by Roderick Ross
years old, and, aside from yearly trips home and a few excursions to some Asian countries and once to
Brazil, I've been here the whole duration.
Upon moving here I didn't speak the language, but have gotten a good grasp of it now. Japan is still a
fairly insular country where many people have still never seen anyone of any other races than Japanese.
One aspect of living here is that I have become, obviously, very comfortable with the word "foreigner."
Even when referring to myself, it has become natural for me as I think it has for everyone visiting here.
People have for the most part been fairly kind to me and people do go out of their way to try and speak
to you in English to accommodate you. Japanese people do seem to try hard to make things as easy as
they can for foreigners and you feel very little anti-foreigner sentiment. I think you really have to live
and work here for a while to really notice any. The younger generation is much more open minded and
often excited to meet foreigners.
oriented society. They are
very much into intricate
packaging of products, services
and what not. But the culture
of the society itself is so filled
with ceremony that it is not
surprising that extra time and
care is given to even the
smallest of things. However the
detail oriented side of living
here is as helpful as it is
frustrating. Everything,
including the simplest of things,
is steeped in details that make it
all a ceremony.
have been influenced by them as much. However the American movie industry has done much to erode
our credibility as intelligent people deserving of fair treatment and a great deal to promote the stereotype
of a race of violent people. Sometimes the fear is evident but at times difficult to know if it is based on
being Black or just a foreigner. Stereotypes are often in effect here, especially sexually and musically.
But at least the stereotypes for music have created a booming field for African American musicians such
as myself.
Combined with an extremely safe environment, a very high employment rate, and high standard of
living, it is easy to make a living here at this time. Definitely the variety of people that one comes into
contact with here (all seeking the better living that is a part of the economy here) makes it a lively and
entertaining place to live.
Even so, you will learn that racism, whether it be toward African Americans, people from other
countries, or even indigenous people is a part of life no matter where you go.