Comments by "Jordan, inside-outsider in Japan" (@Jordan-inJapan) on "What’s it like being Half Japanese in Japan ?" video.
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@KP-go4rp I have a feeling that what’s being talked about here applies more to urban Japan…maybe Tokyo.? At least, I’ve lived in Japan for 20 years now, and the only time I’ve ever been denied entry anywhere was a sleazy night club I shouldn’t have been trying to get into in the first place. And the ‘no-one-sits-next-to-you-on-the-train’ thing? If only I was so lucky. Seriously, if I’ve ever been ‘treated badly’ based on not being Japanese, I haven’t noticed it.
I know that a lot of people do have bad experiences…and Japan does have its share of jerks and racists…but it’s just never really materialized in my life here in rural, central Japan.
Back to my original comment, but what’s more of an issue for me is that all the extra attention my daughters get for their lighter hair, etc, will cause them to attribute too importance to the way they look and allow that to become a central part of their self-identity. (That said, if I every catch anyone treating them badly, I’ll have something to say about it.)
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@albertsmith99 that’s a good point. Things have been getting better in recent years. (Especially in the run-up to the Olympics, a lot of wheelchair-friendly infrastructure was put in). But still behind most other (‘developed’) countries.
Actually, I’m involved in a music project at a center for challenged artists, so I have some personal interest in this issue as well! One of the things we do is set up public events and performances to be as visible as possible, like, “hey, we’re here in your community, and some us have disabilities, but guess what, create art too!” And the lack of access thing does come up pretty often — like we’re constantly having to carry our two band members who are in wheelchairs up and down stairs. But that also serves the goal of drawing attention to the situation. So… long response, but yeah, I think that one’s level of ability has more impact that nationality in this country when it comes to discrimination!
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