We have already written several articles addressing the topics of prejudice and racism in Japan, where most of the time I try to make it clear that this is very relative and should not be an obstacle for a person to live in Japan. In this article, we will specifically talk about black people in Japan.
If you research accounts from brown and black people traveling around the world, you will see that Japan was the least problematic country in this regard. Japan, being the most homogeneous country in the world, it is not surprising that Japanese people stare at a foreigner, just as everyone looks due to the simple fact that it is something different. Will you disagree that a brown person in the middle of a crowd of light-skinned, slanted-eyed people will stand out?
Paula Augot travels the world and comments that few places are as racist as Brazil. She said that in Europe people used to stare at her with some insistence, but in Japan, the gazes were shy and rarely made her uncomfortable. She even stated that her skin color was much less noticed than in Brazil.
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How are black people treated in Japan?
The color will not make a difference in the treatment that hospitable and polite Japanese people have towards others. Just as it will not change the way of thinking of racist and prejudiced Japanese people that exist, not against black people but against foreigners in general or even against Japanese people who deviate from the cultural standard defined by that person.
Japanese people like the different, which is why many black people claim to be loved in Japan, and believe that their worst home was their former life in the USA. I personally believe that a black person can be treated better than any other foreigner, as they stand out among the others, and good Japanese people try to make a good impression on them.
There are many black people who have been successful in Japan, including a Brazilian named Roberto Casa Nova who was elected the best karaoke singer in all of Japan among 85,000 people. Another example of a successful black person in Japan is the Brazilian polyglot Júlio.
There is indeed some discrimination against black people in Japan
Not all Japanese people will welcome with open arms things they consider different. If it were that perfect, there wouldn’t be people complaining about prejudice and discrimination in Japan and on social media. It is worth remembering that more than half of the Japanese population is elderly, living in the last century and not accustomed to foreigners in their lands.
A Japanese person himself stated that he had been racist in an internet video. He even taught foreigners and noticed that some black people complained about discrimination in Japan. Some claim that Japanese people are afraid just to look at them. This made Professor Nobita think that some Japanese people subconsciously or unconsciously discriminate against black people in Japan.
Nobita talked to Japanese friends and really stated that some are afraid, finding black people strange and rude. Unfortunately, it is a common mistake; most people tend to judge things by appearances or by examples of others. Aren’t Brazilians the ones who keep labeling Japanese people as strange and racist?
Don’t think that being black in Japan will be a different and totally happy life away from prejudice and embarrassing situations. Japanese people have a completely different way of acting and doing things, which can leave many uncomfortable and lead to hasty conclusions. The world does not revolve around you, so do not be bothered by any random thing confused with prejudice.
There is a website called locoinyokohama that specifically talks about the life of black people in Japan. There you will find different positive and negative accounts, tips, and advice on how to fit into Japanese society and respect its cultural aspects, making a good impression. The following video in English also shows accounts from black people living in Japan:
How to react to the stares of Japanese people?
Many times I see Brazilians complaining about discrimination and prejudice in Japan, but I end up considering their attitude as racism itself. Many do not make any effort to understand how the Japanese mind works, or do not even learn the Japanese language or respect their customs. People who make an effort in these aspects rarely complain about this issue.
I spent my entire life in Brazil suffering from prejudice, went through a lot of bad things, and I consider these prejudgments from Japanese stares on trains a big fuss (I refer to the pre-judgment). I myself, if I encounter a Japanese person in Brazil, will keep an eye on them, trying to talk to the person, but having a certain fear because of my shyness.
A certain person commented that once there was a Japanese person staring at him on a train, and he simply smiled at the Japanese person, which completely changed the Japanese person’s reaction. Sometimes a simple smile can completely change a person’s expression!
Have you ever tried smiling when someone looks at you or saying good morning? Every now and then you will be ignored and feel uncomfortable, but this always happens in Brazil, and I still do not stop saying good morning or smiling.
Japan has done and still does many bad things in history; we will indeed face difficulties in life, especially if you work with Japanese people in a factory, where most are stressed. I believe that the best way to face these situations is with a positive mindset and a smile on your face; lamenting and complaining will not change anything at all!
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