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11-28-2009, 06:41 PM
Its all fair enough.. but if a business did this in England the "Anti-Racism Police" would be buggering you with something the size of Godzilla's tail for the rest of your life.
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11-30-2009, 12:04 AM
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It's their country, they can do as they please. The person is obviously extremely immature, judging by what he wrote in his video description. Seems like all the commenters nailed it dead on the head, 'Intelligent ordinary Gaijins ( foreigners) will receive warm welcome in Japan. However, noisy stupid US soldiers, unsophisticated trailer trash, so-called rednecks, drunk hooligans, illegal Chinese immigrants are all rejected by Japanese people.'
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11-30-2009, 02:28 PM
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 Only an open mind and open heart can be filled with life. ********************* Find your voice; silence will not protect you.
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11-30-2009, 07:53 PM
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The absolutely only thing I don't like about that in Japan is that it's often cited by racialists as an argument for (usually) white nationalism in their own countries. As if "look, those smart Asians do it, it's how it should be while we scapegoat our problems on our multiculturalism!"
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12-01-2009, 01:55 AM
Aww... why can't we all just get along?
This topic is obviously striking up some tension between people, and there's not really a right and wrong argument... there never is in a case like this. You have to see both sides. I completely understand the reasons that they have signs like that, but what if you're a foreigner who gets citizenship or something? You still can't go in? Or what if you're with a bunch of Japanese friends and you've been living in Japan long enough that you understand the culture and customs, and your Japanese friends vouch for you and tell the people that you're a "good" foreigner? Still no entry? (that's a genuine question. So if someone wants to help me out...) Well, it's completely understandable that signs like that would be offensive to foreigners because *the foreigners'* culture is different and they don't have signs prohibiting foreigners in *their* country. It's a vicious cycle because we're fighting over who's culture is correct. Just like when people fight over religions; these things aren't a big deal. We shouldn't fight about it, we should just accept that it's the culture and it's not going to change. At least they aren't forcing their culture onto foreigners; we should be thankful for that. I mean think about it, they maintain their culture and we maintain our culture. Shouldn't we just be happy and move on? I'm actually glad they have rules like that, because I extremely dislike the foreigners who tour any country and don't bother to learn the language; it's just inconsiderate (lots of European and American people going to Asian countries usually are rude... it's just the way it is). But it's kind of a bitter-sweet thing for me, because while I'm happy that the rude foreigners aren't allowed entry, I'm sad that the few hard-working and respectable foreigners that actually take time to learn the customs and the culture aren't given much of a chance because of other screw-up foreigners in Japan. The decent foreigners are put in the same category as the rude ones, and that's not fair. But... it's understandable, because how do they know that you're not inconsiderate too? My problem is not with Japan, but with inconsiderate foreigners who ruin it for the rest of us... Because of them, decent people never get the chance, rude people ruin all the decent peoples' chances. And it's not going to change because there's always going to be those mean people that don't care that they ruin your chances. You can't get everyone on your side, just like you can't please everyone. It's just the way of the world... I will always be 外人. (> <'') And I have to live with it... It's not my fault, but I accept it. But I wish there was a test or something... Like to prove that you're not just another jerk foreigner. Then some people would get chances to be accepted into the culture. But if it really upsets people so much, they should peacefully assemble and present their argument professionally- like "we have a problem with this because we're cooler than average foreigners. Ok?" (Well, that should be rephrased so people take them seriously, but you get the point). I think something like that would be more respected than getting frustrated and angry with Japanese society; getting angry will only make things worse and hurt your cause and you'll end up going nowhere. Peacefully presenting an argument with an open-mind further the decent "better-than-average" foreigners cause. And by "an open-mind," I mean you won't get pissed off when they say "no." It probably wouldn't get all of the signs down, but it could persuade some people. Maybe my thinking is all wrong, but I don't think it would make people put more signs up. Right? It wouldn't be a threatening thing to do if you did it like that. I don't know... it doesn't matter, really, like I said in the beginning. Cultures are different all over the world and you can't expect to change a whole society's way of thinking just because it's not the same as yours... I hate people who ruin things for good people. I also hate arguments like this... Why can't we all get along?!
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12-01-2009, 03:00 AM
I have been saying this for years, but it looks like it needs to be repeated again.
Living in Japan for 3 years and having visited cities up from Hokkaido to Kyushu, only once was I told I could not enter a business. (It was a illegal massage parlor, and to be clear, I was walking by and the barker outside approached me to tell me I could not go in.) I have never seen one of these signs, but notice the video rarely shows what kind of shop foreigners are banned from. From what I understand the majority are places that foreigners shouldn't be messing around with anyway. Massage parlors, hostess lounges, cabarets, etc... all places famous for charging outrageous prices. Where Japanese won't complain about an all you can drink libations at 20,000 yen an hour, but lots of foreigners will. How to fix the problem? Don't let complainers in. Consider these signs a blessing. Your wallet will thank you.
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12-01-2009, 03:53 AM
I can understand Japanese folks not wanting to go through the hassle, it's just as frustrateing for me when folks ask questions in Spanish or Chinese when I'm at work as well. It isn't because I'm angery with them, it's because I'm supposed to be able to help them when they ask questions, and I can't do that if I don't understand them. This confusion can lead to misunderstandings and the like.
As to some of the other issues, personally I think haveing a primary lanquage helps in the assimulation process of immigrants and therefore every nation should have one. Nor do I think it's the responsability of the host nation to know every blooming lanquage or culture out there. Cultural sensitivity works both ways, I do think guests should be more receptive to correction from people in whom's nation they are visiting.
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12-01-2009, 06:42 AM
I walked into a small very old wooden jewellery shop in Tawaramoto Nara.
I called out "Sumimasen" I wanted to enquire about a new watch battery. the old geezer walked out and said, "Hai" "Gaijin-Gaijin, Out-Out". That was the only time for me. I found it funny  My US colleague also had the same experience by an old lady in an old Nara Town. He went into a smal video shop. It's common in Japan to discriminate against foreigners. That is certainly not a secret. Six years, I saw a lot.. Onsen towns are the worst. Then of course Japanese are also discriminated against. Take Barukim people. These were the animals they did the dirty jobs. However, I guess if Japanese, it just becomes normal to discriminate. If you grow up with something you are taught, what esle do ya need to know. Cheers - Oz
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