Foreigners in Japan face social seperation - Page 2

StangGuy · (#11 (**permalink**))

The bigger akwardness comes when you can be confused for a marine. I was a 20 something american with buzzed hair in Hiroshima in late 2007 when the alleged rape of a 19 y/o by 4 marines in a car outside of a club occurred. I also frequented many of the places that Marines would show up on Friday and Saturday night. At the time a bunch more "no foreigner" signs popped up as well as "no Military without a Japanese escort" signs. I was waiting to be accused of being a Marine by a local as happens every once and awhile.

The larger problem though is that when the charges are dropped by Japanese police and the locals think that the marines get off without any punishment. I was still in Hiroshima when the charges were dropped and many of the locals were upset claiming US Govt interference, as it turned out the sex was consensual buth there was some theft afterwards. However, all of the marines were court martialed and convicted for the incident. They were demoted, discharged, and sentenced to between 1 and 2 years in prison and the local papers didn't say a thing about it.

killyoself · (#12 (**permalink**))

I would love to have seen her families face when they found out that their daughter got down and dirty with 4 foreign marines in a car outside club.

spicytuna · (#13 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by burkhartdesu

It didn't feel awkward because they were inflicting some sort of guilt on me-- I felt bad for my own reasons.

It's natural to feel awkward in a position like that but it really has nothing to do with us... and most people should realize that.

I served in the Canadian armed forces when I was younger and we made periodic visits to our legions, wounded veterans, etc. Some of them were stationed in the Pacific and asked me if I was of Japanese descent after glancing at my name tag. I felt really uncomfortable but in the end, they all shook my hand and thanked me for serving my country.

On the other hand, I once had the grandfather of a Korean girl I was dating demand that I apologize on behalf of Japan before I continued to date his granddaughter. Now that was way out of line...

bELyVIS · (#14 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by killyoself

I wouldn't feel guilty. I mean why the hell should I?? Cos we're both white??? That's such a stupid way to look at things.
Does that mean you believe everytime there's a shooting on the news involving a black person, it should be a natural reaction for the black people in your little hick town to feel guilty?

I loved being an American in Japan in August while they show the atomic bomb remembrances on TV there. I was always stared at during that time. It doesn't matter if you were alive at the time or not, they made me feel uncomfortable. Making you feel guilty can be accomplished because you are one of the group whether you are white, American, gaijin, etc.

MMM · (#15 (**permalink**))

Guy goes to Japan and realizes women aren't throwing themselves at his feet and he isn't treated like a rock star. Writes article.

EDIT: I changed the title of this thread to more accurately reflect the content.

Lyly · (#16 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by spicytuna

Japan is definitely a country you'd call homogeneous so it's only natural that a non-asian would attract some attention... both positive and negative.

Of course it isn't limited to Japan either. I went to high school in a white suburb of Montreal where I was maybe 1 of 10 asians in a school of 1000 and trust me, discrimination and racial slurs were a daily occurrence for me.

Fast forward 20 years and I still face my share of unnecessary attraction when I travel to some real red-neck areas of Canada.

In that sense, Japan feels like home to me at times. How ironic...

Sorry but are you sure it was Montreal, because I travel and live in a lot of different countries and Montreal is the most divers(racially) city I have ever lived in.People are really open minded here AND THEIR IS A LOT OF IMMIGRANTS HERE. Please tell me witch suburb it was because I can really believe it .

spicytuna · (#17 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyly

Sorry but are you sure it was Montreal, because I travel and live in a lot of different countries and Montreal is the most divers(racially) city I have ever lived in.People are really open minded here AND THEIR IS A LOT OF IMMIGRANTS HERE. Please tell me witch suburb it was because I can really believe it .

Sure, it was Dollard des Ormeaux back in the early 1980s. The high school I attended was Lindsay Place in Pointe Claire.

Lyly · (#18 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by spicytuna

Sure, it was Dollard des Ormeaux back in the early 1980s. The high school I attended was Lindsay Place in Pointe Claire.

Ahhhh 20years ago it might have been the case but 10years ago till know it's no longer like that it's way more open and divers. Know there is a loooooot of immigrants

Lyly · (#19 (**permalink**))

I was just wondering, spicytuna do you still live in Montreal???

spicytuna · (#20 (**permalink**))

No, I live just outside of Banff at the base of the Canadian Rockies.

I moved out of Montreal back in 1984 but I've been back to visit around 20x since then. Now that I've lived all over Canada, I have to admit that Montreal is my favorite city by far. The great food, the outdoor patio cafe's, Club Supersex, etc.