malorum wrote:

i dunno i dont really follow the Gators becuase...well... im not in Florida anymore and i'd rather watch SUMO! after i Finish my year here, i got a semester left and then ill be done. But im in no rush to finish, imma see about doing another study abroad here when this study abroad runs out hehehehehehe.......

Go for it. I sure as hell would. Good luck.

Man, that avatar of yours is killing me!!!

obey the avatar

muhuhaahahaaaaaa

Konnichi wa!

Just woke up a hour ago... Had to make a new entry in my blog before gettin' over here...

You got it, malorum: That avatar has me hypnotized... Hmm, did you notice that the emoticon's eyes are in sync with your avatar's breasts?

y..e..s... heh......heh.......heh.....

Don't jump too often you might......................AAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUW ..
Here you drop you b$&^&..you might want to put it back

sorry this is gonna be aalong one ok...again sorry in advance......

Japan Today's Sachie Kanda dropped into Omotesando to ask:
What do you think about international relationships?

Tama Nishiyama, 20
"As society becomes more globalized, the number of international marriagesor relationships increases, but I think there is another reason Another bigfactor is that Japanese women are now becoming stronger than before. A long
time ago Japanese women just did whatever the men said but now Japanese
women are not like that. That is why strong-willed Japanese girls and
foreign male couples work out well and weak Japanese guys and strong foreign
women couples do not work out at all."

Yuko Ishibashi, 28
"I think international relationships are great. Actually, a friend of mine
married a guy from Nepal. They currently live in Japan but I think they are
still able to learn each other's culture. Such a stimulating life is the
envy of all."

Eiko Sazame, 18
"If I get a chance, I would like to go out with a foreigner because
foreigners are cool and handsome. I would like to have a cute half-blooded
baby if possible. However, I am not confident of myself to go out with a
foreigner because I cannot speak English at all. But if I could get a free
English conversation lesson out of the date, it would be a good idea to go
out with a foreigner."

Miho Watanabe, 20
"I see many Japanese women and foreign men couples but there aren't so many
Japanese men and foreign women couples. I think that is because Japanese
guys are not kind to women at all. They do not know about ladies first and
other manners. As for myself, I do not want to marry a foreigner, but I
would love to live in a foreign country someday with my Japanese husband."

Hoichi Miura, 22
"Since air travel is cheaper than before, we are more stimulated by foreign
cultures and also foreigners are attracted by our culture. I think in this
globalized society, international relationships are now common. When I see
those international couples on the street, I envy them. However, I think it
must be difficult for international couples to marry because the older
generation, particularly their parents and relatives will criticize them
badly. However, if two people are deeply in love with each other, they can
still succeed against such tough obstacles."

Yuko Shikahama, 17
"Because my foreign language ability is poor, I cannot go out with
foreigners because I wouldn't be able to communicate with them. But it is
fine for other couples if they speak each other's language. Secondly, I can
tell that my personality will not suit foreign men. I am rather
conservative, not an outgoing type. However, there are many outgoing women
in Japan today but Japanese males are pretty sissy and I don't think they
appeal very much to foreign women."

Midori Endo, 80
"After World War II, Japan became free and the number of international
couples increased dramatically, although I personally do not think
international relationships are ideal. Japanese people should marry Japanese
people. Foreigners should marry foreigners. When I see international couples
on the street, I doubt if they are doing fine. How can they understand each
other's values? Anyway, I am too old, so it doesn't matter what I say, the
number of international relationships will definitely increase in the
future."

Saga Akihito, 25
"Until some years ago, an international marriage was a long-cherished desire
for everyone. However, since many foreigners have come and lived in Japan,
international marriages or relationships are nothing special any more. Also,
I believe that the divorce rate among internationally married couples is
lower than Japanese couples. When an international couple start getting
serious, they must acknowledge they will face cultural or value differences
and promise to overcome those challenges. I think those couples who are
willing to compromise and accept their partner can overcome such
differences."

another..again sorry!!!

Japan Today's Sachie Kanda dropped into Roppongi to ask:
How will the perception of Japanese toward discrimination change as the
country becomes more internationalized?
Many Japanese have never experienced discrimination because the country has
historically been a homogeneous nation. However, as more foreigners come to
Japan and are assimilated into the society and as more Japanese go abroad,
will Japan's perception of discrimination change?

Takuya Kawamura, 23
"As I have never been discriminated against in anything, I am not sure how
Japan will change as we become more internationalized. But I do not want to
see any Japanese people discriminating against anyone. It seems to me that
Caucasians are treated very nicely in Japan and on the other hand many
people from China, Korea and Southeast Asia are discriminated against
because often times we hear news stories highlighting crimes committed by a
few of them. The first step is that Japanese need to know the facts, namely
that not everyone from those countries are criminals."

Lucky Jonny, 23
"As Japan becomes more internationalized, I think many Japanese people will
definitely change. Of course, everyone will respond differently but as more
Japanese get exposed to more foreign music, videos and people, they will
become more familiar with foreigners. What Japanese really need to change
in terms of discrimination is judging someone based on their looks. I am
from England and speak only English but my ethnic background is Korean. You
thought I was a Japanese, and I can completely blend into a Japanese group
when I walk down the street but if I ask a Japanese person for help in
English, I sense a social barrier because of my language and looks. To have
an internationally equal community, Japan needs to be cordial to all
foreigners."

Kousuke Kani, 23
"I am not aware of any discriminatory perception or rules in Japan because
I have never been discriminated against in anything. However, I guess
discrimination is not limited to only racial factors. Sometime ago, there
was a strange debate in which people in Tokyo stand on the left while on
escalators and Osaka people stand on the right. That debate was caused by
cultural and value differences between Tokyo and Osaka. Anyway, even if we
become more internationalized, it will be difficult to eliminate
discrimination. It would help if foreigners speak Japanese when they are in
Japan."

Kenta Shinohara, 22
"I think laws and norms in Japan should be more open to foreigners and I
believe young Japanese people are becoming more flexible to change. As long
as we learn foreign languages, the thick wall between foreigners and
Japanese will fall eventually. However, I think old people will have a
difficult time getting used to foreigners because their old memories will
act as a deterrent. Although I have never been exposed to any
discrimination, I imagine that it would feel like torture."

Asami Ikeda, 21
"When I went to Thailand, there were so many backpackers from America and
Europe. They ignored me just because I was from Japan and I could not speak
English. I think that the Japanese idea of globalization is all wrong. How
fluently we speak English or how well we copy America does not make us
internationalized. In order to embrace total globalization, we need to have
own identity and we need to try to communicate even if we cannot speak
English."

Takayo Yamada, 24
"I experienced some discrimination when I was in the U.S. One day I was in
a store and the cashier, a Caucasian, pretended as if I was not there and
she wouldn't talk to me. Also, a little white boy pointed at me with his
finger and he was yelling something. Having experienced such situations,
I've become immune to people's wrong perceptions. As more young Japanese
people, especially from the Tokyo area, go abroad, I think they will
gradually realize that all humans are equal. But Japanese people from the
countryside may still discriminate against foreigners."

Yuko Suzuki, 23
"Today, an increasing number of foreigners are coming to Japan but they are
still a minority group here. That's why I still feel that we are racially
homogeneous. I think if more and more foreigners come to reside in Japan,
our discriminatory perception will disappear as we study and work together.
It's just going to take a little more time to solve that kind of problem."

Kunihiro Hirabayashi, 23
"Although I have never been discriminated against, I know discrimination
does exist in Japan. Today, Japan is said to be providing equal
opportunities to both men and women, but still some occupations are limited
only to males. As long as this kind of discrimination remains in Japan,
racial discrimination will remain as well. I would be sad if I was
discriminated against because of my race, but it is all about cultural
gaps. It is hard to find an effective resolution."

where did you find all these quotes from?

Interesting! Definetly a Japanese point of view, its cool that you found so many different interviews lots of different opinions. It would be interesting if someone conducted interviews of a similar nature from foriegners that live in japan's point of view as well.

wow, that was a great read, seeing all the different points of views from the Japanese. The difference of opinion between younger and older generations sure was apparent when I read the 80 year old's comment. Also seemed that a bunch assumed they'd need to know english well to speak with the foreigners, I guess not that many foreigners care to learn the language of the place they're living at?

thanks for posting those lovelessemotion!

most foriegners there are there on Buisness yah know... so they hire a translator or are only there for a few days. Not to mention all the signs in Tokyo and stuff are in English so there is no NEED to learn Japanese really you can get buy on only english. I knew this guy that lived in Japan for 3 years and he couldnt say anything more than HELLO and MY NAME IS and I WANT THIS AND THAT. because he had a translator at work, and then all the signs and stuff were in English just point to what you want etc... So Japanese naturally assume foriegners dont speak Japanese, becuase most of them dont! not to mention the look of Kanji scares away most people anyways.

oh I took their comments as being directed to the people who actually live there for long periods, I wasn't thinking about the business people, so I see your point ^

Geez that's alot Loveless kun

Thanx lovelessemotion, this is very interessting!

malorum wrote:

where did you find all these quotes from? Interesting! Definetly a Japanese point of view, its cool that you found so many different interviews lots of different opinions. It would be interesting if someone conducted interviews of a similar nature from foriegners that live in japan's point of view as well.

they're form 'JAPAN TODAY' but i got them from my e-mail...i'm subscribbed to alot of japanese mailing list...(I LOVE ALOT OF THINGS FROM JAPAN....not just jdorama).. its funny those e-mail are all so old...but i never deleted them from my e-mail for somereason...... i have tons of 'em if any 1 is interested.....


oh and every1 ur welcome..it was no biggie

Ore mo Nippon o Honto ni Dai suki

Please lovelessemotion, if you have more, then please share them!!!!!
Thx in advance

Yup stuff like that helps.Gives us more idea bout Japan

gomen nasai i haven't been able to post more stuff cuz my e-mail service provider is down!! DAMN LYCOS MAIL

I used to go to Japantoday.com occasionally while bored in class at college. If you check some of the discussions that pop up with certain articles you hear about a lot of problems with foreigners.

There was an article about "chinese" causing trouble in a downtown area of some city, and absolutely no facts to support the idea that hte criminals were chinese. They just decided they must have been. Also, the American military seem to be looked down on by the media. Trivial problems(a sargeant stole from a quick-e-mart) were given a lot of attention and people were referring to the existence of such things as a "foreign blight on japan" and such. Because they were given so much attention in the media, people seemed to think they were happening much more often than they actually were. Similar to people thinking that American schools have gotten worse since Columbine, even though the total amount of murders in schools that year was lower than the previous one(If I remember correctly)

A lot of other things. Treating foreigners as unworthy, not letting them stay at certain hotels and bathhouses and hte like. I told my aunt about it while talking to her about me visiting japan(she used to live there) and she said , "oh, its always been like that." I don't mean to exxagerate the circumstances. I'm sure any sort of discrimination against foreigners is on the fringe of the society and not representative of japanese people in general. For the people on this board from America, I'm sure you know of all kinds of stories of discrimination, but to actually experience it in daily life is rare.

I hope nothing like this was covered in the first few pages, as I only read the last~

yo!@

I think that they are more of a novelty than anything. I mean big cities like metropolitan tokyo, kansai area, no problem. out in the country however, it'll be like "*whispers* mite goran, hora...atchini gaijinsan dayo!"

For the most part, they'll be comedating and actually treat you really well because the fact that you ARE a foreigner...if you are there temperaraly only.

However, if you live or plan to live there (which I do and will), no matter how long you've lived in japan, you will always be a foreigner. That means to you: harder to get things done. Residence registration, harder to get good housing, you kids will be ridiculed because he/she's half, etc.

Even the japanese that has chinese/koreans grandparents, even tho they're born in japan and their parents born in japan, since they're not 100% japanese, they are considered "foreigners" as well.
_________________