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Kent
asks, "How does
prejudice in Japan manifest itself? I have heard
that there was once
discrimination against Koreans in Japan. Is the
younger
generation more open to allowing
non-ethnic Japanese to integrate into the society?"
It
seems to me that prejudice is very much a part of
Japanese life (and with the recent developments in
America I am startling to wonder if prejudice is a part
of our life too). Yes, they have, and continue to do so,
discriminated against Koreans, and for that matter,
anyone that is out outside the group. Most
foreigners,
even those with
blond
hair and blue eyes, while embraced in some ways, are
never treated as the Japanese would treat one of their
own. Actually, after speaking to dozens of (otherwise
100%) Japanese that were born abroad or went to study
overseas or chose to be more open-minded, I have
concluded that
Japanese people discriminate against them too.
Regarding manifestation of prejudice, most of it is
rather subtle. Those days of signs declaring
non-foreigners not being accepted into public places are
largely gone, but you do notice that as a foreigner
sitting on a subway train, many Japanese avoid sitting
next to you. Long-term residents face many challenges
professionally, legally and socially to be accepted at
par with the native-borns.
What is changing, though, is that the opinions of
younger
Japanese are not as strong as those of their parents
and grandparents. They are
growing up in Japan that is vastly different than
what it was 25-30 years ago. They are also more plugged
into the world and see how the world around them is
changing.
I still
love the
country. It is a great place to
visit and
live. I have wonderful
Japanese friends. I think no
society is perfect and as long as we can appreciate
those imperfections and enjoy the rest,
Japan can be an awesome experience.
Related:
Culture shock in Japan
Combined families in Japan
How to introduce my Japanese boyfriend to my parents |
