Gaijin-in-Japan

Foreign branding
Archived from The Japan Times: Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2004

Being called a ‘gaijin’ is not unusual or harmful, says Cai Evans

Before I start, let’s get one thing straight: I am well aware that the term “gaijin” has pejorative overtones and that its etymology is grounded in a history of discrimination and exclusion.

Yet the issue here is not what the kanji mean in a technical sense; we all know they mean “outsider” (or when you’ve really upset someone, “fiendish outsider who may defile your tatami and eat your pets”).

The contention, rather, is whether use of the term should offend foreigners living in Japan right now.

One complaint is that the label is used to herd us all into one clumsy enclosure, thus obscuring our diversity and leaving the Japanese alone to claim a unique sense of ethnic identity and cultural sophistication.

But is it really so odious that Japan has a tendency to divide its residents into “Japanese and the rest?” Don’t the majority of nations do this to a certain extent?

Some tabloids in the U.K. and Australia, for example, aren’t too fussy about describing the divergent cultural or racial backgrounds of “bogus asylum-seekers.” Neither are certain politicians. These people are just bracketed as unwelcome interlopers from somewhere else and that’s the end of it.

Besides which, Japanese people don’t necessarily subscribe to this lopsided view of humanity, even if they do use the g-word. If the Japanese really saw the foreign community as one amorphous mass, strangers in bars wouldn’t keep asking you “where you from?” all the time.

Moreover, Japan is famously one of the most ethnically homogenous nations on Earth. The “us and them” thing may not be too edifying, but it makes sense in practical terms, no matter what the PC police say.

The best reason for not blowing your gasket when you hear yourself called a gaijin, however, is to remember that it’s your word now — if you have the guts to claim it.

Think of it this way: The longer we stay offended by this tag, the longer it will be used by some as a tool to keep us in our place, as it were. Yet the sooner we embrace it as a badge of honor, the sooner it will lose its power to denigrate and oppress.

Language is a fluid medium and the process of empowerment is one of the things that changes it. Just think how some black and Chinese Americans address others within the same ethic groups these days, using words that have the highest taboo values in the history of race relations.

Admittedly, not everyone thinks this sort of thing is helpful in terms of countering prejudice (Bill Cosby certainly doesn’t). But I think it’s fair to assume that the people who use these terms aren’t doing so because they perceive themselves as downtrodden.

As it happens, I’m from Wales — a country that by its very definition means “territory occupied by aliens.” Except that it doesn’t anymore, of course. Now it means “postindustrial madhouse occupied by chain-smoking harpists who may from time to time enjoy romantic congress with sheep.”

And that’s my point. What the Teutonic occupiers of England once thought of those barmy enough to want to live on the Welsh hillsides is (mostly) irrelevant to modern life.

In all truth, most foreigners who have Japanese friends will hear the g-word on a regular basis — and nearly always in the spirit of reciprocal chain-pulling.

To whit, I have one very good Japanese pal who insists that every sexual conquest, pay rise or toothpaste discount achieved by any foreigner in Japan is down to a phenomenon he describes as “the gaijin advantage.” Anyone who takes umbrage in these situations shouldn’t be living overseas in the first place.

But I will readily acknowledge that there are times when the label is used for no other purpose than to subjugate and provoke. These are the occasions when ownership of the word needs to be asserted.

So when that bigot on the train mutters darkly in your direction about the odorous gaijin invading his personal space, don’t get hot under the collar and wave your arms about like a French theater critic. That’s exactly what he wants you to do.

Just smile at him, scratch your armpits and say it loud: “I’m a gaijin and I’m allowed.”

He won’t do it again.

‘Gaijin’ is a 4-letter word and should be canned, says Melanie Burton

Many of you might think the word “gaijin” is a relatively harmless little term to be bandied around at will and those who are offended by it should cultivate thicker skins. Yet, thinking people realize the term’s wider implications and refuse to use it.

The term gaijin was originally used to refer to other Japanese who weren’t part of the “inside” group, yet these days the term applies exclusively to foreigners.

Many people erroneously assume that “gai” — outside — and “jin” — person — is simply a shortening of “gaikokujin” — outside country person. Yet the emphasis in “gaikokujin,” is placed on the difference of the person’s country of origin, rather than on the person themselves.

In October 2003, Internet news site Japan Today took a poll of whether the term gaijin was thought to be offensive. Out of a total of 1813 responses, 49.8 percent said that it was, while 34.6 percent said it wasn’t.

According to www.debito.org , a similar poll was taken by TV Asahi. While half the English-speaking foreign population polled found the term offensive, only 34 percent of Japanese did. The poll asked if the respondent used the term, (yes: 51 percent), and if they thought foreigners would feel uncomfortable with them using the term (yes: 51 percent).

Yet surprisingly, when asked whether the term was discriminatory, 61 percent maintained it was not (from a total of 650 responses.)

While tone and intent are contributing factors, ultimately it’s not the person speaking who determines a word’s offensiveness. These results alone should be a good enough reason to put the term aside.

So people shouldn’t use gaijin, just in case someone gets upset? PC is out of vogue, yet it should be remembered that it’s still a standard enforced in most universities, publications and a basic courtesy. Branding words, like gaijin, reinforce negative stereotypes and support unequal power distribution within society. They undermine people’s right to equal treatment, respect, responsibility and accountability. Analysis of language reveals value-laden perspectives and illuminates prejudice. The pros and cons of political correctness are beyond the scope of this piece, but the world is surely a better place for it.

Many cities lay claim to multiculturalism, with the complex and incipient problems it brings. In my hometown of Melbourne, Australia, every minority group has its own somewhat derogatory label.

Yet one word that has escaped our vocabulary is “foreigner.” Everyone squeezes in under the larger umbrella of “Australian.”

On the other hand, gaijin is an exclusive term. One is either “foreign” or “Japanese.” This means that there is little scope for those born in a foreign country to identify as Japanese, and limited scope for the definition of “Japanese” to include them.

The use of the word also provides a disincentive for Japanese to differentiate between nationalities, U.S. and French, for example.

Foreigners referring to themselves as gaijin may perceive it as a harmless, ironic bit of fun. It certainly allows for a lot of fun. Gaijin cannot, by definition, be included in the Japanese “in-group,” and are therefore excluded from its social protocol. Many foreigners see this as a free ticket to engage in behavior they wouldn’t back home.

There’s a certain attraction to anonymity and the freedom it brings. And if it all gets too tough, there’s always a ticket home. No burden of social responsibility to bear, and often no contribution expected.

But for those who want to play a more adult role in society here, it can be a problem. For those who want to integrate and grow into positions of responsibility, as perennial “outsiders” it’s a harder task.

As for hopes for foreigners’ hopes of “owning” the term gaijin, with a current foreign population of 2 percent, the connotation of the term isn’t likely to change any time soon.

And when foreigners ironically adopt the term, an argument can be made it’s also perpetuating the stereotype of the racist Japanese.

Language is laden with bias and bursting with nuance. As an evolving entity, a critical eye should be passed over it every so often and outdated words or concepts plucked out, then thrown away.

GAIJIN GOOD OR BAD?

What do you think?

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Gaijin: good or bad?

Readers respond to Cai Evans’ and Melanie Burton’s articles on Japan’s labeling of ‘gaijin’

Near criminal

As a Japan vet, I say “Yes” to both good and bad connotations. More important than terminology, though, is the actual treatment of non-Japanese regarding important employment issues. What happens on a near daily basis is often criminal.

Although, originally Perry and those who followed were called “ketojin,” so there has been some progress made. — Gregg

Foreign devils

I am married to a Japanese citizen and my wife and I find it offensive when people use “gaijin.”

A manager at a job interview was talking to my wife in Japanese and used the word, at which point my wife asked him if he took offense at the word “Jap” or “Burakumin.” He said that he did because Jap was a word used in World War II and deemed racist.

Asked why it was OK to use gaijin but not OK to use Jap his answer was “They are foreign devils that have invaded Japan take Japanese jobs and marry Japanese women.” I plan to take Japanese citizenship, but will always be a gaijin or a foreign devil. — Nick

Do us a favor

If the Japanese want to be called “Japanese” the world obliges. If someone calls them “Asian” the Japanese person or persons politely remind the speaker that they are “Japanese” in one way or another.

The word “gaijin” can and does cause offense. For this reason alone, I feel that Japan should oblige foreign residents and visitors by referring to them by nationality, or simply “gaikokujin.”

I hope that the Asians will oblige us in this trivial matter. — Craig

Gaijin preference

I fully concur with Mr Cai Evans and his favorable view of the word “gaijin.” I too would much rather be a gaijin than a sheep shagger — or Welsh for that matter. — Davy

Need for education

I think more internationally minded people do not like the term gaijin, simply because the meaning behind the term is not automatically understood and can cause misunderstandings.

We should try to teach those who use the term as an abbreviation that it can be misunderstood and should not be used at all. Those who do have a negative opinion of visitors and foreign residents in Japan probably won’t change, though they’re usually just exposing some worrying self-esteem issues and are just plain ignorant. — Dana

Self-deprecation

I have made two trips to Japan in the past year from the U.S. The only time I heard the term gaijin was when I used it. — Rean

Get used to it

Being a gaijin is something that takes some getting used to. In any society there are minorities and it is never an easy situation to be in. One only has to look at the problems facing Aborigines in Australia and African Americans or American Indians in the U.S. to know that it’s tough to be different. The way that a group is known by the majority (be it Negro, brave or gaijin) is often not complimentary.

Yet the fact remains that, at least in Japan, gaijin are such a tiny minority that any attempt to avoid the term is pretty much doomed. Some gaijin do become Japanese citizens but they are by far the exception. I have many Japanese friends, some of who call me gaijin and some who don’t. When they do, they use it to refer to foreigners in Japan (obviously) where, let’s face it, gaijin are gaijin — outsiders. — Jonathan

Gaijin go home

I don’t think all of us mean anything bad when we call a foreigner gaijin. But there is no other word to call foreigners, so what can we do? I try not to use the word because i have heard foreigners don’t like it. But these people are making too big a deal out of it, sounds like.

I envy gaijin when they get away with violating rules because they are foreigners and don’t speak Japanese, but we cannot get away.

I heard some gaijin do not conversate with us in English unless we pay money. How whacked is that? How should you feel if you want to become a friend of an English-speaking person, but he/she only talks to you in English if you pay them $ 30-50 an hour for a conversation? They can make easy money so it makes sense why these people never want to go home. I think Melanie Burton is a paranoid and she should go home! — D

Turning the tables

Last summer, I was back home on vacation and was dining with some friends. The table next to ours was occupied by some Japanese tourists.

One of my friends decided to approach the table and asked “are you gaijin?” Suddenly there was an ear-splitting cry of “naaaaniiiiiii!!!!!!!!!” from the group and one of their group threw a 750ml bottle of beer at my friend.

Is gaijin harmless? Some people don’t seem to think so. — Tanz

No comparison

Melanie Burton is making a big mistake comparing Japan with Australia. Australia and America are completely different from other countries (including Japan) in that they are populated almost entirely by foreigners.

Of course the Australians and Americans don’t think of newly arrived non-Australians/Americans as foreigners — they are foreigners themselves.

Give either Australia or the U.S. a few hundred years with no immigration, and you will have another Japan, with all new immigrants thought of as foreigners. — K

No good meaning

I take issue with the word gaijin only because when this word is used, it is never in a positive light.

In America, educated people do not call Japanese people “Japs” — itself an abbreviation. We call them Japanese. — Michael

A rude awakening

Within a year of being in Japan I realized that when people were acting rudely toward me, they used the word gaijin. However, when people were being respectful toward me they used gaikokujin.

Soon it was easy to understand another’s feelings toward me simply by how they addressed me. A former student of mine told me that her grandfather had always told her that the word gaijin was unacceptable, and equal to foreigners calling Japanese “Nips” or “Japs.” He fought in WWII and said any categorizing of people simply because of race was degrading. She said she had never forgotten that and herself found the word gaijin offensive. — Shauna

No nice way

Few words for non-nationals are sympathetic. What about foreigner, etranger, extranjero, Auslander or buitenlander? None of these seem to be designed to make you feel close to the hosts of the country you reside in. I have been all of these plus some more, but it never bothered me. — Jan

Hemmed in

I personally think the term gaijin when used to describe only non-Japanese is derogatory and people (Japanese and non-Japanese) should avoid using it. As Melanie Burton argues, it lumps all non-Japanese into a separate group from Japanese and emphasizes the fact that non-Japanese are different and therefore do not and probably cannot have any understanding of anything Japanese.

That attitude in itself isolates non-Japanese. I’ll accept the term gaijin from complete strangers because by that definition I can call them the same. You should see the look on the Japanese person’s face when they are called gaijin. — Adam

Outsider truth

In relation to being a gaijin, I tend to agree with Cai Evans. In my opinion, the whole idea of foreigners as a so-called outside group is probably true in modern Japan. I mean I know of third-generation Japanese-born Koreans who still refer to themselves as Koreans even though they have never actually been to Korea.

I think the Japanese actually like the fact that we are different — it gives them something fresh outside the square of their daily life.

I don’t mind being labeled a gaijin, because . . . I am. — Chris

A changing society

Gaijin represents Japan’s losing battle to preserve its race, changing with the influx of foreigners and international marriages.

Does a traditionalist grandpa still call his mixed granddaughter gaijin because she looks different? I don’t think so. — B

The homogeneity myth

Cai Evans’ says that “Japan is famously one of the most ethnically homogenous nations on Earth.” While the myth of Japanese ethnic homogeneity is pervasive both here and overseas, it is a myth.

The notion of Japan as a homogeneous country sharing one ethnicity, one culture, and even one class, really took hold after WWII, to solidify the nation-state. Before the end of the war, it was hard to claim Japan was homogeneous when it was a colonial power with non-Japanese colonial subjects flowing into the country. And how do Okinawans fit into this notion of homogeneity? Or Korean Japanese? Ainu? Burakumin? Nikkeijin? — Robert

I am an outsider!

I do not live overseas, but I have visited many different countries for many years and can only come to one conclusion — we need to get over our selves. Whether I am visiting Japan, Mexico, Egypt or Tennessee, I am an outsider. I don’t speak the language, I don’t know the best places to go for breakfast, and I stumble through local customs and behaviors, smiling and scratching my head to indicate that, while I may be a foreigner, I’m a harmless one.

If I am in Tokyo, the fact is I am an alien, and the moment I get all offended at that is the moment I really ought to just go home and stay there. — Erica

The easy option

As a six-year resident, I do not feel particularly offended with the tag gaijin, and sometimes I think it is easier to be a gaijin rather than go unrecognized and mistaken as a Japanese (I am of Asian appearance) with expectations that you as a gaijin cannot fulfil. — T