Why Do Japanese Avoid Foreigners on Trains?

Why don't Japanese people sit next to foreigners on trains? Why does everyone get out of a hot spring when a foreigner comes in? We discuss 4 reasons Japanese people avoid foreigners in Japan.
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[@OrientalPearl]

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[@PhantomOfManyTopics]

Chinese dudes in Japan will sit next to you. 😂😂😂

[@Sky_Darkheart]

Hey from Ohio! I had to start a channel just to comment LOL! I wanted to say thank you for the videos though. I love your channel! I watch you and Nomad Push the most. I love how you show the real Japan. Most other channels make it seem like everyone is so uptight. I love how you and Robin both show how fun Japan and Japanese people really are!

[@cooliipie]

I'm white and smell goood. My taiwanese gf stinks! 🤣

[@rmp5640]

You either move out of that racist country or shut up!

[@ChadGardenSinLA]

Filipinos are treated badly in Japan. Japanese feel superior to all other Asians, especially the dark-skinned ones. As a US Military kid growing up in Japan in the 90's and as a US Air Force Officer in the 2000s, I saw this in Sagamihara, Fussa-shi, and especially in Tokyo.

[@XRinger]

While in Japan back in the late 1970s, I had to commute by train from Tachikawa to Fuchu Hamachi everyday for about 3 weeks. At 6 ft tall and 175 lb, it was rare to run into someone who was bigger than me. When I did, I gave him the right away and he gave me a big smile. As to train seats, I was under the misconception that they were giving me space because I was a big clunky American. And they were trying to be nice to me. My impression of the Japanese people was one of respect and politeness to everyone they meet regardless of where they come from. I worked for the Japanese company NEC for 18 years in Massachusetts. When they moved NECIS to california, they asked me to come along with a good raise. But I didn't want to leave my family here in MA. One of my friends did go to California with NEC, and later became an English teacher in Japan, where he raised his family.

[@Czechbound]

In 1998 - 2000 in Ireland, an American work colleague would swing through every 3 months on part of his global work travel. I would take him out for a meal in the evening as he was on his own. A married guy, about 50 years old. 6'2" and 300lbs (very overweight). A really nice guy. He said he always dreaded going to Japan. He said because he was tall, he felt everyone looking at him. When he would wait at a crosswalk, if there was a woman standing next to him, 80% of the time she would touch his arm as discreetly as she could. He thought he was imagining it as if he turned to them, they would stare straight ahead. It happened a couple of times when he was with Japanese work colleagues and they said yes, he wasn't imagining it. "They probably think you're a Sumo wrestler, and it's good luck to touch a Sumo. So they are touching you for good luck" ...

[@martcp71]

I was stationed in northern Japan in the early 90s and I was friends with a guy who was tall and worked out a lot. We would be out eating or shopping and Japanese people would routinely approach him and ask if he was a foreign wrestler, to take a picture, or if he would be so kind as to touch their child on the arm or hand. But sometimes, he would suddenly turn around because someone had touched him surreptitiously.

[@doncastrian]

My colleague who was just a little shorter than me, maybe around 6ft3 went a few years back and he kept getting stopped for photos and people looking at him, they're obviously not used to seeing tall white European people. I get it though from their perspective

[@shamkand]

:))) This must be annoying for your friend, but just reading about it made me laugh, basically, they see him as a human lucky charm :))) It's so interesting to learn about other cultures.

[@Mac-ik1sg]

I don't think I would care about little superstitions taps, as long as they weren't grabbing downstairs.... 🤣 Now India..... F*** that place, and that annoying "everyone stare at the whitey" culture.... I will never go back there, and theres a mile long list of reasons.

[@Czechbound]

@@doncastrian When I was in central China children would point to me in the street and run in to get their parents to look. I used to joke to myself "I'm the white devil !" haha. Just good natured curiosity

[@dragonsember]

The lady talking about her experiences in the 80s seemed so sweet. Must have been a very unique way to grow up.

[@OrientalPearl]

Yeah, I found this interview about 6 months ago and it really stuck with me. I tried to get an interview with this whole family, but only one sibling agreed and he’s not in Japan right now.

[@dragonsember]

@@OrientalPearl It's a shame that you couldn't get that interview but the clips were very enlightening on how foreigners were treated in the past, I'm glad you included it. I think it shows how far Japanese society has come in accepting foreigners in a very homogenous country especially with them having to adjust to the recent influx in tourism. There will be people who don't like outsiders anywhere but most people in general seem welcoming or indifferent. A few people never represent the society as a whole.

[@Czechbound]

I spoke with a Norweigen oil rig worker on a flight to Oslo. He used to work in Japan, at the very south of the southern island. He was a very tall, blonde guy. He said when his son was 4 or 5 ( this would have been about 1995 ), the locals would want to touch the child's blonde hair for luck. This used to freak the child out, as the locals wouldn't ask, or stick around for conversation. They would just approach, smiling, touch the child's head, bow and smile and continue walking.

[@AceMoonshot]

I have extremely long blonde hair. Well, long for a guy. People where touching my hair all the time. It is understandable with kids. You don't expect children to have impulse control or fully grasp personal boundaries. But the adults would be stroking my hair just as often as the kids, if not more, and I confess it is startling and annoying.

[@baardbi]

I'm a norwegian too. In 1984 I was 5 years old and had hair so blond, it was almost white. My family and I was on holiday in Tunisia. When we walked around, a lot of grown men would touch my hair (like they were petting a dog) as they passed by. It was a very strange experience.

[@DeceitfulSnake]

@@AceMoonshot That sounds horrific. Just another reason to never go to Japan.

[@AceMoonshot]

@@DeceitfulSnake Well, to be fair, it was not just Japan. But all of Asia.

[@DeceitfulSnake]

@@AceMoonshot That sounds horrific. Just another reason to never go to East Asia.

[@davidjames6879]

About 15 years ago my wife (caucasian) and her friend (black) were on a tour in South Korea. They were in a small village where a couple older women were near. The friend (very dark skn) suddenly found one of the ladies rubbing her arm and then looking at her hand. The friend, who didn't know any Korean, looked over and just said to her "It doesn't come off."" They both had a good laugh.

[@4cornershike51]

I can confirm this. I was in the Army stationed in Korea. We would all go out and visit small villages frequently. The locals would yell out summoning everyone and multiple people would come up to my black friends and rub them. It was funny to us at first but after a while we all had to learn how to say "it doesn't come off" in Korean before they started rubbing my friends lol

[@simovihinen875]

Can't believe they STILL do this :o There's that story about the African samurai (Yasuke) who came to Japan in the 16th century whom the local Daimyou asked to show he's not just inked all over by washing himself.

[@UNISCO]

When I lived in Korea I got on the subway once, sat next to an older man who was insistent on spreading his legs out. I was at least 6 inches taller than he was. When I sat down he aggressively spread his legs out. I just looked at him and laughed like really? After about a minute he went back to sitting normal. Like what were you trying to prove?

[@jonathanbowling3129]

Yah, I have seen this same behavior from men and women. Women typically use a bag or coat more than using their bodies to take up more space. So many different reasons for it…lack of social skills or feeling threatened so staking out their territory….or maybe in that particular moment just being obvious.

[@rmp5640]

They are racist big time, but somehow only white people can be racist in this modern world which is crazy.

[@alexven92]

He just didn't want you sitting next to him

[@ericlovestztot3626]

I'm a very white-skin european fat guy and I've been in japaneese onsen and bathes and I had a wonderfull experience with japanese men who came next to me to socialize and talk in a very friendly and cool way. For me, japaneese people aren't so different than other people on the planet ! I feel super cool and great in Tokyo !

[@jamiehamilton5428]

They want free English lessons

[@deborahczepiel7355]

I lived in Japan for the first time in1955 and was blue eyed and had platinum hair. I was like a rock star, groups would follow me all over, I was only 5 and it was kind of scary for me. They also had no problem touching my hair and pulling on it. I loved Japan though and most of the people were very friendly and kind

[@askapk]

As a bigger dude, people don't want to sit next to me in my country either. Lol. I wouldn't even feel out of place.

[@elsiestormont1366]

😊❤

[@anthonyholton2886]

I experienced a tiny bit of this in Japan, but it was survivable. And to be completely fair, there are people I avoid sitting next to on trains and buses in my own city. Almost everyone I met there was welcoming; especially other men my age. I suspect that a lot of Japanese people are aware of the issue, and actually go out of their way to not be hurtful.

[@jonathanbowling3129]

I was coming here to say the same thing. Should we shame them for not being comfortable?

[@frankmarquez6934]

I spent 3 1/2 years in Tokyo in the early 90s. A native Nebraskan, I was mistaken for being Filipino due to my Hispanic heritage, and was kind of given a pass, while my gaijin colleagues were not, openly shunned for their foreign shells, given that they were all mostly American and serving in the military. Sad, but true. I had a friend who guided me through parts of Tokyo and the countryside where few gaijin rarely trod, and the native Japanese looked at us like we were from a different planet. I believe many of the Japanese people, being an island nation rarely encounter foreigners, and that may be a big part of it. Living in rural Nebraska for most of my life, I can see how that works. Many of the white people here stick to the old social norms rarely accepting outsiders.

[@ravenbird3014]

It was still like this in the 2010s. I am a half Filipino so they always thought I was from Oki. My obviously white friends always used me to score tables to sit at because they would be politely denied. One of my friends was a pretty blonde girl who they either fawned over or spit at her feet.

[@mattskalicky]

My daughter did a post graduate student exchange in Yokohama many years ago. On her last night her class went to a local bar. It was a mixed class of Japanese and foreigners. The owner got very upset after a while and started shouting at them. He didn't realise they spoke fluent Japanese. He was quite surprised when not only did they respond to him politely but firmly in Japanese but some of the patrons also came to their defence and told him to stop embarrassing himself. She said that was the only real "foreigner" issue she had the whole time she was there (about 9 months).

[@ricefieldrecords]

I'm an EXPAT caucasian American retired male and I don't have this same problem for myself. Japanese nationals sit next to me all the time; elderly men & women, salarymen, children and single women. I adopt their mannerisms; I don't talk, I sit up straight, look forward and I don't cross my legs. I give a slight bow of the head if I need to make room for them sitting down next to me and vice versa. I'm average looking, average height, average dressing, with no tattoos or piercings. I've been married to a Japanese national >30 years, but that does not change my appearance; it informs my demeanor.

[@connorgaskill7653]

@@ricefieldrecords Same. 20 something white dude. People will sit next to me if it's closer, never thought twice about it.

[@user-vz5gi5tw9x]

Yep, the gaijin seat thing is obviously a myth. For example, if you ride a train in Japan 10 or 20 times, there might be one time where no one sits around you, but people on social media bring up this partial experience and say things like "Nooooooo Japanese people are racist! No one sits around you in Japan!" To be honest, everything about Japan tends to be exaggerated on social media.

[@pigbenis274]

Same here

[@jishani1]

You'll never be one of them. No matter how much you pretend.

[@pigbenis274]

@@jishani1 I don't care about being "one of them". Why would you move to another country and demand people to call you something you're not? You're a weeb who's just bitter that he doesn't fit in in Japan, or that you'll never even get to go there

[@asianvibes28]

They fear of you to talk to them in a foreign language

[@Dieu_regne]

As a westerner, I lived there for five years, and nobody avoided sitting next to me either in Kanto or Kansai. Would have been more comfortable for me if they did! 😅

[@posaiduck1131]

Exactly my experience in Kanagawa.

[@davidfrancis273]

Agreed. I`m a white, British man, I`ve lived in Tokyo for 4 years and I`ve never noticed it.

[@antarca3213]

Same here, I'm a white man, and have been in japan for 3 months now, japanese people don't avoid me neither.

[@MsAddams06]

I was once in an overcrowded train and a lady was standing with nowhere to sit. So I stood up so she could sit down. She would sit down and probably think I was going to get off. But i stayed for some stops. Felt so cool knowing she realized i stood up only so she could sit

[@MsAddams06]

This was in japan btw

[@takakazushi6703]

I did that as well for senior citizens needing a seat on the train. Figured I had to "show the flag" that foreigners were people with good hearts too. Living in Japan made me a better person & less selfish all the way around. Lord knows I needed the improvement.

[@Kitbats]

You're smart for not offering the seat and just stand. I was sitting on a bench waiting for a train in Japan. The bench had 3 seats, and 1 was remaining. An elderly Jap couple passed by and the husband sat down. I offered my seat, but the wife declined "daijoubi daijoubi." Later on the other guy sitting on the bench left and the wife sat down not long after😂 maybe I was too aggressive in offering my seat lol

[@annausagi]

It may be naive of me, but after 6 years in Japan it has always been my impression that it is very normal that Japanese people leave one empty seat between them and a stranger whenever possible, foreigner or not. Which includes scooting on further away seats when possible. I only get obviously gaijin seated on rare occasions in the deep countryside.

[@miked7172]

The first time I vacationed in Japan with my family was in 1982. I found the Japanese at that time to be so helpful and happy. My best experience was going to the train station in Osaka trying to go to Kyoto. No English written anywhere and only ticket dispensing machines. I stopped an old lady, pointed to the ticket machines and said "Kyoto". She took me by the hand, took my money and bought the tickets for me. Then on the train I asked a group of businessmen if any spoke English. One man said he did. I asked if it was the right train to Kyoto. He told me that we would have to change trains at a specific station. When we arrived at the station, he got off the train with us to find out which track we had go to for the next train. Then he stood at the platform where he got off and waited for the next train to continue his journey to work. I would never see that level of kindness anywhere else in the world.

[@gutrevisan]

This is is the Japanese way of essence. I love Japan for this kind of attitude.

[@electronsauce]

I've lived in Sapporo for about a year and a half. While I have noticed it a little bit, I don't really have this experience. I'm a big dude by American standards so... 1) Smell. I can (or used to be for some reason it has changed over time) somebody who expires a little quicker than anyone so I am very conscious about it. Every single time I'm in a situation where I'm taking a train, since I'm going out, I shower immediately before it and I use this toner that smells like soap. It's a light and nice scent. No strong cologne or anything. I swear this is the best smell a person can have. It is sooooooooooo humid in Japan. Sapporo is at least cool most of the year. 2) Again, giant dude. I'll try and sit in the corner rather than the middle, but this is a problem in America too. If I'm sitting in the middle its going to be uncomfortable for people next to me. In this case, I'll just let somebody sit down if its the only seat available. 3) This has nothing to do with trains, but just life in general from moving to Japan. I'm 6'4" like 350 lbs and my wife is 4'10" 100 lbs. People stare all the time. This isn't chikan related, but I / we absolutely stand out. It bothered me at first, but I just got over it. I just say hi. 4) Same as #3. That white family explains the odd feeling perfectly, but again like you said, people usually LOVE trying to talk to me. It definitely gives you incentive to upgrade your Japanese level :) In conclusion, I'm not sure if its because I'm a foreigner, a giant person or a combination of both, but you'll experience a little oddities, but for the most part, people will treat you with a lot of respect, and don't take the slight offenses too personally.

[@CarsandBikes]

Between 80 and 95% of East Asians have a dysfunction of the ABCCII gene, which is linked to smelly pits, a number of studies say. Body odor is primarily associated with apocrine sweat glands, found in the armpit and groin areas. For those without the mutation in the ABCC11 gene, protein in those sweat glands helps transport fatty compounds, or lipids, from the cell into the sweat. The bacteria on the skin breaks down those lipids in the oilier, thicker sweat to produce body odor. But for those with the mutation, the protein doesn’t function that way. That transporter doesn’t work. And we don’t have those same lipids that cross into the earwax and into the sweat, a dysfunctional ABCC11 gene is also connected to drier, less goopy earwax. So less of that means less body odor, and also translates to dry earwax. While an overwhelming amount of East Asians have the mutation, it is present in only up to 3% of European populations.

[@larsstougaard7097]

Very detailed and fascinating 👌

[@CarsandBikes]

Additionally, folks from Africa have the most and largest aprocine glands.

[@MyghtyMykey]

Came to say this! Sweat =/= body odor. While I don't think it is right to assume every "foreigner" smells bad, it is a scientific fact that East Asians are less likely to have body odor.

[@TransoceanicOutreach]

'a number of studies say' - can you perhaps give us the title of one from a peer-reviewed journal?

[@overthewebb]

@@TransoceanicOutreach I'm surprised you asked for this, as it's been common knowledge for some time. Here's a title, there are lots more online. Google is your friend, instead of trying to catch people out when you are in the wrong. That's twice you have made comments like this. Martin A, Saathoff M, Kuhn F, Max H, Terstegen L, Natsch A. A functional ABCC11 allele is essential in the biochemical formation of human axillary odor. J Invest Dermatol. 2010 Feb;130(2):529-40. doi: 10.1038/jid.2009.254. Epub 2009 Aug 27. PMID: 19710689.

[@omniglot]

I spent a semester in Japan studying Japanese at a university near Osaka back in 1991. I stayed with a Japanese family and took the train every day. Some people were surprised to see a foreigner, but I don't remember people not sitting or standing next to me. The train was usually crowded so I rarely got I seat, and I'm 5'6", so not intimidatingly tall, even by Japanese standards.

[@cheeneep]

As an introvert, I don't really mind people avoiding me on trains. But intentionally being rude to others definitely should not have a place in any society.

[@blakedavis4262]

Anming your content is second to none. I love these videos!

[@Rawbtala]

6’1” 220lbs Filipino-American man here. People sit next to me all the time. Sorry if this happens to you, hope it doesn’t ruin your trip.

[@jimross7648]

I am by no means a Japanese etiquette expert, but in my travels in Asia, I found it cuts both ways. I've had people both move away from me and move beside me, because I was a obviously foreign person. I've never taken it personally, because I'll move if it gives me a clearer view of train display so I don't miss my station. On my last trip I was on a train when I saw a guy clock me where I was sitting at the far end of the car from him. He made a bee line for me and I thought what going to happen. He simply wanted to shake my hand, and welcome me to Japan. After this polite exchange he went back to the spot he had at the far end of the car from me. Although I don't take public transportation much in my home country because it is mostly in cities. I've got to drive to get to the city so unless it's really inconvenient I'm taking my vehicle. However, even here people move to get more room, better views, or disinclination to interact with other people. People are people, and there are many reasons why they do what they do. Great video as always.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks Jim! That’s so cool that a Japanese man came over to give you a handshake. It’s not everyday that you get to see a Canadian cowboy in Tokyo. Ha ha

[@GidarGaming]

Nobody is obligated to want to sit right next to you. Even in America people avoid others because they seem suspicious, annoying, off-putting, intimidating, or different in some way.

[@ManMussSchweigen]

I was born and raised in Japan. I’m genetically Japanese. And I also experience the avoidance, not always but quite often. People don’t wanna sit next to me on the train. It could be my physique(i’m moderately jacked), my military-ish wardrobe, or my grumpy looking face, it could be anything. I personally think it’s just some survival instincts. Bears are scared of humans just until they find out that they’re 100 times stronger than humans. It’s not reasonable but we have to bear with it.

[@malareygordon2563]

You have always been one of the most respectful KZbinrs here. Keep doing what you've always done, I love your videos and apparently a whole lotta other people too.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you so much. That means a lot.

[@gonkiciyamyam7222]

An American youtuber once asked me in the middle of a Shibuya crossing, "Why are there all Asians here? You're the ones pulling the rickshaw for us Westerners, aren't you? Why are you all dressed so nicely and happily walking down the streets of Shibuya?" I saw a video of him venting his anger. When you say "Asians" you probably mean us Japanese, but why should we who live in Japan act like slaves to Westerners? Are you trying to say that not conforming to western values is racist, or are you trying to tell us what we need to change in a country where 90% of the population is of the same race, or vice versa?

[@kmilton1593]

(I am an old farmer from western Canada; Oriental Pearl, I would be happy to sit beside you!)

[@roberttoodie275]

Best comment here, so far..(I second this). If an attractive woman sits next to me..I one hundred percent would not get up

[@ATHIP12]

Your channel is so calming to me because it is a reminder that we're all human. All day long we are bombarded with articles about our differences, and it is nice to come here for a change of pace. It makes me want to travel and find the good in people. Thanks!

[@OrientalPearl]

I’m so glad that you find my channel calming.

[@ary5829]

When I studied abroad in Japan, I expected the empty seat treatment. But surprisingly, it never happened to me! I sweat, I wear a lot of deodorant, I have smelly perfumes, I’m bigger bodied AND I’m the furthest looking thing from Asian. But six months of riding the train daily, and I was sat next to and sometimes squished. Obviously I’m not saying this never happens but I’m still in shock it never happened to me.

[@yougear]

Dude. Being 2nd gen Korean born and raised in America in the 70's and 80's on the East Coast was super racist. I had 5 siblings attend Harvard and heard "Wow your not as greasy as the others." White people are always surprised when it happens to them. For me and others it's everyday. Still today. I've been to the Midwest and Arkansas.

[@brendadegroot]

I became concerned about my size overnight when landing in Japan. From being "tiny" in The Netherlands to being "giant" in Japan was quite the experience!

[@duxnihilo]

You got the Alice in the Wonderland experience.

[@trex9263]

An old U.S. Navy vet co-worker, who served during the Vietnam War, said he never met a more racist group of people than the Japanese. That was his opinion and he stuck to it.

[@MHVideos777]

To add to the 'odor' conversation - there's a level of nuance that isn't frankly discussed in an honest way when topics like this come up in ANY country. The reality is that different people from different cultures/ethnicities DO tend to have different scents that are influenced by things like diet, genetics, and hygiene/clothes washing practices that differ from culture to culture. Every person smells different, but different cultures tend to have more in common with each other in this regard due to the aforementioned reasons. That doesn't automatically mean that other people automatically 'stink' to others - it does mean that more conservative/less 'direct' cultures like Japan who value not rocking the boat are a lot more likely to simply avoid being put into a situation that MIGHT be awkward than to try and find out.

[@NoSugarThanks]

Stereotypes: East Asia - Fish Indians -curry French-onions anymore??😆

[@martcp71]

You make an excellent point. When I worked one winter in South Korea in the early 2000s I was at first taken aback by the strong garlic odor in the office. I learned to live with it. I love Korean food and about a month later I was alone when I noticed a strong garlic odor. Then I sniffed my shirt and realized that was how I now smelled!

[@TransoceanicOutreach]

Genetics? How can you possibly know, have you done some DNA studies recently?

[@arthouston7361]

I flew with another pilot when I was doing air charters, and he told me that the Air France planes always smelled bad because the French do not bathe as frequently as others do. I'm not sure if that is true, but he was very insistent about it.

[@AudunWangen]

​@@NoSugarThanksI've heard someone say Scandinavians smell like sour milk or deary. I had some African friends, and they had a pleasant smell of earthy beans, and they did eat a lot of beans.

[@roybateman5840]

Japanese people might be afraid that the foreigner on the train will ask for directions and then they'd be responsible for giving them directions in English and embarassed about their poor English. I've had some good experiences when Japanese people with excellent English would sit next to me and tell me their life stories or share their views on American politics.

[@tsdfghjkl]

I don't know why content creators have coined the term “gaijin seat” and made it a specific Japanese problem, but it is a universal thing. You know in the West, blacks and Muslims in particular tend to be avoided, and that during the pandemic, Asians were excessively avoided simply because they were Asians

[@OrientalPearl]

You’re right, it’s not actually a Japan-specific thing.

[@DenzelPF-jl4lj]

Nobody said it's just an Asian problem

[@svenno9951]

Nice to hear pure honesty for an uncomfortable subject and told in a positive sweet way somehow!

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you. I’m glad you liked the tone of this video.

[@AshinAsia]

I actually like being different in these countries. I feel like a foreigner in my own country these days, but in China especially, which is my favourite country, as I speak a bit, I like listening to what people say!

[@paulwalther5237]

It’s nice to have the extra room but if you’re struggling with loneliness or feeling isolated in Japan it kind of reminds you of that which doesn’t help.

[@fredfred2363]

What a great video. Really enlightening. It's always good to understand other cultures. I often wonder if there's another youtuber doing the exact same for the Japanese culture in the west.

[@Sliverbane]

Can't say I did. And I am black...if that even matters. (This experience was rush hour in Tokyo) I entered a train and sat down at the same moment a young man did....I looked up to see the worried faces of his friends, who had missed the chance to sit by their friend who was to my left. There was room to my right so I moved over so all three could sit together. They looked very happy. I hoped their estimation of foreigners improved. No one ever hesitated...but this was Tokyo so maybe they were more relaxed about foreigners. Edit: My first visit was in the middle of August 2001 (Yes, I dodged 9/11 by weeks)...EVERYONE WAS SWEATY. But every one smelled fresh for the most part.

[@RadiantTwilight]

never had that issue in 2 months of travelling all over japan, though ofc in Shinkansen the seats are reserved... Was conscious about Asian sense of smell though and showered twice each day^^

[@Aaron-kr7rj]

From my experience as a large man, its usually the space. Japanese people dont want to be touching the bodies of the people next to them if they dont have to and they want space for their shoulders. If I have spaces on either side of me i usually scoot over to the left or the right which leaves enough space for one person to sit and they usually do.

[@connorgaskill7653]

I go to Osaka and surrounding areas to visit friends every year and I haven't noticed this. People there tend not to care, even going out of their way to help me find somewhere, or invite me into their homes (happened to me once in Osaka and again in Nara). I think it depends on the area (Tokyo and Kyoto being generally "colder"), but Osakans seem to like foreigners (provided you act right and be respectful). Also, bringing candy helps a ton. Japanese really like novelty food, and bringing American omiyage in the form of Reece's (better if something state specific) works super well as a small "thank you."

[@JBG1968]

Reese’s is often requested by some of my Japanese friends when I visit . I also have Japanese friends who love pretzels . Especially chocolate covered pretzels

[@connorgaskill7653]

@@JBG1968 You have to bring Reece's take 5 bars! Crowd favorite out of all the candy I bring. The salted pretzel in the middle always gets a reaction lol.

[@Cookieboymonster1962]

In the days immediately following Covid everyone wore masks on the trains all the time. On a trip through Tokyo suburbia there was a empty seat next to me. Directly opposite was a young maskless Japanese man who also had an empty seat next to him. People got on, looked at me, looked at him, looked back at me, then back at the maskless man. Three times out of three during that long journey they chose to sit next to me, the foreigner, rather than the maskless man. It was like a sociological experiment and all I was doing was sitting there.

[@TheMoonKingdom]

Honestly as a young African American, visiting in the early 2000s, my experience was that I felt more welcome in japan, than in my own birth country. My brother lived in Japan, for over ten years, & overt rudeness was rare. Sometimes, children would stare, but overall; everyone was nice. As a martial artist, I was also concerned that martial artist in Japan, might be chauvinistic about foreigners practicing Japanese martial arts, but I was shown so much respect, & realized I was the one carrying a fear based prejudice. The only negative example my brother mentioned, was that he once tried to by a new computer, & the shop owner panicked because he was afraid that his English wasn't good enough. My brother explained that he spoke Japanese, but the shop owner was so nervous that he just kept repeating, "No English, no English..." :)

[@devo076]

So what is your birth country?

[@TheMoonKingdom]

@@devo076 The United States:)

[@person880]

@@devo076 Didn't "African American" answer this question?

[@BronteBlu2]

Perfume, especially those I call Vapor Queens, who drown themselves in perfume can give me a major headache verging on migraines.

[@mkaizen1756]

I'm Brazilian with South korea descent and i ve suffered from these discrimination in Tokyo and South Korea when i said to people that i came from Brasil that is associated with dirty smell or something, underdeveloped country. When I didn't talk about my origin, i was treated like native person kkkk😅😅😅 Im 100% sure about racism in both countries Japan and South korea because these racists living in their buble life without knowing the entire world, but dont feel bad about being foreign and treated like a strange, just try to live ur life for better world and evolve spiritually to another plan of life.

[@karenjonstone8763]

I don't know why it hasn't occurred to people they do it because they are shy or being respectful. I think they don't want to upset or inconvenience the foreigner or to publicly reply to conversation in front of everyone with poor English or maybe just want to give the foreigner some space and worried about swamping the foreigner. Not sure how smell, size, chikan, or racism were considered before the most obvious and common Japanese trait.

[@Scollsy]

Yes I think its pretty obviosly explained by their genetic shyness and general anxiety. Occams razor. Give them a break.

[@kazza3075]

Yep. Its like when the teacher picks on the person next to you - you feel vulnerable and maybe the next target. Everyone is thinking and sneaking looks at the interesting foreigner. If you sit next to them you are also the focus of attention. Japanese will do anything to avoid being in the focus of attention sphere because they are shy.

[@BrendonThomas-p7g]

They used to do it 20 years ago when I was living there. I used to love it I’d be able to stretch out while the Japanese were all packed in.

[@mt-cn7on]

同じ人種が人口の大半を占める国では大体同じ事が起きます アジア人がほぼいない国に行くと私の横に座る人は少ないです😂

[@Scarcheeze]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@noxnox7445]

truth🤣😂🤣😂

[@tlspud]

I find it so fascinating that Japan is still so homogeneous. They are clearly deeply committed to their culture and heritage. I find your content really compelling, despite the fact that I really have no desire to travel to Japan. (Let's face it, I just wouldn't physically fit into those train seats.🤣) But, I'm almost mesmerized by their ways and how different it is from what I'm used to. You do a great job bringing an honest and good-hearted perspective and I really enjoy your work. Best to you and your husband!

[@gbautista100]

This was the best most balanced/comprehensive video I've seen on this. Great job

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you so much. I’m really glad to hear that because I know a few people have already covered the topic.

[@MFI-Miami]

When I was in Japan in the 90s, I never had this problem. But I usually stood on the train to save a seat for an old person or a pregnant woman. When I did sit, people did sit next to me. My friend did get his rib broken by an 80 year old woman in a Kimono at Tokyo station when she elbowed him in the ribs to get him to move out her way.

[@technogale]

Very well done video as always, very informative as well.

[@OrientalPearl]

Glad you enjoyed it. I’ve been wanting to make this one for a long time.

[@TNitroH]

I was there in 1993. I didn't notice it but maybe it happened. They were very polite of course too. Good video!

[@sunahamanagai9039]

6:07 What this woman was saying was confusing. I'm a native Japanese speaker and I know this woman is also. She was saying that when they got in the pool, people said "Foreigners!" and came towards them, and when they moved, people moved with them, too. She said 寄る, meaning come towards or come near, which would contradict the point of this video, so I am left confused.

[@regularjohn8768]

nice catch so it was just curiosity

[@marcusgrant2892]

Maybe it's you? People there always sat next to me. Especially kids and the elderly.

[@j-paulvillagomez8875]

You have to remember, it's not just nowadays or even back in the 1980s it goes all the way back to the feudal age of Japan. If you are not Japanese you were killed by samurai because it was illegal for non-japanese to be in Japan. I mean I'm from Guam, My grandmother would tell me stories when I was a kid and how during world war II she was 9 years old and she would tell us about how she would hear people yelling running through the village screaming the Japanese soldiers are coming, they would run into the jungle and hide because if they didn't they were killed or someone was found and they were made an example of because we were the wrong race we were not Japanese so we were looked down upon

[@Pokingthebear999]

I was a public transit bus driver for 14 years. Over the years, I noticed people are more comfortable with their own kind. In our subconscious minds, we tend to self-segregation.

[@takakazushi6703]

Yep. Look at the jails in the USA. They don't even TRY to separate the self forming groups or try to enforce integration. Hmmm wonder why???

[@ghreyy1]

That was very interesting .... I was in the Japan in the mid-70s with the US Navy. I didn't experience any of that in fact we take the train down to Ginza /Tokyo the Japanese would flock to us. They want to try out their English they are very polite they couldn't do enough for you if you didn't know what train to get on they would point you in the right direction show you what to do how to pay etc. I do remember incident where we took the train into Tokyo. We came out of the train station to all these people that were dressed in red mask, hats and signs. They were protesting about nuclear power. It was funny we just exited the train station got outside and there was at least a thousand people staring at us... the whole crowd got quiet .... we went back in the train station and went out the back door. good food good times!! I really enjoy your channel... thanks !

[@DaeberethwenArbenlow]

When I was a blonde kid in Japan in the 90s I got a lot more attention and people wanting to take photos with me or of me. I went back for vacation this summer and no one avoided me on the train, though I did get stared at (I have pastel rainbow colors in my hair). Only one lady asked for a photo of me at a shrine in Kanagawa. Otherwise it mostly felt like I was treated like a regular person. I was only in tokyo and the greater tokyo area though, I'm sure if I went somewhere more rural it could be very different. My fashion is a little more colorful than Japan, but I didn't wear anything that showed too much skin and I think that also helped to make Japanese people feel more comfortable around me. I think being very cognizant of cultural rules helps too, like I put my bags on the front of my body, didn't talk loudly (like you mention), etc.

[@ARKSAAXX-ys9gz]

I'm 100% Japanese, born and raised in Japan, but even I sometimes experience the gaijin seat. I mean, Japanese people sometimes keep their distance from other Japanese people, even if they are Japanese. Rather than gaijin seat, Japanese people simply keep their distance from others.

[@maxxjapan619]

SOMETIMES I've had people avoid me on trains. It's not often (usually when I'm going to work it's rush hour and people aren't going to worry that much about who's next to them), but once in awhile it happens. Sometimes it's even rather blatant. As in, people see me, and just stand up and walk away even if they're not getting off at the next stop. When I'm on the train, I at the very least try to observe the rules of trains in Japan; carry my bag in front it I'm standing, leave it in my lap when I'm sitting.

[@danl.909]

Racism? No-o-o-o! Never!

[@TheShiningEnergy]

they've been brainwashed.

[@eden1588]

Thank you for having the courage to post about this issue. It is real I’ve had this happen to me frequently when I was in Japan (more so in the 90’s than now I must admit). It did, however, make me wonder. Firstly, I am a very small female. I weigh about 45kg and I’m 165cm tall which is smaller than most Japanese these days. Secondly, I do not smell or wear offensive levels of perfume. I’m not loud, touchy-feely or obnoxious in any way shape or form. This leaves me with only one reason for this aversion: the hard R! It just is what it is. Again, thank you, Oriental Pearl for being courageous enough to post this.

[@bingbangboom6990]

I think people are looking for something to criticize. I spent 1 year in Japan and I'm 6 feet 3 Irish American inches and never had bad experience. I would do this myself when I enter train I look for most empty spot because I like my space. Opposite I found strange if someone sits next to you in a semi empty train, I would think person is strange. So I can see some situations where person would get up & move. Don't forget, people sometimes tell lies or exaggerate to make their dull stories more interster or seeking sympathy. 🤔 Japanese people and country were so friendly. Don't change your culture 🙏

[@DenzelPF-jl4lj]

Only because you didn't experience it, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. Maybe you just don't perceive situations in that way. Clearly there are enough examples stated in the video. And why should racism not exist in Japan? It exists everywhere... We are all human, saying otherwise that Japan is an exception or whatever could even be seen as racist, too 😅 And the video is not really negative at all, so I don't understand why you're angry in the first place 😊

[@mrbondohrama]

I can honestly say from my experiences traveling in Asia they seemed most worried about having to speak English to me.

[@CarbonatedTurtle]

My Japanese wife sweats even more than me, a Canadian. But I've gotta admit, she doesn't have much of an odor when she sweats, if any at all, and she's never worn deodorant in her life. I wish I could say the same for myself. 😄

[@georgehilario3544]

Stop lying, also it’s normal to have body odor from sweat , your girlfriend isn’t superwoman and I recommend her using hygienic products bro 😂

[@CarbonatedTurtle]

@@georgehilario3544Do you have access to Google? You could've looked this up for yourself. Deodorant is much less common in Japan than in western countries because a vast majority of East Asian people have a gene mutation that makes their body odor significantly less strong. If you ever get a girlfriend or a wife yourself, maybe you can tell her what unnecessary things she should do with her body, "bro".

[@CarbonatedTurtle]

@@georgehilario3544 A vast majority of East Asians have a gene mutation that causes them to have little to no body odor. This is why deodorant use in Japan is much less than it is in western countries.

[@georgehilario3544]

@@CarbonatedTurtle cap bro. Seafood diet

[@CarbonatedTurtle]

@@georgehilario3544 Just Google it.

[@Col_Fragg]

I’ve lived in Korea and Japan. While it doesn’t always happen, the whole empty seat thing happens often enough that I don’t even think about it. It’s just the norm. Though I will say that it is often only on one side. Many of the “reasons” put forward in the video sound like people overthinking too much. IMO, the primary reason that Japanese avoid sitting next to foreigners is that they are afraid that the foreigner will strike up a conversation with them in English and that’s something that they want to avoid because they are not confident in their English speaking ability and don’t want to subject themselves to the embarrassment. At least that’s always been my theory. I would certainly prefer that explanation over the explanation that “Japanese are racists.”

[@zacharikurbah6358]

This is amazing video 🫶🏻

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks for being one of the first people to see it.

[@darkstatehk]

Lived in Asia for over 20 years. Reason given multiple times was that the locals were afraid of having to deal with speaking English, meaning foreigners sat next to them on a bus, train etc would always try to strike up a conversation (in a friendly way.)

[@Asahiart]

social distancing has always been an easy thing for foreigners in Japan :D, joke aside , it happened but not as much as one would believe , but of course we remember those times the most . I also had some of my best interaction in the train , drunk salarymen saying that i look like spiderman (lol) and we all had funny conversation the whole trip making the whole car laugh , obasan that wanted her portrait drawn ( i was sketching a bit during commute) and REALLY insisted to pay me ichiman yen for it , so many good moments :) I have heard also that they are scared that foreigners start to talk to them or ask them directions , hence why they dont want to sit next to us :D

[@jamiehamilton5428]

I do get this quite often but of course it depends. Some Japanese don’t mind sitting next to me - some areas of Tokyo have many international people, so some Japanese are more used to it than others. I don’t think too much about it, in fact far from being offended, I spread out my bags and enjoy the space. If they want to be so silly, they’re most welcome.

[@KERRYPIKE]

Japan is very beautiful place to visit.

[@trude_in_adelaide]

I love it. Been twice. Going back next year

[@petticrew105]

I am a 6'2, 230lb white American who has been living in Japan for 3 years now. Even though I am a bit taller and bigger than most men here in Japan, I've never had an empty seat next to me not be filled by man or woman. I've always felt welcomed in any place i've ever been. Japanese people are the kindest people i've ever encountered. If there are racists here, they do a fantastic job of hiding it.

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

A relic left from the past.. yep, it happens every now and then but it doesn’t bother me .. I hadn’t thought about it much until you asked :)

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks for your help with this video Nathan. It’s so ironic that this finally happened to you in Japan after all these trips.

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

@@OrientalPearl yea 10 years!

[@Madonnalitta1]

It's natural to be weary of something different. Japanese know how Japanese behave, and what is expected of them. Foreigners do not.

[@geoffmaloney2717]

Travelling in Japan in 2009 with my wife, we definitely came across this avoidance issue. First night with our Japanese speaking friend at a bar, she sat next to a couple and they immediately moved. She would tell us every time a Japanese would say something racist about us which was frequently. To say that Japanese are not racist is disingenuous. However it was a good learning experience. As a white male from Australia, I got to experience for two weeks what many experience probably evey day of their lives. I have been to China, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Malaysia and never experienced the blatant avoidance because of race, like in Japan. I revisit many countries, but have not been back to Japan.

[@socks_cat356]

It's because it's cramped when a fat or large person sits next to you on the train.

[@geoffmaloney2717]

@@socks_cat356 I am not either. Even the homeless guy drinking from a brown paper bag on the train moved. They could not be more blatant in their overt racism.

[@socks_cat356]

This is not racism. Train seats are recessed to accommodate the average Japanese person's build. In general, people are careful not to relax too much to avoid physical contact with the person next to them. If a larger person sits down, it can be very uncomfortable. Most foreigners living in Japan are Chinese, and their build is similar to Japanese people, so they don't have any problems.

[@geoffmaloney2717]

@socks_cat356 yes it is. Japanese are the most racist people I have encountered in Asia. Disgraceful the way they treat visitors to their country.

[@jojoyvan1952]

Yeah, I'm still going to Japan. Even if it turns out that people don't want to sit next to me, etc, I really just want to experience Japan for myself and learn more while I'm there. Great video on this topic! I remember the first video and was a little surprised to see this up from just a couple hours ago until I saw your explanation. Thank you for sharing again.

[@1256giff]

No it's not Racist. A lot of them don't mix with non Japanese, so they get nervous.

[@DenzelPF-jl4lj]

That's a clear definition of racism 😂

[@gutrevisan]

Sure! Here’s the translation: I am Brazilian, married to Nikkey (the granddaughter of Japanese who live in Brazil). Throughout my life, I have lived alongside the Japanese community in Brazil, and there have always been those who harbored xenophobia (both Brazilians towards the Japanese and vice versa). When I was in Japan in 2023, I experienced what it is like to be a "gaijin." I encountered the "opposite" of what I had seen in Brazil. The issue of seating on trains and buses was also confirmed for me. However, I see it as a process; a society that has remained closed to "gaijin" for so long requires time for the assimilation of "different" people into its physical, cultural, and social space. I do not view incidents like those on trains and buses as a discredit to foreigners. In Sapporo (where I stayed for 70 days), I enjoyed being the only "gaijin" because it allowed me to perceive how Japanese citizens were (or were not) receptive to foreigners. What I observed (during the Obon holiday) was that many foreigners (Europeans) did not respect Japanese social etiquette norms. Being white, weighing 95 kg, and standing at 1.80 m, I was often mistaken for American. When I stated that I was Brazilian and married to a Nikkey, the citizens became curious (they are unfamiliar with the history of Japanese immigration to Brazil). When I introduced myself as a professor, the treatment was entirely different. The Japanese respect certain professions as part of a very hierarchical and respectful structure. Oh! A tip: If you plan to visit Japan, learn the rules of social etiquette and respect the citizens. By the way, I have always been treated very well in the country. Much better than in my own country. I love Japan. Always .

[@Sandra-Sarinya]

โชคดีที่คนญี่ปุ่นไม่ใช่คนชาตินิยมเลยและไม่แบ่งแยกเชื้อชาติอย่างแน่นอน นั่นทำให้ฉันสงบลง 🤭

[@HaitaniMasayuki]

As far as I understood, Japanese people sweat as much as everybody else, but they are less prone to develop a "sweaty smell". Apparently that got something to do with the bacteria you got on your skin that produce that smell, and for Japanese people those are weaker, or differen? Also,weird fact, this smell part is directly tied to your ear wax! Japanese people seem to have very dry, flakey ear wax. I'm sure there are exceptions to these rules though.

[@ladyyaya6782]

I am so glad you have your channel back❤

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks. I never lost the channel, but there was a strike against it and I got it cleared.

[@ladyyaya6782]

@@OrientalPearl That’s a relief. 😊❤️

[@jgalla5549]

I respect their right to freedom of association. I don't need to insert myself or my race into Japanese culture and expect 100% cooperation and capitulation. Japan is culturally better than the west in many measurable, demonstrable ways for a reason. Because its 99% ethnically Japanese. The Japanese deserve to do as they please in Japan, and deserve to have their own cultural way and autonomy, they shouldn't be forced to change for foreigners in their own homeland. Same should go for the US and Britain or any country, but we've lost that right in the west, but that's a whole other rabbit hole.

[@Rationalizer-cp3ml]

Saying No Racism Challenge : Hard Version

[@danhard8440]

i 100% agree about the perfume because there is some old lady type perfume that will send me packin for the hills🤣

[@s0wndman949]

America is such a melting pot, it really is strange to look at a country that isn’t. Having never been outside the US myself, the way it has been demonstrated that foreigners are sometimes treated in Japan seems like open racism. Similar to how people that live in the US might treat immigrants from the south or other countries that have not fully Americanized. I try to remind myself that Japan is not a melting pot and things have developed differently there, but it still feels a little icky.

[@noxnox7445]

From my point of view, it's strange that America has a culture where you're condemned for not acting racially correct. For example, if a white person wears dreadlocks in the style of a black person, he or she is condemned. Maybe it's because America is such a melting pot. This kind of problem is not so common in other parts of Europe and Asia.

[@GidarGaming]

That's because you have been trained by the media to view such things very negatively even if it's just normal and understandable human behavior. Like the saying "making mountains out of molehills".

[@danalawton2986]

I'm a 6 foot 210 pound white older American living in Japan and everytime I ride the train people sit next to me even when there are open seats next to Japanese guys right across from me. It isn't necessarily a "foreigner" thing... the big issue is how many foreigners sit, heck, how many Japanese sit. If you sit with your legs spread a bit at the knees then people will not sit next to you as much... but I sit with my knees almost together and my arms in my lap. Also... don't make eye contact... keep your head down. Was on the train yesterday... right away without hesitation someone sat next to me. So basically... especially in Tokyo... I call BS on this crap.

[@Xanduur]

Smell? When I lived in Korea. The people smelled horrible to me as an American. One of my Korean friends told me the secret was to eat kimchi three times a day and I won’t notice it anymore. Problem solved. When we go to Japan, we stop eating anything with garlic or peppers or milk at least a month before we travel. Racism? I really hate that word because there’s no agreeable definition amongst people as to what they mean by it. The Japanese. “race” is homogeneous. Is it really racism that you don’t want to be near somebody that looks completely different than you? I don’t fault them for it. I enjoy the extra space. I will get up and give the seat to an elderly person or a woman if they’ll take it. Was that Samurai Champloo time travel?

[@askapk]

Yea, that's the definition of racism. Treating people differently based on looks having to do with their ethnicity.

[@geoff_morris]

I have been here for 16 years and I have never experienced this despite riding the train almost daily for all those years.

[@cyriak25]

racism isn't a relic of the past.... but yeah i'm sure it's easier to get along with it when you're a pretty blonde girl in japan than being black in europa xd

[@davidmack4495]

I was in Japan 7 years ago...in the large cities, people were not very friendly...in the smaller towns, they were nice, and made eye contact. I enjoyed my visit...such a clean country, with everything designed so well....and you can buy a beer in a vending machine, and drink it while walking down the street.

[@scar5head]

I worked in an Australian export Industry in the 70's and eighties and we regularly entertained Japanese buyers. The delegations usually consisted of a very senior bureaucrat from MITI aged in their 60's and 70's with a group of significantly younger men (always all men). The older men were usually very unpleasant and made no effort to hide their distaste of foreigners. However, the younger men educated and brought up in the post war era were very different and much easier to work with. One delegation however was shocked when we introduced the Chief executive of one our companies - a 185 cm Blonde lady. The guy from MITI declined to use any of the respectful forms of address towards her, but she a fluent Japanese speaker ignored that and reciprocated with almost exaggerated courtesy. The difference was so marked that 2 of the younger men expressed the hope that there be no mis-understanding, an indication that change was already underway. There are some throwbacks but Japan has changed a lot; they just do not make a song and dance about it.

[@RB9522]

In the 1970's Japanese people were treated as foreigners by Okinawans. Americans were accepted more readily than the Japanese due to hard feelings after WWII. Today, this has changed, but Americans are treated very well. There are no trains here in Okinawa, but I don't often see that extra space when seated in a doctor's office or hospital.

[@MissesWitch]

"Let's use the entire pool!" Oh my goodness that's hilarious!!

[@SnackPatrol]

Not really related to the vid's content but the way the channel card syncs up to the background artwork of the last frame, with the circle itself being part of the design is super cool!