I can honestly say that after living in Japan for ten years I have never experienced any racism in Japan. Racism is almost non existent in Japan. I am talking about hate driven racism. Discrimination , however, is something common place and not just limited to non-Japanese living in Japan. The group, not the individual, is primary importance in Japanese society. As a result minority groups and individuals are discriminated in Japan, including Japanese.

When applied to Japanese society, equality is often take to mean that one is treated just like other members in a group to which one belongs, and fair treatment is guaranteed as long as one observes the groups internal rules. If you are not of the group then you won’t be treated equally. Not being part of a group or not being allowed to part of a group is known as “nakama-hazure”. In most countries this type of behavior would be typical in the school yard. In Japan it is common place regardless of age.

Bullying is recognized as a huge problem in Japan. Japanese are conditioned to be homogeneous from a very young to such a degree that anyone who doesn’t fit in is somewhat deserving of being bullied. Without a doubt, Japanese who voluntarily deviate from mainstream norms are subject to discrimination usually due to sexuality, religious beliefs and political views and academic backgrounds.

To the majority of Japanese, the worst way in which they can be discriminated against is by what is referred to as “mura-hachibu” or village ostracism. In olden times, this meant to be excluded from social interaction with other in one’s village. In modern Japan, it means to be excluded from one’s group, so that members are likely to face difficulties. They may not be invited to social gatherings. They may not be offered help when needed. They may have delayed promotions at work, and so on.

Being An Outsider

I often feel fortunate to be a minority living in Japan. Japanese have no expectation of me to be Japanese in any manner. So I am free of cultural complexities such as “giri” and “enryo”. There have been moments were discrimination has boarded on racism, but I know that I am and always will be an outsider in Japan so I rarely take such social discrimination personally. I have been refused service in bars and shops, my Japanese has been made fun of, car doors have been locked by drivers as I have walked by their running cars, and strangers have ignored my request for directions on the odd occasion. Nothing too terrible, but just reminders that I am not of the majority.

So expect a little discrimination when you come to Japan and try not to take it personally. Keep in mind, that anyone in Japan, such as minority groups, can be subject to discrimination in Japanese society. The Japanese concepts of equality and discrimination are defined by feelings based on case-by-case situations rather than by clear-cut laws and/or principles.