Recognizing Japanese Who Are Passive-aggressive Or Racist

[RIDER 00]

I've lived in Japan for over 20 years and can say that I have experienced passive aggressive racism in one form or another.
I don't notice things to the extent the OP has, but the most common thing I still experience is that when I'm sitting on the train
with the seat next to me open, it's always the last one taken even if it's a crowded train. Maybe it's because I'm overweight or
I look intimidating, but it's been that way for me ever since I was a student.

A one time incident I had was at a small train station shop in Hakone. The register had no lines, it was like the first to hand their
goods to the clerk would get ringed up, but I was standing with some konyaku at the register for some time and the old lady
never even attempted to service me. She kept on ignoring my outstretched hand and ringing up Japanese guys.
I was too shocked at this to even complain and considered just not buying anything and leaving.

Eventually, one nice man pointed out to her that I had been waiting for a long time and she begrudgingly took my money.

 

[impish]

but the most common thing I still experience is that when I'm sitting on the train
with the seat next to me open,

When that happens I think, "more room for me!"

 

[User#8628]

Had read this thread earlier, and then this evening this article showed up in my FB feed.

http://www.atlasobscura.com/article...utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=atlas-page

That's awesome, especially the Moulin Rouge performer.

This article reminds me of those Japanese "fartwar" painting.
It seems that now they use this war tactic on foreigners who walk past them...

 

[split]

I have experienced that aggressive walking, riding and even driving passed me with the spitting just before or after they make eye contact with and pass by me.
.

Things must be quite different in Shizuoka. Nobody seems to make eye contact here in Tokyo even when I give HIM the "I want to fuck you Western style" stare. I often find my self staring at the subway wall instead or Lawson entrance after all is done.

I once had a Chinese guy spit and side spray my shoes when I passed him (didn't give him that special stare) but my thoughts at the time were the Japanese just don't do that.
(just joking, not gay but jokingly drunk)

Microagression -maybe so. the businessmen on the train in the morning, so grouchy and often dicks doing that erratic as I like to call it chicken nudging where he (only men) nudges you for talking their space when there is 647 people per 32 square meters of space, all while you are doing your best to be efficient with space and keep your body and stance using little of it without actually falling over. You don't even need to deliberately push against someone because it's so crammed everybody is pressed against each other. However, the guy behind you thinks you are leaning against him being it is actually minimal but he really believes the opposite because of the prime real estate he has in the corner of the train. Then, it happens the "chicken nudge" and often in a series of nudges.

Microagression or not, that behaviour pisses me off.

 

[RIDER 00]

When that happens I think, "more room for me!"

Well, they do say the cheapest form of an upgrade on an airline is when you're in economy and the seat next to you is open.

I don't mind the extra room on the train but there is the feeling of being treated as an outcast, especially when the train is
crowded and there is enough space for a person to sit down next to me.

 

[MikeH]

Maybe it's because I'm overweight or I look intimidating, but it's been that way for me ever since I was a student.

I was told this same "last empty seat is always next to me" by a foreign acquaintance about a month ago and I have actually been keeping a mental track on this since then. I tend to avoid the really crowded times so when I ride the ratio of persons per seats is usually less than 2. Anyway almost half of the people are still left standing so usually every seat gets filled.

Now I am 6'3" and 200 pounds and as white as they come so if this theory is true the seat next to me should be empty pretty much all the time. And sometimes that seat actually stays empty quite long. Only when you look around the whole train you'll notice there are other empty ones and they all have a common trait. They are empty seats around the middle of the car, there is a bigger than standard guy sitting next to it and most of the people standing around are females. When the train gets full enough you don't move much for the empty seat anymore; if you don't have one close to you it's better to stand. And if the next guy takes more than his share of the seat the girls are hesitant to sit down, foreigner or not.

If you want the next seat to fill too it's better to act like a local. Take as little space as possible, wear a black suit and fell to sleep immediately when you get to sit down. I guarantee when you wake up there is a person sitting in both sides of you .

 

[e-smile]

Well, they do say the cheapest form of an upgrade on an airline is when you're in economy and the seat next to you is open.

I don't mind the extra room on the train but there is the feeling of being treated as an outcast, especially when the train is
crowded and there is enough space for a person to sit down next to me.

I've experienced that in France, never in Japan.

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

When that happens I think, "more room for me!"

I agree. This is the pet peeve most foreigners living in Japan seem to have and it just never bothered me. I know I don't stink and I have good hygiene. I know it is because I'm a foreigner, but I like having a lot of room.

I do however mind if some idiot I don't know decides to cough/spit in my general direction because not only is it rude...they could give me some sort of infection.

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

Things must be quite different in Shizuoka. Nobody seems to make eye contact here in Tokyo even when I give HIM the "I want to fuck you Western style" stare. I often find my self staring at the subway wall instead or Lawson entrance after all is done.

I once had a Chinese guy spit and side spray my shoes when I passed him (didn't give him that special stare) but my thoughts at the time were the Japanese just don't do that.
(just joking, not gay but jokingly drunk)

Microagression -maybe so. the businessmen on the train in the morning, so grouchy and often dicks doing that erratic as I like to call it chicken nudging where he (only men) nudges you for talking their space when there is 647 people per 32 square meters of space, all while you are doing your best to be efficient with space and keep your body and stance using little of it without actually falling over. You don't even need to deliberately push against someone because it's so crammed everybody is pressed against each other. However, the guy behind you thinks you are leaning against him being it is actually minimal but he really believes the opposite because of the prime real estate he has in the corner of the train. Then, it happens the "chicken nudge" and often in a series of nudges.

Microagression or not, that behaviour pisses me off.

Yes, I have been to Tokyo many times and it is much different from Shizuoka. It is a bit of a balance. In Tokyo, there are more businessmen and working folk in shitty moods that aren't usually being xenophobic, but just being assholes in general.

There are also more situations where there is a lack of personal space, so there is pushing and all that nonsense.

Here in Shizuoka, I just have assholes coughing, spitting and yawning without covering their mouths like while making eye contact with me. Talk about bonus points right? lol

I just mimic whatever they do in a more exaggerated form and they seem to get the message. I highly recommend you try it next time because they never expect it and the look of shock on their faces is priceless.

You should come visit Shizuoka sometime. I will make you or anyone else a believer in just a day. Just take a stroll around Shizuoka city and keep your eyes and ears ready.

 

[okayspot]

What I've experienced in Japan is more so Xenophobia as opposed to racism. On the contrary, I've experienced WAY more "racism" from other gaijin as opposed to Japanese people.

Without getting too private, are you Caucasian?

 

[User#12791]

Without getting too private, are you Caucasian?

Not Caucasian.

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

Without getting too private, are you Caucasian?

Yes, doesn't bother me to answer. I am Caucasian.

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

Ok, so I went to a restaurant with a Japanese student/friend of mine tonight and something was verified tonight. There was a Japanese couple (maybe in their 40's) sitting nearby us. I kept overhearing them say うるさい (noisy/annoying) and glancing at us off and on. I stayed positive and ignored it and kept enjoying my time with my friend and the food.

Here is the thing, we they both got up to leave, they needed to walk passed us and just as she was passing by, she said うるさい like two times pretty loud too. I just repeated うるさい in a mocking voice and they looked at me surprised lol. I asked my Japanese friend if they were talking about me and she said that the entire time we were eating there, they were talking shit on foreigners and calling me annoying wtf. We weren't even talking loud or anything. They were just either xenophobic/racist.

 

[MikeH]

We weren't even talking loud or anything. They were just either xenophobic/racist.

Well, without being there it's difficult to say which explanation is correct. Either you were being loud or they were being racists. Both loud foreigners and racists Japanese have been found roaming freely on trains and restaurants .

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

Well, without being there it's difficult to say which explanation is correct. Either you were being loud or they were being racists. Both loud foreigners and racists Japanese have been found roaming freely on trains and restaurants .

Yes, only my Japanese friend was with me and we weren't being loud, but I can understand if nobody believes me. But how would you explain the same situation where I'm either at a restaurant alone or on the train (not talking or doing anything rude at all) and having Japanese people passing by me to suddenly blurt out うるさい just at the right moment? Seems too optimistic to always believe it is the fault of the foreigner haha.

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

I have been holding off for the longest time to post this additional information to verify 100% that I'm not just being paranoid, but I have verified that these things are indeed happening to me.

At least once a day, Japanese people will say one of the following things as they pass by me after making eye contact with me: "全然わからない”　and ”何これ/それ？”　

For those who don't know:

全然わからない/ぜんぜんわかんない mean "I don't understand at all" which is what Japanese people say when they "don't understand at all (why a foreigner is in Shizuoka or Japan)". They say it as they pass me, after they pass me or often even before passing by my while making eye contact...pretty fucking rude lol.

何これ/それ？ mean "what is this/that?"　which is insanely rude to say to someone. It is either an accidentally rude thing to say meaning something like "what is this (why is a foreigner here?)" or it is an intentionally rude thing to say like "what is that foreigner (is he even human?"). Either way, it is fucking stupid for people to say, but they say it all the time.

I have had Japanese people I know walking with me in malls, downtown, etc. that have actually heard people say this shit and they agreed that I'm not just "being paranoid". Anyway, there you go guys.

 

[Nikkei Guy]

I don't know if Japanese are racist or just ignorant. There is a tanning salon in my neighborhood named "Black People". Probably wouldn't go over in the States.

Being third generation Japanese American myself, its hard for me to comment on some of the above. I would say that some if it is just the culture though as I see it too. Things like spitting on the street or even farting.

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

I don't know if Japanese are racist or just ignorant. There is a tanning salon in my neighborhood named "Black People". Probably wouldn't go over in the States.

Being third generation Japanese American myself, its hard for me to comment on some of the above. I would say that some if it is just the culture though as I see it too. Things like spitting on the street or even farting.

Are you living here in Japan currently? If you are just visiting Japan, you might not have many chances to notice the things I posted above and you are of Japanese decent, whereas I'm really white. One of my best friends is a third generation Japanese American as well. He doesn't live in Japan, but he visits here a couple times a year to see relatives and for business reasons.

We have had so many talks about this subject because he notices places with "accidentally" racist names all the time in Tokyo and sometimes takes photos and sends them to me for a laugh. It isn't as funny though when people are saying rude, strange things and I'm living here as well. I have gotten used to it because I have been hearing it for about 2 years straight, so it has become mostly static noise I expect to hear when I go outside.

Just as a side question, have you had any problems with Japanese in situations where they found out you are a Japanese American?

 

[CrimesAgainstPlastic]

I suggest visiting the Korean, Chinese or Russian embassy on a Sunday if you want a good dose of racism. The black buses of racial hatred, donning the old Imperial flag, screaming hate-speech at ear splitting decibels every damn weekend.

The police do nothing but escort them from one location to the next, occasionally recording them before moving them on to the next embassy.

So much outrage over a silent statue in front of a Japanese embassy, but a blind eye to the death threats and blatant disrespect broadcasting openly to its closest diplomatic neighbours.

Turn a blind eye, it's freedom of speech... As long as you don't criticize the government.

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

I suggest visiting the Korean, Chinese or Russian embassy on a Sunday if you want a good dose of racism. The black buses of racial hatred, donning the old Imperial flag, screaming hate-speech at ear splitting decibels every damn weekend.

The police do nothing but escort them from one location to the next, occasionally recording them before moving them on to the next embassy.

So much outrage over a silent statue in front of a Japanese embassy, but a blind eye to the death threats and blatant disrespect broadcasting openly to its closest diplomatic neighbours.

Turn a blind eye, it's freedom of speech... As long as you don't criticize the government.

While I haven't been to these embassies, I have had seen the black vans on multiple occasions here in Shizuoka City as well.

 

[Gunmachan]

I've experienced that in France, never in Japan.

Considering the level of multiculturalism in France, I doubt people wouldn't seat next to you because you look foreign...

 

[Gunmachan]

I have been living a little over a year in Gunma and I have yet to experience any such aggressive behaviour from people here.
There are very few gaijins in my area and strangers are generally very kind to me.

On the train I regularly have young girls or boys sit next to me even when other seats are available. But I am not overweight and I always make sure I don't spread my legs too wide.
Old people are cool too and sometimes randomly start chatting with me.
I'm in the country-side and people are probably more laid back and less stressed. (Don't take me wrong, the Japanese country-side is still insanely crowded).
My nationality is also very popular in Japan and rare outside big cities so it makes people curious.

Middle aged men are more neutral but usually courteous, I have never seen anyone spit on the ground or cough in my direction.
Maybe it is reverse racism and an overweight person of colour wouldn't be getting the same consideration.

 

[Nikkei Guy]

Just as a side question, have you had any problems with Japanese in situations where they found out you are a Japanese American?

I've been living in Tokyo for almost 18 years. I've also seen plenty of funny signs that would be considered racist in other countries.

When I first came to Japan I had some issues, but it is probably more of not having a stable work history than being foreigner. Too many rules at the banks. I remember seeing signs in various establishments (non p4p) that said no foreigners.

I remember going to a pink salon in Otsuka. I paid the entrance fee no problem, but when they found out I wasn't Japanese they tried to charge a gajin tax. I just asked for a refund which they obliged.

Now that my Japanese is improved I have no issue getting in most places. The providers usually think I'm from the countryside because of my intonation.

 

[e-smile]

Considering the level of multiculturalism in France, I doubt people wouldn't seat next to you because you look foreign...

multiculturalism doesn't mean open mind.
you can doubt it if you want but It's something I've experienced. I've also experienced people crossing the street to walk on the other side until they go past you before they cross it again.
also the police can be very rude and give you a body check for no reason in the street or the subway just because of your race. I've never done anything illegal in France but I had some of those humiliating experiences.
It's also very hard to get a job or an apartment if you're not a white westerner there.

France was my first foreign country life experience and even if I got used to those low points I felt a huge relief when I first arrived in Japan.

ps : even though I hold no grudge toward France because I don't do generalization. I've also experienced great things there and met very nice people (especially girls).

 

[Kulbutor]

I've experienced that in France, never in Japan.

Yeah, and me in US, never in France.