Being Japanese Part 1 of 2 | Full Documentary

Watch part 2 • Being Japanese Part 2 ...
What makes a Japanese person Japanese? Is it the blood that runs through their veins? A parent they were born to? The country they grew up in? Is it how they look? How they act? How they speak? Their citizenship? A documentary exploring what it means to be Japanese.
*Subtitles Notes: There are 5 English and Japanese subtitle tracks. Because we had to use existing language names, here's what you'll actually see in each track:
English - Spoken Japanese to English only
English (United States) - English subtitles for everything
English (Canada) - Spoken Japanese to English + Spoken English to Japanese
Japanese 日本語 - Spoken English to Japanese only
Zulu - Japanese subtitles for everything
00:00 Choose subtitle
00:09 Intro
04:07 Ainu
10:50 Okinawa
21:11 Zainichi-Korean
28:59 Nikkei-Brazilian
34:48 Hāfu
52:12 Kikokushijo
1:00:07 Watch part 2
For inquiries regarding the documentary please contact me, Greg Lam, at www.lifewhereimfrom.com/contact/
Original Music by Carlo Carosi. Soundtrack at carlocarosi.bandcamp.com/

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

Don't forget to choose the subtitles you like! Watch part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4qwnqafedh7qMk お好きな字幕を選んでください。パート２を見るkzbin.info/www/bejne/n4qwnqafedh7qMk

[@StorKejsaren]

I realize from the other comments that this video has been released somewhere previously, but this was my first time watching it. Interesting stuff and I really like the cute little animations :)

[@tachimegun]

I can't find spoken English to English, spoken Japanese to Japanese 🥲

[@2Click-My-iCON]

何国人かの定義？ 多くの人に聞かなくても答えは出る。 そんなに難しくないでしょ？ 何国人か？持っている国籍で決まる。 それが答え。大した重要なことではない。 手続き上のことだけ。 国籍以外には、DNAや血縁による人種や民族の定義もあるでしょう。区分けしたい人や定義したい人が使う。 そして、国籍や血以外でも考慮すべきは、自身の気持ちである。 一般的に家族は血縁であるけど、血が繋がっていなくても家族になれると思う。それは気持ちの繋がりによる家族。家の中で一緒に暮らして、多くの時間を共有して家族だと思えれば、それは立派な家族だと思う。 だから何人かも同じでしょう。もし日本に長年住み、日本人と一緒に過ごし、自分は日本人だと思えれば、国籍や血が日本人でなくても、多くの人が「国籍は違うけどあなたは日本人だね」と言ってくれるでしょう。 以上が、何人が定義したいなら参考になること。 多くの人に聞く必要もない。考えればわかることだし、何人かにこだわる必要もない。 こんなことを多くの人に聞こうなんて言ってる人が、心に人種差別を持っているのでは？ この動画では、カナダでは、どんな見た目でもカナダ人と言えば疑われることはないが、日本では日本人の見た目でないと日本人と思われないと言う。 そして、それが人種差別と繋がっているように訴えているように作られている。 これも答えは簡単である。 多民族国家と単一民族国家の違いってだけ。 カナダは元々色々な人種や民族が国の中に存在していて、それが常識だから、見た目でカナダ人かどうかはわからない。国籍がカナダだと言えばカナダ人だと思うしかない。 日本は違う。元々日本人しかいないから、日本人の見た目であるだけで、日本人だろうと思えてしまう。そういうことが何千年も続いてきた。ここ近年３０年位でようやく日本国内で日本人とは違う俗に言う外国人を見かけるようになった。 だから、日本人と同じ見た目ならほぼ間違えなく日本人だったし、日本人と違うなら外国人で旅行に来ているのか？留学に来ているのか？って思う。 話さなければ、それ以上はわからない。 日本人の見た目でも、話してみたらずっと外国に住んでいて英語しか話せない外国籍かもしれないし、日本人でない見た目でも、話してみたらずっと日本に住んでいる日本国籍かもしれない。 外見による何人かの判定は、多民族国家は外見では判断できないが常識となり、単一民族国家は外見でほぼ判断できるが常識になる。これだけの違いである。その国に住む人種や気持ちの持ち方で変わるものではない。 もしカナダが単一民族国家であれば、日本と同じようになるってだけだし、今後日本で様々な人種や民族の人が増えてくれば、日本でも外見では判断できないという常識に変わっていくだけ。 そんな単純明快なことなのに、なぜそれを日本には人種差別がある！気づかずに人種差別している！みたいな方向に持っていくのだろうか？ ない差別を作り出し、むしろ人種差別を煽っているように感じる。 外国人にありがちな思考に感じる。 利己的思考なので、自分が正しいと思い込んでしまい、相手がどのように思っているのか？等の客観的視点が欠如してしまう。

[@2Click-My-iCON]

例をあげましょう！ 日本に来た黒人がよく主張している人種差別。 日本では、最初から黒人に対して悪い印象を抱くことはないし、日本は単一民族なので、そもそも人種差別の意識もほぼない。 しかし、黒人は母国とは違う日本に来てまで、母国で受けた差別の意識や定義を持ち込み、差別されたと思ってしまう。黒人自らが人種差別を生み出している。 黒人は「ジロジロ見られている」「電車で隣に座ってこない」だから人種差別されてるって言う。 日本では黒人が多くないから珍しくて見ているだけで差別的に見ているのではない。「ドレッドヘアーがカッコいいなー」「身体大きいなー」って目立っているから見てる可能性が高い。米国で着物を着ている日本人が歩いていたら見ると同じ。 電車で隣に座ってこないのも、黒人は日本人に比べて身体が大きく、隣の座るスペースが狭くなるので座らなかったり、日本人は英語が出来ないので話しかけられたら困るから座らなかったりする。電車内で日本人が隣に座ってこない光景を撮影して、黒人差別の証拠だと主張する動画があったが、動画では通路を塞ぐような大きな旅行ケースが席の前に置いてあり、これでは座われないでしょという感じだった。人種差別ありきで撮影したいのでしょう。 外国の事情はわからないが推測するなら、黒人は犯罪をするという先入観で警戒されジロジロ見られたり、近くに寄って来ないことが多いので、それが黒人差別と思われるようになったのかもしれないが、他国に来てまで、その常識を持ち込んで、日本人も差別するっていうのは、関係を悪くするだけだ。せっかく日本人は黒人に悪い印象がないのに、日本に来る黒人はちょっと見ているだけで人種差別だと怒るってなれば、日本人はどう思うか？それなら黒人にはなるべく関わらない方がいいとなってしまう。互いに不幸な関係になってしまうだけ。 人種差別とは、違う人種にだけする悪質な行為のことである。他国に来て人種差別されたと主張する前に、その国の常識や慣習を知るべき。そうでなければ、その国の人が人種差別でしていることかどうかわからない。他国に来てまで母国ではその行為は人種差別になるから止めろと言うのは、尊大であり、他国への畏敬の念がない。

[@2Click-My-iCON]

大前提として、差別はどこの国にもあるし、人間がいる限り、残念ながら無くならないでしょう。 問題は、差別があるかないかではない。 どれ位多く差別が発生しているのか？ どれ位酷い差別があるのか？である。 差別の傾向が大事なのだから、個人の体験１つで批判するのは安易であり、統計DATAや多くの差別事例の分析により、傾向を導き出して解決策を導くべきである。 差別を受けたと主張する人の話だけを聞くべき？差別を受けた人にも原因があることだってあるし、差別された話は自分視点の話が中心で必ずしも公平な話にならない。 外国人のあるあるKZbin動画に【日本には差別があるか？】がある。日本人でも経験するようなちょっとしたイジメでも、外国籍だからというだけで人種差別になってしまい、大した被害もないのに、再生数の為に動画を作っている。日本人にも同じ様に起こることは人種差別ではない。多くの人が人生で経験するからかいや軽微な一時期のイジメでしかない。それを見極めもせず、何でもかんでも人種差別と言う外国人が多い。 また、なるべく差別が少ない社会にした方がいいが、差別の酷い国が自国を顧みず、自国より差別の少ない国に向かって、重箱の隅をつつき、差別を批判するのはいかがなものか。他国を批判するなら自国の差別をどうにかすべきでは？

[@protolanhan9824]

As someone who consumes a good amount of Japanese content on KZbin, you don't really get to hear these things. These topics are usually ignored for self-interests or brevity. So I appreciate seeing something different.

[@maiyenish8552]

"...consumes a good amount of Japanese content on KZbin..." Is that why you saved the link to 10 hours of coughing, and ear pain ?

[@user-rn4ds2np6x]

are japanese hate speaker? no this video is hate speech (we just lose WWII ) dont demonaise germany and japan

[@SpiritLake]

@@user-rn4ds2np6x what the hell are you trying to say?

[@cupidok2768]

y they were forced to give up okinawa?

[@matchatokyo4930]

I watched both the part 1 and part 2. And oh boy, this documentary is a work of art and out of passion. This deserves people's time, attention, and RECOGNITION! Great job and my utmost respect to Greg, his team, and to all who did have the courage to be part of this!

[@maiyenish8552]

Joined KZbin just for this post? You are truly a great friend of the channel! (Joined July 24, 2022 and posted same day)

[@user-rn4ds2np6x]

It's propaganda to attack the Japan.　　Guidance and information manipulation mix lies

[@wariinedietrich7057]

アイヌはオホーツク文化を備えた外来民族で蝦夷との混血です。 日本の先住民族ではありません。 正しい歴史とルーツを踏まえて､この貴重な日本文化のいちサークルを絶やさない活動を支持します。 ただ､妄想で恨み辛みを言うアイヌは見て情けなく気の毒です。

[@mingpoyang]

Yes to show the world the cruelty of the Japanese to their own kind that have emigrated.

[@onlyinjapan]

Really glad to have backed this project! Beautifully made documentary 🎌 years in the making!

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

Thanks for the support John!

[@sailormoon2937]

@@LifeWhereImFrom adorable kids, good job

[@alamri20]

indeed...the story of the guy who was bullied was crazy, but glad it was not common.

[@joejohnson8966]

Glad I bought it when it was first available

[@Mwoods2272]

Please praise yourself.

[@lukebradshaw1231]

Fantastic documentary Greg! Both me(Aussie) and my wife(Japanese) watched this and it really sparked a conversation about our 3 year old daughter and her future. Our core message will be simple. She is both Japanese and Australian, and being both is ok, no matter what. Thank you for creating and sharing.

[@celfhelp]

i personally feel that the value of that approach cannot be overstated as i've gotten older, i've realized just how important my parents' dynamic was to shaping me as a person (mom is full greek, dad is half american half greek) a multicultural home working in unison is an unbelievably powerful thing for its children (imo)

[@yo2trader539]

Sir, just one advice from somebody who struggled with both English/Japanese growing up. If you're going to live outside of Japan, please make sure your kids learn Japanese language/culture from your wife. It will make life so much easier and fun when they grow up. It'll also keep them connected to their families in Japan. It will open a lot of career opportunities too.

[@popgas3821]

Glad this is out now despite I already saw this early. Glad I backed it up as it's pure hardwork from Greg and the final product is just beautiful.

[@sushikenji]

Thank you so much, as a ハーフ, Okinawan, and Japanese-American, I could relate to a lot of these stories even though I grew up in Hawai’i

[@TheKnightXavier]

Glad I was able to support this earlier when the documentary was hosted on Vimeo, definitely worth the expense considering the time, energy, and creativity you (and whoever worked alongside you) put into the video Greg. Thanks for making such quality documentaries about Japan and - more generally - people.

[@MuhaT]

Thank you for publishing the documentary on KZbin and making it available for everyone to see.

[@gyrosmann]

Thank you so much for this documentary! It resonates as Im half-half as well, although not Japanese. This feels so personal. Not only from all the interviewees, but from you. As if you were doing this not for us, but for your children. Thank you and everyone who participated!

[@davidoliva3232]

INCREDIBLE, you are incredible, man... I can't how well done you have made this video, you deserve more and more here in youtube.

[@MrTh19]

i’m still halfway through, but i can’t imagine all the work that must have gone into this documentary. This is beautiful-bravo!

[@Ritermann]

I really appreciate the high picture quality. No weird movements or useless effects. Thumbs up for that! 👍🏻

[@bongtzeyong7540]

After watching 3-4 of your videos.... I seriously think you're an absolutely great director and a great editor. I love how you edit all these videos. How you choose to slot in between audios & videos. Awesome. Other than that, I love your stories or content. I am a Japan lover myself, having dreams to live in Japan. I look forward in watching more of your videos, old & new. Thank you!

[@InsaneCake]

Wow I didn’t expect this to be so hard hitting… this is some seriously amazing work! I’ve followed you for years and it’s so cool to see your skills and style grow and develop. This seems like a step up. Super interesting and beyond what I expected. Congrats!!

[@Liz-qm4rb]

This is beautiful, Greg. Great production. Very immersive. I'll make sure to watch part 2

[@RobbC.]

Incredibly powerful stories Greg, incredible well made. Congratulations on a masterful piece of work. Now for Part 2...

[@baileynorth352]

This is absolutely wonderful. I have enjoyed your work for years and appreciated your growth in storytelling. This is truly a milestone. It entertains and educates like your previous windows into Japan, but goes further in uniting us, binding us together with the honesty of shared experiences. Thank you, Greg.

[@limitedmobro7708]

What an amazing documentary, Greg! Your videos are one of the reasons i'm interested in Japan and i think this video is your best work to date. Keep up the excellent work! ✨✨

[@cousefirst1351]

This video is fantastic! Thank you so much for taking the time to time to interview so many different voices. Some of the highest quality and impactful KZbin content I've seen in a while!

[@markpickardlife]

Good interviews. Well produced. Thank you.

[@oskarkamil8208]

That is a beautiful documentary. Really well made and so informative. It has been only 1h, but luckily there's another hour waiting for me of this great experience. Really worth watching

[@nattifrutti]

I am so impressed with the sweet balance of heavier topics to heartwarming and funny moments to not make it too heavy. Thank you. It made for a very pleasurable experience! And this topic is so interesting! I have learned lots about Japan that I don't think I would have learned elsewhere. And your video style and editing style is really great! It's also nice to see that even though I'm from another continent and another country, I can also see a part of the Japanese history being repeated in my own country. It makes me feel like even though we're from different parts of the world, we're not that different.

[@Narnendil]

Such a massive project! Well done with all the work! I'll be watching part 2.

[@shericodelacruz8916]

Greg, this is incredible!!! Thoroughly enjoyed watching this and the quality of production is just superb!

[@URangryX]

This documentary should win an Award of some type. Simply put: Moment-to-moment unique and riveting.

[@tankeryy1566]

just finished watching and I feel like that this is a one of a kind Japan/Japanese-related documentary, was interesting to watch and hear their (the interviewees) story while also learning a bit of Japan's history.

[@bloodpine666]

This is such a lovely documentary. It's really cool to now connect the dots between the different videos you've uploaded and your travels across Japan over the past four years, wow. Well done!

[@recman0712]

Usually don’t comment on videos but this was very entertaining the whole way thru, looking forward to starting part 2. Thanks

[@ftanakasp]

Hi Greg, I have been watching your videos for years. Man congratulations your contents is only getting better. I am half Japanese half Brazilian, I did all the Dekasegi thing (brown in Brazil went to work in Japan) and ended up moving to Australia, 15 years ago. I love Japan, now I am an Australia citizen, I love this culture mixture. My son is a Brazilian, Japanese Australian. keep up with the great videos.

[@LordLiquidBaconII]

It's great that the documentary is finally out for everyone to see! I already watched it since I backed it but I'll definitely rewatch it.

[@Thekidisalright]

Translate - “hey look at me guys, I watch it before you do” Weird flex but, okay?

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

@@Thekidisalright Well, he did support a year ago, so that's nice of him.

[@Thekidisalright]

@@LifeWhereImFrom exactly, bragging is encouraged as long as you paid up! Duly noted!☺️

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

@@Thekidisalright There were other people who commented that they've been wanting to see but couldn't afford and that they're glad it's out for free on KZbin now. I equally liked those comments as well! It's not about the money.

[@awapuhi9]

@@Thekidisalright Say you're penniless without saying you're penniless....

[@nellysalasubilla3592]

Such an amazing documentary and a conversation that needs to be addressed. This not a 10, it's a 1000. Great work!

[@DoppCreations]

Glad I already own this as it is so valuable to me and my family. Thanks for everything Greg.

[@SpotGoes]

Hi Greg - Fantastic documentary. I can tell you spent a lot of time and effort into putting this together. My son is also half Japanese who was born in Japan. We currently live in Hawai'i which has pretty deep ties to Japan and so far hasn't really questioned his culture. I think your film would be great to show him for when that day comes. Thanks again for putting together such a thoughtful and inspirational film.

[@lucyshnyr5647]

This documentary should be on major channels worldwide. It’s a work of art and really deserves universal recognition, it’s beautifully made and has the quality of a real top documentary. Thank you ❤ P. S. Sorry if it sounds silly or out of place, but being half Japanese just gives people those looks… omg, simply gorgeous

[@KuruGDI]

two HOURS of documentary. You really outdid yourself with this one! 🤯

[@yvanosaur7788]

Definitely the most engrossing piece of media to come out of KZbin concerning Japan that I've seen, and on a seldom broached topic (yet very important) too!

[@cocoabutterjohnny8182]

This is an amazing documentary. Its so interesting to see the varying scenarios of all those interviewed and how they are all are connected to Japan and yet disconnected simultaneously. Everyone's background and environment growing up is different but they are all trying to understand their own meanings and feelings about being Japanese is truly engaging. This is really a well produced and honest exploration into what it means to be Japanese, especially in this time and across a broad range of ages. Really love what you do Greg and the way you approach documenting your topic, subjects and the narrative. Cant wait to see what youre doing next. Keep it up brother!

[@velcrostripcr]

WOW, this documentary struck me! actully the history that hit me the most was the one of Mr. Tsuji.. it's impressive how people behave against the unknowns, judging and just because, we have to learn to be open! Saludos desde Costa Rica

[@gi169]

Awesome LWIF watching 2nd part now. Thank you for putting this on your amazing channel... Love what you do...

[@tess_desuAK]

This is one of the best documentaries I've seen in a long time. Excellent work. I learned so much! Thank you.

[@jimtera]

I second Ijima-san's comments. I used to be one of a 帰国子女 returning to 東京 after living in Flushing, NY for 4.5 years in the 1960s and I agree with your feeling being "left out in your own country ". I also experienced so called reverse-culture shock where people, kids, and the environment around me seemed so foreign although I was the one who was ’indoctrinated' with 'American culture'. The interviews brought me back this 懐かしい思い出 sensation or bittersweet memory, but alas, I am now living my life to the fullest in the US at age of 69.

[@ryodeo1341]

Wow, you put a lot, a lot of work into producing this and it's brilliance is you talk to real people and share what you have learned, excellent work - we are all who we are and we are all human, essentially the same and yet each uniquely different.

[@vidsofyermom]

I love your videos. Glad to see this released on KZbin! 💖from Saskatchewan!

[@JavierCorra]

Great documentary! Thanks for sharing!😀😃

[@tea-and-biscuits]

thank you greg for the time and effort that went into this masterpiece. you're doing a great and important work

[@ernestestrada2461]

I'm Hafu and watched this first part and understand the experiences. I was walking to my grandmother's home with my mother from the train station when a man I didn't even know yelled a slur at me. I was so innocent I walked up to the man and influent Japanese asked him "naze". It was such a loaded question. Even though technically it means why. In Japanese culture asking the question implies why did he act so improperly in public. My mother was terrified the man would strike me instead he saw a small boy that had done him no wrong. I saw the shame in this face. I smiled and waved at him saying sayonara. He timidly waved back. Over the coming few months when he saw us he would wave with a partial wave and I would wave back with all the the joy and innocence of a 3-year-old. One day his wave became a big joyful wave. As a teen, I overheard neighbors of my grandmother talking about this man who owns a yatai cart when someone spoke badly about foreigners or hafu he would correct them.

[@URangryX]

Love can heal many wounds, Ernest.

[@ernestestrada2461]

@@URangryX yes the innocence of a little boy's love changed this man's heart. According to what I overheard the neighbors casa he would say what wrong have they done to you. They've done you no wrong then you shouldn't think badly of them. That is such a typical Japanese way to correct someone in a kind way.

[@melelconquistador]

You passed on kindness, congrats.

[@janejones5362]

What an awesome response. I've done something similar as an adult. I gave a compliment to a man, for being so tall, as I am a small female. Most men I'm the U.S. love being complimented for being tall, if they are. This man became rude, and walked away. I followed him, and did what you did as a child. He became very quiet. But this man went to another job after that.

[@melelconquistador]

@@janejones5362 Was he dismissive of the compliment as a culture norm or was he overtly rude?

[@GarrettOdie]

I'm a little late to the party. Thanks KZbin notifications!! I am so glad you got to make this! I'm excited to watch it thoroughly!

[@L00I2D]

Awesome job, this documentary is full of amazing content, plus the shots and the video montage is excellent. KZbin at its finest !

[@miraclemilagro3260]

日本で生まれ日本の伝統文化をリスペクトして生きてきた人ならまだしも、文化は好きだけど日本語は嫌いというなら観光客で良いのでは？日本語あっての日本文化だよ。日本語の面白さ、美しさ、奥深さ、が分かるかな〜

[@misaestudiando]

So excited to watch this documentary again❣ If you are ever thinking of doing a part 3, it would be interesting to see the point of view of Japanese adoptees (originally from Japan, but grew up in a different culture) or those who were adopted into Japanese families (originally not from Japan, but grew up in Japanese culture).

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

I was so burned out from making this, so much so, that I haven't watched it since I released one year ago. I only just watched it now so that I could split it up into two and to double-check that there were no errors (there were some problems with the export, but I got those fixed up). I'm very proud of the work, but I'm not even thinking about a part 3. This was enough for me!

[@misaestudiando]

@@LifeWhereImFrom That’s fair, I was really impressed by how many points of view you were able to discuss! And the quality of the documentary (honestly all your work in general lol) is exceptional😄Exactly- you should be super proud of what u accomplished🎉

[@kouyasakurada5547]

I bought this video around when it was released and it was totally worth it. Hope you do more projects like this.

[@terminatorsuffs7498]

Incredible documentary - thank you for making this.

[@nicolewilson4058]

This was a great documentary. I equally enjoyed both Part 1 and 2. I liked how you highlighted each group as they are seen in Japan. To really understand and fully appreciate a culture you need to see all dimensions of it. The part on the Ainu was very interesting. They have often been overlooked. Great piece of work.

[@s-holy]

敢て言います。 このカナダ人が言う薩摩藩が 琉球を侵略したのは確かに事実です。 しかし韓国を植民地にしたと言っているのは事実と違います。 英国、オランダ、フランス、スペインが他国を侵略し植民地化したのとは全く性質が違うはず。 本当の日本の歴史をもっと勉強してから発表すべきです。

[@user-go2on6ov6o]

でも日本の教科書にも「朝鮮植民地化」とはっきり書いてますよね あの当時も植民地という認識だったし、今の国も植民地化という立場を取ってる 一部認めたくない人がいますけど歴史を歪曲するのはやめたほうがいい これは韓国や中国にも言えますけど、一部の日本人にも歴史を歪曲する人がいますが どうかと思う

[@ektherising]

何を見て言ってるのか。動画でちゃんとannexed と言ってるだろ

[@MageThief]

Amazing documentary Greg, just amazing work.

[@IiOnna222]

Incredibly instructive! I didn't know about Ainus and Okinawans and found this section fascinating. Will watch part 2.

[@jpn3068]

いろんなバックグラウンドを持っている人たちのことを知れて勉強になって面白かった！

[@user-no2mz9hl4f]

As a child in North America, my best friend was Japanese. Her parents were Japanese, she spoke Japanese with them, and they were teaching her to write in Japanese. They’d moved from Japan when she was 5, and moved back when she was 11. We kept in touch, writing letters, and when we were 20/21, I saw her for the first time since we were children. She said it was very strange going back to Japan because she hardly knew anything about her own culture, writing, or even language. This was strange to me, because I’d always considered her as Japanese, and thought her language skills were advanced. But, those few years being raised in North America, as the only Japanese child in her community, impacted her greatly, and I don’t think she ever felt fully Japanese.

[@jadenquest9544]

​@@lylianx4209 You will find someone that you resonate with eventually. It's a big place. Don't give up

[@maiyenish8552]

Something like people from Kansai who move to Tokyo, they don't feel comfortable. Something like New York City people who move to Alabama, they don't feel comfortable. Japanese who have lived overseas as a child, and move back to Japan, they don't feel comfortable. Is it discrimination, or is it "uchi" vs. "soto" , which exists outside of Japan as well! ("They aren't from this area.")

[@slickrick2420]

@@maiyenish8552 I don't think it's the same thing as moving to a different place in the same country. It's about national identity.

[@kylesanders9598]

Americans are confused when other people have a national identity because they have none.

[@user-no2mz9hl4f]

@@kylesanders9598 I’m not sure that’s true; perhaps for some Americans, but certainly not for all.

[@undeletable0]

Thank you very much for the informative and easily digestible documentary. Love it.

[@tyyoda]

This is a fantastic documentary! Well done!

[@MrMTKD]

Really amazing job Greg! What I really enjoy is your aproach, always trying to extract so many points of view and bring a wider awareness about what is being japanese. I am myself a Japanese Brazilian. But during my childhood until my adolescence I had my identity crisis. What is to have Japanese background, living in Brazil? Despite of nowadays Japanese culture and cuisine are very prized, it was different during 80's. Anyway today me and my relatives can admit it is more a provilege to have this mixed cultural heritage. I'm very proud about my parents and grandparents history and what they accomplished along the way. Thank's for sharing a bit of these feelings through you videos!!

[@emichoraria3773]

Thank you for making this video. I am in awe of the Hafus living in Japan. I am a half Indian, half Japanese, and I grew up in Nepal. I feel like I can never completely be something. And I knew how the Japanese culture is. I love Japan, my Japanese side family, the Japanese people and culture but I gave up on the idea of living my life identifying as a Japanese, during my childhood. Because I would never look Japanese. I've taken a long time to embrace my identity. But I am not sure if I will ever feel truly Indian or truly Japanese, meanwhile parts of me will feel Nepalese. I guess it's a continuous journey to discover and accept yourself.

[@dilladown]

thank you for sharing. I am also mixed (Japanese and German/Irish). I feel so similarly to what you have said. I often accept whatever identity others decide I am because it is easier that way. But I rarely feel like I am part of any group. It sometimes feels lonely, but most of the time I feel lucky to be able to somewhat understand multiple perspectives. I like your last sentence. - cheers from California !

[@akio_mkno]

Wow! This is just a well-done documentary! From the shots, historical resources, and people that were interviewed!

[@onlythroughmyeyes]

Wonderful Production & Incredible Insight! It's great to see a more deeper dive like this.

[@gavinlothian5539]

What an amazing documentary!!! I landed on your channel randomly when I found your video on the quality of life in Japan, and I have loved your content since. I can't imagine the hard work that went into this! Thank you so much for your work 👏🏾

[@denisehigo3211]

Fantastic documentary , inclusive and clarifying - I do thank you for including the Brazilian Nikkey community, oftentimes openly ignored by the Japanese Federal Government itself (as Mr. Aso´s declaration illustrates). I do have to widen the explanation given by the professor about the Brazilian Nikkey in Japan - nowadays, most Nikkey are settled in Japan and their kids or even grandkids attend universities and live productive lives into Japanese society, not only joining the blue collar spheres. I´ve lived for many years in Japan, in different times and regions. The mindset has been changing and becoming a wee tiny bit more welcoming over the years, mostly through the effort of some prefectures and municipalities.

[@sonomin3838]

Let me be the first to inform you that it is the Brazilian government that is obligated to protect Japanese-Brazilians, not the Japanese government.　That is what nationality means.

[@GIChiyo]

This is a fascinating documentary, incredibly well done

[@DDB168]

This is brilliant...on to part 2 👍👍

[@eternalism01]

This is just an amazing documentary, I love the way it explores all aspects of being “japanese”, how different people define themselves according to their experiences with Japan and the culture. It is hard because Japan is so strict and traditional, its values leaning towards preserving the race as a whole and being proud of their nationality so people who don’t fit their image of Japanese will automatically be ostracized and discriminated in some way. I’m glad this can shed light on this issue, it was eye opening to watch.

[@savesoil3133]

Have you heard of the #SaveSoil movement before?🌏🌍🌎

[@user-cp3ip3rw7r]

51:31 これってジョーさんじゃなくて、というか黒人とか白人とかアジアとかの人種差別じゃなくて ただ単に横須賀っていう地区の問題じゃね？俺名古屋育ちだけどクラスにブラジル系とかいたけど別に全然差別とかなかったぞ そのブラジル系のやつ同じバスケ部だったけどめっちゃ良い奴だし帰りに飯とか一緒にみんなで食ってたし彼女もいたしで 全くもって差別とかなかったし、むしろみんなの人気者だったがやｗ

[@user-cp3ip3rw7r]

バスケ部で他校に練習試合とか行くじゃん。それで他校の女子が集まってくんだよそのブラジル人見たさに。 そんくらいめっちゃ人気だったぞ

[@a-un7952]

だから、成長して別の人達と出会うことで、その地域で起こってたことが日本の普通じゃなかったと知って少し楽になったみたいな話があったでしょ。

[@user-gm2lm6lk1j]

n=1で語ろうとするなよ。

[@topsoraphak1061]

This work is really really great. It literally helps us better understand the society. Really great content! Thank you so.

[@wanaan]

Aite.. finally finding time to watch this over thr holiday. Thanks for the vid. Very well made and informative as always.

[@kmatsuzawa]

僕が高校生の頃は逆に朝鮮高校の方から暴力を受けていました。怖かった思い出が有ります。

[@bentosekai]

thank you so much for uploading this on here!

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

You're welcome!

[@ninauchida8620]

Awesome representation of the breadth and depth of the Japanese experience. I laughed, I cried, I related to so many of these people. Thank you for a wonderful documentary. Well done!

[@mailtorajrao]

Brilliant, insightful and fantastically researched & crafted episode!

[@karahafu]

sheeesh this rly hits me. by blood, im half-japanese half-chinese (my mom is from japan, my dad is from taiwan) but despite my last name from birth being of chinese origin, i always was closer to my mother and japanese culture so i always considered myself no-less japanese than my mom. ive always had a deep interest in japanese culture (both traditional and pop), politics, and history. the definition of being "japanese" varies from person to person but ive always considered myself as japanese despite a few minor contradictions. 🎌🎌🎌🎌

[@Playerdue]

Already watched this great documentary when it was first released and it was great to support the work of Greg by buying it! 😁

[@StetchnikU]

Same! I loved it.

[@HingLaw]

Thanks very much for this two-part documentary. At first glance, I was thinking a total length of some two hours could be, well, lengthy. As I was about 20 minutes into the first part, it dawned to me that watching once wasn’t enough. It deserves watching again. And again.

[@yellowbags]

OMG it's on youtube!!! Thank you Greg!! Love it ❤️❤️❤️

[@RacistChinaWhiteWithBigNose]

Please also mention that half-Nikkei are being discriminated against outside of Japan. This program may not mention discrimination against Japanese people.

[@akichi403]

The Japanese-Korean experience reminds me a lot of my British-Polish experience. Yes I was white, spoke like everyone else in my school, but the moment they found out that my name is "weird" and actually I'm not British they started treating me very differently. They would speak to me slowly, and when I got bullied my nationality was used against me a lot. I was the only foreigner in my school at the time. Thank you for sharing the stories of people in this documentary. It's truly amazing!

[@Elsonoliveira716]

Bro thats tough

[@NotReal20245]

Every non-Japanses(Asian), who grew up in Japan, I've met, have experience being bullied constantly in Japan. I think parents had no idea how cruel it is to attend Japanese school if you are non-Japanese Asian or Hafu. What did the Joe Oliver, as a child, to be deserved to be pissed at? Someone has to build more international schools.

[@88kayleigh]

This is so interesting for me to hear about - I am Canadian, born and raised here and so were my parents. But my mom‘s side of the family ancestry is English, and on my dad’s it’s mainly Polish. So for me those were always just two sides of the coin that was my family, equally me! And for other Canadians, only came up as an abstract topic of “oh what’s your family’s heritage? Oh cool” and that was all. So it’s strange when you hear about discrimination that goes from essentially one half of your ancestry to another. Human beings can be so strange in how we treat one another and what we base it on.

[@noaholic1023]

アイヌは先住民族でないという事が歴史学者の最近の研究で明らかになっています。北海道にはアイヌ以前に縄文人がいて、その遺跡が出土したため、アイヌが先住民族というのが誤りであるという事が分かっています。 また、在日韓国人のところで、日本が韓国を植民地にしていたというのは、間違いです。韓国は日本に併合されていたのであり、欧米の植民地とは全く異なり、彼らは当時日本人として平等に扱われていました。 そればかりでなく、日本統治前の李氏朝鮮時代にあった酷い差別的な階級制度を日本が廃止しました。 それ以前は、一部の王族や両班（貴族）とそれ以外の殆どが賎民と奴隷階級でした（中間層の階級も僅かしかいませんでした）。そして、殆どの下層階級に置かれていた多くの民に対して教育をしたのも日本の統治時代です。日本は統治時代にかなりの大金を韓国のインフラ整備に使いましたし、沢山の学校を作りました。 それまでの李氏朝鮮時代は中人と呼ばれる中間層より上しか教育はされず、中人以上の階級で使っていた文字は、漢字とハングルですした。そして、先に挙げたように殆どの民は賎民と奴隷階級であったので、教育はされておらず、文盲率がとても高く、漢字の読み書きもハングル文字の読み書きも出来ませんでした。そして、その頃に日本がハングル文字についての本を編纂し、一般庶民にも分かるようにハングルの教科書を作り教育を施し普及させました。 現在、韓国人がハングルを使えるようになったのは、この日本の統治時代の教育があった為です。また、このドキュメンタリーの中で、彼らの名前を強制的に日本名に変えさせたというのも間違いです。 日本は統治時代の初めには韓国人が自らに日本名を勝手に付けて名乗る事を禁止していました。それは、韓国には戸籍制度がなかった為に、日本統治時代に日本が調査し、戸籍を作らなければならなかったので、戸籍が出来る前に日本名を名乗られると、きちんとした戸籍がつくれなくなる為です。 ですが、日本が戸籍を作った後に、満州に開拓に行っていた韓国人が、自分達を低く見ている満州人の手前、日本名を名乗る事で馬鹿にされないようにしたいという要望から、朝鮮戸籍法が改正され、韓国人が自ら望んで日本名に改姓したのであって、日本が統治時代に彼等の姓名を奪ったというのは、韓国人が教えている嘘の歴史に基づくものです。 それで、日本が第二次世界大戦で敗戦国になった事で、日韓併合が無くなったので、韓国人が解放されたは間違いです。そもそも、李氏朝鮮の王の高宗がロシアの植民地にはなりたくないからと、日本に併合を頼んできたから、日本が韓国を併合したのであって、強制的に韓国を日本の植民地にしたという事ではありません。この認識が、もう冒頭から間違っています。 日本が敗戦国になった時点では併合されていた韓国人（朝鮮人）は日本人であったので、共に敗戦国の民であったのにも拘らず、韓国では、日本と戦って韓国が独立を勝ち取ったなどと嘘を教えています。 そして、日本は敗戦後、日本にいた韓国人に対して帰国事業も行っています。それも有償で彼等が韓国に帰っても困らないようにという配慮もしています。ですが、その時に韓国へと帰らずに日本に残った韓国人が、帰化して日本人となった人と、韓国籍を持ったまま日本に残る事にした人がいて、在日韓国人はこういう人達の子孫と、あとは、韓国の済州島から逃げてきた人の子孫です。 韓国から船で逃げてきたという件も、このドキュメンタリーで在日韓国人が語っていますが、それはどういう事かというと、第二次世界大戦後から朝鮮戦争時にかけて、李承晩が済州島で島民を虐殺し始めたので、その時に日本に向けて船で逃げてきた韓国人が沢山いました。そして、日本の漁民は沢山の韓国人を助けましたが、お金を払わなければ見殺しにしたというのは、嘘です。 また、日本は荒れ果てた韓国の土地を開拓して近代的な農業技術を教えています。これにより、それまでの低い農業の生産率が著しく上がっています。そしてまた、その当時、これらの土地の私有者は併合された事により日本人となった韓国人であって、統治をしていた日本人ではありません。 これらの事実は、日本の併合前の韓国を旅した欧米人による書物を読んだ上で、その当時の写真と、日本の統治時代の写真とを比べれば一目瞭然ですし、ちゃんと事実を裏付ける資料も残っています。 だから、日本の統治時代の韓国は、欧米の植民地（大規模なプランテーションを作りそこで奴隷労働をさせていた）とは明らかに違いがあります。 このドキュメンタリーは、在日韓国人の嘘を元に史実の資料を集めもせず、ファクトチェックを行わないまま作られていて、日本人からすると腹立たしいほど嘘の内容が含まれており、こういう嘘出鱈目を世界に広めて貰って欲しくはないと思いました。

[@jjasmineluv]

Wow I love this documentary, its beautifully done ❤❤

[@erwin7427]

This is such a well-put-together documentary and a fascinating topic indeed.

[@ordinaryjapanesemeals8714]

I am a Japanese simply because both my parents are Japanese. I don’t criticize your justifying what is called immigrant nations such as Canada and the US. However, I believe it is no use analyzing what are the Japanese from a standpoint of the people of an immigrant nation. I'm fed up with infectious diseases derived from not only Covid 19 but also globalism or something.

[@user-zj5vl1lx9w]

大変な力作、製作お疲れしたぁ～🙇 残念なのは、アイヌという先住民族がいます。 というのは、間違いで、アイヌは鎌倉時代にやって来ました。 というのが、正解デス😄✌

[@ektherising]

和人が北海道に住む前に北海道に来たなら、それは文字通り先住民ではないですかね？

[@user-om7jn3do6m]

@@ektherising 和人よりもアイヌよりも前に縄文がいるんですよね。縄文人の土地を侵略した北方系の人々がアイヌで、単一の言語を持たず8つの部族に分かれており文化も異なっていたと。 ロビー活動の成果で"先住""民族"か…

[@danimaravi89]

Top job Greg, can't wait to watch part 2

[@wkl747]

I enjoy both of your episode immensely. It is very insightful and poignant moment to me. Thank you for sharing.

[@limitedmobro7708]

I'm not Japanese, but i know several half-Japanese who were once in a state of identity crisis and trying to figure out which country or which group they actually belong to. I never really understood why that is such a big deal, not having a mixed heritage myself. But after i watched this series, i finally understand the struggles of half-japanese and all people who has mixed heritage, from social pressures of fitting in with the society to legal pressures to choose their own nationality. I was tearing up at the part where the japanese-black american guy is telling his story. I never thought that people can be so cruel, even to a young child. Thank you for this fascinating and eye-opening documentary, Greg! Looking forward for more amazing works from you :)

[@G2Star]

What a brave topic to tackle and you really nailed it.

[@ordinaryjapanesemeals8714]

"Nailed it"? He just only walked along the outskirt of our society without abundant knowledge about Japan.

[@EcchiBoiiii]

I would love to see more of your in-depth videos regarding these topics!

[@selsonblu8970]

Very extensive explanation on the subject. More than any other documentaries, that I have seen so far, on this topic. Congratulations to the film maker.

[@makoto5071]

Great Video. I'm a Kikoku-Shijyo (帰国子女). Born in Tokyo Japan, but at 4 my father got a Job in New York and also went to Grad school at NYU, so my family (Parents, sister and me) relocated to the United States (New Jersey to be exact) After returning to Japan at 13, I went to an American school in Tokyo (The American School in Japan) which my Father's company paid for since He was an Executive who was hired in the US, then sent to Japan (totally different than an Executive hired in Japan - both Salary wise as well as in benefits) Although I went to a Japanese school in Fort Lee every Saturdays for 6 of the 9 years living in the US with my parents, my Japanese skills were too low to enter into regular Japanese junior high school after returning to Japan. Therefore since I went thru the American education system from Kindergarten to College, and never went to a normal "Japanese" school, my English is Far better than my Japanese, even to this day. I learned my Japanese from my parents initially, then at the Japanese school every Saturday in the States, then in Japanese language classes at the American School in Japan, then self study thru working. Although now at age 58, my Japanese language skills are "almost" on par with other Japanese, but in my younger years I would make a LOT or errors, and when my co-workers found out that I was a Kikoku-Shijyo, I was labeled as "a Banana" which you also mentioned in your video. (Yellow on the outside, but white on the inside 😂) Now I speak Two languages fluently (English and Japanese) and a 3rd language Tagalog at beginner level, since my wife is a Filipina. Do I consider myself a Japanese? Sure I do, but I think I am somebody stuck between Two worlds, have best (and worse 😝) of both worlds.... Not really a Japanese, nor an American.

[@PiriakaTrackwrecker]

This is super interesting for me, I also have a 4 Yr old half Japanese daughter. We live in New Zealand, but she primarily speaks Japanese. We have lots of Japanese friends with Japanese kids (half and full) who also speak Japanese, even several of her daycare friends. We hope she can keep the language, and that she can live in Japan at some point. It's also interesting learning about aspects (even the ugly aspects) of Japanese history and culture, much of which my wife never learned growing up in Shimane. Much of what is discussed in this documentary is new to her. I also just finished the first series of Pachinko, an amazing show exploring zainichi culture and history. In terms of Ainu and Ryukyu, there are lots of parallels with Maori experiences in New Zealand-up until the 60s Maori were not allowed to speak Maori, and the culture was suppressed. I'm part Maori (my name is Maori) so my daughter also carries this cultural heritage with her, and we hope she can also learn the language and culture. Thanks for helping us learn more of this. We're at a really interesting point in human history, where there is more and more a western centric universal culture, so pride in our heritage is becoming more and more important. Also, just rebooked our holiday we had to cancel in March 2020, I can't wait to be back in Izumo. I love Japan and Japanese culture, but I also have balanced view, including the positive and negative aspects of the conformist/community-rules focussed social culture.

[@PiriakaTrackwrecker]

One thing that always disappoints me in Japanese is how the train announcers, when they announce stops in English, use an americanised (and ultimately wrong) pronunciation of each stop. Fix this JR!

[@FaceTubeU]

If New Zealand ever gets attacked by Japan, goes to war with them and wins, the Japanese can start using a Kiwi accent for English. Until then, American it is.

[@PiriakaTrackwrecker]

@@FaceTubeU clearly that sailed over your head bro. They should use the Japanese accent for the names. Like actually how they are properly pronounced. Funnily enough the Maori language has similar sounds so you could argue that it would be more kiwi in a way.

[@sonomin3838]

The Ainu are a mixture of Okhotsk people from Sakhalin in the 13th century and Japanese people in Hokkaido. So to speak, the Okhotsk people exterminated the Japanese men and plundered Japanese women and forced Japanese women to give birth to mixed-race children, which is the Ainu. The Ainu did not have the common language, and each tribe spoke a different language. Therefore, there is no Ainu language common to the Ainu of Hokkaido. What is now considered the prevalent Ainu language is a recent creation. The Ainu tribal chiefs monopolized the women and used the other Ainu men like slaves. Then, in the Meiji era (1868-1912), the Ainu offered to the Japanese government that they, too, would like to enjoy a civilized life.

[@sonomin3838]

The Okinawan dialect is unmistakably Japanese, and the Okinawan dialect still contains archaic Japanese words. Until the Edo period, Japanese people spoke the dialect of the region in which they resided. In the Meiji era (1868-1912), a common language was taught in schools so that Japanese people throughout Japan could communicate with each other for the sake of modernization. Therefore, Okinawans were not the only ones who were taught to speak the common Japanese language. Japanese people still speak dialects in their daily lives and take classes in the common language at school. The Okinawans, more than anyone else, continued to work for the return to Japan. Those calling for the elimination of U.S. forces are far-left activists from the mainland and Koreans under the influence of North Korea and communists.　Their voices are loud but few. The presence of Japanese Self-Defense Forces and U.S. troops in Okinawa makes it hard for China to easily invade Okinawa.

[@peterkapinos277]

This is exemplary documentary making. I learned so much. Well done.

[@patrickrobinson317]

This is one of your BEST videos. Very well done. Thanks for sharing. 😀😀😀 Patrick from Bethesda, Maryland, USA !!!!

[@edwardtrinidad7541]

My parents didn't teach me Tagalog so i could fit in better here in the US...but being born in the US, I never thought of myself as anything other than American, until I met other filipino kids who spoke tagalog, then I really felt like an outsider on a different level...

[@kaymaya8338]

I would love a video on autism in Japan! I’m autistic and I’ve always been curious about how people with autism function in Japan since a lot of the social norms depend on being able to distinguish hierarchies and tone.

[@FaceTubeU]

Someone allready did. Make sure to turn on the subtitles. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqixcmqCiZWbhbs

[@Elena-gy7pq]

I saw them both yesterday. Im re watching again today.excellent job