How Japanese see foreigners...and themselves!

[@maplesyrup76]

You have such a nuanced and methodical observing, learning and communicating style. It's very refreshing. Thanks for your hard work to write, shoot and edit these videos.

[@Exjapter]

Thank you for your comment. I am happy that what I do is appreciated.

[@wildphilpresents]

Thanks for the video Paul. I enjoy your content as a 43 y/o moving to Fukuoka on an ALT visa in March. Tossed a sub/like/comment to help the algorithm. Thank you!

[@OnlyOneNights]

The classroom experiment is actually really revealing. Very cool.

[@heilong79]

I get it, We have plenty of foreign people in Ireland with an Irish passport but they are not Irish as they dont have Irish blood, Things are different in other parts of the world like America that is viewed as an immigrant country and the natives are only a tiny minority.

[@Owjdnskoakansbskk]

This is interesting. I’m an anthropology major and really fascinated with these types of cultural observations.

[@LaoSoftware]

I've been to Japan a few times. They're very good people. Very kind and respectful to others.

[@misterRDF]

Yeah, I hear that often. The reality is though Japanese people are not kind but respectful. There is a difference.

[@Hay8137g]

@@misterRDF married Japanese woman?

[@misterRDF]

@@Hay8137g yep

[@J-in-Japan]

I realized the further you get away from Tokyo or a foreign tourist trap, the nicer people are…

[@thundercid1533]

That “Sorry….” 😂 @ 12:20 . I loved that you are aware enough to see that data might be compromised concerning scenario “D”. It’s through videos like this I become more aware of the culture of consideration, that Japanese people have for their surroundings and people. I often heard the saying “read the room” prior to a trip to Japan, but I still felt like a bull in a china shop 70% of the time in that regard.

[@SpecialKapson]

I agree, very insightful, I experience the venting part a lot

[@weeklyfascination]

I learned about this when I first came to Japan. I was teaching English and one of my students had lived overseas. He spoke fluent English. but he never spoke in class. After class, while he was waiting for his parents, we had some very good conversations.

[@Exjapter]

A little bit of a bummer, isnt it.

[@sanjeev.rao3791]

To be fair, you can kind of understand- if you as an adult had to take a math class for 5th graders and they were going over elementary geometry, stuff that you knew as well as the back of your hand... Would you waste your time and ruin the challenge for others to learn by answering the teacher's questions? There's not even the slightest fun in that! No, you'd wait for the class to end to talk to the teacher, because they know far more than elementary geometry. You might really want to talk about higher order ODEs instead.

[@bartstouten6256]

I am a Belgian man, really impressed by your rhetorically 'clean' manner of talking about Japanese-ness. Also, the walk around your town was a nice decorum, we had the agreable sense that you were on the road in our company. I was in Japan 7 times, obviously with less in-depth experience than you, but am still able to confirm your conclusions and impressions. Thanks for being so authentic.

[@useijin]

15:28 - Listening to this as an Argentinian, I automatically thought, "Oh, I’m Argentinian!"-almost unconsciously. I love Japanese culture, but it's true, it's hard to tell who's from where when it comes to different countries. I'm a software developer, so I don't have the full background to speak much on the topic, but I found it really interesting. I really liked how you explained everything. For some reason, I feel a strong attraction to Japanese culture-the manners and all that. It's a trend I’m really into, but deep down, I think I’m still myself, with my own unique way of thinking. I don’t fully identify with the average Argentinian, but I am influenced by it to some extent, and I try to shift that mindset to improve myself. Thank you so much for the content! It was really interesting! ✨

[@tamikash]

I like your content and I would give a million bucks to sit in one of your classes and observe when these experiments are taking place.

[@Thenadergholipour]

😄 very cool video specially the end part, thanks for sharing experience.🥂👍🙏

[@Exjapter]

Glad you found it so. Thank you

[@ABeroud64]

New to the channel and wanted to compliment you for providing insightful content without indulging in the usual annoying gimmicks to generate views or letting your own agenda get in the way of processing the world in which you move.

[@Exjapter]

Thanks for the comment. It really is because I don't worry very much about views!

[@ConlangKrishna]

That was a really interesting walk. I have the feeling, that in many ways, the current political discussion about citizenship in many countries is indeed about: What does it really mean to be [nationality]? There are the two poles of "passport" vs. "blood", and where do we position ourselves on that continuum? Thanks for this inspiring video! Greetings from Berlin, Europe, Earth

[@missplainjane3905]

Nationality is different from ethnicity.

[@OldGreyWolf_おおかみ]

Your topics are always so interesting. Made me think about what I consider "Australian." All through my schooling it was always said that Australia is a melting pot and a very multicultural society so I never thought about an Australian-ness tier system! I also had a chuckle at solidly claiming those that became famous because we do that with New Zealanders (and even Americans like Mel Gibson) that weren't born in Australia but had some schooling here and went on to fame. Acculturation + Fame = Ours (no matter where you were born)!

[@Exjapter]

Haha, that's interesting that you do that in Australia too. Americans are NOT prone to doing that.

[@EvgenyUskov]

at the end of the day, it's all based on blood -- no matter how politically incorrect it may sound by western standards: back in the days, a "nation" was a group of people united by hereditary kinship much much more than by culture, language or religion (...or their shared commonness was rather something that occurred automatically simply through living side by side) so, what is a country where authority is exercised over multiple 'peoples'? - that is, of course, an empire: from Hittites, to Persians, to Romans, Byzantines, Arab/Muslim, Spanish, Portuguese, British, American, to Ottoman and Russian... - but these are 'conventional' historic examples of empires formed through conquest / geographic vicinity one can only wonder what kind of "empire" may emerge through a process of osmotic amalgamation of people and peoples through resettlement / migration (which in ancient times was always accompanied with violence/subjugation) i remember how a couple of years ago a new apartment building was being built right near a place where i was living: out of about 15 people max who i saw working simultaneously on the site, 14 were Vietnamese with 1 Japanese foreman... i am genuinely curious how Japan would look like in 2124 A.D., and what the notion of "gaikokujin" would look like then

[@Mumpyqump]

Really enjoying your vlogs!

[@Exjapter]

Thanks for the comment!

[@modtomodern]

I lived in J for 10 years. It is a tough culture. I would tell the returnees that they are the future of Japan but the country has not caught up with them yet. They have a unique cultural viewpoint but will need to learn how to balance themselves in both side of each culture. If they need to quiet themselves in school to fit in then they should do so. It is a temporary situation. They are not alone and they should join a social group of international experiencers. They should work to maintain their language skills and maybe write a letter to themselves about how they were prior to their return. They really are the future of a new Japanese mind set and they have skills that many others do not have.

[@missplainjane3905]

Are you fluent

[@modtomodern]

@@missplainjane3905 I was. I returned to Vancouver and have not regretted it. The transition back was difficult though, so reverse culture shock does occur. But for my self, 20 years would melt my brain.

[@missplainjane3905]

@@modtomodern What sort of reverse culture shock ?

[@maccody8022]

When I saw that minivan starting to back up behind you (4:46), I was wondering "Is the rear hatch going to open up and Paul is about to be kidnapped or assaulted ?!?!?" 😅 After that, I watched every vehicle that drove by, wondering if something would happen! And you seemed so oblivious to it all! 😄 Your comments about Japanese self-perception are very interesting. I recall hearing something that essentially inferred that it is not popular for Japanese to hear others complain. That is, they should be stoic and shoulder their burdens quietly. I wonder if this is because individuals that complain too much are not regarded as 'Japanese' as others? I can see this attitude of 'one person is more X than someone else' in the United States. It is not so much about being American (although there are exceptions, as you mentioned) as it is belonging to a particular cultural group. Great video! It encourages introspection about 'what it means to be...'.

[@Shakyaman]

I heard mostly Canadians live in igloo... that's why American immigrants are happier ones...

[@UntangledKnots]

I’ve been here long enough to know all this stuff but this is a fantastic breakdown of how things are here, one of the best I’ve seen on KZbin. Nice

[@Exjapter]

From the comments it seems like most people here are Japan old-timers. It's interesting to see their reactions to my videos because I either learn something or I get confirmation I'm not crazy.

[@digitalchopsticks-z4m]

May I address one comment: You said that there can be bullying to Japanese returnees because they lived abroad. This is a contentious statement, albeit one which Westerners in Japan often throw around as an undeniable truth. However, I don't think this example of the student who didn't speak English in English class illustrated bullying at all. What it did illustrate is the reality that most elementary students worldwide don't like to be different or stand out, and beyond that, this student was very aware of the social implications of ""showing up" their classmates. Showing up your classmates can lead to bullying to be sure, but that isn't unique to Japan. However, it is very Japanese to genuinely not wish to show up your classmates or place a spotlight or emphasis on yourself. Indeed that student, to my way of thinking, and probably to his classmates as well, is exemplifying Japanese culture. While many Westerners might assume this is some sort of burden on the student--to hide his unique trait or ability--it is not burden at all from a Japanese perspective. The Japanese have a saying that no doubt you are aware of: "The hawk never shows its talons." It is only in a Western context that this lack of response is perceived as an issue. In Western context we try to encourage and reward that individual competition and "showing up." We perceive this as "spirit" or heart. But in Japan nothing is more damaging to harmony than individual competition and oneupmanship. Spirit and heart exist to be certain but they are measured differently. In many ways this student is acting Japanese, even as a returnee, and it is unlikely that he is getting bullied for it. If this was in an English class it is also quite likely that the student was bored beyond words, because he speaks at a much a higher level than the lessons. This often happens to my son in English class. He can answer any and all questions immediately, but of course of what use is that to the rest of the class? So he mostly stays quiet and plays along. His classmates are fully aware of this. As in my son's case, I'm certain that on the playground his classmates would often ask that student "how do you say... in English?" And that student is likely obliging those requests happily. Honestly, there are far more layers of nuance to work through on this topic. Too many of us like to oversimplify it, perhaps for convenience but a misunderstanding can be as dangerous as a lack of understanding and sometimes even more-so. I'm not sure we can get anywhere close to the bottom of it, but I know as foreign residents in Japan we all have to try.

[@Exjapter]

You raise a very good point that it may be an overstatement to say that bullying is somehow ubiquitous, without verifying that statement with evidence. Also it is true that students everywhere in the world try to fit in and be accepted. This is normal. But there is one thing I have to push back at, which is when you say "It is not burden at all from a Japanese perspective." Numerous returnee and halfu students at my university have complained to me (demonstrating my second point from the video - confessing to the foreigner your real feelings) that they wish they could be their "true selves" in Japan, and that whenever they visit the States (or wherever) they can "take their mask off" and be themselves. And then when they return to Japan they have to suffer in silence once again. So while it may be very Japanese to do such a thing, to say it is "not a burden at all" is not true.

[@digitalchopsticks-z4m]

@@Exjapter Thanks for your response. Yes, I have heard that too, but I wouldn't go as far as to say it is suffering in silence. I think that most Japanese understand their culture quite well, and from that perspective there are a number of things that they like and respect about other cultures. The same could also be said of people from any culture who have a taste for other cultures. I'm certain from some of your videos that there are aspects of Japanese culture that you find absolutely compelling. The same is true of me. We might appreciate for example that the Japanese often have the utmost respect for each other or treat their environment with great respect. This is one of the many things I appreciate about Japanese culture and have even lamented the lack of it in my own American culture. That said I don't value it so much as to call my experience as an American "suffering" with out it. This is because I recognize the trade off. Utmost respect is a product of group culture, individualism is individual culture and the two won't exist simultaneously in the same culture. Some argue that we should have the best of both worlds, but the reality is that much of what we like about Japanese culture is tied deeply with aspects we don't like as well. It is a package deal. They are mutually exclusive. The Japanese who wish they had more freedom also recognize the cost of that freedom to their own cultural framework and are most often unlikely to opt for that option. Those that do might end up going abroad, as we did. But even in our adopted cultures we struggle with the incongruences. What those Japanese often leave off that discussion is "We wish we could be more free to express our feelings, but we don't actually want to if it means the disruption of our culture." The same is true for us. We even live in Japan. I, and, judging from your videos, you also have a great deal of respect for Japanese culture, but when push comes to shove we're not (or at least I'm not) willing to go all in. Both Westerners and Japanese have elements of each other's culture that we admire, but in fact we are not suffering because we cannot integrate them into our own philosophies. We simply admire them. But I believe firmly that despite that admiration, it is in fact no more of a burden for them as the contrary is for us. For both it simply is the way it is.

[@elenakursteiner4729]

@@Exjapteragreed:all Japanese I meet in Japan and outside of Japan talk to me like I am a Priest and invite them to the confession ❤

[@yo2trader539]

I used to be a 帰国子女. I passed an entrance exam and attended one of the national junior-high schools after returning to Japan. In the US, I attended both local public school and 補習校 until 3rd grade, and 全日校 from 4th grade in preparation for returning to Japan. Honestly, catching up with Japanese education wasn't easy because my classmates were so smart. Some of them are now doctors, judges, lawyers, bankers, government officials, etc. There wasn't any bullying in Japanese schools. Everybody was too busy with their own lives to be bullying others. Most of us attended prep school after junior/senior-highschool..so nobody really had time or energy for that. I was often seen as an idiot because I didn't know what my classmates knew, or more accurately I couldn't keep up academically at first. It can be simple things like complex KANJI, Japanese history, or culture/rituals. I was able to catch up after 3 years, and I got into a famous highschool and university that everybody in Tokyo would have heard of. I still remember studying about ancient Chinese and Korean history (everything from major dynasties, historical war/events, to people like 安禄山 or 杜甫 and important phrases/idioms) during prep schools...and thinking Japanese education is crazy. Understanding 古文 grammar was difficult enough, yet we also have to study Chinese poems and historical texts because some Japanese words/phrases are deriving directly from classical Chinese texts. I remember studying about historical significance of 杜甫 & 春望 (and the Tang Dynasty rebellion), or 殷の紂王 and 酒池肉林. And phrase like 呉越同舟 or 臥薪嘗胆 can only be understood if you know what/where 呉 and 越 was in the past. Or 四面楚歌 won't make any sense if you don't know what 楚 is, and the history behind Han Dynasty and 項羽 & 劉邦. Or about the word 易姓革命, or what is Mandate of Heaven (天命) and why "revolution" is written as 革命. From the origin tales of 塞翁が馬 to 矛盾...the list is endless. I actually think Japanese literature education is top notch as it's used as to learn the history of that era. I also recall learning quotes from 論語、孫子の兵法, and 史記. (And I think you have understand the format of 史記 to know why historical texts in China, Korea, Vietnam, or Japan are written in a certain format.) But I realized after entering college that the depth I was learning in junior-high was no different from some of the materials in first-year college courses...because the prep school was for students from top government/private junior-highschools around Tokyo. In hindsight, I think I could've skipped highschool and started college from 15 and still keep up with college kids. And truthfully, the only time I really really studied was in junior-high and grad school. That said, I've met many 帰国子女 who returned to Japan from college. They're not as "alien" as the International/American school people. But some of them don't have enough understanding in Japanese language, culture, norms, or history. And some do walk, talk, dress, and think like foreigners...which irritated some of the Japanese students. Yet others just blend right in as if they were raised in Japan all their lives. I think it has a lot to do with cultural upbringing and educational background. This video does confirm my view of being Japanese is about too. Japanese people share a common language, culture, history, mindset, mannerism...and most importantly identity. Japanese language is Japanese culture. And Japanese culture is Japanese religion. They're all so intertwined with Japanese history and identity, we can no longer separate them. I think it's also why we don't refer to Japanese Descendants (or Descendants of Japanese emigrants) as NIHON-JIN. Since we don't view people who are not fluent in Japanese language, culture, norms, etc to be Japanese.

[@internalizequotes]

@@digitalchopsticks-z4mtotally agree! Mic drop moment here 😝

[@naturalspringwater.]

If I was one of your students and heard your Mt Fuji joke, I would say that for 'real' Japanese Mt Fuji is not the one for climbing but for enjoying its beautiful shape from a distant. This is kinda common excuse by those who never ever try Mt Fuji including myself..

[@Exjapter]

Actually, your answer is great from the perspective of sustainable tourism. Fuji, as an object of artistic beauty and spiritual worship, not to mention safety from a source of natural disasters, is best viewed from afar. I always tell my students that I actually recommend hiking around Mt. Fuji, because if you hike Mt. Fuji, you can't see....Mt. Fuji.

[@UntangledKnots]

lol that’s true, I’ve been told that before “only foreigners climb Mount Fuji” which obviously isn’t true but most don’t.

[@WalkingMoments]

人生最大の幸福は一家の和楽である Meaning: The greatest happiness of life is happy and quality time with family.

[@SwissTanuki]

My Japanese wife has lived with me in Switzerland for almost 30 years. Always when we go to Japan, some strangers (Taxi driver, for example) tell my wife that her Japanese is very good and would like to know where she learned it.

[@missplainjane3905]

Did you learn the language sir

[@josephkelley]

Good video. I'm curious as too if the stats you took would be different if you had different age groups participate (ie. middle aged, elderly). My gut indicates it would be similar though.

[@TheShrededward]

It would be very different if he, as their foreign teacher was asking, as opposed to a bunch of drunk oyajis sitting at a bar discussing the topic of who belongs to wari wari nihonjiin (we Japanese). So I'm not really sure there's much to be gained, aside from getting students to consider what being Japanese means to them. Context means so much in Japan. Even those drunk oyajis are going to be thinking that they are in a public setting, so their answers have to include a bit of tatemae. Honne comes extremely hard to Japanese. It would be interesting to get the perspective of those ultra nationalists who drive around in black vans blasting military music.

[@TheShrededward]

Yes, gaikoku means everybody who isn't Japanese. Everybody not grown up in Japan, and with Japanese citizenship is not Japanese. Interesting how you talk to your students about this. Their English must be very good. My college students are mostly very very Japanese. One student from last year was raised in Malaysia, but with Japanese parents. Japanese language at home, but English and Malay outside. Very very not Japanese. My daughter was raised in Japan, went to Japanese schools, and is very Japanese, despite her very non-Japanese father. Still seen as Japanese. Japanese is not a nationality, but rather a culture.

[@goldenmoonhorizon4086]

I have to say it's very similar to how many (fellow) Filipinos would think! Ethnicity, culture and language... and the last bit, "accomplishments". The last one, my god, Filipinos will claim even the 1% blood or background in you, lol! Having said that, just because I see you as a "fellow" Filipino doesn't mean I trust you more or think of you more favourably. Of course, I would prefer to work with someone whom I can easily relate to (I don't think this is racism) but then I've met many Filipinos whom I'd rather avoid at workplace. Bottomline - it really doesn't matter much in the bigger picture (at least for me).

[@elenakursteiner4729]

I am Swiss citizen but born and been Educated in Russia.I left after high school last exams. I am over 50 now,but I never feel I am Welcome by Native Swiss,they just nice and accept me till certain degrees,even my husband is Native Swiss and never had foreigners in his Family before accept me:his wife.Very Similar to Japanese Society mind setting.❤

[@jaysterling26]

Your situation & the professor's view ( sorry forgot your name ,Sir) is, I suspect, the default in the world out that of America(s) & Australia/NZ. Most black Britons ( still?) describe themselves as such ; not English, Scots, Welsh, etc.. ( things may have changed- e.g. supporting England now, not Brazil ).

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

I have heard the similar story from several friends living in Swiss. thanks for sharing your story, It was very interesting.

[@sanjeev.rao3791]

You mentioned at 3:08 that "you might say that people from other asian countries are viewed as アジア人", what's the difference between the way they're viewed in your experience?

[@luckytai-lan2166]

I've been to Tokyo last April of this year. I've noticed I don't think they can tell if I am Japanese or not even though I am Southeast Asian (lighter skin tone than the usual Southeast Asian). Grandma on the streets would talk to me, students would hand me leaflets, no one avoids sitting next to me inside the train etc. It's only when I talk in English that they notice I'm not Japanese.

[@gotakazawa408]

I found your story very interesting. In fact, I know an Indonesian woman who married a Japanese man, and she has had a very similar experience. Together, they also create Japanese content, but at the same time, she is an influencer in Indonesia with over a million subscribers.

We will always be big round eye, no matter how good we are in the language or hold citizenship.

[@Exjapter]

Yes, and this is one of the things where I say that if this actively bothers someone, then Japan is probably not a great place for them to live.

@@Exjapter yep, I concur.

[@SendPie42069]

@@Exjapter A straight shooter. I wanted to live in japan but not anymore. Mostly the work culture.

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

@@SendPie42069 Good for you, you did not waste your life :) I wish your best to find your dream country!

[@notice1576]

Thanks for the deep insight on this one. It seems to me that there is a clear delineation between the defines of ethnic, cultural and national identities this much is quite obvious. The question i ask myself more would be to what extent would the acceptance of cultural the cultural Japanese identity be challenged by social norms. It seems to me that Japan is more open to this concept - that a person can be culturally japanese - moreso someone who is informed on east asian culture might first expect. I feel the conversation around Miss Japan 2024 gives some credit to this.

[@Exjapter]

That's an interesting idea, that Japan is more open to the concept of someone being "culturally Japanese." I will have to give that some thought.

[@Cunningstunts23]

10:35 I have a question, I always assumed that in order to be granted Japanese citizenship you would have to negate any other citizenship, like US citizenship for example. Is that not the case? As always a very interesting video. I would love to sit in on a class of yours, I think that would be a valuable experience. Thanks

[@Exjapter]

Yes, you have to renounce your citizenship to become Japanese, and show the official documentation. So person D would have to have had to have given up their S.A. passport.

[@aprilfoolsy]

so insightful, thank you

[@murray.altheim]

Perhaps another category: second- or third-generation Koreans who were born in Japan and don't even speak Korean are treated as Japanese until someone catches their surname.

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

I met some of those Koreans when I was working for Japanese company. They were treated as Japanese and not singled out. Returnees and Foreign staff with a good understanding of Japanese customs and culture were treated no differently from Japanese. As far as working people are concerned, 80% of Japanese people tend to treat those who understand Japanese common sense and can act in an orderly manner as Japanese. The remaining 20% are unfortunate people who either hate a particular country because their grandparents died in the war or have biased knowledge.

[@97MiloProductions]

I would think another reason D-さん gets more votes may be because naturalizing is not the easiest process, and to do it you really do need to know a lot of culture and language. If judging by that fact, then it would be a strong point. Though of course this would be information you'd need to know, someone who only sees them would assume they're Gaijin.

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

I would vote it too, I can say for 100 percent sure from my experience in Japanese companies for over 20 decades.

[@Exjapter]

That's a good point. Without an anonymous exit survey, or something like that, it isn't clear what the rationale is.

[@a9b4cgd4]

I think you just helped me to understand something I experienced visiting Japan. I found myself in a small izakaya in Aomori, with two middle-aged salaryman customers and the owner. Apparently these guys had been coming this place every week for years. My Japanese is extremely basic, but I was bumbling along alright. Eventually, one of the guys whispers to me "I actually speak English too, don't tell the chief!". As the night (and drinks) went on, the owner caught on and was dumbfounded to learn that guy knew English, like, actually shocked! Then, the other salaryman says "Oh, I also speak English". Turns out both of them had worked overseas in the US for several years. I couldn't really understand how or why that would be such a secret, since most of the Japanese I spoke with expressed a desire to know more English.

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

One of reason is Japanese do not want to be standout, but it also means they do not want someone to feel down by showing their skills. Japanese people can not speak English well, they know it. So they do not want to show their skills to others for not hurting others who can not. It is not only English skills. If you got a big project which you know well the field, but you would not tell everyone that i can do this project better than anyone else. However you would tell your skill only to your Boss. Japanese company rather to do teamwork. As a team, we can make the project much better way, that is their mind set. There is both good and bad side. Teamwork in Japan works good way only if there is a virtuous leader.

[@kengo7273]

I’m Japanese. I think the two salarymen thought that if they and you spoke in English, the owner would not understand the conversation and feel left alone, and plus, your Japanese was good enough to communicate. ↑This comment is also true and we consider it “lame” to show off one's abilities when unnecessary.

[@missplainjane3905]

@@MatthewSlocum-j5z It really takes time to understand the culture well enough.

[@missplainjane3905]

@@kengo7273 As long as it's useful for something or has a purpose.

[@sanjeev.rao3791]

​@@kengo7273 that's how it is in other countries but with the script flipped - someone who doesn't know the local language (e.g. German, Danish etc) walks in and the others who they will talk to (colleagues, friends etc) will switch to English to avoid shutting them out. It really just feels like it should be a common courtesy rather than a Japanese thing. Of course you have then cases where a person speaks the local language (e.g. French) and get answers back in English, but the likely interpretation is just that it might be faster that way since not everyone wants to be a language exchange partner, especially when time is of the essence. But there's nothing that can be done about that.

[@songandwind72]

You should also point out in a future video that some of the bars in Japan that don't allow foreigners to enter tend to also not allow Japanese that they don't know in. Very uchi-soto society.

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

That would be a members-only ryotei. Or maybe it is a restaurant that requires full reservations. Did you know that there is a hotel in Roppongi, in the middle of Tokyo, where only American nationals are allowed? Do you know that there is a hotel in Roppongi, in the middle of Tokyo, where only American nationals are allowed? A hotel that is a U.S. territory even though it is in Japan. There is a mystery in Japan.

[@songandwind72]

@@MatthewSlocum-j5z Don't make excuses for them and don't attempt to tell me how Japan is or isn't.

[@Shakyaman]

You failed to mention a vital distinction in the case of one Japanese parent individuals like that American tennis star...which parent is of Japanese origin...most folks will argue this point from maternal line, imo.

[@Exjapter]

There was a time when Japanese laws only recognized citizenship when the father was Japanese. I don't know how people would see it nowadays though. It's an interesting question.

[@Shakyaman]

@@Exjapter I was thinking along the lines of social acceptance, i.e. you were raised by a Japanese mother and are fluent in yer mother tongue, and so on. This is why J idols who never met their foreign father are completely embraced

[@missplainjane3905]

@@Shakyaman I thought children follow their paternal line first.

[@Shakyaman]

@@missplainjane3905 every boy's wet dream releases thousands of seeds while a girl's ovaries are set it stone at birth...sounds counter intuitive, but arguably women contribute more to who becomes whom...kinda set it stone as it were

[@akiyajapan]

A lot of what you said is so similar to what Chinese did, as well. They often confided in me -- and still do! Even though I'm living in Japan now, they still message me to discuss various life issues. Also, it's the same as calling people "foreigner" or rather, "outsider (not Chinese)." I have also pointed out to them before "you're the outsider here." There's an expression in China also that you're not a man until you've been to the Great Wall. It's funny how similar some of these things are.

[@missplainjane3905]

Different as well

[@Greenforrest7342]

一概に「外国人」って言っても、２００以上の国と地域、個人によって性格から何もかも同じじゃないし、１億人以上もいる日本人も一括りには出来ないから、なかなか難しい。比較対象として日本人と外国人という分かりやすいテーマは観る意欲を湧き立たせるけども。

[@10second_rice_2]

As a Japanese, your observation is very interesting and meaningful. but I assume that l if you show a video of C-san, more students will vote to the person.

[@Hay8137g]

How can we find you in Japan

[@J-in-Japan]

My apologies for generalizing in advance because I know there’s various interaction. Two main reactions I’ve noticed: people (Japanese) who are very kind and wonderful and will go out their way to help you (usually middle age and old) and those who seem stuck up or worse, discriminatory, who don’t want to give you the time of day (usually teen, 20s, 30s). Don’t know if this ties into how Japanese people see foreigners, but treatments towards foreigners seem to be a bit generational leaning at times.

[@misterRDF]

It is more forgiving in that regard. You basically have the gaijin card, which means you are not expected to adhere to societal norms with ultra-strict rules. As for kind, I say again without malice people confuse Japanese politeness for kindness. Its important for people to learn the distinction.

[@J-in-Japan]

@@misterRDF I definitely see a distinction at times. Yes, there are nice polite people in business that do help me, but it is just transactional. But I also come across really kind older people and sometimes it’s not always transactional. For example I was walking on a remote Japanese island from a beach and a kind elderly couple in their car picked me up and drove me back to the ryokan, or the middle age lady I bought tea from who genuinely wanted to know where I’m from and how I learned Japanese…when I was walking away, she ran to me and gave me a little candy and thanked me so much. Or another time, I bought a cake from a coffee shop and the owner gave me a free coffee. There are kind people out there but many foreigners are jaded, even burned by Tokyo, then they get this idea of all Japan is discriminatory. To develop such a mindset because the attitude of some is actually poison.

[@yo2trader539]

It depends on the foreigner. Not all foreigners are perceived in the same light. It depends on many things, such as education, mannerism, appearance, clothing, social class, etiquette, etc, etc.

[@DanTJones]

Well wonder what I would be seen as then as I'm half Thai and half Rhodesian but British by birth. I also live in Thailand now and travel around Asia on a Thai passport, but rest of the world on a UK one. Never been to Japan but i can read and speak aa fair bit. Listened to it via anime and games for the last 30 years or so.

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

It is whether or not the customs of Japanese culture can sink into your body and make you behave, so it doesn't matter how much you know anime or games or languages.

[@apumonica]

Very interesting topic. I guess person A has a chance to be allowed back to Japan as a Japanese when they get tired of Canada or want to retire in Japan. Right now, they don't legally get to do that, but your students' generation may have a different view of citizenship and finally manage to change the law (allow double citizenship, maybe?) Wishful thinking?

[@LeviathanSparrow]

The concept of "not Japan" exists and is perfectly understood by Japanese even though there's no equivalent English word. When you see a Japanese abroad, it's perfectly accurate to call them 'foreigners', but not 'gaikokujin' because they're not the same thing; they're just translated as such because the word 'foreigner' is the closest conceptually. In the context of the word 'gaikokujin', the 'koku' means 'Japan', not 'country'. In other contexts, it means 'country', but not this one. Isn't that right? I'm not making this up, am I? Help me out, my weeb bros.

[@landspide]

Super interesting, this contributes to the strong culture and tradition, nothing wrong with it. I am curious though, how much physical features play into it? For example, Han Chinese parent's child raised in Japan since 2 years old... that is, rather than African features for example. Aspects of these planted seeds are probably crucial for what will likely eventuate over the next 50 years or so, as the country adjusts. I was in Fukuyama and heard two young highschoolera talking, one I suspect was cussing because there were several foreigners in the shop, the other fairly loudly said "get used to it" in english to his friend. That really surprised me...

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

If the child had behaved in a cooperative and orderly manner with an understanding of the Japanese cultural background, he would be considered just like a Japanese person. But if the child is raised with gaijin power and does not try to fit in with the culture, he or she will be considered a foreigner, regardless of nationality. Switzerland is no different.

[@Exjapter]

If the person looks Japanese they are more likely to be assumed and/or accepted as Japanese. It's a double edged sword though, because if you look Japanese but DONT speak or understand the culture, you end up confusing Japanese people and they can look down on you.

[@SvengelskaBlondie]

6:06 Tbh, that is a hard sell for me. I'm not that interested to talk to people if they are gonna trauma dump on me like that, if they are gonna do that at least make sure you are a close friend with me. Last time I checked, I don't do therapy sessions with people cause I aint a licensed shrink..

[@Exjapter]

I have certainly found myself sitting there thinking, "Am I really the best person to be telling this?"

[@anonanon7822]

It's pretty uncommon view for americans, but very default view for europeans(i think so). For example - i think, if foreigner will take polish citizenship and learn polish language, culture and so on, he MAY be viewed as pole, but i'm not really entirely sure. I'll be naturalizing in future(ua -> jp citizenship), but i really don't care about whether i will be perceived as japanese or not, i'll be probably just saying that i'm ukrainian-japanese, or something like that :) I actually find that view to be much more liberal on your identity, than "you're american now! speak english!!!!!!!111", i find idea of "national identity by passport" extremely oppressive, it should be choice of a person

[@HaiTomVlog]

Interesting topic, Paul! I’ve had some people open up to me like you’ve described, and I took it as a step closer to friendship - that whole honne-tatemae thing can be a real roadblock. But it’s only been a good experience for me so far. But I feel bad for that priest!

[@claudetteedwards4115]

Is it just me or are the Japanese really petty? 😂

[@ThomsenTower]

Interesting. Does it matter for D if she or he marries a Japanese, and has children born in Japan? As opposed to a D married to some of the other categories?

[@Exjapter]

That is a very interesting question. And "marriage to Japanese" has never actually been raised as a criteria. I will need to raise this point the next time I do this lesson.

[@ThomsenTower]

@@Exjapter This suggests another question that may be touchy: does the genre of A, B, C, or D make a difference?

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

@@Exjapter Maybe more important key is... To what extent can we understand Japanese culture and maintain order in our individual behavior? This is also a major determining factor for Japanese people. Sometimes the length of stay is irrelevant.

[@SendPie42069]

Very insightful. I was in Japan 2 years ago with a friend of mine with a very large beard down to his chest. While I was dressed in hype street-wear. We had MANY Japanese people say very rude things in passing and I assumed it was because we are non Japanese and do not think we can understand them and that there would be no social ramifications for them. This was backed up by the fact that there friends would sometime say things in response like don't say that. Honestly at first I was in disbelieve then after a while I came to understand it.

[@StudioHoekhuis]

Interesting topic. In the Netherlands I would say language is most important. I think because we have a lot of immigration here.

[@Exjapter]

What would your opinion be of someone who has lived there a long time, understands the society and culture, but doesn't speak the language? I would think this is far more likely in a country like the Netherlands where so many people speak English.

[@StudioHoekhuis]

@@Exjapter I don't know, a small part of immigrants who've lived here for decades still don't speak Dutch. And its a hurdle in social integration and practical everyday life, like going to the doctor or doing your taxes. Social isolation by not speaking the language is a big problem here. It's true that most people in the Netherlands speak English to a degree. But that doesn't mean integration is always easier, it means that you always be 'that foreigner'. Besides that, a lot of people immigrate to Europe from countries where English is not a common language. Just because most Dutch can speak a bit of English, doesn't mean easy integration is a given.

[@flookaraz]

Its funny that they second voted for person D, when it is effectively a complete opposite of A. Have you ever pointed out to them that the voting is incongruent/you know they're sympathy voting?

[@Exjapter]

I wouldn't want to make a claim I couldn't necessary support - "Hey you guys are just saying that to be nice." But I have pressed them on their vote, and the common answer is (for these particular students) the acculturation and language (sometimes accompanied by a "length of time in Japan" criteria) are more important that blood.

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

Their argument is whether or not the customs of Japanese culture can sink into your body and make you behave, and it doesn't matter how long you stay. So it makes sense why they choose A and D. It is same in Swiss too.

[@mPDC-gh8jy]

3:16 ちゃうよ。東南アジア人は「外国人/外人/ガイジン」の範疇。「白人」と表現する/されるならば、肌が（我々日本人と同様に）褐色な東洋人は除外される。

[@otibed358]

My experience is that older Japanese put far more emphasis on blood than the younger do. The change in thinking is slow but steady...

[@missplainjane3905]

Is that an issue

[@jonprevatt114]

ouch! sounds kinda Aryan (Blood, Culture, Language)

[@wallochdm1]

The Japanese seem very self-contained, and that might take a psychological toll. One friend, a Japanese-American who lived long term in Kyoto, felt doubly singled-out as "less Japanese" because she was A:, Born in the US, and B: Dark-skinned. I don't know if you've experienced this so much in Japan, but many Asian cultures place an inordinate value on being fair-skinned.

[@Exjapter]

I have not heard of dark skin meaning "less japanese', but it is certainly seen as less desirable, as demonstrated by the obsession of UV protection and all the "bihaku" skin whitening products.

[@streetcat3411]

@@Exjapter 日本には「日焼けサロン」もありますけどね…

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

@wallochdm1 There are all kinds of people in Kyoto. Some are diverse and some are conservative, but if your words and actions are more Japanese than your skin color, you are more likely to be perceived as a foreigner. In Japan, unlike Korea, there are other standards of beauty and fashion besides fair skin. There are gals who tan until they are pitch-black, there are gals with a slight wheatish mocha color, there are pale-skinned gals, and there are those who prefer natural skin with no concern for anything else. To think that whiteness is the only standard of beauty in Japan is a stereotype held by foreigners about Japan.

[@wallochdm1]

@@Exjapter I don't think it is ever really spoken, but in a lot of Asian cultures, darker skin denotes lower status because "workers" are out in the sun as opposed to upper status people who live a life of relative leisure in comparison. Again, subjective anecdotal "evidence" from darker-skinned Japanese would seem to be substantiated by things like a preponderance of fair-skinned people in ads and "bihaku". IDK, Whatever the case, at least in Japan it would be on a very subtle level, much unlike the US.Thanks again for your insightful videos. It's nice to view someone with some introspective content versus the usual KZbinrs trying to get hits with gimmicks and clickbait titles.

[@wallochdm1]

@@MatthewSlocum-j5z Good points, but as someone married to an Asian ( I also have several adopted Asian children) I've seen it first-hand. Kyoto may be more progressive and less traditional, but there seem to be a lot of common factors among Asian cultures. Lucky number 8, superstition regarding colors, saving face etc. I would totally agree that words and actions denote being "Japanese" more than skin tone. Can I assume you're White?

[@elenakursteiner4729]

Thank you so much.I hear something what I didn’t hear before from no one(fluent in English but denying).Also if you are wealthy tourist:every one seat next to you in Metro,trains and easy to make false friends in Japan:my personal experience,100% truth❤

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

Nah, It does not matter if you are wealthy or not. Japanese people have a habit of wearing clean clothes. They are also sensitive to smells. If no one is sitting next to you, it is mainly because the perfume is too strong (Japanese perfume is far less fragrant than Western perfume, so even a normal amount of Western perfume smells strong to Japanese people). Also, Japanese people who have a strong body odor are generally frowned upon, and no one will sit next to them.

[@elenakursteiner4729]

@@MatthewSlocum-j5z I’m talking not about Japanese but foreigners

[@songandwind72]

No man. Either you have the blood of the Yamato People or you don't. It's as simple as that. Painful for many to accept, but that's how it is. Half Japanese are SOMETIMES accepted. For example, my son is half and a native speaker (born in Japan). Fucking sushi chef refused to speak with him in Japanese despite having heard my wife and son speak for about 45 min. Anyway...it's never going to change.

[@Shakyaman]

Mr songandwind, It's wrong to make assumptions about folks based on the face they are sporting, except that for non-Japanese it's 99% sure that they aren't up to snuff with respect to language ability; empirical judging is what they're doing, IMO . I mean, to take your example, it's 9 times out of 10 that the staff is truly struggling to comprehend the confident non-native speaker, so they think: here we go again!

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

@songandwind72 First of all, traditional sushi Chef usually do not speak much to anyone, I mean TO JAPANESE as well LOL Why do not you just enjoy the sushi? To make sushi is his job, not for the conversation with guests.

[@yamamoto-g9o]

I once taught English to a nine year old Japanese boy privately who had just returned from England. When I first met him he was very outgoing, expressive and curious in his personality. Well after about 2-3 months after he returned to a Japanese elementary school it was if I was teaching a different person. His personality became very inward, subdued and far less expressive....almost like his spirit had been crushed. The reeducation process of making him more culturally Japanese had robbed him of many of the things we would value in the West.

[@digitalchopsticks-z4m]

His behavior may have changed, but it's important to not to assume that just because he stopped acting English that he'd lost his spirit. It was not crushed. It is a big stretch and a bit ethnocentric to believe that being Japanese is tantamount to having your spirit crushed. There is plenty of spirit in Japan, but it is certainly true that it is expressed differently within the culture. In fact, your student was best off learning how to express that spirit in Japan since he is in fact Japanese. The same could be said of the British child ultimately educated in the UK. To characterize learning to be culturally Japanese as an inferior, spirit crushing re-eduction, to a previous British eduction is unfortunate but certainly illustrates the cultural arrogance that we Westerners often bring to the table. In fact being Japanese has robbed him of nothing and given him an identity, his spirit is alive and well in a Japanese context.While the constructs are different, outgoingness, curiosity and expressiveness exist in abundance in Japanese culture too. Your student benefitted from the opportunity to have an eduction abroad, but his education in Japan will also contribute to his success within his culture.

[@doublededged007]

When I first started teaching English in Japan, I made a whole class of second graders cry when I asked them, "Are you really Japanese?" "Honma ni Nihonjin kai?" ほんまに日本人かい?! They weren't lining up correctly, and I meant it as a joke to try to get their attention, but man, the whole class started crying and the teacher was really ticked off at the kids, and said something to the effect of, "This FOREIGNER just asked YOU if you were really JAPANESE!?" and started yelling at them. This was in Tokushima in 2005.

[@songandwind72]

Cool. How is your career at McDonald's in Detroit working out?

[@Shakyaman]

Doublededg... When outsiders think they know the language, but they don't...and when outsiders get cocky - ' cause ' they feel sure they know what they mean to say - and shock the poor little innocent hearts of kids... nice one

[@Shakyaman]

Imo, ALT teachers don't receive respect in and out side the classroom, in most cases. Children who view the "gajing" as a guest are shocked to be admonished by them

[@songandwind72]

@@Shakyaman お前外人コンプレックスなの？ハーフでしょうね。英語はまだまだと判断ｗ

[@songandwind72]

You obviously hit a nerve LOL

[@Music-and-anything]

Why can’t these people of Japan think that we are all human beings living on the same planet, sharing it and co-existing on it??? It’s sad that some cultures have to go on categorizing everything, including the type of people in this world. I’m from Canada and everyone living there is treated equally, not categorized and judged on their appearance. I’m almost hitting 20 years here in Japan in 2025 and still get looked at like I’m rare living here or look strange lol These are one of the things I hate the most about living in Japan, the categorizing, also being kept in a box. But anyway, great your putting all this out. The reality of Japan. Next topic I like to see is about nature, the over pruning of city trees and why they are so obsessed about cutting trees so much in cities and in the country side. I know some of the reasons ( they are stupid ) but would like to see from your point of view living here. Cheers 🎉

[@Exjapter]

I got you covered: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqivmZapa7-qjq8si=Gh3l16CRwJadJV7A

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

@Music-and-anything Japan is frequently hit by typhoons, which are powerful winds. In addition, Japan is a densely populated country. This means that areas where branches are likely to break off and be carried by the wind and cause secondary damage in the event of a typhoon are often pruned regularly. This can be fatal in residential areas. This is also the case in Germany, where similar pruning is done from time to time. I hope you could understand their reason in Japan.

[@Music-and-anything]

@@MatthewSlocum-j5z I knew this type of negative thinking would come out, sorry to say. But most typhoons that come to the mainland ( Honshu ) get weaker. Also that’s not the only reason why they get over pruned. Look at Nagoya or Tokyo, they have some streets full of trees and others that have nothing to very little green yet those areas the roads are wider. Anyway, the other reasons I’ve heard are falling leaves are trash to them, blocking signs and bird poop. Yet they don’t think about or don’t know the benefits of having trees in cities, tho cities around the world have way more green than here and loads of people living in them and also think about creating more green space and on buildings. Japan is getting hotter and hotter every year coz of this over cutting crap, even the country side doesn’t have any trees in their little towns or villages. It’s quite sad actually.

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

@@Music-and-anything I know what you concern about it. Singapore is the very image of an ideal city. I did not expect that you took it as negative opinion, I share it because someone people simply judge Japan without trying to understand their reason. Even if the wind speed is low, historical data shows that wind speeds of 80 meters can still occur. Since it is only at wind speeds of 20 meters that people cannot stand still, you can see the level of danger. I too feel that in urban areas, the difference between areas with a lot of greenery and areas with little has become stark. It saddens me when I see bald mountainsides from a highway near a mountain road in the countryside. The Japanese government's agricultural policy has gone in the wrong direction, and this has a lot to do with it. Farmers want to continue farming, but taxes are too high and they are losing money, so they have to sell their land. In the town where I lived until last year, the cherry trees were always pruned when they finished blooming so that caterpillars on the trees would not harm passersby. Also, the reasons why they are pruned may differ from town to town, such as the background of a tragic traffic accident involving an elementary school student because the overgrowth of the trees made it impossible to see signs. In any case, the problem you are perceiving has been seen by the Japanese as a problem for about 10 years.

[@dennisgiguere5166]

My name is Ms. Onami Takagi {pic is my dead husband] My father was Shigeo Takagi from a powerful Samurai family in Fukushima. My father was also a very powerful business man in Japan.He was President and CEO of Japans largest Import/Export Co. I was born in NYC, by my Boston mother I don't speak Japanese but my heart is 110%. I LIVE EAT BREATH Japanese . Some day I plan to buy an AKIYA and live in Japan. I know I will be looked down as GIJIN but I don't care. What would your student say about me.

[@akiyajapan]

That sounds amazing. What kind of family mementos or handed down heirlooms do you have? I bought an Edo period kominka in Hiroshima and found many interesting things there. You can definitely get your own akiya, too!

[@joshuatealeaves]

You said all this just to ask a man what his students would think of it. You’re not getting a answer. And if you do it won’t be an accurate one. You’re just a random comment on KZbin. I’m sorry I have to keep it real 😅

[@Shakyaman]

Mr. Joshua, are you responding to Ms. Tagaki? Bad form, buddy

[@joshuatealeaves]

@@Shakyaman 100% dude. Sometimes you have to step out of bounds to get a point across. I take full responsibility for

[@metricstormtrooper]

​@@joshuatealeavesso it's dude is it, so that puts you under thirty, well under if I take your rudeness into account so I'd say you neither have the empathy or the wisdom to comment without anything but malice and naivety. By the way, I NEVER bother reading replays on my comments.

[@frankmorgandorfer893]

Gaijin = caucasians Gaikokujin = non-caucasians In my experience.

[@songandwind72]

Couldn't be more wrong.

[@Exjapter]

I have found that people who still use "gaijin" instead if "gaikokujin" use it for everyone foreign.

[@songandwind72]

@@Exjapter Yes, of course.

[@frankmorgandorfer893]

Having worked for a Japanese company in Tokyo for 16 years, my co-workers would routinely refer to caucasians as gaijin and non-caucasian as gaikokujin. I also heard the term 'gaikokujin' had the feeling of 'country/rural' foreigners, hence the association with people from developing countries. In my experience.

[@songandwind72]

@@frankmorgandorfer893 Which planet was that Japan on?

[@maboiteaspamspammaboite9670]

very hot topic in those modern days of a globalized world. not so easy to reason about. i will resume saying that i hope the rest of the world get some inspiration from the good aspects of the japanese culture. To figure out if someone is japanese is a problem for the japanese people that i, as gaikoku, can only hardly begin to fathom.

[@pedromorgan99]

Thanks to Aswad.regaee and international music touring, I had privilege to travel japan on many music tours.Nicest people on the planet.

[@MatthewSlocum-j5z]

I totally agree with you!