I'm a foreigner in Japan, also here 19 years and I fear a sudden change in immigration policy because I see what's happening in other countries. Japan is a peaceful, clean paradise and if you participate properly, people let you in. I love the understood rules and that we all watch out for each other. If that means I'm a xenophobe, I guess label me, as I'm guilty. Japanese folks have something truly good, that I am afraid of losing too!

@Hay8137g

2 ай бұрын

😂😂😂😂

@cassandraharada3331

2 ай бұрын

@@missplainjane3905 for the most part I can carry on conversations about most things. My writing is at about a 3rd grade level I guess. When it comes to specialized topics I sometimes struggle.

@cassandraharada3331

2 ай бұрын

@@missplainjane3905 no. I’ve never been to Aomori, Yamaguchi, Okinawa, Tottori, Yamagata, or Shikoku. I’m not A huge fan of traveling in Japan… mostly just hang out in Tokyo. 19 years goes by really fast.

@OsakaMotorcycleTours

Ай бұрын

Yeah, I know EXACTLY where you are coming from.

@missplainjane3905

Ай бұрын

@@OsakaMotorcycleTours Are you fluent sir

Well done! Probably one of the best videos I've seen regarding this topic. Very insightful. I was completely unaware of the contact models.

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

It makes intuitive sense though, at least in a way it jives with my experience.

Very thoughtful Paul. I would tend to agree that fear of change is at the core of it all where the individual is concerned. I would add that there is a substantial correlation between Japanese who fear change AND work as public servants (whether at city hall, public schools, or police/fire/etc. departments). Public service in Japan is where imagination goes to die.

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

A lot of the time, I can agree with that, although there are important exceptions. Yokohama's "planned city" of Minato Mirai has certainly been a success that came out of the creative minds of city officials and those they hired.

@Mwoods2272

2 ай бұрын

I feel civil servants in Japan want change because they also have to deal with the bureaucracy but the change has to come from the top and those bosses are very comfortable with the status quo.

Fear of change at the expense of critical thought. Doesn’t surprise me much, to be honest. I’m currently traveling in South Korea, and I guarantee that the primary reason there are plenty of foreigners here is the government policy to “promote” immigration and foreign workers. Koreans are not super big on foreigners who don’t speak Korean, though to be fair, the second you speak a little, they are super duper excited to connect with you. Even strangers. Man, I have missed that.

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

Interesting that Koreans are that interested to connect. Have to learn some Korean before I go!

@MrTheWaterbear

2 ай бұрын

@@ExJapTer You would be really warmly welcomed regardless :) But they are super duper happy if you know a little. The fashion scene in Korea is pretty decent, but always always always flowing with whatever is trendy, so you might find interesting (maybe even cheap second-hand or old stock) sneakers here. Ukiyoe is uniquely a Japanese thing, so you will have to consider other things if you want some vintage or antique Korean art. There are some cute things for sure. I would be careful buying old abalone shell mother-of-pearl chests and furniture… the seller might not be so fond of the notion that you’re taking them out of the country, even though it’s perfectly legal to do so. Korean food is just awesome. If you make some Korean friends, or have some friends who live in Korea already, it’s quite likely that they will literally fight you to pay the bill when you go out with them. Koreans are extremely generous and sharing. Which is hard to handle, even though I consider myself pretty good at ambushing the cashier with my credit card. I literally had a Korean acquaintance yank my card back out of the card reader when I tried to pay before they did!! Oh, and it helps if you like acidic and spicy, and sweet and savory / sweet and salty pickled foods. They eat so so so many vegetables prepared in a million ways. All their seafood and meat is great. Their mixed rice is so tasty. Just… it’s fantastic, even though there are parts of it I don’t enjoy that much. Anyway, I can ramble on.

This may be out of my element, but I’m going to say that Japanese are not xenophobic. I think the president is completely wrong in the assessment and it’s just trying to kiss the butt of the world. Japan needs to stay Japan 🇯🇵

I love your videos!! This one got me thinking about my first time in Japan right after Japan opened up for travel in fall of 2022. There were few tourists and I was treated so well by locals and I found the Japanese people to be VERY warm and inviting and friendly when you get to know them

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

In my own experience the Japanese defy the stereotypes of being reserved or cold. Glad you had a lovely time!

When you brought up the economic angle I immediately thought about the Keiretsu system, and how foreigners struggle to compete with century+ old relationships, foreign businesses ended up failing to lobby Japanese government and so you have Airbnb lose to Hotel lobbying and Uber being the victim of taxi lobbying

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

Very good point. I always think of the famous "you can't sell foreign skis in Japan because Japanese snow is different," lol. (I realize that is a slightly different thing, but still.)

For what it's worth, I completely understand your cautious and hesitant approach to this sensitive topic. As someone with a background in social sciences, I suggest the following: First, we should exclude the term "Japanese" from the discussion and focus more broadly on human reactions to newcomers from different "tribes." This raises several questions: Are newcomers to be rejected, accepted only if they fully assimilate, or welcomed by some precisely because they bring change, while others reject them for the same reason? Second, it's important to note that Americans, encompassing everyone from all of the Americas (I am from Argentina), might not be the best judges in this matter. Our populations largely stem from immigrants. However, when you look at Europe and other regions, immigration emerges as a complex issue. (And, let it be said, it is also an election issue even in the United States.) From this angle, Japan appears to be one of the less extreme examples. (Finally, in Japan as anywhere else, tourists are often the worst representatives of foreigners!) These are just some quick thoughts, and I am open to being corrected. Thank you for your video!

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

Excellent ideas, thank you. The issue of integration is absolutely a sticking point for most Japanese. They are, in my opinion, willing to accept foreigners, but want them to adapt to the Japanese way of life and culture. I cant say I disagree with that.

yes, (mostly) they are-- because it is a collective society and your reasonings are expressed well. You can't separate their 'harmony' brand w/o separating this generalization. Of course there are outliers, (as you expressed) but mostly YES. So you see the reasoning; i.e Japanese are polite, respectful, clean, ... The only thing I argue is whether or not this is correct thinking. If it is Japan's quest to be xenophobic, US or anyone else should not make it a negative trait. If Japan wants to continue their way, that is their prerogative. But as far as investment models, then US/visitors would be hypocritical to invest here-- if it's against their value system.

@Mwoods2272

2 ай бұрын

Japanese see what is going in places like Sweden, Poland, France and other European countries overrun by 3rd world people.

@lauriey6089

2 ай бұрын

@@Mwoods2272 just add elitism (w what you just said) to xenophobia with that. And with that said, US that accepts migrants have given legal migrants a welcome package to be integrated into society--perhaps Japan can learn from that.

@missplainjane3905

2 ай бұрын

@@lauriey6089 What kind of welcome package

Enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

Thank you.

I am Japanese who spent my entire life in the country and this issue I see on the Internet really bugged me for a long time; xenophobia implies active hatred against foreigners, whereas the impression I get is just people don't think about it, or have no reason to think about it since they don't interact with foreigners. Japan has been a largely monoethnic country (that is since the rise of nationalism, except for sizable but not huge amount of certain asian/indegenous populations) for so long, and for normal Japanese people living in the present time it's just a fact and not really a willful stance. Does ignorance or non-thought make it difficult for foreigners to live in? - Probably, but that is not exactly a malice. I do think that certain asian population get discriminated more than some other ethnicities, but that I believe is more specific of a topic, and people who engage in this kind of act is a minority especially these days.

I feel like we give Japan a pass just because it's Japan And when I lived in Korea It was similar America won't shut up about how racist we are as a country, and after living in Korea and Japan, I realized america isn't that racist lol At the same time, Japan is the amazing way it is because it's homogenous I came to like the lack of foreigners, lgtbq, etc. 😅

@Hay8137g

2 ай бұрын

Japan is a jacked up culture. I mean they still have history and business going on for over 1000 years and then other side wanting to fly into 2050. Add to this sexism, problems with porn and pedophillia. Then said people come to Japan for its nature and civility, high class food and service. what kind of people are entering into this madness! All are 🤪 crazy.

Well explained as usual!

Good video. I also wonder if the Language Barrier or lack of English speaking capabilities affect some of the Japanese feelings towards immigration.

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

Fear of miscommunication, certainly that plays a part.

I’m looking to transition from the frequent traveler to potential longer term visa. What I’m seeing from vids is to reduce ease of finding a place to live and not get Xed at certain places, have a lot of money or marry into it.

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

Those definitely help. Having a really impressive guarantor also helps, so if you have made any connections with people you feel might be willing to be your guarantor, that can open doors. And to be honest, that is true for Japanese people as well.

It's sad that during my Last stay in Japan I never saw any foreigner who behaved disrespectfully towards the Japanese.Foreighners are very calm and try to behave like Japanese,hardly talk to each other,despite littering or touching the Geisha's.Foreigner behave very unnatural,just to please Japanese society...In fact: many young people who stay Japanese for Hobby,they came from very wealthy backgrounds.Japanese language is a pleasure to study but not much use of you living outside of JP.Some kids was fat because of Lott of study and less sport so they took more space in train.But it's not makes them rude if they decide have a Seat instead to remain to stay....None of them were scared to go out of the house,even though they are overweight or have motorical problems.

@missplainjane3905

2 ай бұрын

And ?

Yes! It's true.

This is of course a very complex topic. Objectivity is hard in the social sciences. I believe it is erroneous to project the reasons for something like immigration laws onto the Japanese people as a whole. When people say “Japan is xenophobic” do they mean the Japanese government, or the general Japanese population? Personally, I think nihonjinron ideas are deeply seeded within Japanese society, particularly within those in power. An effect of that being a fear of losing one’s Japaneseness, leading to action/policies that may be interpreted as xenophobic (“It’s not you, it’s me”). Or is that xenophobic in and of itself? Idk.

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

You bring up a very good point. "Losing Japanesesness." How returnee Japanese can face different and even discriminatory treatment - I hadn't considered that when I made the video. You have got me thinking, thank you.

Sounds you agree with Biden, without agreeing with him.

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

I agree that Japan limits immigration (which is simply factual) and that low immigration doesnt help the economy (debateable). I disagree that it's all because of xenophobia.

late-stage soviet vibe is sooo strong...

@ExJapTer

2 ай бұрын

I 'think' I know what you are saying, but can you elaborate? Because I am not sure.

@EvgenyUskov

2 ай бұрын

@@ExJapTer the reply was not so much regarding that statement about how japan is xenophobic in particular but rather about the whole structure and content of the current political landscape in the us in general: and for someone who not only have studied late-soviet history but actually partly lived through it the semblance both on the surface and on fundamental levels alike of those times and events and the current environment in the US is very much evident gerontocracy is the most obvious of them, and of course the sheer dogmatism of approach and mindset: the dogma is naturally different but in practical terms, just like the soviet union deemed itself a bastion of humanity's struggle for workers rights and aspirations for communism, on a doctrinal level with regards to its approach and actions to foreign affairs the US claim of manifest destiny to protect "democracy" and "human rights" as it sees and understands have the very similar inherent characteristics, also looking at all those bail outs for the rich and the amount of red tape in the US internal economic environment, there is as much "capitalism" in the current US as there was "communism" in the late soviet union also, the pervasive self-righteousness so unflinchingly stubborn that it is bordering on being eschatological: after the peak unipolarity embodied by bombing of serbia and carving out kosovo in the late 1990s, the antagonistic and belligerent attempts to protect that unipolar "rules based international order" where 'rules are for thee, not for me', and where the US enjoys the proverbial "exorbitant privilege" of having its own currency as the world reserve currency have caused as much strain on the domestic US milieu as Soviet attempts to establish its rule over Afghanistan the inevitable collapse may probably manifest itself differently but who knows what happens next time when texas decides that it wants to protect ITS borders but the federal government would want to prevent it, or when US proxies in the eastern europe and east asia would be swallowed by regional hegemons - would texans or others still want THEIR taxes be used to sponsor the global empire?

I totally understand not wanting mass immigration from far away lands but not wanting Asian neighbors to contribute to the growth both (demographic and economic) of your nation is perplexing to say the least. 15 years in japan and I'd say: "Yes" Japan is xenophobic but it's not for a U.S president to say. America is notoriously xenophobic too. Ask Muslims (AMONGST OTHERS) right after 9/11.

@lauriey6089

2 ай бұрын

he can have his opinion, Biden should've commented a little more on that though. Is this type of racism accepted? I guess, but Japan should figure this out for themselves if they care to.

@ribbrascal

2 ай бұрын

"Xenophobia" is a virtue. Indigenous peoples are entitled to exclude foreigners from their culture. Islam in particular does not belong in the West, at all. I was on the left for years and keep moving right due the insane destruction I see in society from leftists addled with this sick ideology of Wokeness.

Boe Jiden is the last person to be virtue signaling anything 😂 to anyone any time