Does Japan Accept Foreigners into Japanese Society?  

Life itself is so imperfect and short. Let us make for ourselves a comfortable bed to lie on. Don’t judge others through our own limied view and understanding. My gratitude to Paul for sharing your experience. I will surely remember what I like and not dwell on what I don’t. Even among us siblings, each household has its own way let alone a different culture and a different nation. My parents always taught me “When you enter someone else’s home, you will respect their way.” As a guest i never had such beautiful time as when I visited Kyoto and Nagano. The Japanese way is a gift to our world.

I saw a black guy who was a Japanese citizen and native Japanese speaker get Nihongo Jouzu'd at an airport by a Japanese couple. It was brutal. Imagine dealing with that your entire life.

Thanks for speaking on this topic. It's helpful for those of us working here. I'm looking forward to listening to your podcast. 🎧

Joining a club/group or even just frequenting a restaurant or bar is a great way to create a sense of belonging and build trust with Japanese people. I'm moving to Japan in June, but previously on my trips to Japan I always went to the same bar/restaurant and made sure to keep practicing my Japanese. They'll appreciate the fact you're taking time to learn Japanese and visit them frequently and you'll eventually start being invited to people's houses or parties and be considered a friend

It was very Informative for all that Small accepts in between that you are Highlighting.Please do other video.Personally by living residential in 3 countries: I feel that Issue everywhere to a different extension.Japanese discrimination feelings like: More,because of Unique Society,History and Culture.Thank you so much:)❤

I think this is the type of insight that a lot of people need to hear. I believe that among foreigners there could potentially be a fear of being ‘othered’, however it’s great to hear that with effort and genuine interest one can find their community or second family. Really cool video!

Good video. Like your T-Shirt!

I'm doing Kendo and living in Japan it made me feel more accepted than non-kendo Japanese. However, I imagine that if there is a club/hobby there are several foreigners, Japanese poeple might feel too intimidated to approach you.

I lived my first 28 years in England, and my next 18 in Australia..... I've been in Japan for more than 30 years, and I'm MORE ACCEPTED here than ever I was in those places..... （⌒▽⌒）

A lot of this depends on where you live as well. Urban vs rural, foreign “traffic” etc. Southern Japan feels much more welcoming overall. But also depends on the community.

Thanks for this, as always. I subscribed to your channel a few weeks ago and I’ve been binging on your past videos. I am waiting for the proper moment to ask you a question: you said a long time ago that it wasn’t true that Japanese males don’t marry foreigners. You said the fact is they often marry foreign Asians. This would suggest that the correct statement is that Japanese males tend to not marry Non-Asians, doesn’t it? This would be in line with casual observations in the streets, versus Japanese females. Interested in your take on this. Cheers!

How old is the T-shirt you are wearing?

They’ll tell you. You can live in Japan since birth, speak the language perfectly, get citizenship, but if you’re not 100% Japanese by blood, you’ll never be Japanese

you said that you have recently started talking philosophically about "what it means to be a Japanese", how do you think that discussion fits into 道徳教育 ?

How do the Japanese view older foreigners, say 65 and older?

Great advice! 15 years here.....and avoid foreign groups, they're weird.

Why would anyone really want to?

Just be yourself lol

most japanese are not part of ANY group. only an infinitesimally small proportion of japanese population are gregarious in a sense of having a family, or interacting with coworkers, or joining clubs, or whatnot: a normal ordinary japanese is: a single person without any friends or acquaintances, who is doing odd part time jobs

I have decided that via my travels in Japan, you get back what you invest. People respond to genuineness. I sat next to a couple at an Izakaya in Yamanashi, and the next thing you know they had invited me to stay with them at their home for a week for my next trip to Japan the following year. Friends for life. That’s Japan to me. 🫶🏻