Are there many black people in Japan?

Show all answers

Shibi

I did not see very many black people in Japan when we traveled there. I imagine like other minorities (all other ethnicities, other than Japanese, actually), people may look at you a bit more for being naturally different in appearance. Japan is such a homogeneous country that anyone not Japanese stands out in a crowd. I think that the atmosphere is friendly. And, any attempts at speaking Japanese will be considered very respectful and they will enjoy working with your phrasing to communicate with you. Have a great trip and give them a smile and a slight bow if they look at you longer than you are comfortable with. The food is really really good -- try everything!

Beetroot Yourself

You'll be treated perfectly, the Japanese don't harbour the kind of racism you'll be used to in America, they are kind and courteous and welcome any visitors to their country with open arms.
EDIT When you visit a different country you should not aim to seek out your own kind, you should immerse yourself in the culture of the place you're visiting. You'll see black people when you get home.
EDIT lmao at DIXIE, black people only in America and Africa eh?.

DIXIE

No, black people in general are the only odd and expected people to see in Asia. I'm not being racist but they are.
I mean not racist, just they are not expecting blacks anywhere else besides America and Africa

bluemoonmemory

You'd be treated as just as stranger as well as white in Japan(not talking about inside of military base but outside of there).

Except midnight of crowded places like Roppongi or Shinjyuku black people are quite few there even in Tokyo.

Black community words and speakings are nothing to do with Japanese English so that you might be nervous and irritated. Calm down and keep cool. Most of them're never gonna insult or offensive to you.

Just relax and understand that most of Japanese are indifference towards strangers. It doesn't matter skin and hair color. They are not racist but just don't want to get involved with strangers.

Some sensitive and self overconfident people are shouting that Japanese are discriminating people though it is wrong. Some of course may be yes but not of all. It happens everywhere.

ecoguy

Yes there are black people in Japan but most of them aren't black American which is what you're probably used to. You will see blacks from France, UK, Australia, Brazil, and for some reason there is a lot of people from Nigeria.

As far as how blacks are treated.. well, you will be treated like any other foreigner. The only problem is that those Nigerians I mentioned do some illegal things which helps build up a dislike for blacks. Overall don't worry, you'll be fine.

Oh and word of advice, learn some key words and phrases before you go.
And watch this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNAJWA2gVHE

tony s

No there aren't many black people in Japan. I know this since I have lived in Japan for 10 years. You rarely see a transfer student from United States or Europe who is black. Japanese people are not racists and even if they have animosity towards you, they will rarely show it outright. They are what you would call passive aggressive.

Added: Japan has one of the smallest population of blacks and no, to correct some people who have stated that Japanese people consider people of the darker skin tone less, I wish to say that thats incorrect. Take people of Osaka precinct for example, they are some of the darkest Asians and they have harbored the past nobilities.

Added: No.. Watermelon does not cost 300 dollars. Nor does a hot dog. Watermelon/melon are about 10-15 dollars each. Don't worry about the food prices, one premium sushi plate is 30 dollars. You are probably with friends or companies with a preset schedule; the food price is comparable to that of here if you multiply everything by 2x-3x. (One of the outrageous things I would like to point out is one 12 ounce coke is 2.5 dollars.)

shygirl93

They are very few, but the Japanese people are very friendly. Don't worry.

T S

I'm African-American, female, and have been living in Japan for three years. To answer your question, no there aren't many black people in Japan. As for the treatment of blacks here, the staring can be overwhelming at first-- especially if you're in a city outside of Tokyo. Most residents of Tokyo are accustomed to seeing foreigners.

You will be asked often, "Where are you from?" and when they hear America it's usually a very positive response. Overall, I came here as a student and enjoyed the culture, country, and environment so much that I stayed and decided to develop a career.

As for the negative aspects of Japan, once you've lived in Japan for longer than a year, you begin to see the restrictions of being a 'foreigner' not simply a black person in Japan. So, yes, I would agree with some posters in regards to racist attitudes toward non-Japanese.

Finally, the hospitality and customer service is outstanding-- makes you dread returning back to the US and it's tip-for-outstanding-service system.

hope it helps
Sista in Tokyo
http://sistaintokyo.blogs.com

Crash

you'll be fine. it's not like here. as far as the language, you're on your own.

whyispeeyellow

honestly japanese as well as koreans look down upon black skin in general. even among the korean people, if you are of darker skin tone they look at you as low class. the seem to associate whiter skin with success, hence many asian business men have pale white skin (there are exceptions i guess).

but people who live near bases should be more open minded and exposed to americans, but when you go to the more rural areas or other far off cities is where you might get stares.

vancouver_syndicate

there's a good sized group in tokyo. a lot of them are nigerian refugees.

john s

2% of Japan was registered as African (was not classified as African American as you may know.)

I am African American and I was in Japan for 1 year, non millitary. Its a different way of life than you might already know. Japan does not look at you differently as in the states, since the background of our race was not existant.

I have been to 15 countries and Japan treated me the most equal. I can count on two hands how many Africans, let alone African Americans I met, but it did not matter.

Trust me on this one, it is a wonderful place to visit, and you will be exposed to culture that you have never seen. The Japanese want to show this culture on a daily basis and it does not matter about your color. Your color is of no importance there.

Dont worry about studying Japanese. Believe it or not, it is an easy thing to learn, although reading it is more challangeing. The locals will help you anytime you ask. I was never ignored nor looked at in a funny way.

If you want to experience how hospitality and acceptance should be, this is the place to visit.

When you arrive you should expect a shock. A good shock. You will be greeted as soon as you leave the plane with, "what to do and not to do" in Japan. All is common sense. If you dont follow the rules, you will be asked to leave. Or end up in a dirt cell.

Respect there culture and be polite, you will have no problems. Freedom came as a big price in Japan, not like the US. Hard work, acceptance and religon are the base for the Japanese.

Some think Japan hates the US, for various reasons including WWII, but they actually asked quite often about this event. Its knowledge they were seeking, and this is one of the backbones of the Japanese culture.

This is a great place to visit as an African American, and you will not regret it. The only thing you might regret is coming back the US and then understanding how simple minded we are when it comes to others color.

As for food, I would suggest you take it easy on the raw fish, for our immune system is not tolerable to this kind of dish. I dont know how long you are staying, but trust me, getting sick in Japan is different than the US. Avoid anything that is raw, including meat. Dog is sold like hotdogs on the corner in a city. Stay away. Dive into the new dishes you have never tried before, but stay far away from the raw products. There is no FDA to take care of your food there.

Good luck, and have fun

typrincess112

well i dont think there are many black people in japan but they do have some . blacks are treated good there. dont be nervouse youll be fine. good luck

paparazzies.net

Who interesting in amazing & not expensive holidays look here
http://celebry.net/cruises/

stoove

The thing with Japan is that there are very few people other than Japanese there. I guess they are actually sort of raciest, but I doubt anything specific about black people, just all foreigners.

?critter?

There are no immigrants in Japan. Immigration is illegal there. The only actual citizens are Japanese born. There are very few white, black, hispanic, or anybody other than Japanese. It is a very ethnocentric culture and they are much more tolerant of rascism than some other countries.
They are great people, don't get me wrong, but this is their culture.

Tori N

no. i just went to japan 3 days ago and i saw not many black people there. there are mostly japanese. but most of the japanese people know english. they know english because they start english in 6th grade at school.

Mr. T

There are a few of them but most people in Japan are oriental so you want see a lot of them.

shinozakihitamaru

i guess,my friend she is black,knows fluent japanese and lives their cause of us bases are over there. she lives there too,xD

Vietkid32

dude, if you are black, all the japanese chicks will all over you,

my friend told me and i also see the porn sites when all the asian chicks go for the black dudes

i say hell yeah go to japan

vin1979

I went to Japan 2 years ago and I saw alot of black people. I saw alot of different people there. I was in tokyo so it s a big city. The japanees are very friendly, unlike us Americans. If you are in the wrong hood you an't right type of people.
But as far as I saw everyone was friendly and used hand signs. Even the MC'D's have picture menues for you to pick out your meal from.

joe g

I went to Japan last year for a month. There are few whites, and fewer blacks and hispanics. Everyone is nice there, they do stare some in the subways. But its mostly from the older people. You will be fine, alot of people will say they dont know english, but they know some, enough to help when i needed directions or questions. Be polite, learn "excuse me, good morning, good afternoon, and thank you." If all else fails ask other foreign travelers. In the subways touch the english translation. Have fun!!!! I will go to Beijing, China in August for the Olympics myself with my 10 year old son. Not Japan, I know but I know we will be oddballs fo-sure! Whatever i am so there!!!!!

seamonkeywater

There are black people in Japan. I'll say within a one week time frame you'll see maybe 5 (well if you're in a city).

But maybe 95% of the FEW blacks that you see are going to be African. This being in a bigger city like Tokyo. It's not too common to fall upon a western black (which is really interesting). Go past the cities and I just assume there are less. (well maybe more in areas that have US military bases).

You'll be treated fine. You may get guys who are interested in reggae or hip-hop to randomly say something to you (that happened to me on the train. it was aaaaawkwaaard).

Keep in mind American racism is different from Japanese "racism". Theirs is a sort of unknown assumptions type thing as opposed to American flat out being ignorant and rude attitude. And with that I'm pretty sure whatever (and probably never except for that one blue moon afternoon) gets dished out on you will be something we consider petty.

You'll have a great time. I survived. I'm going back for round two. =D

Kenton C

yes, my friend's aunt work there. what re you going there for? school? visit? work? usually if it's work, the company will take care of you. for visits, there are guides, for school, it may be tough, but there will be others that will go through what you go through. and you will be treated just fine, don't worry about that. they're really nice ppl.

Rabecca R

im guessing not

Samian Quazi

there obviously aren't.
go in the subways and they'll stare at you.
but they won't harass you or bother you.

te144

Yes, as business associates, of course, of American and British companies. But the larger number are active-duty soldiers or retired veterans, who married or are wooing Japanese nationals. I spent several months there during the South Korean vs. North Korean war, and was told by Japanese nationals and Americans alike, how older Japanese considered fraternization with US soldiers outrageous, and disowned their daughters. White and black American soldiers learned much about a single race society.

Jamion

Discrimination is high there, but it won't be because your black. It'll be because your not Japanese. You'd get treated the same is you were white, Hispanic, or even Korean (actually Koreans get treated worse). As far as black people there most are tourists, some work for the US military, other than that not many people, of non-Japanese decent, live there. However they are mostly friendly although there are many cultural and customs differences. Brush up on these and you'll be fine.

and have fun :D

Rose Swann

sure. there different people of the different ethnic groups everywhere!!! Japanese sounds cool. The food's good, that's what my friend says (here daddy's one of those people that travel everywhere and he went to Japan for a month). :D Have fun in Japan!!!!

guitarguy1212

No,There are not many Blacks here,or whites..Japan is a very mono culture,99% are Japanese and many will look down on you,though not all..Dont worry ,just go and have fun and if anyone looks at you,just smile at them,they will eiher look away(like most do) or they will smile at you..

Also,i see all these other comments and i wonder why does many in Yahoo Answeres give thumbs down to true answeres about Japan that show the bad and closed side of japan?? Many will say i`ve never been to Japan but i am sure they are kind etc etc well how do they know????..even on a short vacation to Japan it`s impossible to see the REAL Japan,unless you live here for 6 months,then you cant comment on Japanese culture/society etc..

fact is,Japanese culture and society suck..it is very closed and not a true multi culture..that`s why when people come here for a few weeks they love it,as they have got to see something new,but it`s VERY hard living here..a vacation and living in a place are 2 very very different things..

Japanese people DONT express feelings,and they are not individual people with an individual way of thinking..
As 99% are Japanese then they are not used to other cultures
and will look at you strange,if you do something like,talking on a lift..you see,when you walk into a lift or a train,no one speaks and if you speak they will look like oh oh..trust me that bores the hell out of you after a while..

many have this view that anything made in Japan is the best,
and technology wont break here..well,BULLSHIT,i have had plenty of "japanese" stuff break..but it`s there small narrow closed way of thinking..

I could go on,but i think you all get the idea.. and you want to give me thumbs down people??? come on give them to me,i really dont care..i will spread the word on the real japan,as no one else seems too ..

Perfidy

Ask on Yahoo! Answers Japan... try google translator to translate your question and their answers... erm... good luck with that...

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: