Are foreigners discriminated against in Japan?

Are foreigners discriminated against in Japan? Articles involving prejudice, racism, and xenophobia are recurring on our site and always generate controversies. This time we will look at occasions when foreigners end up being discriminated against in Japan.

Be very careful when reading my article; many readers take what I write too seriously and generalize thinking that all of Japan and the Japanese are prejudiced. Remember that things are relative; if I say this or that, I am talking about a minority and not the majority.

If for some reason, after reading this article, you think that Japanese people are prejudiced, you are the real prejudiced one. Discrimination against foreigners exists in any country; it can be prejudice or it can have another reason. Just read the article without generalizing.

We recommend reading our other articles involving prejudice:

• Japanese suffering prejudice in Brazil;
• How prejudice, racism, and xenophobia are in Japan;
• Signs prohibiting the entry of foreigners;

Meaning of Discrimination – Differentiate, distinguish, classify, group, segregate, separate; An adverse attitude towards a specific characteristic.

Don’t generalize

We are not going to try to downplay the cases of discrimination and prejudice in Japan; they will be in the next paragraphs with strong writing. We just want to say not to worry about it.

Although you may find Japanese people who are prejudiced at heart, or who act prejudiced because they are in groups and do not think about the subject, know that there are other Japanese people.

The Japanese population is 127 million inhabitants, so even if there is 1 prejudiced person for every 10 people, make friends with the rest of those people. Don’t let the hatred of a dozen people take away your joy of living in Japan.

We are not saying that there is 1 prejudiced person for every 10 people in Japan; it is very likely that this number is lower. Unfortunately, human beings like to generalize.

See, for example, suicides in Japan are propagated in a generalized way around the world. Japanese people have a reputation for being suicidal, but only 16 out of 100,000 people commit suicide; it is a high number compared to some countries, but nothing to the point of creating labels.

Fear of Foreigners?

In recent years, there has been an influx of foreigners coming to Japan to work or study. While most of these foreigners are welcomed with open arms, there are some who feel they are being discriminated against.

Japan has a long history of xenophobia, and although it has become more welcoming to foreigners in recent years, there are still those who feel they are being treated as second-class citizens.

There are several reports of foreigners being refused service in restaurants or being asked to leave establishments, and there have also been cases of employers refusing to hire foreigners.

Some argue that discrimination against foreigners is a result of fear of terrorism, as Japan is often targeted by terrorist attacks. However, it cannot be denied that foreigners are sometimes made to feel unwelcome in Japan.

This changes if you are a tourist; often this discrimination happens more in schools, workplaces, and perhaps neighbors in a locality. In general, Japanese people are quite welcoming and kind.

We recommend reading: Learn about Japanese cultural values

Occasions when foreigners are discriminated against in Japan

Unfortunately, foreigners end up finding buildings and apartments in Japan that when trying to rent, they cannot due to being foreigners.

There is a lot of discrimination against foreigners in Japan. Japan is a very homogeneous society, and they do not like people who are different.

Foreigners are often treated as second-class citizens. They do not receive the same opportunities as Japanese people and are often treated with suspicion.

Foreigners are discriminated against in the workplace, in the educational system, and in everyday life. It is very difficult for foreigners to find work in Japan, and even if they do, they are often paid less than Japanese people.

One of the most common examples of discrimination against foreigners is when companies offer discounts or special deals to Japanese people while charging foreigners the full price.

In the educational system, foreigners often do not receive the same opportunities as Japanese students. They do not receive the same financial aid and often have to pay higher tuition fees.

Another common form of discrimination against foreigners in Japan is how they are portrayed in the media. Foreigners are often stereotyped as being lazy, dirty, and untrustworthy. They are also frequently shown as incompetent, which can make it difficult to obtain jobs or be taken seriously.

Sometimes they do not receive the same respect as Japanese people in everyday life, and often have to endure racism and prejudice. In general, life is very difficult for foreigners in Japan. They are constantly confronted with discrimination and prejudice, and this can be very isolating and lonely.

We recommend reading: Thinking about working in Japan’s factories? Think carefully!

What to do if I suffer discrimination in Japan?

If you feel that you are being discriminated against, there are a few things you can do. First, you can try to talk to the person or organization that you feel is discriminating against you.

If they are not willing to listen to your concerns, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. You can also contact your local embassy or consulate for assistance. They can help you resolve the issue or put you in touch with someone who can.

If you are suffering discrimination, it is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many other foreigners who have gone through the same thing. You can find support from your friends, family, or other foreigners who have been in your situation.

Remember, if you suffer any discrimination in Japan, remember that not all Japanese people are like that. You are probably in the wrong environment.