Stereotypes of Foreigners in Japan

[@sp.arccch6268]

another you can add in is the foreigner that avoids other foreigners, not really sure if its because they want full immersion into the culture or if its because it reminds them of back home but Ive been in social situations where these type of people will intentionally avoid talking to you or keep their distance, great video!!

[@Exjapter]

That is a great one! Should've included it.

[@ThatBlokeInJapan-v5p]

that's me! living by the beach in kyushu. I don't know a single foreigner (now) as we all lost contact after I stopped drinking and moved out to the countryside. thank goodness for the internet. I'd have cabin fever if I couldn't talk to people online. 🙂

[@zensweptandinteresting]

But how can you tell the difference between a tourist and a foreign resident? Same problem for Nihonjin? If it looks like a tourist and walks like a tourist - it's a tourist. Do you spend time and effort building rapport with passing tourists? Just asking.

[@malstroemphi1096]

That was me in my first 2-4 years in japan. There were mixed reasons, I wanted full immersion, I also might had the delusions that I could somehow "be Japanese" in the sens that I wanted to experience as close as possible what it would be like to be Japanese. Oftentimes when you are with foreigners you don't speak Japanese and can't play "wannabe japanese", hanging out with another foreigners shatters your delusion that you could someone have that Japanese life. Although I don't consider myself a loser back home (I have a Phd in computer science but maybe a strong imposter syndrome) it did felt like I was the king of the village when I first came, this feeds your narcissism and a sens of superiority which you tend to want to "protect" by not mixing up with other people as well. Because in Japanese culture complementing others in general when you are alone you become the center of attention even more. I'm glad I'm out of that weird phase, the experience was pleasant but it's not healthy long term obviously. I now enjoy hanging out with anyone ^^

[@sp.arccch6268]

@@zensweptandinteresting because it will be your coworker or people that frequent your local bar/izakaya. That’s where I’ve run into the people described above

[@HaohmaruHL]

I feel a lot of it comes down to a combination of things like your background, culture you're coming from, your own personality, your appearance, and your personal experiences that shapes you while living in Japan (the places you lived in, the people you've met here, the companies you've worked for, etc). So for everyone it will end up being completely different. People end up turning into different types of these stereotype foreigners. Some people find it easier to fit in any group while others struggle and get rejected no matter how hard they try, which causes a burn out from all this effort went into trying. So they become jaded. It happens in any country, not just Japan. But especially in a society like Japan it will extra difficult since Japanese often see any foreigner the same - just as a foreigner, regardless if he's been living here for decades going all the way trying hard to adapt to local culture, or someone who just came off a plane on his first trip abroad and knows nothing about Japan. No matter if its 99% effort or 0% effort you often get the same gaijin treatment. So people would naturally think why go through all this stress and hard work just to try to become someone they'll never accept you as anyway. So if they gonna see you as a foreigner thorough out your whole life you may as well just embrace it and keep being a foreigner, according to the expectations. Instead of pouring all your mental strength into trying to mimic the culture you didn't grow up with and fail miserably. Things get even more difficult if you happen to have a disability, which is still something not understood here. Instead, any deviation from the norm would be seen as intentionally bad behavior or resistance to conform. Some foreigners don't even realize they had a disability before moving to Japan because it was so lax in their home country that they were never pushed to the extremes before, but the symptoms got that much worse from being treated poorly at a Japanese workplace and being ostracized for not behaving exactly according to a predetermined Japanese behavior pattern, that they ended up finding out about their disability the hard way. If you try to use dating or social media apps (not even the Japanese apps, but global apps too) you may stumble upon Japanese people who state something like "no foreigners, block immediately" or "gaijin muri". If you're rejected on a fundamental level like that just based off of your appearance/nationality before even talking or meeting them for the first time there's nothing you can do change their view on you no matter how hard you try. 99% effort gaijin or 0% effort gaijin - they block you immediately on the app. And they block you immediately inside their head when they see you in real life. People are different - some foreigners would think this isn't a big deal to them, but some may take it more personally and get upset. Especially if such treatment happens daily for many years it weighs down on you. And often times they are intentionally trying to be mean, waiting to approach you closer to start mumbling something anti-gaijin or display their disgust with their face or body language. Even though they've spotted you from like 50m from afar so they could have mumbled it over there before approaching, couldn't they?. But no, they particularly want you to see and feel they aren't happy for you to be here. You may have been the all-happy foreigner when you've just arrived but personal experiences like this can change you with time and kill your motivation. Making you question why do you even still try or care. Maybe I should just move to some quiet inaka where people are nicer so I wouldn't have to hear gaijin this gaijin that every single day like in the big city. Maybe then I'd have a nicer experience of living in Japan and it will change my view for the better.

[@Exjapter]

Thank you for the detailed comment. There is a belief in Japan that, upon seeing a foreigner, "we cant communicate." I think this plays a reall detrimental role in how Japanese and foreign residents especially relate.

[@Kara-l1h]

Looking forward to the upcoming deep dives you mentioned.

[@zoeblue247]

When I first came to Japan, almost 3 decades ago now, there seemed to be a lot of "5 with a 10"'s, but they also tended to be LBH. The way you described the LBH, it sounds a bit different than they were back then. I personally had a general interest in Japan since I was 7 years old, so it was natural for me to come and see how it was here. Nowadays, I think there are a lot more "Japanophiles", or, actually "weeaboos", who are interested in some (modern) aspect of Japan or Japanese culture. A lot of these seem to speak Japanese pretty well, unlike the folks I met when we were younger. I think the one you mentioned about the person that may be working, but out traveling, or drinking, and doing stuff on the weekends is common for young people too. They are just funding a lifestyle. I did that when I first came here. I traveled all over Japan for several years, until the shrines and shops all began to look the same. Now I am just settled in, not really feeling like I am "living in a foreign country"- it is just home, where I live. Weekends are for relaxing, meeting friends, getting household chores done, or preparing for work. I dislike the "Japansplainers", and the complainers, so I mostly avoid them. I have thought that I might be "stuck in Japan", but the truth is I would not have done much more if I had gone home. I am always happy to come back to Japan after international travel. My personality fits well in Japan. I am not outgoing or extremely social, so I do still do not have great Japanese skills. I think that is a stereotype- the long-time resident with poor Japanese skills. Sometimes I feel like I my be "hiding out in Japan", but on the other hand, why not be where you feel comfortable in this world?

[@Exjapter]

Thank you for the incredibly detailed comment. It was very interesting to read. I think I need to do a deep dive weeaboo video someday. And I 100% agree with you - there are many reasons to love life here and they don't necessitate Japanese ability or some deep interest in the culture or anything else. This is just a really nice place, with a lot of things going for it that many can appreciate.

[@Gazumi-inOZ]

Another very interesting video Paul. Although I've been a visitor to Japan 10+ times since 2016, I wouldn't want to live in Japan. I really enjoy the wide-eyed excitement of being a tourist and keeping that 'distance'. If I was to be a resident of Japan I'd probably not want to lose that 'distance' and I'd fall into that appropriate category as a resident 🤭. Don't get me wrong, as a tourist I love interacting with the local people it's wonderful. But as I say, I have no intention other than to continue to be a twice-per-year tourist visitor. I ❤ Japan and I'm not looking for anything to change that 🤔

[@Exjapter]

I think that is a very healthy attitude - the idea of keeping Japan a bit at arms length as to enjoy the magic without it ever becoming 'mundane' seems a good strategy.

[@murray.altheim]

It may be that some people are kuuki wo yomu due to them being "on the spectrum", i.e., they would be like that anywhere. Some can't read faces very well, can't easily recognise other people's emotional states, so while this may be a marker of being foreign, it might simply be a personality trait. In Japan it might seem more noticeable since the culture itself is trained to read the room, which is rather uniquely Japanese.

[@Exjapter]

I wonder if a lot of the hikikomori are on the spectrum. In a country where careful interpersonal relationships is important, that would be a difficult life for those who just cant pull it off.

[@murray.altheim]

@@Exjapter I looked up two numbers, and it seems that globally about 1% of people are on the autism spectrum, and about 1.6% of the Japanese population are hikikomori. Though it's very likely that there are statistical reporting issues with both numbers, I'd still maintain that a Venn diagram of the two probably has a very significant overlap. And as you say, in Japan, even people who have a slight disposition towards being autistic, or don't have the societal training for other reasons (e.g., family issues, troubles in life they couldn't recover from) could end up as hikikomori. And because of Japanese culture, there's also a tendency to leave such people alone rather than reach out to them.

[@fjorddenierbear4832]

Not being KY at all = being an NPC. I feel that I can be KY sometimes, but also met obnoxious foreigners who didn't understand concepts like not being noisy on the train. I guess gaijin smash can be a separate phenomenon from KY. Some people are KY on a subtle level but are able to adapt at a macro level, e.g. abiding by train etiquette.

[@OnlyOneNights]

After losing 1/3 of my most recent trip to food poisoning (Thanks, Burger King), when standing in the check-in line at Narita...there were quite a few foreign guys who were more than happy to share their 'Japan truths' to anyone who would listen. Let's just say, it was a long day at the airport...

[@TheShrededward]

Consider yourself lucky. I think there are a total of two burger kings in all of Japan. Only one taco bell that I'm aware of, and about ten Mcdonalds within a twenty minute drive of my house.

[@Exjapter]

Oof.

[@yamamoto-g9o]

I think I would fall into the camp of someone having the "Seidensticker Syndrome." Seidensticker the famed translator and Japanologist had a love-hate relationship with the country and its people. Having ever-mounting feelings of great attraction and intense frustration that came in varying waves during his career. Don't know if this would be a common stereotype but my gut feeling and experiences would tell me this would be quite common with long term foreign residents of Japan. Maybe a good topic for an upcoming vlog.

[@Exjapter]

This is an EXCELLENT idea. Noted.

[@johnfish5994]

Thanks for the upload! As one of the yearly crop of prospective JETs bingeing youtube while we wait to hear back about our applications this channel has been great. What percentage of western foreigners do you think don't really fit into any of these stereotypes, i.e. successfully assimilated and well adjusted? Also, I don't know if this is something that fits your channel or not, but video that I would be really interested in seeing is your personal career path. Transitioning from JET to the broader professional world is probably my biggest anxiety about going, so hearing the perspectives of people that made it work would be really cool.

[@Exjapter]

My story has been told in pieces over time on the channel, but I don't think I have told it all in one spot - that's a good idea. Best of luck with your JET assignment!

[@najstephy5565]

Thank you for another great video

[@Exjapter]

Cheers!

[@mdee8784]

Enjoyed this one! Interesting observations as always

[@Exjapter]

Thank you!

[@elenakursteiner4729]

Is it so that All mentioned categories of the foreigner you also do find everywhere abroad or it’s specific for Japan only? Thank you for interesting content and thanks that you remain very genuine ❤

[@Exjapter]

I agree with others who mentioned that these stereotypes are amongst foreign residents in every country.

[@t1nt0p]

You should add the military stationed there that loved it so much they end up moving there after they retire and enjoy the fact you can stand out and stay completely hidden at the same time.

[@Exjapter]

I know some personally, but never thought of it as a stereotype.

[@josephkelley]

Good video. I've ran into all of the stereotypes with KY being the most common one. I think the KY is prevalent to me because of the military bubble.

[@Exjapter]

Not a problem for you though! You've got the language and the acculturation, well beyond me.

[@pepsitate8019]

I feel that the LBH category applies to me in a somewhat roundabout way. I don’t live in Japan but visit on a somewhat regular basis and tend to have a more active social life when I’m there. I do have a SO and friends in the states, but feel that something about being in Japan serves as a conduit to being more social since all of my Japanese friends love to go out drinking on the regular

[@Exjapter]

Japan turned me into an alcohol drinker, tbh. Work parties, meeting friends and the like, so much socialization is surrounded by alcoholic beverages.

[@andreahoehmann1939]

The "bull in the china shop" at minute 11:00 is the most discussed exemple on KZbin. About 75 percent of all Japan videos talk exclusively about the tourists who throw garbage everywhere, cause trouble on the subway, pull women by their kimonos and spray graffiti in holy temples. I always think, my God, is there absolutely no one who knows how to behave in Japan? Luckily I learned something about the other foreigners here too, thank you very much!

[@Exjapter]

To be honest I was mostly talking about foreigners who live here. Tourists are another animal entirely. There is something about "I'm on vacation" that causes people to leave their brains at home.

[@andreahoehmann1939]

@Exjapter Have you also made a video where you explain to what extent tourists are "another animal"?

[@otibed358]

I can see a bit of myself in pretty much all of those stereotypes!

[@Exjapter]

As can I.

[@kinpyuta]

I’m an archaeologist who is hyper fixated on Japan’s Kofun Era who will be moving to Japan next year to work in the field. I assume that will put me in the 変な外人 category? 😅

[@Exjapter]

Unfortunately in the words of Utada Hikaru, "It's automatic."

[@chrislyon9885]

I haven’t lived here long and while I prefer not to stereotype or be stereotyped I often prefer to avoid other foreigners that appear jaded and/or refuse to truly absorb Japanese culture and language yet still have chosen to live here. It’s not always possible to avoid these types but I feel like they can potentially hold you back from personal growth and genuine experiences with Japanese people, culture and language.

[@Exjapter]

I don't think they need to be avoided, just recognized as something you don't want to be yourself. And if you already are in that mindset, I don't think you'd be in danger of being 'turned to the dark side.'

[@Enemtee]

I would say that one type of foreigners is the one talking about and stereotyping other foreigners, and even trying hard to stay away from other foreigners. "I am more japanese than other foreigners".

[@Exjapter]

Yes, there is that competitive thing to say "I fit in more than you."

[@OnceUponATimeInJapanM8]

Another good video. As another long-time Tokyo resident some of these are definitely legacy stereotypes, eg. the guy with the hottie was definitely a thing from the 2000s, although I don’t go out to the crowded areas so much anymore so it may still be relevant. Agree, LBH was/is the prevailing stereotype. So, @Exjapter which of these do you think you’ve fit in the most over the years? 😂

[@Exjapter]

Great question. Japansplainer for sure. Savior/representative of Gaikoku Culture back when I was a JET. Was never the partier. I suppose I would have to serve up a photo of my wife for people to judge the 5 with 10....

[@OnceUponATimeInJapanM8]

I'm an amateur Ukiyo-e fan, so would be interested in some Japansplaining on that topic ;) For myself, I don't know if I ever fit any of those stereotypes, although back in younger days, friends commented on how hot one gf was - was I one of those guys??

[@jOeLwAlBy]

LBH is a western coping method. They can't fathom that attractiveness is not a monolith across cultures and races very different to each other. Every country has its own different set of traits and physical features that are seen as attractive. There is some general overlap but what you see as nerdy pasty white guy is not what other cultures see they don't have that cultural backdrop categorising them like that. They just look like the reasonable typical foreigner.

[@Life_In_Japan_Mikhail_Vatsura]

Paul you should start a podcast or else. Cmon, I just like listening to you speaking, for the first 3 minutes I don't even know what you are talking about hah (that's how good you are!) 4:16 - and that is just jealousy.

[@Exjapter]

I haven't been plugging it recently, but I DO have a podcast... It's called The Journal of Japan Journeys, and you can find it on Spotify, Apple, and other main podcast platforms. It's all interviews of other long-termers like me. I need to get back to it and do a new episode sometime soon...

[@Life_In_Japan_Mikhail_Vatsura]

@@Exjapter Found it ! The lates is the Winson from Hong Kong episode, which dates back to March 2023.

[@Life_In_Japan_Mikhail_Vatsura]

@@Exjapter The sound quality is terrible , Paul. Not even close to your KZbin videos. Looking forward to new version of your Journal of Japan Journey's show!

[@Exjapter]

Which episodes? Episode one is still on a bad camera. I also switched hosting platforms recently and havent checked if they made it over in good shape.

[@Life_In_Japan_Mikhail_Vatsura]

@@Exjapter The one I was referring to is the latest on Apple Podcast with the guy from Hong Kong.

[@Dutch1954]

I had a good time watching this video, lots of smiles and jokes over Suntory with my brother-in-law, who is an on-air figure in the Osaka broadcasting market and due to retire soon when he turns 60 (Boo!) He and my Kansai wife of 40+ years insist that I fit every stereotype but I am adamant that I am disqualified because I'm only in Japan at the most 7 to 9 months of each year. We request a ruling on my qualifications! Thank you, super fun video ( My wife says you look like Sam Neill🙂 Congrats!!)

[@Exjapter]

How in the world could anyone fit ALL of those stereotypes?!?! They were clearly having fun teasing you. :D Also, your wife is not the first person to say that. The comparison started when I hit my 40s. Before that I got a lot of Jamie Oliver and William Shatner....

[@Dutch1954]

@@Exjapter 😊

[@thundercid1533]

@@Dutch1954 I guess infront of your wife, friends and family, its good to be compared to the average looking foreigner with a hot Japanese wife.

[@longiusaescius2537]

@Exjapter Oliver? insult to you bro

[@justicevanpool9025]

I'm probably a little bit of each of these, but in terms of the intentionally contrarian gaijin, I'd say that the motivation often comes not from insecurities, but from knowing that the Japanese won't accept you either way. Also, it is exceedingly difficult to learn and adapt if no one will teach you you're doing something wrong.

[@TheRedWisdom]

As someone who is about to move to Japan. A lot of thoughts are going through my head regarding if I am doing it for the right reason or not. It is a strange thing to leave a life and a country you know behind. I could see myself falling down the path some of the toxic traits you described. I will take care. Interesting to hear about it from your perspective cheers.

[@Exjapter]

If you check my back catalogue of videos, there are a number which may address some of the anxieties you might have. Thanks for the comment!

[@TheRedWisdom]

Haha for sure. I think your channel started popping up in my algorithm after i searched for information about Japanese pensions :)

[@GinkoHanga]

I’ve never heard of a hen na gaigi being specialists before. I thought that would just be weirdos haha. I guess I’m probably one in that case, I’ve made woodblock prints my life! Talk some more about your love of prints share that love around.

[@Exjapter]

I have a woodblock print video in production, I am just waiting for a sponsor to come through before I go forward with it!

[@Zante_on_google]

I will listen to the future video about it, but I probably fall into the Japanophile category. It is after all on one of my visits that I met the woman that became my wife. I will probably fall also into the "explain foreign culture to Japan" category, I will be moving to Tottori (so not Tokyo ;) ) prefecture in January, and I am Italian. I would like to show Italian culture past the stereotypes that I've seen when I've been introduced to my wife's family. One of her sisters's coworkers even asked her if I was with the Mafia! I'm not planning to push it though, just my personal way to start being part of the community. As for the Japansplainer, the way I am I am at risk of falling in that stereotype, but I've seen so many Italiansplainers that I know to hold back and listen. As for you, I like that you own the stereotype, but I really don't think it applies. You specify that these videos are from your point of view, and you do it every time, but wouldn't a Japansplainer say "this is the way it is" rather than "this is the way I see it"? In my experience Japansplainers are mostly frequent tourists rather than residents, there is some overlap with the Japanophile in that the enthusiasm for Japan sometimes clouds judgement.

[@Exjapter]

You make a good point, and I thank you for it. This is not a troll, but I have to ask... as an Italian, what do you think of Italian food as it is represented in Japan?

[@Zante_on_google]

​@@Exjapter I have mostly kept away from it. Not to throw any shadow on Japanese cooks, I have eaten some very good Italian food in Himeji, around 2006, and a Japanese cook that was in Italy to study the local cuisine stayed at my parents' B&B for a while and kept his cat at my mother's cat hotel while he was around touring. I know they usually take learning this kind of stuff seriously. Mind you I've had some pretty awful Italian food even in Italy, so the location is no excuse. No, I've kept away from Italian food in Japan because why would I eat Italian when there is such variety and freshness in Japanese food to enjoy? I cook and eat mainly Italian at home in Italy so I want to enjoy "non Italian" when I travel. I love food, I love making it and I love eating it, and I believe that people are the motor of culture, and food the fuel of said motor. What's the point of travelling if you don't eat the local "culture fuel"? Mind you, once I settle in Japan I might sample also some less Japanese offerings, but we'll see.

[@Exjapter]

That makes perfect sense. As you suggest, as someone who lives here I have to branch out a bit. The best Italian I have had in Japan was under the train tracks in Kobe. Someone recommended it to me, and I had some gnocchi that gave me "I could die happily now" feelings.

[@ClefairyFairySnowflake]

Hearing about the various stereotypes of people in Japan is very interesting.

[@thundercid1533]

Haha, I'll be the "Japansplainer", I know I am. As a personal take away from Japan, while trying to constantly read the air (but failing) during one visit to Japan, I got overwhelmed at how stifling it felt near the end of my visit and it wore me down mentally. I dont think my natural personality was miles away from the few extra considerations I managed to do, I imagine there were still more I could have improved on. But my whole mindset left a bad taste. I was last wanting to say, there will come a point where you wont be able to keep up with all the comments, and you might need to verbally apologize for such in your videos as you grow your channel. But as a side note, its those personal touches that are just nice. I think if there are new commenters try to focus on those. The likes you leave are good enough to convey you acknowledged what was mentioned.

[@Exjapter]

Thanks for the advice. I suppose it will come to that at some point, if the channel growth continues. I can handle it, for now...

[@terrapinalive6192]

Thundercid...(As in El Cid?) How well you express yourself I stayed in Japan five years many years ago It felt stifling at the beginning but as soon as I learned the language I began to understand there was nothing to feel stifled about. Because of the 'tatemae' they are stifled between themselves and that extends to you By my fourth year I strongly wanted to leave but I stayed longer to go to University in the evening and got myself a Diploma in Japanese and Japanese studies. I worked in Manila a few years ago and got sick.Going to the hospitals there was not an option so I flew to Japan and went to the place I used to live in --Nagoya--.I saw the apartment where I used to live..Not a bit of nostalgia. Their hospitals were still good.

[@thundercid1533]

@ No, not the great Spanish knight “El Cid”, but probably the inspiration for “Cidolfus Orlandeau” fictional character in the game Final Fantasy Tactics, as shameful as that is to admit. I’ll most likely change that name if I ever got serious about my KZbin account. I’m glad to hear that you were able to access better health care for yourself, with they amount of Pinoy healthcare workers in my own country, I can only imagine that it leaves the Phillipines with large gaps in its own health care network. It is reassuring to know that I am not the only person who felt that way about Japanese culture, being stifling. I still feel that it comes down to how I approach the situation to achieve a better outcome.

[@longiusaescius2537]

@Exjapter Bro would not have made it in the 70s like an uncle....

[@thundercid1533]

@@longiusaescius2537 Are you referring to 70s in Japan or a Western country? Cos I definitely wouldn’t have made it in Japan in the 70s. But getting beaten and being called all kinds of despicable things, I made my way just fine through those kinds of things, it sucked, but I’m still here.

[@gula_rata]

Stereotypes are based on truth. Look at Johnny Somali, and the dancing thugs in the subway and shrine. If the stereotypes weren't true, nobody would do that, but it's always happening.

[@yunusaminbari3060]

Races are base on truth. Look at BREAKING NEW White American Tourist Arrested for Defacing Shrine in Japan.

[@EvgenyUskov]

while I watch this channel for all its insights into and expostulations of all things Japan, I also watch it for the fluid but succinct, subtly sophisticated but not overly verbose eloquence of the author which is always helpful for someone like myself who is not a native English speaker but who has to earn his bread by using English as an instrument and means of communication

[@Exjapter]

That is a very high compliment, thank you.

[@StudioHoekhuis]

I'm still amazed at the notion that people are classified on their looks. When an 'average' guy has a relationship with a beautiful wife, there must be something 'wrong'. Personality seems of no importance what so ever...

[@Exjapter]

Very true. People are judgemental, and it's one of our flaws. I try not to be - this topic is just for knowledge and entertainment purposes (and like I said, I don't even find that stereotype all that true.)

[@NokeiadkZ]

Imagine being in a training session while hearing other foreigners talk among themselves, "My Japanese wife ~ " "My Japanese wife does ~ " Or "My Japanese girlfriend ~ " "My Japanese girlfriend does ~ "

[@Exjapter]

Another stereotype I forgot - the ______ fever guys. This is a weird one because I never think about it in Japan, but have secretly wondered if I get judged when my wife and I are in the US together.

[@Zante_on_google]

@@Exjapter Fortunately this isn't a thing here in Italy.

[@dianaa8125]

niche one: The Australian in niseko

[@ILoveLibertyJustice]

I think you may have omitted the ‘foreign investor’ or the ‘foreign entrepreneur’.

[@Exjapter]

That's a good one too.

[@TheTakeFactory]

I am not sure how much you still know about this since it’s been so long that you’ve had to think about this, but I am wondering about the process of moving to Japan as a 30+ year old working professional. Most of the people you see moving to Japan are either making content or leaving their home country right after school/college to be an English teacher. But I suspect that there are lots of people who think about moving to Japan who have already built a career in their home country. How hard is it to get a visa, get your first job, first apartment etc.? Might be a topic for a video if you haven’t already made one.

[@Exjapter]

Good idea - it also ties into another request for me to tell my story about how and why I did it.

[@yesfinallygot1]

How would Asian foreigners fit into these stereotypes? I'm Chinese-American and look East Asian (but American mannerisms probably). When I visited as a solo tourist, most locals I talked to said they thought I was Japanese from my face. Therefore, I never got the gaijin treatment outright until it was clear that my Japanese sucked and they realized I was a tourist. In fact, I got a lot of dirty looks when I was probably breaking some unwritten rule. I think it made me adapt pretty quickly during my short stay to follow what the locals were doing so as not to stand out so much. If I lived in Japan, I don't think I would be a 5 with a 10 since I don't look "exotic" nor would I get special gaijin status as an LBH.

[@georgecavendish1504]

日本人は差別をするのはないと思いますがただ外国人は自分の勝手で日本人はそんな勝手な事をしません。foreigners need to think of others. They are rather selfish, when you do things without thinking of others that is no manners.

[@dragonofparadise]

I am the American who is seeking safe crime free streets, World class public transit, affordable homes for sale and affordable healthcare. If I have these four things I will be happy, as I am bring my job, money, dog and family with me. Right now in the US I am surrounded by gun shots, road ragers, astronomically expensive homes and rents and Denied healthcare claims for basic healthcare that I need. Japan clearly values the same things as me as in I think the community is more important then the individual as when the individual is first you have runaway greed and gun fights in public as seen in the United States. That is the kind of foreigner I will be there. I have visited 4 times and spent over 4 months there in all and made a promise next time I return it will be either to move there or buy a house (a abandoned house or a fixer upper near a major city with 1 hour by train) in preparation to move there.

[@WalkingMoments]

lol this was great

[@Exjapter]

Thanks!

[@shawngraham4155]

Great topic. Perhaps we are all a combination of some of these. I'm for sure the Japanophile and the one I didn't realize is "Nihongo as self-worth." That's why I keep studying. I am definitely not an explainer. I have said, "私はアメリカ人の代表ではない！" many times. I'd love to hear a video on the three stereotypes you left out.

[@Exjapter]

Thanks for the comment. I will make that video, but need some more time to ponder all the angles and inter-relations. For example, henna-gaijin almost automatically makes you a master of obscure Japanese vocabulary related to that hobby. Like all the random words I know from describing ukiyoe.

[@doublededged007]

I'm oblivious! What's hilarious is I was so oblivious that I didn't notice it until 7 years after leaving Japan when I married a Japanese gal. This despite living there 7 years and passing N1.

[@Exjapter]

What examples can you give? Pretty interesting that high level Japanese didnt help!

[@doublededged007]

@@ExjapterHere’s ten ways I caused meiwaku without noticing. Notice that they’re all linked by taking the Japanese at face value when I should have read the air. 1. Not paying the lunch money fee at time because the staff told me itsu demo ii. 2. Not paying the lunch fee in exact change because I was told not to worry about paying in exact change. 3. Taking days off for vacation and telling my coworkers that it was for vacation. 4. Talking about my vacation in detail with my coworkers after returning. 5. Asking people for directions during mass cleanup instead of just finding some way to help out like everyone else. 6. Taking compliments at face value when I should have been humble. 7. Pushing Japanese when they would say muri desu instead of just acknowledging that they didn’t want to come or participate in whatever I was inviting them to. 8. Overstaying my welcome with Japanese and not taking hints to go home early. 9. Going home on time because I was told it was okay to go home on time. I only did that my first year. 10. Generally giving my opinion too much in situations where a set phrase was appropriate.

[@Exjapter]

I am physically cringing as I read these. Not just because they are cringe-worthy, but because I recognize my own infractions amongst them...5 - 8 specifically. I still did #9 though, because I didn't have anything to do and the sports clubs wouldn't allow me to be involved in any way. (In hindsight I should have just sat there and used that valuable time to study Japanese).

[@doublededged007]

@@Exjapter The weird thing is that the more you learn Japanese, the more you realize you will never be really able to "learn Japanese" because the nuance of the words is so different. Let's ask Shogo did a great video on things you should never say to your boss, and it includes things like "mochiron" which I never would have realized.

[@lulu9759]

I don't know so many foreigners in Japan IRL, but thanks to youtube, I knew the existence of the Nihongo as selfworth people lol

[@Exjapter]

They exist...

[@landspide]

Is "arigato" often used as a synonym by locals for gaijin? Just curious...

[@Exjapter]

I don't follow you. Can you elaborate?

[@einherjermarsjen531]

subscribed. What uni do you work at?

I have definitely seen a few of these stereotypes, and probably fit one or two at least a little bit. Let’s do our best to not to fit into any of these stereotypes, ganbatte!

[@Exjapter]

Not all the stereotypes are necessarily bad...

@ well, we can give the ones that aren’t necessarily bad a pass. 😉

[@davidsobel3303]

In my time teaching in Japan back in the '90s I would say that it was mostly white nerdy guys, maybe more like what we would call "dorky" that came to Japan to teach. Maybe that falls into the LBH catagory..

[@Exjapter]

I think that may have been a thing more prevalent in the past, maybe?

[@davidsobel3303]

@@Exjapter I think you may be right. That was when the money was good and you didn't need a BA.

[@campeau29]

Good therapy for a trapped (committed?) tall lanky American with a beautiful child and a beautiful wife, but I might ask myself how did I get here? White and height? There's much too appreciate here although I dont ever expect to be accepted here no matter how much I try to assimilate. Overall, living here beats living in trumpland where I also dont fit in.

[@Exjapter]

Don't be hard on yourself! Stereotypes are always a surface judgement, and I am sure you deserve your life and beautiful family. No judgement here, as I live in a glass house.

[@nr655321]

Always be careful when you say Japanophile 😂

[@Exjapter]

Is there a hidden naughty meaning?

[@yungjamez312]

cool video! thank you for not filming the kids !

[@Exjapter]

Always try not to!

[@treasurechest1993]

Another one is the expat KZbinr who has the opinion that he knows everything and all other expats are ruining the place and shouldn't be here.

[@Exjapter]

I hope you dont' mean me. I am as "live and let live" as they come.

[@treasurechest1993]

@Exjapter no no no, sorry if it came across like that. There are a few youtubers I started following,but soon stopped because of the negative attitude. They come here and set up a business, but then bag others that do similar. They seem to think they fit in but no one else can. I had a business here for many years , but after selling I still spend big chunks of time here. It's very easy to love the place.

[@Direwoof]

Im the last one but the one where I moved somewhere that fit me best. I am an introverted respectful person who prefers when other people are quiet and respectful too and I'm into a lotta nerdy type shit and also a very value minded cheap person, I won't buy something if I don't think it's a great deal so Japan was just a MUCH better fit for me than California ever was. So I was a LBH because I wasn't a D bag bro man in california with a fade and a loud cool car and some cool expensive clothes because I never cared about any of those things.

[@Exjapter]

That's why I say it's a great thing for people who have moved to a better life. That's what people SHOULD do! And it can be leveraged for good, which it seems you are doing, so I don't think that is actually an LBH, because the implication (in my mind at least) is a true LBH is someone who suddenly buys into their supposed/imagined rock star status here.

[@ultrakoichi]

They think all foreigners are an American 😂😂😂

[@Exjapter]

True.

[@GOATPoets]

Beautiful video as always. The question is this: why divide and subdivide into these categories? "Foreigner" "Native" "Japanese. Non-Japanese. Black. White. Etc. Shouldn't we all be united as brothers and sisters? And see our commonality and shared humanity? And yet we let our egos and/or social conditioning make enemies out of one another. -an American in Hiroshima City woot woot

[@Exjapter]

What's important is to be open to getting to know the individual, at least a little bit. The foreigner/native thing is just a reality in terms of language/acculturation etc., but it's the assumption of the level of such thing that is unfortunate.

[@GOATPoets]

@@Exjapter I know it is a reality - but it is an unfortunate one. I am asking a rhetorical question, a universal one. Wouldn't it be nice if there were, for example, no anti-Korean sentiment here? Or in the States, no racism? There is something in us humans that demands division, and it makes me sad. When someone close to me first called me a "gaijin", or excluded me from a meeting, it hurt. Some races are invisible on television and have no voting rights, as the pathway to citizenship is one of the "permanent temporary resident" unless one marries a "native" or "pure" Japanese. One is reminded of America in the 1950's / during the recent race riots.I dream of a world of love and mutual respect. My apologies: I wasnt asking YOU "why discriminate ..." you are using your deep experience to point out the finer details of types and categories here based off experience. I am asking Japan, America, the world .. humanity .. shouldn't we all be united as brothers and sisters? And see our commonality and shared humanity? From the Peace City

[@etherdog]

This is your most Murakami vid.

[@Exjapter]

Ok, I am intrigued. Can you explain?

[@etherdog]

@@Exjapter Because things are never what they appear on the surface. Also, I just finished reading every Murakami book up to The City and Its Uncertain Walls (due out in 4 days) so I am seeing everything through that lens, And there is a resonance with the way you explain things that appears in his works, too. I enjoy and appreciate your reasoning process.

[@lee-yz6ze]

So many people are deliberate 空気を読めない in America 😢

[@Exjapter]

Yes, it is one of the reverse-culture shocks I get when I am there. However, the other side of the coin is I see more strangers being nice to each other or having a pleasant conversation with someone they just met, which are things which are studiously avoided in (Greater Tokyo) Japan.

[@lee-yz6ze]

@ I have heard that before……. I don’t know……

[@madmax8620]

Hmmm...interesting how you left out the BIG most modern-day one, "KZbin INFLUENCER" ...hmmmm...

[@Exjapter]

Its a thing that exists, but it isnt a stereotype that people have. "See that foreigner? They must be an influencer" is not a thing. (Yet?)

[@TheShrededward]

My 3 basic foreigner stereotypes are 1. The newb. Fresh off the banana express and loves everything about Japan. 2. The hater. This guy has been here long enough to hate the place. The food, the people, the weather. Man this place sucks! 3 is the dinosaur. Been here long enough to appreciate Japan for what it is, even though it's not perfect.

[@Exjapter]

I tend to call the last one "Lifers" because I reserve 'Dinosaur' to describe people who hold outdated views of Japan (happens in media a lot).

[@TheShrededward]

@@Exjapter Lifer makes it sound like I'm serving a life sentence. I'm a dinosaur. I have been here so long that I have no idea what the updated views of Japan are. My daughter seems to think I'm a dinosaur because I sometimes have to remind her to walk three steps behind her husband. She gives me the evil eye, and walks in front of him.

[@Madara_idc]

Hello from Vienna. I am Directly Sorry for my Bad English. Want to live in Hokaido Japan and started Learning Japanese and Sreaching to Buy Land with a House.. Even i look everything up before my Plans read and try to learn mutch as i can Good and Bad about Japan, What i need to take care to not of kind Step other Person on the Feet.. thats the normalest thing for me... Maybe Because i worked Years as Bouncer and Personal Security.. Dif Kind of that Jobs. I think i would have mutch Problems like if someone Creepys Woman i would directly Hold him and Call the Police all of that Kind of Things.. thats way to Disrespectful for me...... Because olso i dont drink any Alcohol i like that more Polite of Japan. Austria is getting like out of Hand.. No matter where you leave you should learn about it if you want to leave and not Cause Trouble.. So i am in Invlaid Pension because cant work anymore and know i try a Solution what could i do in Japan for living if i buy a House. Worked almost Jobs with Physical Ab. Maybe Buy Akiya Houses and renovate them.. and give them Cheap for Rent so Younger People have Something about it so i can give Something back if i stay there .. I am reading about the Laws taxes to learn how mutch i can Charge not to Lose Money and dont Overprice so people can live cheaper then like this Crazy prices in Tokio.. i am not a Good Person 2022 i Lost everything and still recover want to move on.. Another time Sorry for my Bad English.. but it would me internest what you think about it.

[@Exjapter]

Thank you for the detailed comment. I think there is space in the Akiya market for your sort of entrepreneurial idea. Good luck if you decide to make that a reality!

[@SwissTanuki]

I guess you forgot about the language student. The one who went to a English speaking country to learn English and met a Japanese woman by chance even they never where interested in Japanese culture. Sometimes they get married and live happily ever after..

[@Owjdnskoakansbskk]

oddly specific

[@Exjapter]

That's a good one! How common do you think that is?

[@SwissTanuki]

@@Exjapter I think that is very common here in Switzerland and probably some other European countries. But we probably don't go to Japan.

[@Cunningstunts23]

Who will be the 5,000th follower?! 🎉 On the last one, I wonder if it is often paired with a feeling of patronizing westerner, as if the LBH’s personal view of Japanese culture is that it’s so inferior to their native culture that the Japanese will have no choice but to stand in awe at their magnificence. Very off putting!! I wonder how prevalent the otaku/weeb stereotype is with foreigners in Japan 😅

[@Exjapter]

Yes! They were a loser, and now the "winner" goes to their head and they look down on the very country that has helped elevate them! How ironic.

[@riffj]

Its not へな gaijin, it's へんな gaijin

[@Exjapter]

Sorry my pronunciation doesnt meet your standards, nihongo-as-self-worth stereotype. 😉

[@ChrisClogg]

The stereotype I notice the most in tokyo is the tourist who looks like the tourist haha. Shorts, hiking outfit for some reason, etc. Maybe it’s just because Japanese dress so nicely by contrast.

[@cooliipie]

Always the hiking outfit 🤣 so cringe

[@Exjapter]

I would add that it is very often North Americans. Europeans tend to dress a little better. Especially the atheltic shorts thing - how to tell me you're from the US without telling me you're from the US.

[@Owjdnskoakansbskk]

@@cooliipiemaybe they were or are on their way to go hiking

[@cooliipie]

@Owjdnskoakansbskk It happens in the middle of the city though. They look completely out of place, but it seems to be that the goal is to take Instagram pics that look like they're doing more than they really are to impress their friends back home

[@jOeLwAlBy]

They are usually Americans or Canadians. They tend to dress practically for walking in a holiday especially Japan. (Money belts and all haha) Europeans tend to care more about fashionability and class. Both have their merits.

[@OsakaMotorcycleTours]

First

[@Exjapter]

Stereotype: People who do Tours in Osaka by Motorcycle are always first.

[@Dutch1954]

@@Exjapter ☺

[@OsakaMotorcycleTours]

@@Exjapter

[@dioxviad]

They go around your backs and complain about you, disgusting behavior.

[@Exjapter]

Who are the "they" you are referring to?

[@zigooo_5611]

In my opinion, even though many people won't admit it, almost all 'western' foreign residents in Japan are kind of all those stereotypes at the same time.

[@Exjapter]

I would push back at that for several reasons. For example, I know several guys who I think ended up with a Japanese woman less attractive than them. (Of course, subjective, so hard to judge). But I absolutely DO know people who gave up better careers and more money in their home country to pursue something they were more passionate about in Japan, so they were certainly not LBH.

[@maboiteaspamspammaboite9670]

this list seems very common to every foreigner community.

[@Exjapter]

Not surprising at all.