I'm an African American Girl and I am going to be an exchange student in Japan,will I get treated badly?

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Kimi

Hi!
I am sure you will get treated well in Japan, as you speak fluent Japanese and respect our culture:D

Japanese don't like "angry black man"(aka 怒った黒人), not because he is BLACK , but because who he IS.
He has every elements we hate.(you read Japanese, right?)
1. 頭及び性格が悪い
2. しつこい
3.自分勝手
4.自分をヒーローと呼ぶ勘違い野郎
5.多分不細工　etc.etc...

Don't think, speak and act like him.
Otherwise we ALL will HATE you!!!

Mix A

You speak fluent Japanese, huh? It's funny how many people say that and yet they can barely hold a basic conversation with a native speaker.

There are many Japanese who respond here, but the truth is that racism is a huge problem in Japan.

Now they won't attack you with police dogs and there isn't a separate water fountain for blacks. But Japan is not the most "black friendly" country. You will make friends and may even find a Japanese boyfriend, but most Japanese will view you through American hip-hop culture and Hollywood movies. It's crazy, but that's how it is.

rYokucHa

no no no.black people are not given special attitude by japanese people.they treat you the same way they do to white people.they dont care skin color, bone structure, hair quality, the size of eyes, height, etc. as far as no more than social interaction is concerned.(however they hate smell of your body).
there is someone who attributes the reason why he couldnt get laid while he was in japan with racism toward black people.it is true that as a whole black people is the most unpopular race group among japanese girls(and men) no doubt, but saying as though it is because they are racist toward black people makes me ????
For black people in america in 60's, it was a battle to aquire the level of social treatment that black people were precluded from.but what this black dude few posts above is crying for is the right to diffuse his sperm everywhere he wants to.please see the difference.

so angry black man, what do you mean by having fun?after all the posts Ive read,it seems what you have been complaining about is that you couldnt fool around with japanese chicks like some white guys do. I think you are not serious at all.

hahaha, angry black man, you are saying that black people should avoid to go to japan because you happen to think black people cant get laid there.this view is a rude attitude toward Japan because it treats Japan as if a brothel for foreigners.

my last update:
as long as there is need then there is supply. those japanese girls who follow white guys' butt is need.they are like terminal addicts who no matter how try to get JUNK.If there is no need then there is no supply.White guys who come to Japan to get Japanese pussy is just poor boring low class men who are irrelevant to me like heroin which would exterminate if there were no JUNKIES.What should be aimed at is not supply but NEED.But how can I change those low-IQ japanese trush girls' mind?

nyantarothecat

I think most of opinions are correct.
A considerable number of Japanese have never met African American, but on TV. Some of them will stare you because you are the first African American for them. Some of them may have a stereotype image about black people. But nobody will hate you first. They have no reason to hate individual black person. They never have had any relationship with black people ever.

It is up to you whether you will be accepted or not.
I suppose.
If you were polite you will be accepted by neighbors. If you were cheerful you will be loved by friends. If someone has been aggressive like 怒った黒人, we will hate him. Not because of his skin color but because of his behavior, I dislike him.

thecheapest902

To: 怒った黒人
How many times do you say the same thing? Do you keep saying it until the end of your life?

One thing I don't understand is you are still obsessed with Japanese girls although you say you are already out of Japan.

Find a nice black girl there and you will be happy. I'm a Japanese man but I would willingly date a black girl. I'm less obsessed with Japanese girls than you.

Addition:
>Why attack me?

I'm not trying to attack you. I'm just telling you that there are many attractive girls in other races. So you don't have to care even if Japanese girls do not like you. You can find a nice girl.

I don't care even if Japanese girls do not like me because I can find a nice girl from other races.

h_o

I'm living in small town in Australia.
There are lots of people who don't like Asian (or Japanese only), but the majority of Australian is very kind. Even some people, who don't have good impression about Japan, do not treat me badly. (only kids do)

So what I wanted to say is that it would be similar to you. I believe the majority of Japanese would not treat you badly. Also the majority of Japanese have some interest to foreigners, like me, so I think you will make a lot of friends.

But I remind you that the most of Japanese are very shy.

momokodragon

Wow...this turned into a very heated discussion about racism somehow. Oh well.

I'm a 18 year old Japanese&American girl. I went to school in Japan near my grandma's every summer until senior year last year. Even though I speak fluent Japanese without an accent, and it was the first language I learned as a child, I'm always a foreigner in Japan. NOT A BAD THING. It doesn't mean that people like you any less, or look down on you, it just means that you're different from them. I lived in Japan as a little kid, and my mother's Japanese, so I kinda have a bit of a Japanese mentality. So, I'm going to tell you what I would have thought if I was in school in Japan, and a black girl that speaks japanese started coming to my school.

"I wonder where she's going to get her hair done here?" "I wonder if I can touch her hair?" "Does her armpit hair look like that too?" "I wonder how long it took her to learn Japanese?" "Why does she like Japan?" "Can she eat sushi? And natto?" "Can she rap?" "Does she know how to be polite?"

That's what I would think....and I didn't just pull that out of my ***, there was actually a black girl(her Japanese wasn't that great) that came to my school in 9th grade, and these were pretty much the topics of interest during the first week. I don't know about guys of other races, but girls of any race are generally accepted among adolecents/adults. There's just going to be a lot of curiosity and a LOT of staring and whispering. Many Japanese people have never met a black person in real life, so it'll be a strange experience to them. So my conclusion is, that they will treat you well, stare at you, and want to touch your hair. Go and have fun! lol

KathyM

Japan is a close society, not racist, but they have a clear distinction between their own people and foreigners. You'll be treated like a foreigner or a tourist. People will be kind towards you because Japan is a hospitable nation. So, my advice would be to show respect to the culture, history and people of Japan at all times. Behave like a good guest and your host will treat you well, too. Don't act kawaii because you doing that could be seen as "mocking" them. Just be yourself but on your best behavior. I know we're raised to be open and honest about our opinions and are encouraged to make them clear. However, in Japan, especially amongst girls, it's still considered desirable to be quiet and reserve and soft-spoken. So, if you want to "act" like the Japanese, I'd do this instead of being kawaii.

The best way to make friends in Japan is to ask your classmates about the history of Japan and ask them if they can show you around the tourist places (ie. imperial palace, etc.). Ask them questions about things in Japan that you don't understand. Show them you're sincere and genuine in learning more about their country.

John Harris

they will treat you as you treat them. show respect and you will get respect. i found them to be the nicest folks i've ever met

① ② ③ ＲＡＹ

You will not be treated badly, you will be treated the same as any gaijin, or foreigner, that comes to Japan. Japan is a very open nation, the japanese are hospitable and kind to tourists, most popular city in Japan like Tokyo and Osaka have many tourist, therefore they're used to diverse people. If you go to a small village, there will not be hate directed towards you, but a certain curiosity. As any other nation, you cannot generalise the thoughts of a person, but as a nation in whole, the nippon community is not racist against people of different races. The japanese people base people not on their skin color, but on their behavior. Just act with some respect, some etiquette, and show some interest about learning about the culture and you'll be treated nicely. Reading posts from Angry Black, I feel as though his only main interest is to have sexual relations with japanese women. Please do not listen to his words, because I believe that his only intention is to do so, he doesn't have a real intention to learn about Japan. Just be nice and respectful to everyone, and you will make many friends, because of course we're very interested in foreigners. Also, do not give the kawaii impression, it's seen as a kind of mocking of culture, and of course, only the kawaii things of japan are broadcasted in america, so just be yourself.

bluemoonmemory

If you speak fluent Japanese and know a lot about Japanese culture, you don't need to post such silly question in English here.

Ice Bird

Where did you hear that? I would guess that there is as much racist there as anywhere in the world. I have seen some African Americans that are famous in Japan. You don't have to act kawaii if you don't want to.

all anime

it depends some peoples will be rude but some won`t be it depens if the family/person is rasist and when you act kawaii most jap.girls get mad/angry when u act kawaii. np ^_^

❀♪Rina♪❀

NO where did you hear that from? I'm Japanese, and heck I used to live next door to a black family and their family don't get treated badly! At least by me and my family and my friend's family's friends and my friends, anyways. It's offensive of you to ask such a question. Japanese people in general aren't racists. I've never met racist Japanese people :-O If I had, then, well, I hadn't...so, Japanese people aren't stereotypical at all. And it's not necessary to act Kawaii/cute in front of them -- it will just make you fake. I know this sounds cliche and corny, but seriously, just be yourself. People will want to be friends -- especially with a foreign person ^.^ Trust me, Japanese people don't judge on races. Heck, whoever made that stereotype up is juscrazyy. I think THEY'RE the ones who are stereotypical and judgmental.

***
sorry, I didn't mean that you did offend me. I'm just sort of stating my point that Japanese people aren't racists no matter what people say.

Johnny Friendly

As a new exchange student, you can expect the people at the school to go out of their way to welcome you and make you feel comfortable. At first the other students will probably be very interested in and curious about you, although some may be shy about speaking to you directly. Keep in mind that especially if it's a smaller town, you will probably be the first black person many of them have met. But if you show an interest in them and let them get to know you, you should get along just fine. Also, it's not necessary to act "kawaii" all the time, but it does help to be "genki."

Naoki G

Don't trust what "outrage black freak man" said. I think he is racist against black. i think he has never been to Japan. He is a liar....

I'm 26, a Japanese male for real. We, young generation, respect your culture, how to walk, how to rap, how to sing, how to behave. I respect those who generate new culture.
But sometimes, we see movie in which there are very bad black men committing crime and shooting gun. We understand that this is just movie but a large number of Japanese has not met, faced Black people and plus a large number of Japanese cannot understand English so we might have some fear to Black, honestly. But What i think is this is normal and common same as you feel to us.
We respect Martin Luther King, Muhammad Ali, Malcom X and President Obama.
As others saying, there is no place where there is no discrimation, no exception. We and you are same. There are still shittest group in America,, there are still freak they are supremacist. We think that white still have discriminaiton mind. I got shocked at this.

Dont worry about us, We are not racist, sometimes we gaze at you in no meaning because we don't get used to your appearance, that's all.

Thanks..

Steph G

Alright so I'm seeing alot of extremes in the answers regarding this issue, either that Japanese people are the most exclusive, racist on the planet or that they're 100% totally and completely accepting no matter what.

First of all: racism, prejudice, and discrimination exist all over the world. Japan is no exception. Being African American, I'm sure by now you know that racism is widespread in your own country, wheather you have experienced any directly or not.

That being said, you must keep in mine that Japan is an island, and thus stayed relatively isolated and ethnically homogenous for quite some time. So you can imagine the shock of the native Japanese when, all of a sudden, there's people that look nothing like them roaming around. Of course they are going to be suspicious of ANY newcomer to their country.

Nowadays, especially the younger generations, are for the most part accepting or at least tolerant of foreigners. Older people may not be so fond of them. I say "mostly" and "may" because there are always exceptions to any generalized statement. Of course there will be people stereotyping you, gawking at you, even trying to ask you questions. Foreigners in Japan are perceived through a spectrum of different feelings and views. Again, it all depends.

To address what ♫Ami♪ said:

"It's offensive of you to ask such a question. Japanese people in general aren't racists."
"I've never met racist Japanese people :-O If I had, then, well, I hadn't...so, Japanese people aren't stereotypical at all."
"Trust me, Japanese people don't judge on races. Heck, whoever made that stereotype up is juscrazyy. I think THEY'RE the ones who are stereotypical and judgmental."

First of all it is not offensive to ask such a question. It is out of curiosity and concern that she asks it.

Secondly, I will say this about Japanese people: they do have a knack of following stereotypes, often to excess. As another poster said, they do often associate black people with gangsters or hip hop culture. When black people, and other foreigners appear on Japanese variety shows, even if they are speaking (near perfect) Japanese, will be given subtitles under the pretense that no Japanese person can understand what the heck they are saying. To add insult to injury, I've seen some variety shows that, as a joke, subtitle entirely in Katakana to show a slow, simplistic manner of speech in their subtitles.

Black people aren't alone though; the Japanese play up the stereotypes of many groups, racial or otherwise; look up Hardgay to get an idea of how they view American gay culture. x]

And of course, as I said earlier, the statement that "there's no such thing as a racist Japanese" is completely untrue. Of course there are racist Japanese people.

One problem in Japan that I find quite distressing is the open discrimination of some foreigners when it comes to some hot springs, bath houses, bars, and clubs. Some of these establishments will post signs outside the door denoting which customers are welcome and which ones are not. For example, a sign might read "No Filipinos" or "Japanese only". This is something that should not be happening in such a developed and advanced nation as Japan, but unfortunately, it does.

If you know a good deal about Japanese culture and customs, and if you try your best to speak Japanese, then you're that much closer to gaining their respect and acceptance. Japanese people are very polite, that is something they pride themselves on and I believe it to be very true.

However, they will always treat fellow Japanese and foreigners in two different ways, and if you wish to get a little less "tourist treatment" and a little more "authentic" treatment, then the Japanese knowledge will help. ;]

About "acting kawaii" - this all depends on your actual nature and personality! Across the globe, regardless of race, there are girls who have cute mannerisms, styles, ways of speaking, etc. A tell tale sign is if your friends frequently say "Oh my god, you're so cute, _________!!!"

If you are not normally cute, but rather sporty, punky, laid back, loud, boyish, or whatever - then for heaven's sake, don't start purring, squinting your eyes, doing peace signs left and right, raising your voice to a squeaky pitch, or actually saying "KAWAII DES~~~" to everything you see. Act normal. Embrace the culture but do not mock it.

Happy Travels!

P.s: I highly reccomend reading Gaijin Smash, a humourous blog written by an African American about his day to day life and experiences in Japan.
http://www.gaijinsmash.net

Ms.Right

Do not generalize.
racists are still in existence in america. non-raciss are too.
and in japan? just the same. there's no differece about that in the world. you may care too much
怒った黒人, munkeyos both are wrong. what, japanese worship the whites?lol my friends never go to Roppongi, only because there're lots of foreigners. every individual is just different.
and munkeyos, modernized has no connection with racism. do you think america is so unmodernized that black people are segregated?

hey just be yourself, remember you don't have anything to worry about

munkeyos

most Japanese people arn't racist. Its most Koreon people who are racist. Japan is very modernized, and they love americans.

Marvin Straight

Yes. Japanese people are VERY racist against Black People. If you are really interested in Japan, you might have an alright time and I still advise you to go, but if you cannot take the pain of being out-casted (while you have to watch all of the other foreigners have a good time), then it's best to stay out. I'm sorry; my dream was crushed too. Japanese people (and the whites that they worship) love to crush the dreams of Black People (pertaining to Japan and generally speaking; there are exceptions to the rule).

Getting laid is a part of socializing too. Blacks want to have fun just like everyone else. That being said, Blacks should avoid japan because we have to watch whites, latinos, indians, arabs, etc. have all of the fun while we cannot. This hurts too, so I'm staying out of japan and away from other races when I can. Ryokucha is right: we are the least popular people in japan. there is no denying it. Mix A is also right: japan is not a Black-friendly country. Sad but true.

I wouldn't mind being able to have fun like white guys can. If it isn't wrong when white guys do it, then why is it wrong when Blacks do it? That's a double standard. Japan has it's cool places, but as far as socializing (and that includes sex/romance which IS a part of life too), it is much harder for Blacks to have a good time, while other races have a field day and can make friends (not just sex-friends but including them) much, MUCH easier. Of course Black guys will like japanese girls too. However, japanese do not like us back. That is why it is best for Blacks to avoid japanese people. Since you don't like the way we smell so much, then what's wrong with us avoiding you too? It's fair.

Japan should not be a brothel for foreigners, but plenty of whites treat it like that. I don't see you complaining about them, thus, there is a double standard. There are tons of whites, latinos, etc. that brag about their success with treating japan like a brothel. Why not attack them when they are successful? For me, japan is just a dream that will never come true. Why attack me? Why not attack something that matters? Are you a coward? Is your spirit as yellow as your skin?

To the guy that told me not to date japanese girls:
Don't worry, japanese girls will never like black men. I do what I want and whom I want. I'd rather never get laid again than go for a non-japanese girl. That's my life. I must bear that pain of japanese and other races hating me while flaunting their resources in my face; you simply have to deal with me complaining. Deal with it. And if you ain't down with that, I got two words for ya!

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