets, the alleyways and the small spaces in between buildings lol. Your series about Homeless-ness in Japan is my favourite, by far!
Agriculture would be cool too. Have you ever heard of WOOOF? It's a program where people can volunteer to work in organic farms around the world, while being compensated with accommodation and food, not to mention lovely conversations and warm hospitality, no doubt. 😊
I’m going to rent this tomorrow. Congratulations on the full length documentary!! I’m truly happy for you and wish you and your family continued success and happiness.
okay i am rented!
Looks great.
Awesome! Great Job!!! I can't wait to see the full thing!
Can't wait to rent it, aaaaa! Can't believe it's FINALLY out!!!
It is complicated...
Excllent docu Greg 👍👏
As a Nisei Hapa in LA, I absolutely have to watch this!
Just watched it, Amazing! Very deeply felt. Here in SoCal, in middle school me and my Nikkei/Sansei friends were bullied by Korean-American gangs and now as an adult I understand why. I am now proud to be a kimchi-eating, soju-drinking, K-Town aficionado. Racism ends when you eat and drink foreign cuisine and tell your server/bartender/restaurant owner how much you enjoyed the experience. Instant family.
Nice! I'll rent when I get home.
Rented it but Vimeo on my tv does not show subtitles? Man that's a bummer.
Really excited to check this out!
Just rented, appreciate the 4K quality.
This is so interesting. I bought it ! I can't wait to watch it !!!!!! Keep on the good work ! :-)
Interesting background and such a lucky guy to live in such a beautiful country. I have been there only twice but loved every moment and really regret I didn't go more often when I could.
I'm definitely gonna buy this!
Just seen your documentary with my wife. Great work, well done. In the end, they are all Japanese.
I will definitely be renting when I get paid!
Wow, this is the film about Japan most never think about but is so desperately needed. I've been curious about this topic for several years myself. Thanks for all your hard work.
Cheers
where have you been?
Wth youtube... I've been subscribed to your main channel but youtube never show your videos on my feed. I missed so many.
Yeah, that's the algorithm. But hey, now that you know you've missed videos, you can watch them now :-)
@@LifeWhereImFromX doing just that
Looks great!
Beautiful!!!
People have both nationality to a country, plus their ethnic background. This is true everywhere. No one should be saying "I'm Canadian/Japanese/etc.." (because we are all a mix of something) but we do all the time, even if we know there's more to it than that.
We all choose how best to describe ourselves in the current situation, and it's just less cumbersome not to get too analytical in light conversation. This language tool for understanding ("I'm Canadian + unspoken understanding of another ethnicity) is a fairly modern-world concept, and has become commonplace in alot of places - but not so much in countries where there hasn't been a long history of immigration like Japan. Alot of people living in Japan just haven't met alot of people from other countries - so they might believe nationality and ethnicity are the same thing.
People just say whatever needs to be said for the other person to understand, that's all; it all depends on who it is you're trying to make understand you. If I was asked by a border patrol agent, I would say my nationality. If I was asked by someone from my ethnic country, I would say my ethnicity (if I wanted to gain "ethnic points" for relatability).
People should still watch the documentary. This channel has been proven to provide high quality content.
Spoken like someone who grew up ethnically diversed country like US. However, people who grew up in homogenized society has completly fiferent perspective. The Nationalism in country like US isa dirty word but that is not the case in the homogenized country like Japan, Korea or China is different mindset about the Nationalism.
Japanese rules can be very weird and stupid rules, 🥴
ugh. i cant rent anything online
you are from chinese heritage. woweee
wow I want to rent this NOW
Anyone else not getting subtitles when watching with Vimeo on tv or even casting from a phone?
I replied on Vimeo, but in the bonus features I added some hardcoded versions which will show the subtitles when casting.
Please add it to Amazon to stream 🙏
Unfortunately they don't take unsolicited documentaries anymore :-(
DAMN! How can I get a physical copy? Is there such a thing?
I just bought it on Vimeo, but a physical would be cool too.
Thanks for the purchase! Yeah, sorry, won't be doing a physical copy.
This sparks curiosity. I'll probably buy it later. Thanks Greg.
In regards to your comment at 2:20, I don't find the first part to be true at all. Americans and Canadians don't see Asian-passing people as the same nationality at all. Else, why are Asian-Americans and Asian-Canadians being attacked for hate crimes and blamed for COVID-19? Just my two cents.
I think it's more a matter of what's the norm. I can't talk about the U.S., but growing up and living in Canada, I've never had anyone say that I'm not Canadian or that I'm Asian-Canadian or Chinese-Canadian. Some people might ask my background, but they never doubted that I was Canadian. I asked my brothers as well as other Asian people I know and they seem to have the same general experience that I've had. These are all people born and raised in Canada. Now if you were born outside of Canada and have an accent or act in ways that don't seem Canadian, I can see how some would question if you were born in Canada or not. But I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that the large majority of Canadian citizens accept that anyone else that holds a Canadian citizenship is in fact Canadian.
Meanwhile, I was born in Canada but never once felt I was Canadian. The closest is when I say "I'm from Canada" or "I live in Canada"
Interesting. What makes you feel not Canadian?
@@LifeWhereImFromX I'm Québécoise. I totally get that "Canadian" means many cultures and many languages but somehow it doesn't work for mine.
Ah, I see.
@@Coccinelf I totally agree. It is like people in US almost never refers to US as "In my country.....", it always starts saying like, "in US......."
✨🔥😲Nationality, Citizen, Race, ect...they are all human construct
.......😅😶usually whoever is in power at said time, get to dictate that!!
.....then the masses run with that,
....as for myself Jamaicans tell me i'm not Jamaica anymore because i've been in America too long, and Americans tell me i'm Jamaican
....sooooo, there you have it folks😨😂🔥🔥
Why have you tempt us
So weird seeing a photo of our Prime Minister in a suit. I'm more used to the wetsuit photos, or the one where he was shirtless at pride that one year.
lmfao what about the blackface
The irony of Trudeau saying that while actively doing a genocide is...a lot
When did Canada do this?
Doing a genocide? Please elaborate.
@@thairinkhudr4259 you need to read more into the history of Canada and America before you praise it. Canadian history has a dark history which they now acknowledge of displacing and killing it’s native population before it became a nation of immigrants that it is today.
@@livingfinance Thank you for sharing, honestly it was shocking to find out about the historical unmarked children's mass graves in Canadian schools, and some. I do need to read up more on world history, but I was wondering what exactly did OP mean regarding the "current genocide" mentioned?
@@thairinkhudr4259 ah…that I’m not familiar. Op would not clarify.
Greg, you’re asking the wrong question. The question is what is the difference between each country. What is a Nation. What kind of nation is Canada or USA? Of cause, the Canada/USA is a nation of immigrants. Can you say that about Japan, Korea, China, France or Germany? No.
So then, what makes a nation. The Nation is about “peoplehood”. Cana or US are the nation based on “idea”. The idea about searching for the better life. Everyone from outside searching for the better life. I’m sure that your parent went to Canada for better life. So, when they accepted the Canadian way of life, they have become the “Canadian”.
So, what is Japan. Japan is nation of the “people”. The people whose ancestor born and die they that goes back to thousands of years. Chances are, the next-door neighbor shares the same ancestry, the culture and the tradition. It is about the same “peoplehood”. They all understand what is means to be a “Japanese”, “Korean”, “Chinese”, or “German”.
So, the question, what makes Japanese, a Japanese? Your ancestry. No matter how much an immigrant tries, will never be a “Japanese”. But someday, whatever the particular nationality that you are been in Japan long enough, and become a part of the Japanese culture, only then one can claim the Japanese nationality. It may take generations but not “overnight”.
Case and point, the “Dainich” Korean who has been living in Japan for generations, they are still not accepted as part of being “Japanese”.
@Simon I think you mixing the idea of assimilation and blending in. Realize what you saying? You’re saying that pretend to be Japanese even though you’re not. If you “disguise” yourself enough, you can blend in, which means is that if the truth gets out, you’re finished. That is not what it means to be Japanese. Why should you hide being what you are? Can you imagine you saying that in US? You will be labeled as “racist” when you asked hide being what you are and try pretend to be like someone else.
And yes, I am saying that if you’re 100% Japanese even though spent half of your life abroad. Even if you’re born and raised abroad, and you’re 100% Japanese, all you need to do is, “I’m here and I claim my Japanese nationality”. That all it takes.
You asked how do you know your ancestry? There is a thing called, Family Registry. Anyone who were born of Japanese nationality, must submit the name at local authority to register your name, until then, you’re a “non-person”. This is usually done in matter of days of birth. If you’re born outside, you still can do it via the embassy. This custom goes way back 100s of years. Same for Korea and China. This is how you can trace your ancestry. It is common practice that when you’re about to get married, you trace your ancestry in order verify that both has “enough” separation of ancestry in the old days.
@Simon I’m not the one who is saying that Zainichi Korean is not Japanese. It’s the Japanese government is saying it. The Japanese government created a special category for the Zainichi Korean. It’s called the “Special Permanent Residency”. They must go through the naturalization process just like the other foreign immigrant. So, although they have been living in Japan for generations, they are foreigner. So, does that make sense to you even though they’re born and raised in Japan, the government treats them as foreigner?
Unfortunately, this is not unique to Japan. It is the same way in Korea or in China. Anyone who is not part of the homogenized society will have difficulty relating to this kind of mind set but it is what it is. This is reason why Greg even raises the question as to what is “being Japanese”. When someone asks, what is “being American” or “being Canadian” the answer is not that complicated.
I would suggest watch Eido Inoue interview by Greg. He was an American born as Adrian David Havill. The case and point I’m making here are that he changed his name. Why?
@Simon I think you’re missing my point, you are not fully comprehending the meaning of “being accepted” as Japanese. I ask you, how do you know how or in what manner the Japanese people would accept you. You keep saying the term “indistinguishable”. What you’re saying is that “blend in”, don’t stand out, subpress being who you are. What I am saying is why? Why should one subpress who you are. Isn’t that being discriminatory? Can you imagine saying that to anyone in US/Canada? You will be accused of being a racist. Why can one say I’m Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese heritage and accepted as Japanese given that one embraces the Japanese way of life. What you saying is that a guy like Greg can never ever be Japanese even though he adopted Japanese way of life most of his life. That’s what I’m saying.
You’ve also misunderstood what is “Zainichi” Korean. The Zainichi Korean is a term created by Japanese due their heritage. The Zainichi Korean retains the Korean surname, so since it is not the Japanese surname, naturally being treated differently. And, Zainichi Korean is NOT Japanese citizen. Again, they’re given a unique status called “Special Permanent Residency” even though they’ve lived their lives in Japan for generation. You need to aware of that. All these issue does surface in everyday life such as applying for the job. You can’t hide it even if you try. Not to mention you can’t even apply for the civil servant jobs since you are not citizen. So, they are NOT counted as “naturalized” citizen in the census.
@Simon It seems that you’re contradicting yourself. You keep saying that a person can be this or can be that. But you not making you point about the original subject matter, “Being Japanese”. You still have not made your point on that point. Maybe your point is that, no real answer. Be that as it may.
My point always has been consistent from the beginning. I’m saying heritage matters. I’m saying that quarter or half, at this point in Japanese society, won’t accept has the “Japanese”. I’m also saying that acquiring the citizenship is not enough, that only satisfy the legal side of the issue but not the societal side. Sure, people will be civil with you and be kind with you but will not accept you as “one of them”. Will there ever be? Sure, some day. But that will take many generations. that is why I brought up the Zainichi Korean case. It has been many generations but still not fully embraced by the Japanese public in general. Again, it doesn’t matter about how much “Zainichi”. The Zainichi retains the surname, such as “Lee, Kim, Park, etc.”. You can’t hide it. That’s what it means to be Zainichi Korean. Per your definition, they look, sound and act like Japanese but why not being fully embraced? I ask you.
I’m saying, that’s because of their heritage. That’s what keeps them from fully accepted as “Japanese”.
The heritage comes in different form. The name is one as well as the appearences.
To prove my point. As I write this, I’m listing the music from Utada Hikaru. If you into Jpop, I’m sure you’ve heard of her, if not just look her up, should have no difficulty. She is well-known all-over Japan as well as outside Japan. I’m quite sure that if ask anyone in the street of Tokyo and who is she? Each and every one of them will say that she is Japanese Popstar. Wrong!
She NOT Japanese, as least not in legal sense. Her Mother, who also was famous singer in the 60’s and 70’s was true and true Japanese. But Utada Hikaru was born in NY, married an Italian and now she is living in UK, and speak passible Japanese. She herself has said publicly that she is most comfortable in English and struggles with Japanese. She still retains her US national. But my point here is that no one in the street of Tokyo will hesitate to say that she is Japanese. Why? Again, I come back to this, her heritage. Heritage makes a huge difference.
You as part Japanese will be accepted as Japanese if and only if your appearance shows no “detectable” western feature. You want to test my point? There are a loads of part Japanese actors/actress in the movie industry. Sure, they get parts in the movies but that just it, a “part”. But not the “main” part, never has been. I challenge you to name one. The point I’m making here is that as your non-Japanese part of you fades more and more into the background and more and more pronounced Asian features to the foreground, more you get accepted.
Since you’ve revealed yourself a bit, let me say that I’m what you called, “hafu”, and a few relatives also “hafu”. With that said, I could claim my heritage and become a Japanese national today but I won’t. As a “hafu”, I know there is a glass ceiling in the Japanese corporate world. But in US (or in Canada), nope, sky is the limit.
@@soc7052Dude, I read it all.
to sums it up, there is a young guy who interview people on the street, and ask them about their background, they answered if they were hafu or foreigners to Japan.
what the majority said was that, when they tested the life outside Japan, they didn't want to go back, or they feel they can't be normal again, cause the experience they get from testing the world outside Japan increased their boundaries, the way the see the life.
And yes, when people want to Replay to your rational argument they usually talk from emotional perspective, they don't want to talk about facts or how the reality is, its impossible to be accepted as a Japanese if you were a foreign, that's part of their culture and who they're.
and to add to that, someone made a video he and his friends it was meant to be a funny video but it has a message it says, no matter how good your Japanese language, if you were walking with a friend who looks more Japanese than you, and he has zero Japanese language, people will approach him first.
it was in a restaurant that video, i think you have seen it.
Stay well.