Discrimination against black people in Japan
An African-Canadian man living and working in Japan seemed to believe that Japan has less discrimination against black people because Japan has many fans of black culture and many young Japanese girls are interested in having a black boyfriend. Do you think that this means that Japanese people do not discriminate against black people?
I have seen half African-American and Japanese babies or little children but have never seen a half African-American and Japanese student or adult. Generally speaking, parents decide to raise their child in another one of the parent’s countries such as the U.S. and Africa because they research and know that discrimination against black people in Japan is more than in the U.S. and Africa.
If you are African, you won’t hear this truth from Japanese people because we speak what people want to hear or political correctness.
Hahaha japanease society does not just dislike Black people its dislikes anyone whom is not pure japanease.
Even some japanease that are half American and quite beautiful i must say!cannot get a good life in japan and have to move to Europe or America.
You see first of all,ALL cultures have some degree of Racism,its just that some cultures are quite blatant and open about it!.FOR EXAMPLE:a lot of white girls or European girls always assume that black guys can dance great or are great in bed,
or are more “groovy”than white guys.
well of course its not true,its an individual thing some are,some are not.
Ive got black mates that cant dance at all and i have japanease mates that can really dance hot!actually better and more athletically than i have seen ANY black guys dance!yes even break dancing!.
(I think because they dance a lot using dancing computer and stuff.)as its hobbies in Japan!.
Its true though that japanease people wont be obvious and tell you so though!.
Shogan
2007/11/28
It scares me to some degree, this popular topic that has come about that says that Japanese are racist, and even the fact that us african americans have our own topics like “Japanese are racist against african americans” everyone is racist against african americans now, or not everyone, but lots of people even here in the United States so far. I’m 16, african american, and female, and daily, I have to deal with racisim, in my own school, with peers, people outside of my school. When I come across as respectful or nice, it shocks people. Why? Because a lot of people don’t always percive African americans that way sometimes. And then I have to deal with staring. Yes, staring in my own country. I don’t know if it’s because I’m black or not, but I can’t stand it when they think your some peice of work on display. Then there’s this: Some people won’t date me even in the United states because I’m black. Black boys don’t want to be serious with me because they think all black girls are loose or something, and when you have a body, they don’t think two seconds about anyting else! They treat me like your average prostitute or something even though I dress decent and I’m neat and all. I don’t cuss like a sailor and I enjoy some diffrent things, but because of how I look, I get this stupid treatment. Then I have to prove to everyone that I’m not dumb like that and they leave me alone. My mama introduced me to Japanese culture, music, anime, foods, and frankly, I’d eat sushi over a mcdonalds cheese burger any day, but you wouldn’t think that by just looking at me. I like anime(NARUTO^^), and stuff like that, but again, unless my naruto necklace is hanging from my neck, or I have on anime everything, no one knows because I’m black, and no one expects it. Just about two years ago, I found out that I wanted to visit Japan, and that’s the only country I wanted to visit because I loved so many things I’d heard about it. People told me it was great! No one told me about the ugly side. I don’t want to face discrimination, racism, or hate because of a dark skin tone, and I’m not even dark, I’m light skinned, but I’m not white, so what diffrence does it make, and everyone’s dirty opinons in a country I thought was more dignified than that! It is no excuse to be “homogenous” or “Ignorant of other countries” like I’ve read in other post because if Japanese know about Black pop culture, they should know about the racial problems we’ve had to put up with, it’s even in our music! I don’t want to go to Japan, like I planned on going to because I had such a good image of it, if I will be discriminated against there, and it doesn’t matter if it’s not just African americans they discriminate against, because you know, african americans have to deal with it more than white americans do. I’m pretty let down about all this new information, and I hope things will change for Japan. I wish it wasn’t like this everywhere and I could just fit in somewhere without having to go the extra mile. Hopefully, racism isn’t as bad as it seems there, and if it is, I won’t come back. I’ll deal with it in a country where I didn’t have to send years studying a new language, and where i can handle it. I will visit it to see for myself, but I’m praying that it isn’t like this everywhere.
saisho onnanoko
2007/12/17
Hi saisho! Like i said before “all races are racist no matter what people say!” I’ve heard black people hating on other black races and look at India with their “cast system!” And yes its true that a lot of black guys just see the girls for sex. Look at the music videos! All just sex and bling. However we must all find “our place” in this mish mashed crazy world. Things are complex these days with many choices!.but whatever colour or race we are or religeon fro that matter,we should all have our own personal morals. Mine is justice,truth,equality for all. Take care. God bless!
Shogan
2008/01/11
Well, jeez, I know black people who’ve gone to Japan, and they told me they got a very good reception. There’s even a black enka singer in Japan (though if you want to get technical, his grandmother was Japanese), and he’s really great, really sexy voice…
Ahem. Anyway, I’ve never had blatant racism directed towards me by anyone, Japanese or otherwise. Of course I can’t account for the thoughts of people, and I tend to think the best of people, but I believe that most people are inherently willing to open themselves to other cultures.
For Japan in particular, I’ve only heard two extremes: the Japanese hate foreigners indiscriminately, or they hate them. I can’t say anything about that personally, but look at America. Look at how so many treat immigrants. Then as an explanation for any less-than-warm welcome, look how so many of us behave as tourists.
OH LOOK! THERE IS A NATIVE PERSON! LET’S GO OVER TO IT AND HAVE IT TAKE OUR PICTURE! EXCUSE-O ME-O! CAN-O YOU-O USE-O THIS-O CAM-A-RA?
Seriously, the behavior of those kinds of tourists completely pisses me off. English speakers really have the best deal, traveling-wise, because there’s almost always someone that speaks our language, and in many cases, signs are translated for us.
Okay, I’ve gotten completely off topic, but as to the original question (as per my own personal experiences and the experiences of friends), the Japanese aren’t particularly racist towards African-Americans. A lot of the time, it’s really a tourist/immigrant misinterpreting body language and other cues as that, when it means something completely different in their culture.
(Believe me, I spent almost half a year thinking that this Korean girl at my school was hated me, because she leaned closer and had this kind of wide-eyed expression whenever I was talking to her. I thought she was making fun of me, but she really *was* just being attentive.)
Suzette
2008/02/12
I’m 18, mixed race black/white british and am very, very glad i’ve came across this topic!! I’ve had this strange fascination with japan for ages and am trying to learn the language but i thought that my attempts were a waste of time because of this world that sees light people as ‘pure’ and dark people as ‘dirty’… japan being no exception and made of ‘light’ people…
In terms of ‘african american’, just remember, all white people in america are technically ‘european american’ whatever the politics may dictate; you’re no less american then them…
i read this brilliant and hilarious book (and i highly recomend it) by a white canadian called Will Ferguson (i think), its called Hokkaido Highway Blues and its about him, as a travel writer, hitchhiking from the bottom of japan to the top, and all the racial induced situations he faced… in general, japanese people are just ‘inexperienced’ when it comes to dealing with gaijin’s/foreigners, black or white, and so any hostility a traveller will face there will be because of either blatant racism against blacks or whites (blacks are just further from being white and ””pure”” so are more likely to get it), but more likely it’ll just be a lack of common sense/manners from the japanese with regards to anyone not in there DNA pool.
Ruth
2008/06/24
It breaks my heart to find out that the japanese are racist:(I mean what did we do to them?They inspired us with the culture, and then the next day their racist???X(It must really sucks to be black these days,huh?
Sometimes I wish I were japanese and black(blackenese)it’s not fair to get judged:(it rally isn’t when your black, I mean were going through enough stuff as it is:(I was really hoping to go to japan someday, but now I’m afraid to, because their racist all of the sudden:(My dream was to go to Japan and become a shojo manga artist.But now I can’t do that because I’m might not get accepted!I agree with saisho on this one, I hope it’s not like this everywhre:(
Somehow the japanese opened my heart to anime, their music the food, their city, they inspired me to go there.I’m not gonna stand down, I’m going to japan someday no matter what they don’t like about me!I hope they like me for who I am.And if they don’t them I’m not going back,I work to hard to learn the language,and I also gotten really far in getting there!I’M NOT GIVING UP!
Don’t give up those who hope to go to japan!
peachy hana
2008/08/18
Hmm. Well, I’ve heard it from different sources, about the percieved racism of Japan. I’m dark-skinned, and proud of it (it breaks my heart when I hear girls bawl “But I’m not even that dark!” as though having lighter skin is an inherently GOOD or BAD thing), but I know it’ll just make me stand out more. I can’t say I’ve experienced blatant racism, but I am hella aware of it. I have every intention of going to Japan! I’m ready to deal with stares and rudeness; I’ll just stare back. I shan’t be rude, however– it’s not my country after all!
J.
2008/09/21
Everyone has some degree of discrimination. However, to be a racist one must have some gegree of POWER. Exposure to media, television, and movies definitely shape the minds of non-black/African people. Many non-black don’t interact with black people therefore they learn the many stereotypes of black people through media, television or the big screen. It is really unfair to black people. I’m taught that black is beautiful. Viewing the different cultures of Africa and Disaporic Africa BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL. Under the ultraviolet radiant sun black or dark skin is a true blessing. Unlike white peopel black/African people age so gracefully. Again, BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL!
Malik A. Cooper
2009/02/21
Just remember people, u get racism wherever u look for it. Go with an open mind and not care at all. be friendly, break languages barriers and jus be plain cool and interested in their culture. I’m well travelled and always try my best to be friendly in a new country….but not too friendly
. I’m a West Indian (caribbean) Trinidadian mixed with african, chinese, spanish (d peninsula!!!) and english. I speak 7 languages and trust me language is the first impression, evening attempting the language gives u major props!!! so go!!!! have fun!!!! and let the world know that blacks aren’t what they’re stereotyped to be!!!!
Kyran
2009/06/10
I am a black woman currently in t\Tokyo visiting and I hope that all who expressed an interest in coming, come.
Its wonderful here and the people have been extremely nice. I did make an effort to learn some key words especially “thank you.” I have also tried to abide by their rules and customs as well. I understand that I am a visitor here and I came with the intention of experiencing their culture with an open mind.
As far as staring, they really have not done much. They tend not to make eye contact. It doesn’t bother me either way, again everyone has been extremely helpful and will approach me to provide assistance if I look lost.
Just do your homework on the culture before coming here and remain humble.
Nikki of Atlanta
2009/08/07
I’m black and I spent 12 yrs in Japan. As Nikki from Atlanta stated; if you respect the culture and approach things with an open mind, you will enjoy Japan tremendously. I took time to learn the language and tried hard to understand the Japanese mindset and I had a wonderful time in Japan.
DJ
2009/08/20
When the Japanese speak of “pure” skinned, as apposed to dark skinned that’s really ridiculous. They aren’t light skinned, they’re Japanese. Just because the japanese happen to be of lighter skin, doesn’t entail them to hold such racist views of the outside world.
I’m mixed, bi racial… I live in the united states.. and even here I’m considered black. I’m no more black, than I am white, but because I have pigment, no one seems to acknowledge my white heritage what so ever.
And what exactly is pure and not pure? It’s hard to really be so closed minded when American’s are a melting pot of many races… someone appear white externally, but actually have some black in them… or spanish, dutch, german etc.
Which sort of cascades me to another MAJOR important point(s) about the Japanese and their ridiculous close minded racism…
What about their anime? (animated cartoons/mangas/stories)
They don’t always depict their own “kind” in a very obvious way. Many of their characters have blue, brown, green, and blonde hair traits.. eyes varying in color, (and even some with bi colored eyes)
See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterochromia
and also an anime http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rozen_Maiden and not just fanart depicting this seemigly rare trait.
Particularly Souseiseki
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5526/rozenmaideimg007ya9.jpg
personalities of all sorts, body types quite exaggerated, as well as the eyes. These traits are so far from the Japanese and their ideals, it’s confusing to outside cultures what message they’re trying to send. And I don’t bring up Anime as an unfair point. They are very much enriched with Anime in their own country. It isn’t as if just a select few watch it and are absorbed by its popularity. They have genres, stretching from anime for the very young children, to adults. They commonly read Manga, so much in fact that they have what us westerners have coined “manga phonebooks”. Multiple paged comic stories, of all storylines, that can be up to 400 pages. Some have prizes, stickers… much like our cereal boxes have toys and prizes as an example.
It’s even been a mystery as to where exactly Anime has originated from. Some extremists have wondered if they’ve borrowed our own western cartoons and played with ideas.
myukili
2009/09/22