"I Kept Telling Him, I'm Half Japanese, Not A Foreigner ..." 私は外国人ではありません！(Black in Japan) | MFiles 

Quick correction: In the subtitles, it said that Raimu saw her father once per week, but it should have read once per month.

The “go back to your own country” is pretty universal lol. I’m a black American. Got told that a few times. I just say it back to them or say you gonna pay for my ticket, visa, housing and etc?

It’s really interesting that we, the victims of racism, feel that the onus is on us to “prove” our goodness, acceptability, and equality. The actual responsibility should rest on those who attack, based on assumptions. This kind of racism should be met with responses that expose and reject racism, but that also educate and humble the perpetrator. People who feel great about themselves never say that kind of crap.

I'm happy to hear these ladies say what country their Dad was from. I'm tired of hearing people refer to themselves as half *country* and half black

*she met her father once a month not once a week (月に一回)

It's crazy how the "one drop rule" works all over the world and who excepts it. All over the black side embraces the children because that one drop means you're one of us, were the other side looks at that one drop as "you'll never be one of us"

rascism exists in every corner of the world, Japan is no exception. Stay true to yourself and build up yourself positivity is your strength.

BLACK is Beautiful 😍

This interviewer allowed one young lady to speak too long compared to the other one.

I am a Japanese. I heard of Raimu-SAN’s opinions in Japanese. I felt she was right completely. I hope she will be successful in her job.

差別やいじめが悪い事だと言う事は、当たり前だと分かっていても、差別やいじめをされる側の方々が、具体的にどんな心境になり、どんな事に気を配るかが、よく分かりました。 色々と勉強になり、考えさせられました。大変ありがとう御座いました。これからは、差別やいじめをもっと深く考えて、より良い対応や行動が出来るように、努力したいと思います‼️😄。

Please do not forget that hard-of-hearing and deaf communities are here. Your Closed Captioning changed when the second woman spoke. So, we couldn't read what she said. They speak of awareness of others. One may think new technology would close this gap. So, I ask that you listen so that we may hear you. Do know that we are grateful for your channel.

Beautiful ladies.

Wow, you can tell she's been wanting to talk about this for a really long time, she had alot to say, beautiful lady like her, almost looks like Sade, almost seems impossible to ever think that people can look past color

We are BEAUTIFUL and we are everywhere because we were FIRST

It was a great interview. One thing that is intriguing is most mixed people here in Japan seem to have very similar experiences. However, there is a lot of hypocrisy over here when it comes to these mixed kids. To be honest, I do not see this country changing anytime soon. Maybe in the year 2800 will attitudes towards "other" people change. The only advice I would give anyone is to be themselves. I would not really try to fit in as you would only stress yourself. You could respect the customs, but trying to fit in will only break you. Try to use your uniqueness to your advantage. I may be a Japanese citizen, but I dont give a damn about trying to fit in. For example, I detest most of the idol kawaii creepy crap you see here on TV. I am not going to follow that mess just to fit in. I rarely watch anime, and I am not into going to an Izakaya to get piss drunk. I do like Japanese food and ancient scripts though.

I’m Asian American and I started to experience the same BS soon enough. And the irony is that I’ve actually gotten racist comments from my own people in Asia believe it or not. God bless outsiders man, God bless.

It shouldn't matter if you are a foreigner in the first place. If you respect the people and culture and know the language I see no problem.

They have such beautiful personalities in both videos. I hope things change and improve throughout time. I know these experiences must be tough but I see strong women here and that's what matters this day and age.

Making assumptions about people based on their appearance or background is so common here. A Japanese man I used to work with was shocked, and then angry, when he saw me put cream in my coffee. He told me, "you're an American. You're supposed to like black coffee!" It's so exhausting trying to let others get to know you. When the "real" you doesn't match their assumptions, it's almost like they can't hear you.

Beautiful story. Melanin is beautiful no matter what culture it's mixed with. Never be ashamed ladies. Thanks Ranzo for sharing their story

Thanks for showing this but I wish the second speaker could have spoken longer.

I loved this interview, Raimu girl I would never treat you wrong. Beautiful melanin

I love black people

They are not interviewed evenly. Maybe it's better to ask question alternately.

I am American and lived in Japan for about 7 years from 1993-2000. I observed that the Japanese communities which were close to where US military bases are situated had a less closed mindset regarding people of color. That open mind was not afforded the mixed race (African or US African American )Japanese. The country/culture of Japan is so highly insular, even in the fact that it is an island...This intensifies the Japanese mindset. It is such a homogeneous culture in terms of physical appearance expectations. The darker complexion of US and African mixed Japanese people stands out and emphasizes our distinctness from them. So does the hair texture. We share many facial features. These women affect me as more Japanese in their manner, yet I expect Japanese will deny this shared quality and instead focus on the physical appearance of mixed race. This interview was well done.

The only thing I wanna say here is that these girls are the definition of what beauty is all about.

Arks' smile could power entire countries! She's so adorable. Just wanna shield her from anything that could cause her to question her self-worth and beauty. Growing up void of nearly any contact with their Black parents' culture or Black perspectives seems to be one of the unfortunate things one frequently hears whenever half Black/half Japanese people share their stories on what it was like for them growing up in Japan. It's really sad because having a connection to their Black roots could've been a crutch to lean on for support and self-affirmation for them.

Hello! I’m a Japanese woman. I’m not mixed blood. However, I really love urban ( black ) culture!!! Mainly, music!!! I really love urban ( black ) music of Africa, US, UK and Canada etc... And I often search about African culture! So my mind belongs to urban ( black ) culture perfectly!!! That’s why I was really very sad about the stories of these two beautiful ladies... And I really feel shame about my contry and the people... Please be confident about your blood and your roots!!! Because black people have great culture and the abilities!!! But almost people in Japan aren’t interested in foreign countries and the culture... So I still can’t find friends who can talk about urban music and the culture... If I’ll be able to find such great friends like these beautiful ladies, I’ll be very very happy!!! Anyway, please be positive for your lives in Japan!!!

Through my life I met LOTS of mixed ppl but when it comes to Asians they like and praise when ur half white half Asian (sometimes Arabs and Latinas if they are beautiful lmao) look how they put them as the ideal beauty if ur half white half Asian u can just be a model be in a tv show u will be loved so fast but black ppl get totally different reaction (most of them) I’m not black btw but I noticed this ,sad but that’s the truth

I appreciate this video and the awareness it brings about. Kudos to the ladies for sharing their stories. Courage and respect👍🏻

Incredible interview and strong women. I'm glad to finally see a video where they were speaking from the heart instead of just staying at a surface level to make the listeners feel better. After being in Japan for a year the stereotypes and generalizations show how identified Japan is with the collective and not the individual. I'm glad you are bringing awareness to this. This is very motivating

Both ladies are very lovely AND impressive, but the 15 y/o seemed wise beyond her tender years. Thanks for the video!😀😀👍👍👏👏

This little girl is a true leader. Great job. The interview format is excellent. Great spacing

I want them to stop by Tanzania when they visit Africa. When they switched from English to Japanese, I knew they were fluently Japanese 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

When Raimu mentioned being sensitive to what people are saying around her, I related to her so much. I am not a half Japanese person but I have become sensitive to people talking around me - especially when I'm sitting in a cafe studying or when I'm out with my Japanese boyfriend. People will talk about me or us as if we're not even there because of their assumptions. (My boyfriend is automatically assumed to be a foreigner when we're out in some cases). I guess people don't realise that it can be hurtful.

We love you Ark!

To most, she is a foreigner, bc she's not like the others. Imo, being unique is better. We are the earth.

I love watching your videos. You let the people that you are speaking express themselves how they want and allow them to drive the narrative which is refreshing. There are many channels on RU-vid made by content creators, they guide the interview s to fit inside of their world- However with your videos, and how you let the people tell their stories, You know when to ask questions to help them keep going, and most importantly you know how to sit back and let them speak- This is my favorite thing, you do not make your videos about you. Raimu is amazing, and the way that she spoke about her experiences were not only heartbreaking, but she conveyed them in a very relatable way that someone outside of Japan understood her feelings and experiences. Ark story however provided me with the biggest take away message and awareness towards a responsibility we American's have that I was completely oblivious about until hearing her story.

This sad no matter where you go you faced discrimination! Glad they stay strong and overcome these Experiences,thanks for this video!

She speaks beautifully

It is wonderful to see the influence of Africa reaching far and wide all over the world. To the Africans and those of African heritage out there, remember to be good ambassadors; pursue you dreams with focus and enjoy life responsibly. The Earth is ours and we must all share it.

I’d love to hear from the parents of these kinds of people, together or separated. Get their take on things.

I can DEFINITELY relate to this as the place I was born and lived all my life, I'm always asked with a follow-up question "So where are you REALLY from?" (like they never heard me just 5 seconds ago tell them where I'm from). I feel like I need to ask them if they have problems with their hearing. SMH .. I'm still glad more black people are speaking about this issue GLOBALLY.

The teenage girl is very smart she has a bright future ahead of her

I know that’s right! Correct them! She is half Japanese! 🙌🏽❤️👏🏽✨

I'm a Brazilian Nikkei my dad is Japanese and my mom was Brazilian Japanese. In Brazil I suffered lots of billing and racism from kids, teenagers and adults they used to say 'go back to Japan, China Korea' I used to get angry but when became and adult I did not care much. When I came to Japan I suffered racism for being Brazilian. Some Japanese cannot understand why I look Japanese and I am not fluent at Japanese. I love Japan and Brazil but the racism I face in bouth countries suck. I don't really care what racist people tell or call me these people are ignorant and mean their life is boring so they're mean to others.

reading a lot of comments saying that it should have been more time spent on the girl in the pink. But I think this is the first time Ranzo has ever interviewed a non-adult. She said she's 16. She seems to be nervous even though she still did a good job telling her story. So I think it was practical to focus on the older person who felt more comfortable speaking.

We need more exposure of such wonderful stories, a way to reduce the narrow minded behavior of people around the world.

I am mexican with japanese roots, I made lots of japanese artists friends( I love drawing too), Sometimes many of them invite me to expose in galleries etc, BUT I live in Mexico, they propose some business or try to go out on dates etc etc.. They treat me as one of them and are really nice, I receive compliments about my aspect and they ask where im living(japanese city) Its sad these ladies being japanese citizens have to go through lots of struggles. While I am frankly a foreigner and I receive certain attention because I look like japanese.

When will the African diaspora learn? No matter what group or religion you identify with or what country you were born in, you will always be black first.

Nigerian men out here spreading their seeds globally.......damn

Beautiful ladies! Thank you for sharing your story.

That yoing girl is so ambitious! Great mission

国に帰れは言われたことはないけどイギリスと日本のハーフで大分県育ちでアメリカ人の観光客と間違われたりある。

As a half Japanese and half black woman, it’s just really nice to see other women with my exact ethnic background. For me it’s like finding a unicorn. Lol. Like “Ooooh there’s another one just like me! Wait OMG there are two?!” (Dancing around like a little kid🤣). I agree with Raimu that representation means a lot.

This is a great interview. It seems like they had a lot to say on this subject. May they did not have much of an avenue to discuss these topics before. I spent 3 months working in Japan. It was a very interesting process especially in a business environment. My experience were more positive than negative.

Most homogenous society do NOT like outsiders nor foreign looks.

The title of the video is from Raimu (on the right), but as the current debate on “Gaikoku-shimin” and the law concerning Japanese citizens with a foreign parent go, I would encourage Raimu and others not to call themselves “half Japanese,” but “Japanese” instead. This seems pedantic, but I would advance two points here: 1. Being Japanese is neither quantified nor qualified by blood or DNA; I dare anyone to take a test and see their results. 😉 2. Being a Japanese citizen, called “kokumin”, does not offer anything but a full status of citizenship. Raimu’s passport is just as “Japanese” as Mr. Abe’s or my child’s. 😀 Of course, folks like to use the term “hafu” rather loosely, but the Japanese do not use it loosely. The sentiment carries baggage, and it finds room to park where an unspoken aversion to diversity - especially individual - feels all too comfortable pointing out where someone doesn’t entirely fit in. My own child has experienced plenty of that already. We smile and ignore the term most of the time, but we don’t perpetuate the “hafu” idea. Finally, clearly I am not of African descent (unless we go waaaaaaaaaay back), but it’s important to note that racism in Japan hits us all. It’s different than, say, America. Where one is systemic, Japan is based more on a lack of diversity and insular thinking (or culture). Change here is slowly coming, but not with the same growing pains as America.

I am so proud of y`all , great work.

Very thoughtful and genuine synopses on the mixed nationality experience in Nihon. I liked how the ladies selected to convey their experiences in both Japanese and English. Well done. 👏

I have lived in Japan and I think I can comfortably say that I know Japanese people! One thing that struck me about Japanese people was ignorance and am sorry to say this because I have so much respect and love for Japanese people! I spent some time in Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo, living a few stations from Tokyo, Horikiri Shobuen and Nagano! This was in the late 90s and I remember us walking into a shopping centre and everything got to a standstill, people bringing their kids to come and see us, touch us, feel the texture of our hair! It was quite embarrassing! Hearing what these very beautiful young girls are saying, I do not think things have changed that much, but trust me they will do at some stage! All black people have to do, is what they've done elsewhere, to know who they are, understand society they are born into and living in and to be proud of the colour of their skin and use it to better their lives and don't get paranoid!

If they ask me where I’m from, I would tell them I’m from this planet earth. If they tell me to go back when I’m from, I would tell them I’m from here. This is where I’m going to stay!

The girl in stripes is so beautiful, but I can feel the hurt in her voice. So sad

It would be nice if you could make two separate interviews, so that each one of them could fully express their experience. Maybe be have them back, if they want to?

公園で遊んでて、国に帰れって、、、、大阪だからでしょうね! 東京、 千葉だったら有り得ない気もします。 関西人キツイ人間が多いっていうのもあると思いました。 日本はみんなと自分は違う、「違う」とか「賛成」しない、反対の意見を持つこと、「嫌い」と言うのに気が引ける、好きじゃないという方が無難な文化であるのが良い部分でもあり、悪い部分でもあると思います。 私の子供達もハーフですが、アジア同士なので見かけでは分かりません。 自身の外見を持って産まれた事で苦労を沢山されましたね。 人一倍、色んな複雑な辛い感情を味わって来られた分、これからは多様な幸せを味わって欲しいと思いました。 とっても綺麗で考えはとても洗練されているなと思いました。 黒人だから黒人らしく、日本人だからどうこうでなく、自分らしく堂々と生きて欲しい、私の子供達にも私自身にも言える事です。

Awe too short, I would like to hear more from these two👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

I really enjoyed listening to this young lady speak. It sounds like such a beautiful language it is such a great shame black skin is not appreciated in most parts of the world. We need to keep reminding the world that we are more than just our colour and we ARE beautiful, just as beautiful as everyone else. WE believe that. I believe that, it´s most of the world that struggles with it.

Very powerful story keep your heads up you two... I'll keep saying it when the foreigners go into Africa treat them the same way. Don't make them feel comfortable in Africa. I hate the way the world treat our people sadly we let them, that has to stop. We have to check them on the spot and don't be nice about it

No culture is perfect,they all have some shortcoming or another, the Japanese culture maybe the classiest Ive encountered personally! I cant remember a single Japanese that I can say something negative about. Sold cars for years, and they always showed respect in everything the did!

As someone multicultural who never really "fit in" to anywhere I lived; and now being a "waiguoren" foreigner in China for 3~4 years; I must say, being an outsider to society is a much better deal than being an insider. It doesn't make life easy. There is no "set path" for you to follow. But you get to witness your destiny unfold and create a path that you are proud and happy to tread on, and nobody will really get in your way.. It's just expected that whatever you do, that's just what you do. I like that feeling of being an outsider. Trying to fit in when I was much younger growing up in foreign countries just made me miserable. It's not necessary to fit in. Just necessary to occupy our space and stand on the ground beneath our feet proudly. My Dad use to repeat this to me since I was a little baby: "You are fully deserving of all the Love in the world." Black, white, yellow, half, mixed, test-tubed... We are spiritual beings. Our skin and our body are nothing more than a change of clothes. Who wants to have the same shirt and shoes as everyone around them? Celebrate diversity. Peace.

6:51 I'd get a new real estate agent, lol esp after I would have told him I was entirely raised in Japan, at least a couple times

I thank you for sharing your story. Its Thursday April 16th 12:19 a.m. listening to a very interesting story. My advice, don't worry about what people think, worry about what THE CREATOR thinks.

The crazy thing is these asians countries don’t mind half white/half asian kids. It sucks they had to go through all that. Glad they came out strong and found their identity

Half black people, that the Japanese people would accept, are the ones playing professional sports... Like the one in the NBA... Sad but true.

So much love from Uganda.

Nice to see both fine ladies get interviewed. Must say, the half Nigerian half Japanese lady looks like a goddess of beauty 😍

Shoulda done more of an interactive discussion instead of 1on 1.

This is an amazing video! The fact that she has to give her background whenever she meets a new person is sad. Definitely not a topic broached in that country. An insightful and thorough conversation.

My first day in Japan as a tourist in Tokyo an old Japanese man came up to my and my bf on the street (while we were stood looking at a map) and started yelling racist abuse at us in English. It really ruined the first half of my trip, I had wanted to go to Japan for so long but felt really unwelcome after that. I met some nicer Japanese people afterwards, but it seemed like a lot of Japanese people are super unfriendly to anyone who isn't Japanese (or who they don't consider Japanese).

Greetings from Mexico 🇲🇽 very interesting and educational channel. I love it!

It sounds draining having to explain your ethnicity and nationality to be “accepted “, shouldn’t be that way. So sad how prejudice people are across the globe including in Amerikkka! All they see is race and color, and feel that it’s inferior! It’s a shame that we are still talking about this in the 21st century! 🤷🏾‍♀️

That was brilliant thank you so much for your wonderful videos. Japan should probably start putting more half characters in their tv/movie fictions. It’s a very tough matter. Thanks a lot to the two guests, absolutely lovely.

Ranzo....this was beautiful.

Man, she's gorgeous, and her soul also seems beautiful. With the increase of foreigners going to Japan (oh you BEST believe I'm interested in moving there also) I can imagine that the racism will gradually decrease. Racism is an international problem. It's a sin. But Jesus came to free us from that sin as well as every other sin.

What doesn't kill you make you STRONGER!!!

The Japanese, I think their " intelligence " is highly overrated. Especially their emotional and logical intelligence.

I’m so glad I found this channel. New subscriber.

This is an excellent video, please have more people speak in Japanese or provide subtitles so Japanese participate in the discussion. Love it 😎👍

Thanks for having the strength, courage, and capacity to share your unique experience on this platform. You are an inspiration and we wish you the best. As our world gets smaller and smaller faster and faster people are becoming more aware of better ways to interact with those of us who have different complections languages feature sizes and shapes. This video will help many people to understand and be more supportive of people who appear to be other than what they consider themselves to be. Stay strong God is real and he loves us all, Cheers!

You guys look so beautiful. Sorry for the inconvenience experienced. It happens because a lot of Japanese people do not go abroad therefore their mind is a bit narrow. It happens for me sometimes as well even I am Asian :) Live happily and ignore the negative eyes and thoughts from others. God bless you!

Great interview! I love how youre staring more blasians on your show. One note, you have a translation mistake. Raimu stated she met her once dad once a month not once a week. Might want to fix that translation error. 相変わらず素晴らしいインタービューでした。blasianの出演が増えて嬉しいです。 ちなみに通訳ミスがあります。Raimuさんは週一ではなく、月一に父と会ってたと言ってました。

Im not black but I am mixed race, mainly hispanic and a mix of other things. Ive never been "dark" enough to be considered hispanic, and never "light" to be considered white. Ive been told (espeically in 2016) to ho back to my country despite being born in America and raised there. I thkught i was just an American thing but to know it happens other places breaks my heart. Hopefully, with the work youre doing and sharing stories like those of thwse beautiful young women, it can help othets see the error of their ways

When life comes down to my self identity: I am neither African nor American, I am simply "Black".

I don’t like the name “half” They are Afro Japanese.

あなた達は、日本生まれは日本人です🥰God Bless You all 🙏🙏🙏

Historically Japanese people had dark skin up until the 1940s strangely once WW2 happened they all seemed to disappear

These women are very strong to come forward and tell it like it is. I really respect them and am inspired by them.

you have so many people who are today mixed with different cultures. its fascinating because toy can learn so much and appreciate the different cultures when u are learning how to adapt when being unique. i wish she had spoken this in english. i know she is illustrating that she can speak another language but at the beginning she could have then spoke english. people should always be proud of there heritage and continue to educate people about mix races and cultures that you can have more than origins in you

Good on her. She didn't even grow up "black" or African, but she's done more soul searching for her cultural identity that a lot of Africa Americans I know. Some people just don't see the importance of knowing who you are and where you come from.