Are foreigners discriminated against in Japan? Articles involving prejudice, racism and xenophobia are recurrent on our site and always generate controversy. This time we will see 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 Japan and the Japanese are prejudiced. Remember that things are relative, if I say this or that, I'm talking about a minority and not the majority.
If for some reason, after reading this article, you think that the Japanese are prejudiced, you are the real prejudice. Discrimination against foreigners exists in any country, it may be prejudice, it may have another reason. Just read the article without generalizing.
We recommend reading our other articles involving prejudice:
- Japanese suffering prejudice in Brazil;
- How is prejudice, racism and xenophobia in Japan;
- Signs prohibiting the entry of foreigners;
Meaning of Discrimination – Differentiate, distinguish, classify, group, segregate, separate; An adverse attitude towards a specific characteristic.
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Do not generalize
We are not going to try to diminish the cases of discrimination and prejudice in Japan, they will be in the next paragraphs with strong writing. We just want to say don't worry about it.
Although you will find Japanese people who are prejudiced at heart, or who act prejudiced by being in groups and not thinking about it, know that there are other Japanese.
The Japanese population is 127 million people, so even if you have 1 prejudiced person in 10, make friends with the rest of these 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 in every 10 people in Japan, it is very likely that this number is lower. Unfortunately, humans like to generalize.
See, for example, suicides in Japan are widespread in the world. Japanese have a reputation for being suicidal, but only 16 out of every 100,000 people commit suicide, 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 while 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 numerous reports of foreigners being refused service in restaurants or being told 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 the target of terrorist attacks. However, it cannot be denied that foreigners are sometimes made to feel that they are not welcome in Japan.
This changes if you are a tourist, often this discrimination happens more in schools, work and maybe neighbors of a locality. In general, the Japanese are very receptive and kind.
We recommend reading: Discover 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 can't because they are foreigners.
There is a lot of discrimination against foreigners in Japan. Japan is a very homogeneous society and they don't like people who are different.
Foreigners are often treated as second-class citizens. They are not given the same opportunities as the Japanese and are often treated with suspicion.
Foreigners are discriminated against in the workplace, in the education 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 while charging foreigners full price.
In the education system, foreigners are often not given the same opportunities as Japanese students. They do not receive the same financial aid and often have to pay higher monthly 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 unreliable. They are also often shown to be incompetent, which can make it difficult to get jobs or be taken seriously.
Sometimes they don't receive the same respect as the Japanese in everyday life, and they often have to put up with racism and prejudice. In general, life is very difficult for foreigners in Japan. They are constantly faced with discrimination and prejudice, and this can be very isolating and lonely.
We recommend reading: Thinking of working in factories in Japan? Think straight!
The article is still halfway through, but we recommend also reading:
What to do if I experience discrimination in Japan?
If you feel like you are being discriminated against, there are a few things you can do. First, you can try talking 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 experiencing discrimination, it is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many other foreigners who have gone through the same thing. You may find support from your friends, family or other foreigners who have been in your situation.
Remember, if you experience any discrimination in Japan, remember that not all Japanese people are like that. You are probably in the wrong environment.
