Gaijin

There is a debate occurring in Japan amongst foreign workers and this revolves around the word Gaijin, a shortened form of a word which translates to foreigner, but extends beyond nationality to include ethnicity as well. A poll for Japan Today found that almost half of people find the term derogatory or racist.

Living in Japan can be quite an experience for those from very diverse cultures. Overnight, outside of the major tourist locations, one becomes very noticeable. The best part about this is the children. I have had a few approach me and say hello while bowing, but most just stare wide-eyed while their moms smile and encourage them to speak some English. Sometimes drunken men will shout out their only English if you pass them on the street at night. "Helllllooooo! Helllllooooo!" Usually if you give a short 'hello' back they will continue on their way. Although sometimes they can fall under the impression that as a gaijin there is a chance that perhaps you are also a prostitute. At these times it is best to say "I"m sorry, you are mistaken" in Japanese, according to my Japanese friend.

Although I have used the term Gaijin frequently when talking to my language-teacher friends about ourselves, I've only heard it from Japanese people twice. When I lost my monthly train pass the ticket man called another station to ask if they had seen it. He looked quickly at the name I'd written on the sheet and instead used "Gaijin-san," as it was much easier. Another time a child in a small town saw me walking by and turned to his mother with wide eyes and whispered loudly, "Gaijin da!" There's A Foreigner!

It seems that for those only in Japan for a short time, the term is amusing or mildly irritating, but increases in offense with the length of one's stay and the extent of one's involvement in the Japanese community. Furthermore, there seems to be a hierarchy of foreigners in Japan, with English-teachers being somewhere near the top and Chinese or Brazilians living in Japan experiencing a greater degree of racism. I've had lessons where students unabashedly blame the increased crime rates on foreigners.

Japan is also a country that is extremely welcoming as well. English is almost everywhere and most people are more than pleased to use any English they remember if they can help you. People are so kind, inviting and excited to share their culture with you and to learn more about your culture.