Current Events > Japan is Xenophobic, according to Biden

(+) Yeah! (+)

I mean, yeah they are, but why bring this up?

Fenriswolf posted...

That's not the worst thing about the Japanese government though. Quite a number of politicians, including the current PM, are members of a far right nationalist group that engages in historical denial about their WW2 war crimes. Imagine what the fallout would be if a German Chancellor was secretly a member of a neo-Nazi group.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_Kaigi

The LDP as a whole is shit. Gets 33% of the vote but the majority of the seats. The farthest right members get the government positions and then have approval ratings in the 20% range. It really sucks.

They are very much so. They literally have separate bars and restaurants for foreigners.

I mean... it kind of is.

He forgot Korea as well. As well as Italy.

ssjevot posted...

That was done to prevent harassment of Geisha and isn't for foreigners only. It's all tourists.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/geisha-district-kyoto-tourist-ban-b2509208.html

The problem persists as of now, Mr Ota says, as tourists in large numbers throng to Japan after the Covid-19 pandemic with little respect for Japans social norms and etiquette.
...I think the foreign tourists waiting for maiko to come out in the alleys of Gions photography-prohibited areas know the rules but are ignoring them. Even if we warn tourists, it is difficult to get through to them at this point, he told CNN.

I understand that it's for the protection of the locals in the district, but it's pretty clearly targeting foreign visitors, which is by definition xenophobic even for a noble reason.

Tourists can be Japanese citizens too, of course, but like most tourist-heavy destinations in any country they're probably in the minority.

And while the US is unarguably racist, I can't think of a comparison in this case where a neighborhood, borough, attraction, or village/town is entirely closed off to tourists/visitors/outsiders besides government buildings or private land.

You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants, Biden said, according to reporters traveling with the president at a fundraiser with Asian American and Pacific Islander supporters. The reason look, think about it. Why is China stalling so bad economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia?
Because theyre xenophobic, he said. They dont want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong.
Wow, it sounds like we will have a tremendous advantage in the future. Keep it quiet, President Biden!

MC_BatCommander posted...

Hasn't Japan's xenophobia always been pretty well documented?

It's more like...not tracked, reported or registered. Does wonders for your statistics ;)
And not just xenophobia.

Realistically, I feel like most places are xenophobic

Turbam posted...

Realistically, I feel like most places are xenophobic

Not the good old US of A.

Turbam posted...

Realistically, I feel like most places are xenophobic

It's understandable that our animal instincts would raise caution when exposed to social groups that don't look or behave in the same way we're accustomed to, and that general anxiety informs our collective decision making.

But a phobia is an irrational fear, and the idea is to get over it and become more understanding (and by extension, accepting) of whatever challenges those conceptions.

In general the world has gotten better about this, especially with how connected everything and everyone is these days. Still a long way to go and artifacts from generations past still keep prejudiced beliefs, systems, and structures in place worldwide.

Turbam posted...

Realistically, I feel like most places are xenophobic

Same. I have very little interest visiting any countries as I get older.

ZMythos posted...

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/geisha-district-kyoto-tourist-ban-b2509208.html

I understand that it's for the protection of the locals in the district, but it's pretty clearly targeting foreign visitors, which is by definition xenophobic even for a noble reason.

Tourists can be Japanese citizens too, of course, but like most tourist-heavy destinations in any country they're probably in the minority.

And while the US is unarguably racist, I can't think of a comparison in this case where a neighborhood, borough, attraction, or village/town is entirely closed off to tourists/visitors/outsiders besides government buildings or private land.

It's literally a few streets. It's not even legally enforced. And foreign tourists, despite being the problem (because rude tourists are absolutely a problem) are not being singled out, the rule says local residents are allowed to use the streets, not anyone else.

Honestly though I am sick of this shit on this board and the Western internet in general. Just make up whatever bullshit you want and bask in the superiority of your white culture. I lived in America, no thanks. You get police murdering unarmed black people, casual racism scrawled on bus stops, random attacks on people for simply being Asian, and then make some shit up about a country you've never been to. Just so sick of the bullshit.

You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants, Biden said, according to reporters traveling with the president at a fundraiser with Asian American and Pacific Islander supporters. The reason look, think about it. Why is China stalling so bad economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia?
Because theyre xenophobic, he said. They dont want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong.
Biden had similarly cast Japan, Russia and China as xenophobic during an interview with a Spanish language radio station in March.
The Japanese, the Chinese, theyre xenophobic, they dont want any the Russians, they dont want to have people, other than Russians, Chinese, or Japanese, the president said at the time.

Looks like he was speaking with candor. If they dont want to hear actual solutions then that is more on them. Why have the discussion at all then.

X8Azazel8X posted...

Looks like he was speaking with candor. If they dont want to hear actual solutions then that is more on them. Why have the discussion at all then.

Japan has the second highest immigration rate in the East Asia Pacific region, just behind Australia.
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SM.POP.NETM?locations=Z4&most_recent_value_desc=true
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/f/f0ff15df.jpg

It's kind of funny because

1) He's not wrong, there is a lot of xenophobic sentiment in Japan, about as much as much or perhaps more than America.

but also

2) Japan makes it EXTREMELY easy to immigrate there and become a citizen because they are desperate for foreigners. Don't speak of word of Japanese? But know English? Gratz, you're just a few steps away from getting a job as an English teacher at a school and moving there lol. It is objectively way easier to immigrate to Japan than it is America.

Japan has been trying to make its country attractive to foreigners since the 80s, look up the "Cool Japan" initiative if you want to learn more. The push to get kids in America watching anime in the 80s and 90s literally came from the Japanese government. Fast forward to the present and everyone is watching anime movies in theaters and playing Japanese video games.

Biden's entire point is that "oh we welcome immigrants, unlike JAPAN and RUSSIA." Brother your immigration policy is basically exactly the same as Trump's. The American government is hellbent on making life MISERABLE for people who want to immigrate here. Japan may have a huge problem with racism and reactionaries (I just wouldn't throw no stones from America's glass house about it), but on the level of government policy, Japan is extremely welcoming to immigrants. They literally put out ads encouraging people to move there. You may, as a foreigner, face some discrimination... but actually getting into Japan is quite easy. They want you there!

ssjevot posted...

It's literally a few streets. It's not even legally enforced. And foreign tourists, despite being the problem (because rude tourists are absolutely a problem) are not being singled out, the rule says local residents are allowed to use the streets, not anyone else.

Honestly though I am sick of this shit on this board and the Western internet in general. Just make up whatever bullshit you want and bask in the superiority of your white culture. I lived in America, no thanks. You get police murdering unarmed black people, casual racism scrawled on bus stops, random attacks on people for simply being Asian, and then make some shit up about a country you've never been to. Just so sick of the bullshit.

I don't think people are being intentionally hateful of Japan or anything. Hell, a lot of guys here fetishize the hell out of Japan and Japanese culture. But stories about the xenophobia spread around so much that you don't really question it.

So I appreciate the stories of first hand experience with a country I've never been to. Because I'm admittedly a bit apprehensive about visiting some countries (not just Japan) when I hear about how they view people of color. Yeah, we're treated like shit here in America too, but at least it's hate in a place and language that I'm familiar with.

You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants, Biden said, according to reporters traveling with the president at a fundraiser with Asian American and Pacific Islander supporters. The reason look, think about it. Why is China stalling so bad economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia?

Because theyre xenophobic, he said. They dont want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong.

Ah, well it sure is a good thing that the US isn't xenophobic then

WarfireX posted...

Not the good old US of A.

Hell, it's so bad here that you've got states that are xenophobic against other states.

We/ve known this, since 1992, when Michael Chrichton first blew the whistle.

ssjevot posted...

Honestly though I am sick of this shit on this board and the Western internet in general. Just make up whatever bullshit you want and bask in the superiority of your white culture.

Has anybody in this topic actually done that?

I mean as long as white people are not allowed inside some bars and nightclubs in Japan I will say they're still racist over there.

He didn't say they're racist

HashtagSEP posted...

Has anybody in this topic actually done that?

A dude tried to claim an entire area/region bans foreigners, so yes.

And as I pointed out with the data, Japan is actually taking in more immigrants than anyone else in the region outside Australia. So the entire premise Biden presented is wrong. And as an immigrant, married to an immigrant, who work with other immigrants, no it is not hard to immigrate here. My wife had more trouble getting visas for the US and EU than Japan.

Criticizing allies

ssjevot posted...

A dude tried to claim an entire area/region bans foreigners, so yes.

He later corrected himself and then provided a source for what he had read, though. That doesn't really seem like "basking in the superiority of white culture."

HashtagSEP posted...

Has anybody in this topic actually done that?

I mean.... Yeah.

Tyranthraxus posted...

I mean.... Yeah.

*Anybody but known trolls?

Accurate... and?

HashtagSEP posted...

*Anybody but known trolls?

Are people not allowed to be offended by trolls?

HashtagSEP posted...

He later corrected himself and then provided a source for what he had read, though. That doesn't really seem like "basking in the superiority of white culture."

Many, many posters in here are repeating heresay or agreeing with Biden's premise even though I already showed it's wrong with raw data. Why isn't he throwing every single other ally in the region other than Australia under the bus? Shit a lot of them have negative immigration. Apparently so xenophobic they chase their own people away (I don't actually believe this, but it shows how ridiculous his premise is). Japan can't even meet its own immigration quotas. Maybe he should help get some more immigrants over here instead of calling Japan xenophobic.

Tyranthraxus posted...

Are people not allowed to be offended by trolls?

I mean, they absolutely can be, but you shouldn't then generalize the entire topic/board based on them.

HashtagSEP posted...

I mean, they absolutely can be, but you shouldn't then generalize the entire topic/board based on them.

Shouldn't generalize in a topic literally about generalizing an entire country with multiple people just saying "yep that's true".

HashtagSEP posted...

I mean, they absolutely can be, but you shouldn't then generalize the entire topic/board based on them.

Well maybe people shouldn't generalize Japan based on dumb memes and while we're at it maybe the god damn president of the United States shouldn't do it either.

He also called Xi a dictator.

Deej posted...

There's goes the weeb vote
It's never been more Joever

Aren't weebs pretty right-leaning anyway?

Immigration is a band-aid. The underlying issues are still present, which is why people already there are having fewer children, and the descendants of immigrants will likely follow the same pattern, so you're just throwing more people at the problem and hoping for the best. Look at Canada's current policy which is bringing in so many immigrants while jobs pay poorly and houses are ridiculously expensive. It's basically a pyramid scheme.

ClayGuida posted...

He also called Xi a dictator.

Yeah, but no one cares about China here. Even the Tik Tok ban people don't care.

https://twitter.com/BRICSinfo/status/1783257899147395519

bover_87 posted...

Aren't weebs pretty right-leaning anyway?

Id say theres a lot of both. I personally see more left leaning people, maybe its because I am as well. But they dont always agree with everything other left-leaning people say, or thats how I take it.

ssjevot posted...

Japan has the second highest immigration rate in the East Asia Pacific region, just behind Australia.
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SM.POP.NETM?locations=Z4&most_recent_value_desc=true
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/f/f0ff15df.jpg

*Yawn*

Thats nice if only immigration rates were the only deciding factor...
https://www.csis.org/analysis/resolved-japan-has-not-done-enough-bolster-immigration

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/4/47a2d6bd.jpg

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/c/c2cf5bb1.jpghttps://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/3/329378f0.jpghttps://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/4/42059d21.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/8/8a10b134.jpg

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/6/6c19e209.jpghttps://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/0/0f54a43f.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/0/0f54a43f.jpg

Its Japan's policies particularlly the caps on immigration that even their own economists say are hurting them. While they did some reforms there needs to be more Biden knows what he is talking about.

Duh?

Why is the global community so worried about what Japan does or doesn't do? I just spent almost a month there, they seem to have their shit together.

They have a right to decide their own policies.

pretzelcoatl posted...

Why is the global community so worried about what Japan does or doesn't do? I just spent almost a month there, they seem to have their shit together.

It's macroeconomics shit the average person doesn't care about IRL but pretends to care about on the Internet and everyone has the solution because one time they heard someone say immigration is good for the economy.

Most countries have a preference toward their own people. And?

Tyranthraxus posted...

It's macroeconomics shit the average person doesn't care about IRL but pretends to care about on the Internet and everyone has the solution because one time they heard someone say immigration is good for the economy.

Japan functions on a level that is unheard of in most Western countries outside of the nordic ones, I feel like we should get people to stop shitting in the streets, stealing cars or not openly shooting drugs on our trains before we tell the Japanese what to do lmao. They're doing way better than we are.

pretzelcoatl posted...

Japan functions on a level that is unheard of in most Western countries outside of the nordic ones, I feel like we should get people to stop shitting in the streets, stealing cars or not openly shooting drugs on our trains before we tell the Japanese what to do lmao. They're doing way better than we are.

This has nothing to do with Biden though. He participated in the discussion and only told them what their own economists have been saying for years.

Whether people care or not it does affect them. Japan is one of the leading imports and exports of goods and as much as the board consumes its products and discuss it like anime, computers, etc. They feel the reprecussions real or imagined their stakes.

They are so fucking xenophobic that they even discriminate against 3rd-generation Japanese immigrants from other countries.

How can you teach English in Japan if you don't speak Japanese?