I had an experience at my local beach one day. I've been living in my town now for over 20 years. I own a small business and participate in local festivities and so on. One weekend last month, I was entertaining some of my customers at the beach and had a small tent popped up on the boardwalk. Suddenly, a rookie police officer approached me very aggressively telling me I needed to take it down or move it onto the beach. I argued, in Japanese, that I as well as other residents have been doing this for longer than I've been a resident here. He insisted that I was wrong and said it's a city rule. To avoid further harassment, I obliged and moved down onto the sand. I notified the mayor of the city, who is an acquaintance of mine as well as the town councilman, a patron of mine, for some clarity. Last week, the councilman, the sergeant along with the rookie officer came to my office and deeply apologized for his behavior and informed me that it isn't a rule and indeed I can post up my tent on the boardwalk. 1 small win for the gaijin!
Excellent that you pursued it and were successful. Some people just have to flex their perceived authority, and sometimes it's a foreigner who presents the easiest target. Just yesterday I had a crossing guard, of all people, accost me because I was standing "too close to the edge" of the crosswalk with the light red. I was perfectly within the boundaries of the sidewalk, so I just ignored him.
As for the rental issue, when I hear the landlord's reasons for refusing to rent, in quite a few cases I sympathize with them because of past problems. I have a certain understanding of their not renting out, and you can find them in places where foreigners are renting to foreigners. Interesting story, there was a landlord who started renting to foreigners because he thought it would be good business because Japanese people wouldn't rent, but it was so bad that he stopped renting it out, which was a bit of a controversial issue. This is partly discrimination, but it is also self-preservation because the landlords who are renting out are not protected and cannot prevent damage, and we actually hear the same story in other countries even though they have laws. I hear that there are very many cases of restaurants and other establishments refusing foreigners because of past troubles around military bases. It is correct to say that it is discrimination, but even if trouble occurs, the police cannot intervene in personal troubles, and American military personnel are protected by slightly different cases than Japanese law. The restaurant you spoke of may be one that has had some kind of trouble in the past... It is easy to call it discrimination, but why did it happen? I think you should also know why it happened. 10:28 This is a tree(元・雷神社の御神木) and the site of a shrine that was burned by lightning in 1559. The shrine(雷神社) was rebuilt elsewhere nearby. As for the pandemic, there are various cases, and even in the case of Japanese people, they were refused and foreigners went back home! There were people who said, “I was refused even by Japanese people, while foreigners went back home! There were also cases of Japanese who were not allowed to get off the plane and returned home. Similar cases are happening in other countries, even in the G7, and what every country says and what they do are different. I believe that there are lucky people and unlucky people. I am not saying that discrimination does not exist. But I think it is important to know why it is so.
Thank you for your very thoughtful reply. I agree that there can often times be reasons for discrimination, but I always hope that people can see that a person from one group's action doesn't mean all people in the group are like that.
When I lived there I used to put things like these down to a Japanese form of cultural inner-panic. It seems extreme measures are taken due to the fear of being left with the responsibility and blame if things go wrong. The whole shame-game in Japan is at it's own level.
Yes, being banned from reentry into Japan during the pandemic was the most blatant experience of institutional racism here. What has made it even worse is that the majority of Japanese people even still today believe that the policy was the correct decision. That's what really hurts.
@valcaronJapanese citizens were allowed entry from everywhere (after pcr testing) and reentry, as well. Foreign residents weren't allowed _home_ to Japan where lived permanently. How is that the same?
a policy to constitutes as "discrimination" you need intent to discriminate. banning outsiders to coming in during a pandemic is to protect lives of its people. one of the highest obligation of any government.
Someone with dual nationality (i.e holding a Japanese passport) who lived in Europe could travel freely to and from Japan during the restrictions, just like Japanese nationals could visit Europe as they wished. I understand that the key factor is the passport, but nevertheless it is rather ironic that “foreign” permanent residents in Japan were not permitted to return home to Japan, whereas someone who normally lives in Europe could come and go as they pleased.
To me, it seems that the five forms of discrimination you describe could be grouped under the umbrella of 'risk aversion'. That is, not having to 'deal' with the foreigner, whether that is language/culture/lifestyle, management style, unique financial needs, catering to unusual customer needs (e.g., no English menu), or health ('dirty' foreigners). Perhaps I'm wrong, but this seems to be an aspect of collectivist societies like Japan. That is, 'I don't want to be bothered' is part and parcel with 'I don't want to be a bother'. I'm sure that there are individuals that flat out dislike foreigners, for whatever reason they have. You could go to any other part of the world and find discrimination in some form against the foreigner - the other - sometimes institutional, other times ingrained into the culture, and by the individual. It is not pleasant being on the receiving end! Again, a good and thought-provoking video!
I agree - and I probably should have said as such. The discrimination is, in my opinion, rarely about actually disliking foreigners. As you say, it just presents itself more as a hassle to the Japanese mind, so better not to deal with it. It's how Japan reacts to a LOT of problems, actually. Like putting that screen up to block the view of Mt. Fuji behind Lawsons - better to eliminate a problem entirely than try to find a middle ground solution.
I am from South Africa and Im moving to Japan on the 28th of September on an 18 month student visa. I am planning on living there for many years so your videos have been a massive help. Thank you so much for the videos!
@@user-dd7qe3od9k Japanese isn’t a colonial language? Weren’t ya’ll doing the same thing White people were doing? Should we ask China and Korea or maybe even Okinawans? The Ainu?😂
The first one with landlords not wanting foreigners. The thing I was told is that they are a flight risk. And I've heard of many stories of foreigners that give up living in Japan and just book a flight home without informing anyone.
I actually don't believe all of these are negatives, either, like #2 makes sense to me too. I didn't even bother mentioning voting rights since I don't think non-Japanese should have them.
@@ChippyPippy hahaha 「絶対に貸さない」賃貸物件で外国人に貸したらとんでもない状態で返ってきてしまった話 (A story about a “never rent” rental property that was returned to a foreigner in a terrible condition.) ↑ OK Google 👍🏻っ
This is the story of a Japanese landlord who rented to a foreigner.😃
The credit card and banking thing is a problem in Taiwan too. A lot of immigrants in Taiwan complain about it. I have both because I worked at a company that had an account with the bank in which I opened an account, but I hear it’s more difficult for people who don’t have that connection.
I've been working on learning the Japanese language ever since I visited last November, back then I knew only a few words and phrases. Since then I have been thinking: "I would like to move there one day", however I feel the whole process will still be quite difficult. Right now I'm working on about N4 level Japanese. I guess a question I have as someone who's fine even working something just like a konbini job is at what language proficiency level is moving an ok move to make? And also, what options are there for someone who (unfortunately) has no degrees currently. I want to work on getting a degree to teach English (mostly do that online) as well. I'm still really contemplating it, in my case I don't see family all that often and don't live close to friends but I do have my own apartment here. So I feel there aren't too many strings attached although there are still some. On a somewhat more video related note-- I really have no predilections towards the way Japan treats its foreign residents. The way Japan handles quite a lot can be rather out of left-field and although there may be a logic to certain policies at times-- it often remains completely unexplained. I like Japanese culture but every place has issues, so I'm aware I may always be seen as somewhat of an outsider and receive treatment as such, it's unfortunate I think. Anyway good video.
If you can swing a working holiday visa I say go for it. If you cant, then a BA opens a lot of doors for visa requirements. I wish you the best of luck! Come and make your Japan life a reality!
@@Exjapter I see! A working holiday visa may be interesting, however I read it camnot be extended for Dutch citizens. In my case I would need to give up my apartment if I were to go for a working holiday too. I don't know if any options to extend stay exists but it seems there are no such options available. So I don't know if I could stay after a working holiday and it seems a bit risky. Do you know of any potential options to stay? Are there processes that allow for changing a visa?
I heard similar stories about people with PR not being allowed back into Japan during the pandemic. That is just plain wrong. But, to be on the safe side, I will seek to apply for citizenship.
I think it's good to discriminate against most of our western thought (especially american) and entitled styles of behavior. The guests need to show they are worthy and factual results have been that things turn to shit the more foreigners come with their inability of respect. They should and they probably will cherish their own ideals and culture.
I’d be in support of a requirement for a study course in Japanese history and culture in order to get any long-term visa or residency. The 心 of Japan must be preserved, otherwise it is simply going to be another island. On the side of the Japanese, I believe it will be helpful if they take on the concept of the “Japanese Heart” as not being related to racial identity, but instead being a state of mind one strives to achieve. Not everyone can be of Asian descent. But anyone can achieve a Japanese mindset if it in their true nature.
what about when we check into hotels and there's a Japanese salaryman who's also checking in at the next counter but only we get asked for additional ID (zairyu/passport etc)
I only ever give my drivers license as ID, and they are supposed to accept that (unless you are a tourist non-resident, then they do need your passport).
@@andyr00d I’m not defending discrimination but I am curious if the salaryman is a regular and has given their ID enough times that it’s no longer necessary, like when you order the same thing at a coffee shop and after a while they don’t even ask what you want anymore.
Also, regarding the blocking foreign residents coming back during those times, what if a Japanese person who was born and raised in America, but lived in Japan (temporary visa or permanent resident), would THEY also have the same issues coming back?
Yes, they would. A lot of commenters here have equated foreigner discrimination with racial discrimination, but (aside from #4) they aren't the same at all. If a white guy like myself becomes a Japanese citizen, 4 out of the 5 problems disappear. If someone of Japanese ethnicity comes to Japan, but isn't a citizen, they will face the same discrimination.
You mention a lack of laws, but even if the laws were implemented, that wouldn’t stop the discrimination because discrimination is hard to prove. America is the perfect example of that
@@TS-cz4ko what I said is true. Simply having anti-discrimination laws doesn’t prevent discrimination. People would still discriminate against you and dare you to prove in a court of law. 9 times out of 10, you can’t! RUclips is an american website, you, yourself are likely american as well as @exjapter so it’s not weird, YOU are
@@LilBoss2025 LOL oh no, not the "I know you are but what am I" reply! It's hilarious that your response is to use racism to make your point about racism. What I said is still true as well - it's weird that there's always someone who needs to toss in whataboutisms and America whenever someone has anything remotely negative to say about Japan. You aren't the first to play the role ,and you won't be the last, I'm sure. But hey - stay triggered, it gave me a good laugh! 😂
Would you ever do a video at Shibuya Sky, or at another Observation deck? Enjoying view from a height instead of a walking video. It would have to depend on how it sounds and where you are allowed to record but it seems interesting
I felt this one! Good video topic and congrats on moving toward 5K! I remember a これはペンです video that showed how speaking English contributed to the spread of Covid, as I was waiting to return to my wife.
have you seen video a Chinese elderly woman was beaten up by a young man with a stick in NYC? in the middle of big city no one helped her. None. she took away the stick from him started to defend herself. THEN people call ambulance. the ambulance took HIM in not the Chinese woman bleeding from her head and eyes. and this is not isolated incidence. there are 100s of videos random asians are saluted. but its OK, you are superior to all there asians, that won't bother you. 😏
There are so many reasons to love Japan, it's is heart breaking to hear the things that destroy the bright side of it's people and culture. Japan has some serious growing to do and many reports are coming from Japanese who have simply moved to new prefectures where community clique's have intrusive rules and harsh punishments to those who refuse to fall in line. A very xenophobic society, not only to foreigners but to those coming from other districts or city life to rural. On the upside, there are enough great Japanese people to off set the upset as long as you hang out with the positive crowd. May the sun stay at your back and the clouds be white.
People get emotional about the word "discrimination" and many don't realize exactly what you said - Japanese can be super discriminatory towards each other. It has very little to do with race, etc., like we might see in other countries. Inside and Outside group dynamic is just part of the culture.
Interesting video. I have serval credit cards and bank accounts and haven't received any such notifications. Was this recently? Also, with my 30 plus years here in Japan I've never been turned away at a restaurant. What kind of restaurants were turning you away? In the US DoD civil servants are required to be US citizens so I don't think the US citizenship requirement is unique to Japan at least for higher level positions especially ones that require a sercurity clearance.
Yeah, I dont actually disagree with the civil service one, I am ambivelent about the renting thing, and the restaurant one has been a very rare problem for me so its not a big deal. Only #5 actually bugs me.
@@Exjapter I'm fortunate to have only rented once and didn't have any issues. Only been denied at night clubs a few times and one was close to Misawa base. Found out it was because of some problems caused by drunks from the base. Agree with number 5.
Hi! First time to see your video and kudos to you for the effort. As a long term (23yr) resident here's my tuppence (two cents) worth: 1) Yes, some landlords will refuse to rent to foreigners but that is more because they are seen as a liability more than anything else - I've seen foreigners just up and leave after racking up a few months of unpaid rent. I've also sponsored people but some landlords even wanted a Japanese company to sponsor me as a sponsor!! We went somewhere else! 2) Why would you want to be a civil servant here? 3) Banks are banks and want info wherever you are. I don't care, but I understand your point. 4) Yeah, shit happens but it's very rare, maybe more common out of town? It's never happened to me...yet! 5) The pandemic really did bring the stupid people out of the woodwork didn't it. Not experienced myself but I do know those who got stuck abroad and those who got back but had to quarantine for a week (Japanese and foreign). I think maybe it was something to do with where they were coming from....? At the end of the day, I still prefer to live here than my original country - it's Japan and I accept their ways (even if I don't agree with them, and you'll find that even some Japanese don't understand the logic!) and I don't expect them to budge for me. However, if I get to retirement and they tell me I can't have a pension, then the shit will really hit the fan!!!!
Excellent points, and I don't disagree with 2 to 5. I do have a problem with 1 because of the so called "Johatsu" of Japanese. The idea that foreigners run away more...I am not convinced to be honest. Estimates are 100,000 Japanese disappear every year (not all renters, to be fair), but even if a small percentage of them are renters, that is still probably more than the foreigners who do the same. It's just easier (legally) to stop the foreign perpetrators.
@@Exjapter Thanks for the very prompt reaction!! Concerning the renting issue, perhaps I wasn't clear but more than a language barrier I personally find it's the reputation issue that puts landlords off. There is no doubt that statistically more Japanese skip and leave but generally for Japanese renters they have to have their parents (or workplace) as sponsors and so missing rent/damage arrears etc can be chased up. With foreigners it is harder. And I do know that some landlords (and shops etc) will use the language excuse at the drop of a hat. On a different note, do you ever find that if you go to shopping with your wife, despite you ordering and paying in Japanese, the shop clerk will almost always talk to your wife?? That used to really bug me!
That used to happen all the time, but it really bugged my wife, so now she adopts a very effective "I am ignoring you" aura so it doesn't happen any more!
Do you know how long foreign residents were banned from returning during the pandemic? I ask because at one point a permanent resident co-worker suddenly had to return to the UK for a family related problem and upon return to Japan she had to quarantine in a hotel room for about a week, but could then go home.
My recollection was that it started in May and went for 3 to 5 months...Sorry, my mind is fuzzy on the details, as it is on a lot of things over those 'lost' pandemic years....
@@Exjapter thats 3 to 5 months too long! Especially if you live and have a life there. Do you imagine they would make exceptions? Like, what if you were a single father and your kid was in the care of a temporary care giver?
@@Cargo_Bay I don't know, but I know there were a bunch of crazy situations that happened. One girl who is a citizen of India, but who was raised in Japan and all of her family is in Japan, was studying abroad in Canada. Her visa to study abroad expired at the end of the school year but she couldn't return to Japan because of the ban, and she couldnt' stay in Canada. She had to go to India, where she didn't know anyone!
@@ExjapterI lived in Taiwan for a few years and the same fear is there as well. I’ve been told the same thing by agents and landlords who don’t specialize in serving non-Taiwanese (I speak mandarin).
Man who can remember how Japan acted during covid I was in Korea at the time when Japan closed its borders Had to wait until 2023 to visit due to my busy schedule Now I'm finally moving to tokyo in 10 days But I'm cautious this time around if another pandemic hits i may prefer to return to life in America Asian countries take pandemics to the extreme which hurts its citizens 😢
if i've learned anything from the period of time from 2020 to now is...we're never ever going back to any kind of lockdowns. It would have to be some next level type of disease or virus for that to happen, but i dont forsee mandates and lockdowns coming back for any future variants.
The best pandemic countermeasures were taken by Taiwan. Japan should have done the same. As a result, Taiwan succeeded in containment. I believe that Taiwan is number one in Asia.😃👍🏻 From a Japanese by
Thanks Paul for the vlog. Always good to get us thinking… We were certainly discriminated against when trying to find a rental in Kyoto in the late ‘80’s even though my Japanese husband was with me. Didn’t bother us too much though, as we soon found a better place anyway!
Exactly! Also the many, many positive experiences I had in Japan while living there for 13 years, and actually continue to have, far outweigh any of the negatives :)
@@katecobb9278 Thank you, I 100% agree. I am a bit worried about a video like this, because there are always people who show up to comment as if I have never said anything good about Japan. (Clearly not subscribed ;) Couldn't be further from the truth - if this place was awful I wouldn't be here, and I find it strange that people assume otherwise.
7:20 If they're asking for residence cards then only non-Japanese have them, and I see no indication that they didn't ask Japanese customers for something else. The then implied discrimination also seems to be more guesswork than your other points.
I know from a financial advisor friend that one of the companies did do this only with foreign customers, although it could be that they just started with foreigners and then will roll it out broadly later? But you are right, the company that sent thenl card I showed could be doing it with everyone and I have made a false assumption.
It’s fun for me to find out where you are walking these days. Today you started Oppma(追浜. The name of O'pama was first found in 904 AD. Ikazuchi（thunder）shrine was built here. People worshipped fire at the shrine. last scene was taken near shoko-ji（正光寺）寛文元年（1661年）に頓譽（とんよ）上人の創建 The temple was built in 1661 by Tonyo, the priest. PEACE✌
10:22 The word O'pama was found more than 1,000 years ago. At that time O'pama was not a residential area but it had a beach and a small island named 'Tsuki-shima'. 'Pama' and 'hama' mean 'beach' in Japanese. In 904 AD Ikaduchi(thunder) shrine was built on the island. People worshipped thunder and fire. In 1559 bolts of thunder stuck the shrine and the tree(柏槇 juniper) nearby and burnt them out. Although twelve girls were around the tree, they were not injured at all. So people thought the tree helped the girls. In 1581 the shrine was moved and rebuilt in the site where it is today. The tree has been kept in the site where you met the tree 10:22. Paul found the black burnt tree in a vacant lot. It was the small island 1,000 years ago. PEACE ✌
It is unfortunate that discrimination and racism is a thing in any country. We are all people/ human at the end of the day. The Japanese are no different. If only people would be nice, and treat others the way they want to be treated. But at the same time, it is understandable to want to keep foreigners out of Japan, since there are so many elderly people that live there, and they are the most vulnerable to Covid. They likely wanted to minimize casualties due to the pandemic. It was a rough time for everyone, so i can empathize. Thank goodness more people didn't die durring the pandemic! We should count our blessings that we are still alive and well. Having some gratitude helps a lot. Hope it helps! Have a great day! Take care!
It would have made sense, if (like in New Zealand) they didn't let in Japanese from foreign countries, either. Or have everybody undergo quarantine. But, no, that's not what happened. So it is just abysmal and braindead racism, nothing more nothing less. Japanese have a history of believing that only foreigners carry disease. Notably with AIDS. Japanese actually believe they don't need to use condoms amongst each other, because only foreigners have SIDS.
If they wanted to minimize casualties amongst the elderly, they shouldnt have let citizens return either. Returning from abroad they are more likely to meet elderly relatives than foreigners would be. And if you just force everyone to quarantine, which they later did, that doesn't discriminate.
I can understand the rule about foreigners not being promoted in the government. There's the risk that some sort of religious conflict could arise. Sakoku was stressful but it was successful and it was important for Japan to remain Japan. Without sakoku, Japan could have been slowly converted through people slowly becoming loyal to the Judeo-Christian cult stuff, once there's a critical mass of them, power is usurped away from the backbone of Shinto (which is very unjudgmental and there's no such thing as conversion, no beliefs, no cult type of stuff, and nature is appreciated in a spiritual sense). We think it "can't happen here" but it certainly COULD. Just look at Trump and MAGA in America. Putin also cites Christianity as his rationale for fighting. Christianity (and Judaism too, and Islam) are great at creating fighting clubs/sects based on religion and wars/genocides result. Christianity was here too until 1530 and you probably know the story about the Christian bureaucrat in Tokugawa's government who was told by a Christian feudal lord "Since we are both Christians, and Tokugawa isn't, we two should be loyal to each other and so can you please move the boundary showing my territory on the map to give me more power?" The bureaucrat agreed but luckily it was caught and both were executed at once. The fact that universities promote and hire foreigners (I'm a tenured professor) show that it isn't a discriminatory country. Japan wants to hear our voices, but they don't want to be controlled by people who might not understand Japan. I actually feel safer that way! I would NOT want foreigners to have power in management positions in the govt because it would just take minutes for religious ones to start their machinations to get power using monotheisms. I have had a lot of academic freedom here to write many papers about Shakespeare which would be considered blasphemous and heretical by the standards of Judeo-Christianity-Islam (if you google Marianne Kimura you can see my work on Academia; I've got over 37,000 views and I did a pagan interpretation of Romeo and Juliet--yes, Juliet really is the sun!). I rely on the fact that the govt is managed by Japanese people (ultimately MEXT controls universities) and so my academic freedom is ensured. As for the part about foreigners being stranded outside Japan, I feel like it just comes along with the territory of being an island, a kind of reclusive hermit style type culture here. No country is perfect, so thanks to its shell, Japan went overboard with the introversion. But maybe next pandemic then might not?
A lot of the policies feel more like "Look where doing something!" instead of figuring out a real solution. But that's most governments I think hahaha!
Good question. It seems an unfair singling out, but at the same time... i think PR need to pay taxes and follow the rules. Its probably more of a political pandering than anything.
@@Exjapter The problem is that it's a slippery slope. Starting in 2019, you now need a annual income of 3,000,000 yen to get permanent residency. Then they started going after people who don't pay social security and such. Nothing wrong with that, at least not on the surface, but who is to say they don't up the ante and start saying they'll revoke your permanent residency status if you don't meet a specific income threshold, say 4,000,000? Not a problem for me now, but I want to retire early and probably won't be making that unless I sell some of my stocks every year, which I don't want to and, frankly, don't need to because my cost of living is very low. And that's me, now imagine people who don't have a fancy portfolio. Some people just don't have that kind of income, but that doesn't mean the government has a right to turn their lives upside down.
@@guanxinated it is not wrong for them to limit who they give the gift of PR to. You either need to be contributing to the country, or have contributed enough to have earned it. Or you can fallback onto a spousal visa. I despise immigrants who take advance of taxpayer paid systems, such as health care, yet refuse to contribute and pay their fair share. Leeches should return home.
Hello unicorn here! I rented a place from Abel Housing in Nishinomiya in 2009 J spouse at my side. I had just returned to Japan after a nearly five year absence. I had a “promise” of a job nothing more. Go figure. The gods were on side on that day. Re financial services/ credit cards etc. don’t you think that US citizens in Japan get a harder time than say a Brit or Aussie?
Not an issue with credit cards I think, but investments are often off limits to Americans due to the IRS reporting requirements. (Which are the number one reason I would consider renouncing my US citizenship and becoming Japanese...)
Finance related companies often face government regulations that seem discriminatory, for example collecting information on non-citizen clients. The discrimination is not from the company but from the government. The stated reason is to protect against abuse, but the real reason is for the government to collect information. I have personally faced rental discrimination in Japan despite having a Japanese spouse.
Well, I don't know how common it is, but there are foreigners working as liasons in Japanese city halls through the JET Program (the "Coordinator of International Relations" CIR position). And sometimes they stay on after their term is up on a private contract - but they will never hold a management position.
@@Exjapterlooks like a foreigner cannot by default become a state civil servant (国家公務員) but some localities allow non-citizens to become regional civil servants (地方公務員)
Japan is a spy paradise. lol Chinese people are buying land right next to a Self-Defense Forces base, and there are politicians who have no sense of national defense whatsoever.😃
Wow like you said. They take you tax money, you contribute to the health system, education system ( brain, knowledge) and they treat you like a rag.... so much for human rights... Bon courage
3:42 into the video and it's very apparent that the part of Japan you're walking through has lost a lot of business or they went away for summer because the overgrown weeds and bushes is looking VERY 'UNJAPANESY'.
Yeah, that area looks like it could have been a fun place to shop and eat a few decades ago, although I saw several candidates to return to later and try out, including a nice locally owned coffee shop. Even a place that is suffering a downturn has some gems!
Ah yes, the "but Murica" whataboutism. It's sad that people are unable to look at something objectively. No matter what it's like in any other country, it doesn't change the fact about Japan.
You said everything, but they discriminate you even if you have Japanese citizenship, but you don't look Japanese like hafu who don't look Japanese are treated like foreigners, they ignore your Japanese citizenship
@@Exjapter even if you look Asian, there are Second generation Japanese born overseas also discriminated, because of their foreign names written in katakana and especially the behaviour they always check the behaviour Asians who don't behave like Japanese may also bê attacked, like Koreans and Chinese, also the Japanese born overseas, from countries like Brazil, but if you don't look Japanese you will never bê truly accepted, no matter If you behave like Japanese If you speak like them, if you express yourself like Japanese, for most of them you Will always bê different and that normaly IS a bad thing tô them. People who look different they want them tô keep as "foreign" as possible since it doesn't harm anybody there, or it os not necessary tô your survival, you must remain "foreign" tô preserve Japanese cultural purity.
Aussie here, living in Japan. I have some difficulty with some of the allegations in your video. As a foreigner, I had no difficulty returning to Japan during the COVID pandemic. Please get your facts right.
Thank you to be very earnest with us.❤I do hope that not all Japanese people agreed with such Decisions of JP Government after COVID.Many Japanese people left the country after Pandemic because Distribution of the Financial support After Covid also was very problematic.Thanks again
I learned about 20-22 years ago that this crap, ignorant people play worldwide, is just due to their own insecurities. Japan like every country on this planet has racism. Japan's flavour of racism is quite unique compared to other first world nations. Life is short so unless you really want to help support a business that doesn't want your business because you're a foreigner, just to prove a point, I'd just move on spend your money and time where you're wanted.
I hesitate to call it racism since, at least for the things I talked about in the video, because they have have more to do with citizen and/or outsider status than race.
It's interesting to me because we are the opposite in Scotland, if you're staying here for a while you are welcome to consider yourself Scottish - you won't have a choice because your accent will change anyway xD
Of course, that does happen. I did a search and couldn't find any data on how common that is, but I would really like to know, so if you have happen to have any idea could you point me to a source of data? Thanks!
@@Exjapter I'm not aware of any data on it either. But if you ask other foreigners in Japan, especially young adults or students, many of them know at least one foreigner who couldn't handle it and fled back home. I'm assuming these are the kinds of people that have unresolved mental health issues (anxiety etc) and think that moving abroad will solve their problems. They realise after 6-12 months that it's not what they expected. I'm not exactly blaming them, when you're having a crisis you're not rational, the only concern is getting back home. But I'm saying that it does make the hesitation towards foreign renters more justifiable. It's a risk that Japanese renters don't carry
1. It's called the free market. I'm a long-time foreigner in Japan, and wouldn't rent to a foreigner. Sorry, but I know how Japanese are, and how foreigners are. No language barriers - just I don't trust you. 2. dunno about this, but it makes sense. This country was paid for in blood and taxes by Japanese for thousands of years. Sorry, but we didn't pay that price. 3. Yes, I understand. Foreigners can't be trusted because they can just hop on a plane and leave. 4. Mostly, they don't need to deal with foreigners. I've seen this and laughed. Oftentimes they're thinking of their Japanese customers who don't want to deal with us. 5. The same is true in the states. American citizens cannot be refused entry. Same as Japan. Japanese can't be refused entry, whereas we can.
@@simonspethmann8086 There was an agreement that there would be no legal action taken. There were no lockdowns or quarantines in Japan at all. It was all considered voluntary.
@@TheShrededward I mean quarantines for people coming in from foreign countries, which were apparently used for foreign residents coming back to Japan (after the complete ban was lifted). This could have really been used in all people coming into the country, no need to ban or single out certain groups?
@@simonspethmann8086 No. Japanese citizens cannot be denied entry upon law. That's just the law here, which is why permanent residents weren't allowed entry. If they could have, I imagine they would have denied entry for everybody, but that's just how it was. Same as the states.
@@TheShrededward 🤔 I see. That's pretty problematic. I wonder how many countries have this law... It's still not okay to deny foreign residents entry from a human rights standpoint. I guess that's why they eventually rectified the situation, too. I mean, foreign residents work at companies and universities, often have families with little kids. It's not just the foreigners affected, too. I meant they could have had (entry) quarantine for everybody. (I remember at one point a Japanese moving back to Japan had to be in quarantine. Foreign residents also had to quarantine. Upon entering the country, I mean.) That way they could have allowed foreigners, too, who e.g. wanted to study/work/pay longer visits to relatives etc. I perfectly support the idea of semi closing borders during those times - but quarantines are a good workaround. This whole Japanese Corona policy of not letting in foreigners was also reminiscent of Japanese treating foreigners as disease carriers. (That used to be a problem in the past at least. Although I've felt that people were becoming more open. That was before COVID, though. We haven't been back to Japan, or seen our relatives, since before the pandemic.) All in all, most of the Japanese Corona rules made more sense than other places in the world. It seemed like they actually tried to follow the science.
While there's racism everywhere, Japan has a very weird in your face brand of racism going on. The COVID thing was pretty obvious (they did rectify the situation with regards to residents, though). Letting in Japanese who reside in foreign countries, but not foreigners, was another one. Lots of Japanese believe that only foreigners carry SIDS and other diseases. Lots believe that foreigners are unable to eat certain Japanese foods (not that they don't like them, but that they _can't_). A lot of "ingroup" type racism is indeed the same thing I've seen in rural, well, anywhere, actually. But the sh*** above is just ... 🤦
Everything I talked about, with perhaps the exception of #4, has to do with resident status rather than race. And even #4 is more about perceived outsider-ness (lack of Japanese language or manners) than race. I didn't claim the Japanese were racist anywhere in this video.
What a weird conclusion. So your immediate response to someone else's opinions based on his own experiences is to go the "but your country has worse racism..." Voicing opinions about things that a person doesn't think is right or fair doesn't make it racism.
@TS-cz4ko I just want to point out that your comment is doubly valid, as these are factual instances of foreign resident discrimination and not some personal bias of mine. Regardless of my opinion, these things are fact.
@@Exjapter I'm telling u man...ur wasting ur time. I've been working full-time as a technical translator for 20 years now and have been around Japanese people in the US, Europe, and Japan for over 40 years, granted permanent residency 15 years ago, etc. The other day I was talking with a new group of Japanese on business touring the area and used a few terms like 最先端技術（半導体の話で）、現実逃避（引き籠りの話で）など. Rather than treating me like a legit human being, they fucking made a clapping gesture like I was a pet on one of Letterman's Stupid Pet Tricks segments. Honestly, I AVOID Japanese people like the plague and chuckle a little when I see all these weebs who are dreaming of transforming themselves into a member of an ethnic group that absolutely hates them to the core. Just because Japanese are polite doesn't mean that they don't hate you. For example, I was shocked when I was talking with a really nice izakaya owner. I said something like 「本当に困るよ。アメリカに帰った方がいいのかな？」, and he responded, "Yes. Foreigners really don't belong here." This guy had been so polite to me for eight years! That's a classic example of 建て前 before 本音 (or the long calm before the storm LOL). One Japanese told me that most couples in Japan don't even know what their spouse is thinking. He ended up divorced and then got remarried.
I think a better analogy would be that I have been dating the woman for years, and she has been happy to accept all kinds of economic and social benefits, but sometimes denies that she knows me. But really, that is still not a good analogy either, because dating someone or not is a singular notion, while living in Japan is a multitude of things, most overwhelmingly good, with a few bad mixed in here and there. And good mixed with bad is the case pretty much anywhere in the world. So there is no motivation to leave, since at the end of the day the good far outweighs the bad. (^-^)/
I had an experience at my local beach one day. I've been living in my town now for over 20 years. I own a small business and participate in local festivities and so on. One weekend last month, I was entertaining some of my customers at the beach and had a small tent popped up on the boardwalk. Suddenly, a rookie police officer approached me very aggressively telling me I needed to take it down or move it onto the beach. I argued, in Japanese, that I as well as other residents have been doing this for longer than I've been a resident here. He insisted that I was wrong and said it's a city rule. To avoid further harassment, I obliged and moved down onto the sand. I notified the mayor of the city, who is an acquaintance of mine as well as the town councilman, a patron of mine, for some clarity. Last week, the councilman, the sergeant along with the rookie officer came to my office and deeply apologized for his behavior and informed me that it isn't a rule and indeed I can post up my tent on the boardwalk. 1 small win for the gaijin!
Excellent that you pursued it and were successful. Some people just have to flex their perceived authority, and sometimes it's a foreigner who presents the easiest target. Just yesterday I had a crossing guard, of all people, accost me because I was standing "too close to the edge" of the crosswalk with the light red. I was perfectly within the boundaries of the sidewalk, so I just ignored him.
Way to go! I'm glad you knew someone in power.
I have quite a few friends who share your feelings about how Japan treated them during the pandemic. It all sounded incredibly frustrating.
As for the rental issue, when I hear the landlord's reasons for refusing to rent, in quite a few cases I sympathize with them because of past problems.
I have a certain understanding of their not renting out, and you can find them in places where foreigners are renting to foreigners.
Interesting story, there was a landlord who started renting to foreigners because he thought it would be good business because Japanese people wouldn't rent, but it was so bad that he stopped renting it out, which was a bit of a controversial issue.
This is partly discrimination, but it is also self-preservation because the landlords who are renting out are not protected and cannot prevent damage, and we actually hear the same story in other countries even though they have laws.
I hear that there are very many cases of restaurants and other establishments refusing foreigners because of past troubles around military bases.
It is correct to say that it is discrimination, but even if trouble occurs, the police cannot intervene in personal troubles, and American military personnel are protected by slightly different cases than Japanese law.
The restaurant you spoke of may be one that has had some kind of trouble in the past...
It is easy to call it discrimination, but why did it happen? I think you should also know why it happened.
10:28
This is a tree(元・雷神社の御神木) and the site of a shrine that was burned by lightning in 1559. The shrine(雷神社) was rebuilt elsewhere nearby.
As for the pandemic, there are various cases, and even in the case of Japanese people, they were refused and foreigners went back home! There were people who said, “I was refused even by Japanese people, while foreigners went back home!
There were also cases of Japanese who were not allowed to get off the plane and returned home.
Similar cases are happening in other countries, even in the G7, and what every country says and what they do are different.
I believe that there are lucky people and unlucky people.
I am not saying that discrimination does not exist. But I think it is important to know why it is so.
Thank you for your very thoughtful reply. I agree that there can often times be reasons for discrimination, but I always hope that people can see that a person from one group's action doesn't mean all people in the group are like that.
And thank you for telling me about the tree! I will have to go back again - I had never walked on that road before!
Congrats on almost getting up to 5k been watching you for a while. I know you can keep going up up easily
Thank you!
Agreed, I discovered the channel this morning and the information is golden.
When I lived there I used to put things like these down to a Japanese form of cultural inner-panic.
It seems extreme measures are taken due to the fear of being left with the responsibility and blame if things go wrong.
The whole shame-game in Japan is at it's own level.
Interesting observation, thanks!
Yes, being banned from reentry into Japan during the pandemic was the most blatant experience of institutional racism here. What has made it even worse is that the majority of Japanese people even still today believe that the policy was the correct decision. That's what really hurts.
Where do you get the information about that support?
@@Exjapter from the Japanese people I explain it to.
@valcaronJapanese citizens were allowed entry from everywhere (after pcr testing) and reentry, as well. Foreign residents weren't allowed _home_ to Japan where lived permanently. How is that the same?
a policy to constitutes as "discrimination" you need intent to discriminate.
banning outsiders to coming in during a pandemic is to protect lives of its people.
one of the highest obligation of any government.
Someone with dual nationality (i.e holding a Japanese passport) who lived in Europe could travel freely to and from Japan during the restrictions, just like Japanese nationals could visit Europe as they wished. I understand that the key factor is the passport, but nevertheless it is rather ironic that “foreign” permanent residents in Japan were not permitted to return home to Japan, whereas someone who normally lives in Europe could come and go as they pleased.
To me, it seems that the five forms of discrimination you describe could be grouped under the umbrella of 'risk aversion'. That is, not having to 'deal' with the foreigner, whether that is language/culture/lifestyle, management style, unique financial needs, catering to unusual customer needs (e.g., no English menu), or health ('dirty' foreigners). Perhaps I'm wrong, but this seems to be an aspect of collectivist societies like Japan. That is, 'I don't want to be bothered' is part and parcel with 'I don't want to be a bother'. I'm sure that there are individuals that flat out dislike foreigners, for whatever reason they have. You could go to any other part of the world and find discrimination in some form against the foreigner - the other - sometimes institutional, other times ingrained into the culture, and by the individual. It is not pleasant being on the receiving end! Again, a good and thought-provoking video!
I agree - and I probably should have said as such. The discrimination is, in my opinion, rarely about actually disliking foreigners. As you say, it just presents itself more as a hassle to the Japanese mind, so better not to deal with it. It's how Japan reacts to a LOT of problems, actually. Like putting that screen up to block the view of Mt. Fuji behind Lawsons - better to eliminate a problem entirely than try to find a middle ground solution.
I am from South Africa and Im moving to Japan on the 28th of September on an 18 month student visa. I am planning on living there for many years so your videos have been a massive help. Thank you so much for the videos!
Glad to be of help, and thanks for the comment! Do you have any questions or video requests?
And thats why Mongolia has a higher english proficiency than Japan.
Does it? Interesting!
植民地語なんて誰も学びたがらないからね
@@user-dd7qe3od9k Japanese isn’t a colonial language? Weren’t ya’ll doing the same thing White people were doing? Should we ask China and Korea or maybe even Okinawans? The Ainu?😂
長い日本人人生で、「英語を学んでみよう」と思い立つ瞬間は、多くの日本人は一度は持つことがあったりします。
しかし結果的にたどり着く答えは、「英語は役に立たない」です。
私も若い頃は「英語を勉強しとけば」と思ったりもしましたが、初老に入った今でも英語が無いと困る状況に陥った事はありません。
むしろ、英語などよりも日本語をもっと深く学ぶ方がより重要だと思いました。
まあ今では日本人ですら日本語が怪しい人間が増えていますけどね。
「日本語は難しい」というのは日本人自体も深く実感していますね。
今の日本の、日本人同士の争い自体が、日本人の日本語力の低下によって起きているものも少なくありません。😃👍🏻
@@JesterUrTomcat”yall” as if everyone in Japan is a military or political leader from the 40s.
The first one with landlords not wanting foreigners. The thing I was told is that they are a flight risk. And I've heard of many stories of foreigners that give up living in Japan and just book a flight home without informing anyone.
Number two just seems like common sense. Why would you want a foreigner, who's not even a citizen, influencing laws?
I personally don't really care about 3 or 4, but reason 5 does bother me too.
So far I haven't experienced anything really negative, but I've only been here two and a half years.
I actually don't believe all of these are negatives, either, like #2 makes sense to me too. I didn't even bother mentioning voting rights since I don't think non-Japanese should have them.
@@ChippyPippy hahaha
「絶対に貸さない」賃貸物件で外国人に貸したらとんでもない状態で返ってきてしまった話
(A story about a “never rent” rental property that was returned to a foreigner in a terrible condition.)
↑ OK Google 👍🏻っ
This is the story of a Japanese landlord who rented to a foreigner.😃
The credit card and banking thing is a problem in Taiwan too. A lot of immigrants in Taiwan complain about it. I have both because I worked at a company that had an account with the bank in which I opened an account, but I hear it’s more difficult for people who don’t have that connection.
Interesting that it's an issue there as well. I feel like American companies want you to get into debt so badly they throw credit cards at you....
I've been working on learning the Japanese language ever since I visited last November, back then I knew only a few words and phrases. Since then I have been thinking: "I would like to move there one day", however I feel the whole process will still be quite difficult. Right now I'm working on about N4 level Japanese.
I guess a question I have as someone who's fine even working something just like a konbini job is at what language proficiency level is moving an ok move to make? And also, what options are there for someone who (unfortunately) has no degrees currently. I want to work on getting a degree to teach English (mostly do that online) as well. I'm still really contemplating it, in my case I don't see family all that often and don't live close to friends but I do have my own apartment here. So I feel there aren't too many strings attached although there are still some.
On a somewhat more video related note-- I really have no predilections towards the way Japan treats its foreign residents. The way Japan handles quite a lot can be rather out of left-field and although there may be a logic to certain policies at times-- it often remains completely unexplained. I like Japanese culture but every place has issues, so I'm aware I may always be seen as somewhat of an outsider and receive treatment as such, it's unfortunate I think. Anyway good video.
If you can swing a working holiday visa I say go for it. If you cant, then a BA opens a lot of doors for visa requirements. I wish you the best of luck! Come and make your Japan life a reality!
@@Exjapter I see! A working holiday visa may be interesting, however I read it camnot be extended for Dutch citizens. In my case I would need to give up my apartment if I were to go for a working holiday too. I don't know if any options to extend stay exists but it seems there are no such options available. So I don't know if I could stay after a working holiday and it seems a bit risky. Do you know of any potential options to stay? Are there processes that allow for changing a visa?
I heard similar stories about people with PR not being allowed back into Japan during the pandemic. That is just plain wrong. But, to be on the safe side, I will seek to apply for citizenship.
Except Japan does not allow dual citizenship. Good luck.
I think it's good to discriminate against most of our western thought (especially american) and entitled styles of behavior. The guests need to show they are worthy and factual results have been that things turn to shit the more foreigners come with their inability of respect. They should and they probably will cherish their own ideals and culture.
I agree that those coming to Japan with an entitlement attitude need to leave that at the door.
Sure...but what about people who did all the right things and live there?
@@Cargo_Bay That would be one of the exceptions and would need fixing.
I’d be in support of a requirement for a study course in Japanese history and culture in order to get any long-term visa or residency. The 心 of Japan must be preserved, otherwise it is simply going to be another island. On the side of the Japanese, I believe it will be helpful if they take on the concept of the “Japanese Heart” as not being related to racial identity, but instead being a state of mind one strives to achieve. Not everyone can be of Asian descent. But anyone can achieve a Japanese mindset if it in their true nature.
Helpful to know that a new video will drop on Saturday mornings in the northeastern US--arigato!
These videos are a real gem.
Thank you.
what about when we check into hotels and there's a Japanese salaryman who's also checking in at the next counter but only we get asked for additional ID (zairyu/passport etc)
I only ever give my drivers license as ID, and they are supposed to accept that (unless you are a tourist non-resident, then they do need your passport).
@@Exjapter yeah I get that but the point is the Japanese salaryman would not get asked for any ID at all
@@andyr00d I’m not defending discrimination but I am curious if the salaryman is a regular and has given their ID enough times that it’s no longer necessary, like when you order the same thing at a coffee shop and after a while they don’t even ask what you want anymore.
Also, regarding the blocking foreign residents coming back during those times, what if a Japanese person who was born and raised in America, but lived in Japan (temporary visa or permanent resident), would THEY also have the same issues coming back?
Yes, they would. A lot of commenters here have equated foreigner discrimination with racial discrimination, but (aside from #4) they aren't the same at all. If a white guy like myself becomes a Japanese citizen, 4 out of the 5 problems disappear. If someone of Japanese ethnicity comes to Japan, but isn't a citizen, they will face the same discrimination.
You mention a lack of laws, but even if the laws were implemented, that wouldn’t stop the discrimination because discrimination is hard to prove.
America is the perfect example of that
100%, I don't think laws would help with really any of these, except maybe the first one.
Weird that a topic about something to do with Japan always has someone that needs to toss in whataboutisms and America... 🙄
@@TS-cz4koat least they didnt tell me to go back to the USA. 😂
@@TS-cz4ko what I said is true. Simply having anti-discrimination laws doesn’t prevent discrimination. People would still discriminate against you and dare you to prove in a court of law. 9 times out of 10, you can’t!
RUclips is an american website, you, yourself are likely american as well as @exjapter
so it’s not weird, YOU are
@@LilBoss2025 LOL oh no, not the "I know you are but what am I" reply! It's hilarious that your response is to use racism to make your point about racism.
What I said is still true as well - it's weird that there's always someone who needs to toss in whataboutisms and America whenever someone has anything remotely negative to say about Japan. You aren't the first to play the role ,and you won't be the last, I'm sure. But hey - stay triggered, it gave me a good laugh! 😂
Would you ever do a video at Shibuya Sky, or at another Observation deck? Enjoying view from a height instead of a walking video. It would have to depend on how it sounds and where you are allowed to record but it seems interesting
I felt this one! Good video topic and congrats on moving toward 5K! I remember a これはペンです video that showed how speaking English contributed to the spread of Covid, as I was waiting to return to my wife.
Yeah, it will not cease to bother me.
have you seen video a Chinese elderly woman was beaten up by a young man with a stick in NYC?
in the middle of big city no one helped her. None.
she took away the stick from him started to defend herself.
THEN people call ambulance. the ambulance took HIM in not the Chinese woman bleeding from her head and eyes.
and this is not isolated incidence. there are 100s of videos random asians are saluted.
but its OK, you are superior to all there asians, that won't bother you. 😏
There are so many reasons to love Japan, it's is heart breaking to hear the things that destroy the bright side of it's people and culture. Japan has some serious growing to do and many reports are coming from Japanese who have simply moved to new prefectures where community
clique's have intrusive rules and harsh punishments to those who refuse to fall in line. A very xenophobic society, not only to foreigners but to those coming from other districts or city life to rural. On the upside, there are enough great Japanese people to off set the upset as long as you hang out with the positive crowd. May the sun stay at your back and the clouds be white.
People get emotional about the word "discrimination" and many don't realize exactly what you said - Japanese can be super discriminatory towards each other. It has very little to do with race, etc., like we might see in other countries. Inside and Outside group dynamic is just part of the culture.
This is the same for being an Asian in America. We call it "The Bamboo ceiling".
Interesting video. I have serval credit cards and bank accounts and haven't received any such notifications. Was this recently? Also, with my 30 plus years here in Japan I've never been turned away at a restaurant. What kind of restaurants were turning you away? In the US DoD civil servants are required to be US citizens so I don't think the US citizenship requirement is unique to Japan at least for higher level positions especially ones that require a sercurity clearance.
Yeah, I dont actually disagree with the civil service one, I am ambivelent about the renting thing, and the restaurant one has been a very rare problem for me so its not a big deal. Only #5 actually bugs me.
@@Exjapter I'm fortunate to have only rented once and didn't have any issues. Only been denied at night clubs a few times and one was close to Misawa base. Found out it was because of some problems caused by drunks from the base. Agree with number 5.
Hi! First time to see your video and kudos to you for the effort. As a long term (23yr) resident here's my tuppence (two cents) worth:
1) Yes, some landlords will refuse to rent to foreigners but that is more because they are seen as a liability more than anything else - I've seen foreigners just up and leave after racking up a few months of unpaid rent. I've also sponsored people but some landlords even wanted a Japanese company to sponsor me as a sponsor!! We went somewhere else!
2) Why would you want to be a civil servant here?
3) Banks are banks and want info wherever you are. I don't care, but I understand your point.
4) Yeah, shit happens but it's very rare, maybe more common out of town? It's never happened to me...yet!
5) The pandemic really did bring the stupid people out of the woodwork didn't it. Not experienced myself but I do know those who got stuck abroad and those who got back but had to quarantine for a week (Japanese and foreign). I think maybe it was something to do with where they were coming from....?
At the end of the day, I still prefer to live here than my original country - it's Japan and I accept their ways (even if I don't agree with them, and you'll find that even some Japanese don't understand the logic!) and I don't expect them to budge for me. However, if I get to retirement and they tell me I can't have a pension, then the shit will really hit the fan!!!!
Excellent points, and I don't disagree with 2 to 5. I do have a problem with 1 because of the so called "Johatsu" of Japanese. The idea that foreigners run away more...I am not convinced to be honest. Estimates are 100,000 Japanese disappear every year (not all renters, to be fair), but even if a small percentage of them are renters, that is still probably more than the foreigners who do the same. It's just easier (legally) to stop the foreign perpetrators.
@@Exjapter Thanks for the very prompt reaction!! Concerning the renting issue, perhaps I wasn't clear but more than a language barrier I personally find it's the reputation issue that puts landlords off. There is no doubt that statistically more Japanese skip and leave but generally for Japanese renters they have to have their parents (or workplace) as sponsors and so missing rent/damage arrears etc can be chased up. With foreigners it is harder. And I do know that some landlords (and shops etc) will use the language excuse at the drop of a hat.
On a different note, do you ever find that if you go to shopping with your wife, despite you ordering and paying in Japanese, the shop clerk will almost always talk to your wife?? That used to really bug me!
That used to happen all the time, but it really bugged my wife, so now she adopts a very effective "I am ignoring you" aura so it doesn't happen any more!
Do you know how long foreign residents were banned from returning during the pandemic? I ask because at one point a permanent resident co-worker suddenly had to return to the UK for a family related problem and upon return to Japan she had to quarantine in a hotel room for about a week, but could then go home.
My recollection was that it started in May and went for 3 to 5 months...Sorry, my mind is fuzzy on the details, as it is on a lot of things over those 'lost' pandemic years....
@@Exjapter thats 3 to 5 months too long! Especially if you live and have a life there. Do you imagine they would make exceptions? Like, what if you were a single father and your kid was in the care of a temporary care giver?
@@Cargo_Bay I don't know, but I know there were a bunch of crazy situations that happened. One girl who is a citizen of India, but who was raised in Japan and all of her family is in Japan, was studying abroad in Canada. Her visa to study abroad expired at the end of the school year but she couldn't return to Japan because of the ban, and she couldnt' stay in Canada. She had to go to India, where she didn't know anyone!
yea that credit card thing seems a little susssss
Because gaijin don't pay rent and run off to their home countries. Of course I'm not one of them.
I wonder how prevalent that is. I couldn't find any info or stats.
@@ExjapterI lived in Taiwan for a few years and the same fear is there as well. I’ve been told the same thing by agents and landlords who don’t specialize in serving non-Taiwanese (I speak mandarin).
*some
Man who can remember how Japan acted during covid
I was in Korea at the time when Japan closed its borders
Had to wait until 2023 to visit due to my busy schedule
Now I'm finally moving to tokyo in 10 days
But I'm cautious this time around if another pandemic hits i may prefer to return to life in America
Asian countries take pandemics to the extreme which hurts its citizens 😢
What happened in Korea exactly? I didn't really follow what other countries were doing much, outside of Japan and the US.
confucius value.
many asian countries especially east asia confucius value is still a big part of moral not so much individual freedom.
if i've learned anything from the period of time from 2020 to now is...we're never ever going back to any kind of lockdowns. It would have to be some next level type of disease or virus for that to happen, but i dont forsee mandates and lockdowns coming back for any future variants.
The best pandemic countermeasures were taken by Taiwan.
Japan should have done the same.
As a result, Taiwan succeeded in containment.
I believe that Taiwan is number one in Asia.😃👍🏻
From a Japanese by
Thanks Paul for the vlog. Always good to get us thinking…
We were certainly discriminated against when trying to find a rental in Kyoto in the late ‘80’s even though my Japanese husband was with me. Didn’t bother us too much though, as we soon found a better place anyway!
Yes, luckily there are plenty of places that don't discriminate. It never felt like "oh how will we ever find a place to live!"
Exactly! Also the many, many positive experiences I had in Japan while living there for 13 years, and actually continue to have, far outweigh any of the negatives :)
@@katecobb9278 Thank you, I 100% agree. I am a bit worried about a video like this, because there are always people who show up to comment as if I have never said anything good about Japan. (Clearly not subscribed ;) Couldn't be further from the truth - if this place was awful I wouldn't be here, and I find it strange that people assume otherwise.
Yes. I understand. Take care. Am looking forward to your next vlog as they are always interesting and thought provoking.
If you want a cheat code for getting a Japanese apartment. Please become an English teacher for the JET program.
7:20 If they're asking for residence cards then only non-Japanese have them, and I see no indication that they didn't ask Japanese customers for something else. The then implied discrimination also seems to be more guesswork than your other points.
I know from a financial advisor friend that one of the companies did do this only with foreign customers, although it could be that they just started with foreigners and then will roll it out broadly later? But you are right, the company that sent thenl card I showed could be doing it with everyone and I have made a false assumption.
It’s fun for me to find out where you are walking these days. Today you started Oppma(追浜.
The name of O'pama was first found in 904 AD. Ikazuchi（thunder）shrine was built here. People worshipped fire at the shrine.
last scene was taken near shoko-ji（正光寺）寛文元年（1661年）に頓譽（とんよ）上人の創建 The temple was built in 1661 by Tonyo, the priest. PEACE✌
Do you know the story about that special tree?
@@Exjapter update on the freaky tree if you find out please 😉
10:22 The word O'pama was found more than 1,000 years ago. At that time O'pama was not a residential area but it had a beach and a small island named 'Tsuki-shima'. 'Pama' and 'hama' mean 'beach' in Japanese.
In 904 AD Ikaduchi(thunder) shrine was built on the island. People worshipped thunder and fire.
In 1559 bolts of thunder stuck the shrine and the tree(柏槇 juniper) nearby and burnt them out. Although twelve girls were around the tree, they were not injured at all. So people thought the tree helped the girls.
In 1581 the shrine was moved and rebuilt in the site where it is today. The tree has been kept in the site where you met the tree 10:22. Paul found the black burnt tree in a vacant lot. It was the small island 1,000 years ago. PEACE ✌
@@gwenhie1 thank you very much :) that is very interesting, very cool history 😁
@@scruffy2629 with my pleasure ❤
It is unfortunate that discrimination and racism is a thing in any country. We are all people/ human at the end of the day. The Japanese are no different. If only people would be nice, and treat others the way they want to be treated. But at the same time, it is understandable to want to keep foreigners out of Japan, since there are so many elderly people that live there, and they are the most vulnerable to Covid. They likely wanted to minimize casualties due to the pandemic. It was a rough time for everyone, so i can empathize. Thank goodness more people didn't die durring the pandemic! We should count our blessings that we are still alive and well. Having some gratitude helps a lot. Hope it helps! Have a great day! Take care!
It would have made sense, if (like in New Zealand) they didn't let in Japanese from foreign countries, either. Or have everybody undergo quarantine. But, no, that's not what happened. So it is just abysmal and braindead racism, nothing more nothing less. Japanese have a history of believing that only foreigners carry disease. Notably with AIDS. Japanese actually believe they don't need to use condoms amongst each other, because only foreigners have SIDS.
If they wanted to minimize casualties amongst the elderly, they shouldnt have let citizens return either. Returning from abroad they are more likely to meet elderly relatives than foreigners would be. And if you just force everyone to quarantine, which they later did, that doesn't discriminate.
I can understand the rule about foreigners not being promoted in the government. There's the risk that some sort of religious conflict could arise. Sakoku was stressful but it was successful and it was important for Japan to remain Japan. Without sakoku, Japan could have been slowly converted through people slowly becoming loyal to the Judeo-Christian cult stuff, once there's a critical mass of them, power is usurped away from the backbone of Shinto (which is very unjudgmental and there's no such thing as conversion, no beliefs, no cult type of stuff, and nature is appreciated in a spiritual sense). We think it "can't happen here" but it certainly COULD. Just look at Trump and MAGA in America. Putin also cites Christianity as his rationale for fighting. Christianity (and Judaism too, and Islam) are great at creating fighting clubs/sects based on religion and wars/genocides result. Christianity was here too until 1530 and you probably know the story about the Christian bureaucrat in Tokugawa's government who was told by a Christian feudal lord "Since we are both Christians, and Tokugawa isn't, we two should be loyal to each other and so can you please move the boundary showing my territory on the map to give me more power?" The bureaucrat agreed but luckily it was caught and both were executed at once.
The fact that universities promote and hire foreigners (I'm a tenured professor) show that it isn't a discriminatory country. Japan wants to hear our voices, but they don't want to be controlled by people who might not understand Japan. I actually feel safer that way! I would NOT want foreigners to have power in management positions in the govt because it would just take minutes for religious ones to start their machinations to get power using monotheisms. I have had a lot of academic freedom here to write many papers about Shakespeare which would be considered blasphemous and heretical by the standards of Judeo-Christianity-Islam (if you google Marianne Kimura you can see my work on Academia; I've got over 37,000 views and I did a pagan interpretation of Romeo and Juliet--yes, Juliet really is the sun!). I rely on the fact that the govt is managed by Japanese people (ultimately MEXT controls universities) and so my academic freedom is ensured.
As for the part about foreigners being stranded outside Japan, I feel like it just comes along with the territory of being an island, a kind of reclusive hermit style type culture here. No country is perfect, so thanks to its shell, Japan went overboard with the introversion. But maybe next pandemic then might not?
Thank you for the excellent well thought out comment. There is a lot to unpack there, but I find myself agreeing with you.
A lot of the policies feel more like "Look where doing something!" instead of figuring out a real solution. But that's most governments I think hahaha!
That's perfect, and I agree. It's not the politicians who have to deal with the consequences!
What do you think about the new law stating the J gov can take away your permanent residency if they suspect you’re not paying taxes?
Good question. It seems an unfair singling out, but at the same time... i think PR need to pay taxes and follow the rules. Its probably more of a political pandering than anything.
@@Exjapter The problem is that it's a slippery slope. Starting in 2019, you now need a annual income of 3,000,000 yen to get permanent residency. Then they started going after people who don't pay social security and such. Nothing wrong with that, at least not on the surface, but who is to say they don't up the ante and start saying they'll revoke your permanent residency status if you don't meet a specific income threshold, say 4,000,000? Not a problem for me now, but I want to retire early and probably won't be making that unless I sell some of my stocks every year, which I don't want to and, frankly, don't need to because my cost of living is very low.
And that's me, now imagine people who don't have a fancy portfolio. Some people just don't have that kind of income, but that doesn't mean the government has a right to turn their lives upside down.
@@guanxinated it is not wrong for them to limit who they give the gift of PR to. You either need to be contributing to the country, or have contributed enough to have earned it.
Or you can fallback onto a spousal visa.
I despise immigrants who take advance of taxpayer paid systems, such as health care, yet refuse to contribute and pay their fair share. Leeches should return home.
Hello unicorn here!
I rented a place from Abel Housing in Nishinomiya in 2009 J spouse at my side. I had just returned to Japan after a nearly five year absence. I had a “promise” of a job nothing more. Go figure. The gods were on side on that day.
Re financial services/ credit cards etc. don’t you think that US citizens in Japan get a harder time than say a Brit or Aussie?
Not an issue with credit cards I think, but investments are often off limits to Americans due to the IRS reporting requirements. (Which are the number one reason I would consider renouncing my US citizenship and becoming Japanese...)
Australia did even worse.
In what way?
@@Exjapter Australia locked out not only PR owners but also citizens.
Finance related companies often face government regulations that seem discriminatory, for example collecting information on non-citizen clients. The discrimination is not from the company but from the government. The stated reason is to protect against abuse, but the real reason is for the government to collect information.
I have personally faced rental discrimination in Japan despite having a Japanese spouse.
Your point about the government is interesting. I hadn't thought about that, but I can see it being part of the reality. Thank you for your comment.
didn't know foreigners could become civil servants to begin with...
Well, I don't know how common it is, but there are foreigners working as liasons in Japanese city halls through the JET Program (the "Coordinator of International Relations" CIR position). And sometimes they stay on after their term is up on a private contract - but they will never hold a management position.
@@Exjapterlooks like a foreigner cannot by default become a state civil servant (国家公務員) but some localities allow non-citizens to become regional civil servants (地方公務員)
Japan is a spy paradise. lol
Chinese people are buying land right next to a Self-Defense Forces base, and there are politicians who have no sense of national defense whatsoever.😃
Even if your weeaboo fantasy becomes reality, the Japanese will turn it into a nightmare.
Wow like you said. They take you tax money, you contribute to the health system, education system ( brain, knowledge) and they treat you like a rag.... so much for human rights... Bon courage
3:42 into the video and it's very apparent that the part of Japan you're walking through has lost a lot of business or they went away for summer because the overgrown weeds and bushes is looking VERY 'UNJAPANESY'.
Yeah, that area looks like it could have been a fun place to shop and eat a few decades ago, although I saw several candidates to return to later and try out, including a nice locally owned coffee shop. Even a place that is suffering a downturn has some gems!
Read 'obasan' by Joy Kogawa. ❤
Ok, will look for it!
It's even worse in America
Some of the same things I mentioned, or different examples?
@@Exjapter different
Can you share? I am interested in what you mean.
Ah yes, the "but Murica" whataboutism. It's sad that people are unable to look at something objectively. No matter what it's like in any other country, it doesn't change the fact about Japan.
You said everything, but they discriminate you even if you have Japanese citizenship, but you don't look Japanese like hafu who don't look Japanese are treated like foreigners, they ignore your Japanese citizenship
Sure, if you don't look Japanese there will always be an assumption you are a foreigner.
@@Exjapter even if you look Asian, there are Second generation Japanese born overseas also discriminated, because of their foreign names written in katakana and especially the behaviour they always check the behaviour Asians who don't behave like Japanese may also bê attacked, like Koreans and Chinese, also the Japanese born overseas, from countries like Brazil, but if you don't look Japanese you will never bê truly accepted, no matter If you behave like Japanese If you speak like them, if you express yourself like Japanese, for most of them you Will always bê different and that normaly IS a bad thing tô them. People who look different they want them tô keep as "foreign" as possible since it doesn't harm anybody there, or it os not necessary tô your survival, you must remain "foreign" tô preserve Japanese cultural purity.
Aussie here, living in Japan. I have some difficulty with some of the allegations in your video. As a foreigner, I had no difficulty returning to Japan during the COVID pandemic. Please get your facts right.
Residents were not banned the entire pandemic, but for a period of months in 2020 they were.
April to August, 4 months.
asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Japan-eases-reentry-ban-as-stranded-foreign-residents-weigh-future
Thank you to be very earnest with us.❤I do hope that not all Japanese people agreed with such Decisions of JP Government after COVID.Many Japanese people left the country after Pandemic because Distribution of the Financial support After Covid also was very problematic.Thanks again
yup yup yup
I learned about 20-22 years ago that this crap, ignorant people play worldwide, is just due to their own insecurities. Japan like every country on this planet has racism. Japan's flavour of racism is quite unique compared to other first world nations.
Life is short so unless you really want to help support a business that doesn't want your business because you're a foreigner, just to prove a point, I'd just move on spend your money and time where you're wanted.
I hesitate to call it racism since, at least for the things I talked about in the video, because they have have more to do with citizen and/or outsider status than race.
@@Exjapter But is not xenophobia a shade of grey that is racism through discrimination because you're not Japanese? Not a pleasant thought, I know.
It's interesting to me because we are the opposite in Scotland, if you're staying here for a while you are welcome to consider yourself Scottish - you won't have a choice because your accent will change anyway xD
That's awesome, and I would love to be able to pull off a Scottish accent. Unless I get into a voice activated elevator. ;)
The rent situation *is* justified. Because foreigners do just flee the country without paying. As much as it sucks change starts with us.
Of course, that does happen. I did a search and couldn't find any data on how common that is, but I would really like to know, so if you have happen to have any idea could you point me to a source of data? Thanks!
@@Exjapter I'm not aware of any data on it either. But if you ask other foreigners in Japan, especially young adults or students, many of them know at least one foreigner who couldn't handle it and fled back home.
I'm assuming these are the kinds of people that have unresolved mental health issues (anxiety etc) and think that moving abroad will solve their problems. They realise after 6-12 months that it's not what they expected.
I'm not exactly blaming them, when you're having a crisis you're not rational, the only concern is getting back home. But I'm saying that it does make the hesitation towards foreign renters more justifiable. It's a risk that Japanese renters don't carry
The fact that the Japanese government allows ANY form of discrimination just disgusts me.
It's their country
100% true, but that doesnt mean it's the best way.
1. It's called the free market. I'm a long-time foreigner in Japan, and wouldn't rent to a foreigner. Sorry, but I know how Japanese are, and how foreigners are. No language barriers - just I don't trust you.
2. dunno about this, but it makes sense. This country was paid for in blood and taxes by Japanese for thousands of years. Sorry, but we didn't pay that price.
3. Yes, I understand. Foreigners can't be trusted because they can just hop on a plane and leave.
4. Mostly, they don't need to deal with foreigners. I've seen this and laughed. Oftentimes they're thinking of their Japanese customers who don't want to deal with us.
5. The same is true in the states. American citizens cannot be refused entry. Same as Japan. Japanese can't be refused entry, whereas we can.
5. Why, though? (NZ did this.) And why no quarantine? (Australia did this.)
@@simonspethmann8086 There was an agreement that there would be no legal action taken. There were no lockdowns or quarantines in Japan at all. It was all considered voluntary.
@@TheShrededward I mean quarantines for people coming in from foreign countries, which were apparently used for foreign residents coming back to Japan (after the complete ban was lifted). This could have really been used in all people coming into the country, no need to ban or single out certain groups?
@@simonspethmann8086 No. Japanese citizens cannot be denied entry upon law. That's just the law here, which is why permanent residents weren't allowed entry. If they could have, I imagine they would have denied entry for everybody, but that's just how it was.
Same as the states.
@@TheShrededward 🤔 I see. That's pretty problematic. I wonder how many countries have this law...
It's still not okay to deny foreign residents entry from a human rights standpoint. I guess that's why they eventually rectified the situation, too. I mean, foreign residents work at companies and universities, often have families with little kids. It's not just the foreigners affected, too.
I meant they could have had (entry) quarantine for everybody. (I remember at one point a Japanese moving back to Japan had to be in quarantine. Foreign residents also had to quarantine. Upon entering the country, I mean.) That way they could have allowed foreigners, too, who e.g. wanted to study/work/pay longer visits to relatives etc. I perfectly support the idea of semi closing borders during those times - but quarantines are a good workaround.
This whole Japanese Corona policy of not letting in foreigners was also reminiscent of Japanese treating foreigners as disease carriers. (That used to be a problem in the past at least. Although I've felt that people were becoming more open. That was before COVID, though. We haven't been back to Japan, or seen our relatives, since before the pandemic.)
All in all, most of the Japanese Corona rules made more sense than other places in the world. It seemed like they actually tried to follow the science.
People who always complain about racism in Japan, probably never did much about the worse racism in their own country.
While there's racism everywhere, Japan has a very weird in your face brand of racism going on. The COVID thing was pretty obvious (they did rectify the situation with regards to residents, though). Letting in Japanese who reside in foreign countries, but not foreigners, was another one. Lots of Japanese believe that only foreigners carry SIDS and other diseases. Lots believe that foreigners are unable to eat certain Japanese foods (not that they don't like them, but that they _can't_).
A lot of "ingroup" type racism is indeed the same thing I've seen in rural, well, anywhere, actually. But the sh*** above is just ... 🤦
Everything I talked about, with perhaps the exception of #4, has to do with resident status rather than race. And even #4 is more about perceived outsider-ness (lack of Japanese language or manners) than race. I didn't claim the Japanese were racist anywhere in this video.
What a weird conclusion. So your immediate response to someone else's opinions based on his own experiences is to go the "but your country has worse racism..." Voicing opinions about things that a person doesn't think is right or fair doesn't make it racism.
@TS-cz4ko I just want to point out that your comment is doubly valid, as these are factual instances of foreign resident discrimination and not some personal bias of mine. Regardless of my opinion, these things are fact.
Why do these intelligent people bother responding to a troll, the comment is obviously off topic.
3:01 You mean some foreigners THINK they speak Japanese. 😂
And it gets REALLY good after a few beers, lol.
@@Exjapter I'm telling u man...ur wasting ur time.
I've been working full-time as a technical translator for 20 years now and have been around Japanese people in the US, Europe, and Japan for over 40 years, granted permanent residency 15 years ago, etc. The other day I was talking with a new group of Japanese on business touring the area and used a few terms like 最先端技術（半導体の話で）、現実逃避（引き籠りの話で）など. Rather than treating me like a legit human being, they fucking made a clapping gesture like I was a pet on one of Letterman's Stupid Pet Tricks segments.
Honestly, I AVOID Japanese people like the plague and chuckle a little when I see all these weebs who are dreaming of transforming themselves into a member of an ethnic group that absolutely hates them to the core. Just because Japanese are polite doesn't mean that they don't hate you. For example, I was shocked when I was talking with a really nice izakaya owner. I said something like 「本当に困るよ。アメリカに帰った方がいいのかな？」, and he responded, "Yes. Foreigners really don't belong here." This guy had been so polite to me for eight years! That's a classic example of 建て前 before 本音 (or the long calm before the storm LOL). One Japanese told me that most couples in Japan don't even know what their spouse is thinking. He ended up divorced and then got remarried.
Is it considered discrimination if a woman doesn't want to date you?
Perhaps you should leave Japan?
He’s married and has a family lol
@@xXxUrbanNinjaxXx He doesn't seem to be married to japan lol
I think a better analogy would be that I have been dating the woman for years, and she has been happy to accept all kinds of economic and social benefits, but sometimes denies that she knows me.
But really, that is still not a good analogy either, because dating someone or not is a singular notion, while living in Japan is a multitude of things, most overwhelmingly good, with a few bad mixed in here and there.
And good mixed with bad is the case pretty much anywhere in the world. So there is no motivation to leave, since at the end of the day the good far outweighs the bad. (^-^)/
A very unintelligent comment you made there. Hope you get a date soon.
@@idontsquare dude wut
差別ではなく区別です
大体同じじゃんｗ
First!