Really curious about everyone’s thoughts on this.

So I had this big argument/debate with two friends yesterday who I honestly probably won’t be seeing anymore. It got me thinking about the future of the foreign population here in Japan, and how Japanese people absolutely aren’t ready to handle the complexity of whatever situation that is going to be.

I try to just avoid this kind of conversation because I find that people get incredibly defensive here. But, during a conversation about language proficiency and foreigners learning Japanese here, I brought up the point of how foreigners often get judged before being given a chance to prove that they understand Japanese or Japanese culture. That I think it’s our responsibility to learn the language and culture, but it’s Japanese people’s responsibility to give us a chance.

I then brought up the situation with housing in Japan, and how (based on my experience) and what I have heard, around 70% of foreigners will be rejected from applications the second the owner finds out their a foreigner. My argument was that, while not a perfect solution, Japanese people should be required to have a brief interview with the foreigner, to at least give them a chance to prove their Japanese ability and manners.

The immediate response I got what “なんで日本人は外国人に合わせなきゃいけないの？” “Why should Japanese people have to accomodate foreigners!?”

Once I stated that judging people based on how they look and denying them housing or a job without any chance to prove themselves is racism (I said これは人種差別の定義でしょう？) , they went nuts and I couldnt even get a word in. Then they said “It’s not racism! It’s just separation!” “それゃ人種差別じゃなくて、区別だよ！” , and explained to me how foreigners are more likely to be dirty and not follow the rules, so it makes sense for them to reject us. It’s not racism! It’s just profiling!! Or whatever the translation would be lol. I then tried to explain the golden rule and the morality of treating people like human beings, which just made them even more mad.

What are your guys thoughts on this? I really wonder about our futures in this country. I guess this made me realize that I need to take responsibility for the fact that I want to live here, and am accepting all that comes with that. But this whole conversation just made me feel gross, and dehumanized. I’m honestly pretty depressed about it. Oh well. しょうがない, right? (Irony)