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03-22-2007, 06:07 PM
I don't believe this video is representative of Japanese society in general. Naturally, as in most countries, there will be factions in Japan that advocate "racial purism", but the impression most foreign visitors to the country seem to have is that - as long as you make an honest effort to adapt to the Japanese culture and to observe its customs (and why wouldn't you? You're a guest, after all) - Japanese people will welcome you with open arms.
It should also be pointed out that the reason that foreigners who venture out alone (i.e. without the company of Japanese hosts/friends) in metropolitan Japan are sometimes barred from restaurants and other businesses often has nothing to do with racism and more to do with the persistent fear that they will not have enough knowledge of Japanese language and customs to cope on their own. Usually, this is also the case.
~annelie
"It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." -from the film Coach Carter
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