Norway killer's manifesto praises Japan for not adopting multiculturalism

The foreigners will always be geijin (means aliens from outer space) regardless if the person live in Japan for 20-30 years, and more you hear it, it's becoming old.

Perhaps. But as a "gaijin" who has lived in Japan for over 20 years, the LAST thing I want is to be treated like a Japanese. In the way we think, live and look at life in general, we are NOT equals. I'm glad I'm considered an outsider.

Kentaro75

WHile I do not support Mr.Breiviks evil action, many Japanese agree with his idea that japan is the perfect socirty just the way it is, no multicultures, just japanese. We adapt and take the positive aspect of foeign cultures ex baseball, some foods and clothes - but we do not accept the dangerous and negatives aspect ex drugs, crime, terrorism and so on. We have success o keep japan very safe because of this. Also, japan is unique with its culture and cutoms and language. My children should not have to learn other foreign languages to get a job, or stand up on trains for foreigners, for example. Foreigners are guests in japan. Foreigners should respect japanese culture and live the exact way of japanese and not bring their religion,custom or language.

Kentaro I am a permanent resident have lived here for close to 20 years have children here, own property here, also own a business here bringing milllions & millions of $'s a year into this broken economy, I am not a guest here and your comments are very much out of order if that is how you think.

Foreigners are human too .

Your kids dont need to learn a foreign language to get a job but if they want a good job with great prospects then it's a good idea to learn another language coz japanese only goes so far, but kentaro its ok you can live in your little closed in life we dont really care that you and lots of your country men are narrow minded.

It Give us foreigners with some gumption a great head start on you.

It is amazing to me how some political ideas select parts of reality and overlook glaring key parts of reality.

Japan's mono-culturalism isn't for starters. His view overlooks the fact that much of Japan's technical, political and social fabric is based upon or in partnership with other cultures. He also fails to see the contributing roles in Japan by Koreans and other outsiders.

Second. It is arguable that Japan's mono-culturalism, to the extent is exists, is in part responsible for some of her major problems. I would include in this the social and political complacency that now has the government mired in inaction, the declining numbers of working age people that immigration and integration would greatly help and the declining innovation in Japan that is so often sponsored by the fusion of ideas from many people and cultures.

The right would have us believe that racial or social purity leads to peace and prosperity. But a quick look at history dispels this illusion quickly. 1. There have not been true monocultures in any significant part of human history since the ancient cultures began interacting. 2. The few times that fascism or similar ideologies have taken hold in countries, it resulted in the repression and murder of others e.g. Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, 20th century South Africa and many more. 3. They always negate to tell you that their peace and harmony also comes from political, ideological and economic control by a core leadership who then define what we can and cannot do, think and believe.

In short. We will never allow fascism, nazism or any other right wing ideology take over again. The world is indeed multicultural and will stay that way!

Kentaro75: I'm sorry but I'm having trouble understanding you. So foreigners should live exactly as Japanese? Which Japanese? My neighbors who live like pigs and fight non-stop, the nearly 50% in my building alone who haven't paid taxes for over a year (I am friendly with the tax collector), the ones who leave their children unattended so the fall off of balconies or die in overheated cars, the ones who don't vote and obviously don't care a whit about their government, the ones who rape girls on trains, the ones who do nothing about it or the ones who lied continuously about the nuclear reactor? Which ones? I'd like to know who I should be modeling my life after. I'm assuming you'd rather not be lumped with the clods and criminals above but that's my point. No two Japanese live exactly alike so how could you even make such a ridiculous statement? And as long as we're talking about ridiculous statements, who's forcing you to give your seat to foreigners? I've not read of any give-your-seat-to-foreigner law being passed or any such campaign. Now if we're talking about your simply being too badly mannered to give your seat up to an elderly, injured, disabled or pregnant human being well than what can I say but you are a clod? Perhaps this is just all my misunderstanding though, you know, having difficulty with all of that foreign language you were forced to learn. Hey, why not instigate against kids being forced to study history too since you clearly learned nothing from that.

I am a Norwegian who has had an admiration for Japan for a long time. One of the countries on the top of my list to visit. Japan is of course free to chose their own policies, but what I find provocative is that Japans monoculturalism is so accepted by the rest of the world, while it is not accepted if a white western nation did the same thing. As a Norwegian I also feel that we along with many other nordic nations are taking a disproportionate share of the worlds refugees. We are only 5 million and we take in more refugees than the USA, which has 300 million. I think countries like Japan are running away from their responsibilities to the world community. A lot of our problems stems from this fact that we have a large number of people who come from war and disaster and naturally can not easily integrate into Norwegian society. Many come from cultures which mix with Norwegian poorly. That doesn't mean multiculturalism doesn't work at all. In Norway there are lots of people from Sweden and Poland and smaller populations of Germans, Dutch, American and British expats. There are a number of Vietnamese who came during the Vietnam war. There has never been any problems with these populations. Problems have mainly been related to the muslim population. But even here there are big differences between groups.

Nobody is saying that japanese need to accepted muslim immigrants. But it seems Japan is even scared of taking in other asians with similar culture. To me it seems that Japan is practicing a policy which in a Norwegian context would have been something similar to being scared of accepting swedes and danes into the country. That just seems extreme to me.

I think Norway's main problem has been sticking the head in the sand and pretending that integrating muslims into Norwegian society is not a problem and when it is, it is all our own fault if it doesn't work. I think we can make it work, but it requires time and openness about problems.

He's a coward who attacks defenseless children. Why give his lunacy a platform on this forum?

@Roughneck - As someone living the "Japan Dream": home, family, job, etc... I have done my best to assimilate into Japanese society. I am bilingual, bicultural, and do my best to obey the laws and rules of Japan, e.g. pay all my taxes, etc.... But it never seems to be enough. Even after 20 years, I am often thought of as being just "off the boat" and it is very tiring at times. I have a great deal of respect for my adopted homeland, but the way non-Japanese are treated here (even in the 21st century) is truly sad at times. Don't you (or others here on JT) feel that Japan needs to protect the human rights of one and all living here in Japan?

@kentaro75

or stand up on trains for foreigners, for example

So it was your son who stared aggressively at me from the priority seat when I was heavily pregnant and refused to stand up because I am a "foreigner"? If this is the "harmony" you teach your children then you should be ashamed.

this guy is a whack job and japan doesn't need his kind praising it.

Breivik said that Japan and South Korea are today the most peaceful societies where you can travel freely everywhere without the constant fear of getting raped, ravaged, robbed or killed.

How about riding trains without being groped?

Irony aside, we should not forget that this guy is a lunatic no matter what his beliefs are. This tragedy might have occurred ANYWHERE around the world, even in the countries that are considered to be safe and civilized. Just remember the Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway.

As for his political beliefs, for some people, he is right and for some others, he is not. Personally, i am against Multiculturalism and i want Japan to preserve its identity. I respect the customs, traditions and norms of this place, and i expect from the Japanese to respect mine as well, but i do keep in mind that i am a foreigner in this country, and no matter what, i have to follow the Japanese rules. End of story. I can't expect Japanese territories to turn into "Little Greece" nor do i expect the Japanese to be tolerant towards my habits. I won't like it either if 1 million Greeks/Arabs/ Italians/ Spanish/ Aliens emigrate instantly to Japan without first adjusting to the Japanese way of living.

This article is a discussion (as I read it) about commentary on Japanese society. This is not (as I read it) a discussion about an the specific and abhorrent act of mass homicide. My comment should be read in that context.. the discussion of ideas not as an endorsement or justification for the other. These observation on Japan are ideas which stand on their own merit and the author could be attributed to "-anon" and still bear civil discussion. But for any JT readers / forum contributors that take it upon themselves to attribute more than this to my comments let be quite clear: I don't condone the acts of violence perpetrated and hold a heavy heart and feel very sad for the victims, families and people affected.

But it never seems to be enough. Even after 20 years, I am often thought of as being just "off the boat" and it is very tiring at times. I have a great deal of respect for my adopted homeland, but the way non-Japanese are treated here (even in the 21st century) is truly sad at times. Don't you (or others here on JT) feel that Japan needs to protect the human rights of one and all living here in Japan?

I feel the same way. i am also bilingual, volunteer in my community, contribute to the population growth ( ! ), I pay my taxes, obey the laws to the best of my ability and am polite and friendlyto everyone I meet. The treatment I sometimes get in return just makes me sad.

Willib - "So, in your mind it is then OK that if a girls name is Maria, she has access to Western rights, whereas if she is born as Fatima, she is treated as property under medieval Sharia? That is crazy. But alas happening already in the UK and in Norway"

That's the kind of hate filled shash that the right wingers have been putting out for years. And it simply isn't true. English law overrides Sharia law. Sharia law in the UK is treated as a contract and entered into by choice. If that contract breaks the (English) law, then no contract exists. The situation you describe is illegal and many an English Muslim has escaped using the dominant law of the land.

The issue to be looked at in Norway is how any native of the country, of whatever religion or race, can become so disenfranchised with his own countrymen and commit such an atrocity. The fact that Breivik looks at Japans so called homogeneity as a plus is evidence of his detachment, not his perception.

I hope no one is taking what this nut is saying seriously.

Let's not forget the fact that regardless of any of this man's beliefs and pontifications on other countries immigration policies, he murdered innocent people. Discussing his views is not the thing to do, because that's what he wanted. Same with the people who fly planes into buildings. I don't care what they want to say. We have to stop people from thinking that if they kill enough people they will get the world's attention and airtime to get their message out. His disgusting murderous actions have nothing to do with what Japan should or shouldn't do regarding anything.

If religious people, views, customs and practices did not invade or interfere with my life I would not have an issue either.

However, what I hate as an atheist is when a religion (any religion) tries to force it's beliefs or customs on others. Worse yet, is when National rules and laws are based on or around religious views and compliance, and everyone regardless of thief beliefs is forced to comply. That is pure dictatorship.

Sure this guy was an extreme nutcase, but to a certain point I agree with (some of) his views.

I will never force my atheist views or opinions on others, and in return I would expect the same fair treatment. But unfortunately most religions are not tolerant of other peoples views and way of life....

Antonios I share your feelings and views 100% percent! I feel exactly the same. Wow you really said it well my friend. I would never want Japan to adopt Multiculturalism and have this beautiful culture diluted. Japan needs to retain it's strong identity.

Totally agree, Southsakai. Japan needs more tolerance and respect towards foreigners but NOT the adoption of Multiculturalism.

Japan has been multiculural for thousands of years already but because you are a racist and lump together all Asians as one culture you are blinded to the facts.

I don't believe Japan, generally speaking, is multicultural at all. Taking in things from other nations is does not equate to multiculturalism -- especially if the country, in this case Japan, seeks to integrate them in a way that they become "Japanese." That trait is the exact opposite of multi-culture.

A more obvious indication of multiculturalism is the ability by the general populace to speak more than one language with a high degree of fluency. Quite common in Europe; relatively rare in Japan. Another sign is the degree of comfort felt by people when confronted with a person or persons of a culture very different than one's own. A person intimately familiar and comfortable with at least one different culture will find it a lot easier to adjust a third or fourth one than a person who has no such intimacy.

This is not to say that Japan is slowly moving towards increased multiculturalism; it is. But let's not pretend it is anywhere close to being there.

Where does everyone get this crazy idea that being multicultural means having to give up your "national identity"?

And what's this bogus hullaballo about Sharia law? You know, the US court allows sharia law but only in civil cases and only if it doesn't directly conflict with an established American law. This is all readily available for reading in your newspaper. They happen to do the same with Jewish domestic law.

Would you argue that Judaism is a scourge on our earth that need be contained because they want to take over our government with their nefarious "Halakha"? Need we ban Catholics for their Canon Law?

No, I suspect you people hate Islam not because of some rational basis, but because it's fast growing and there aren't a lot of white people who practice it. Let's just acknowledge that elephant in the room right now.

This bastard is one sick, evil, horrible piece of dog crap! May he burn in hell for all of eternity! Praise Japan?? I would like for this fool to ride a Japanese train, see Japanese run away from him when they really want to sit down but are TOO AFRAID to sit next to a GAIJIN etc..see if this kind of treatment would make him feel better about Japan??

Er, thats exactly what he is alluding to!

japan all ready enjoys many aspects from foreign cultures. we just also happen to have a strong sense of national identity.

By saying he's a nutcase, weirdo, sicko, whack job, and moon bat, aren't we distancing ourselves from the fact that he has beliefs held by many people in many countries? He doesn't like or want foreigners in his country. He took it a step further and killed a bunch of non-foreigners but his idea of 'No Foreigners' is not a marginally held thought. That he praised Japan should make Japanese think about their ideas of 'Wareware Nihonjin' vs "The rest of the world. Should, but won't. People who believe multi-culturalism and foreigners are bad will continue to do so. But they will call Breivik a weirdo and a sicko. i.e. Not like us, not one of us.

Huh. A xenophobic racist applauding other countries for their xenophobia.

Agree with borscht.

@ Elbuda MexicanoJUL. 26, 2011 - 07:41AM JST I would like for this fool to ride a Japanese train, see Japanese run away from him when they really want to sit down but are TOO AFRAID to sit next to a GAIJIN etc..see if this kind of treatment would make him feel better about Japan??

Amigo yes that will actually make him feel better. That's exactly what he desires!

@Antonios_MJUL. 26, 2011 - 09:57AM JST As for his political beliefs, for some people, he is right and for some others, he is not. Personally, i am against Multiculturalism and i want Japan to preserve its identity. I respect the customs, traditions and norms of this place, and i expect from the Japanese to respect mine as well, but i do keep in mind that i am a foreigner in this country, and no matter what, i have to follow the Japanese rules. End of story. I can't expect Japanese territories to turn into "Little Greece" nor do i expect the Japanese to be tolerant towards my habits. I won't like it either if 1 million Greeks/Arabs/ Italians/ Spanish/ Aliens emigrate instantly to Japan without first adjusting to the Japanese way of living.

Antonios I share your feelings and views 100% percent! I feel exactly the same. Wow you really said it well my friend.

I would never want Japan to adopt Multiculturalism and have this beautiful culture diluted. Japan needs to retain it's strong identity.

Sometimes the only way to combat extreme negativity is by saying something positive. I will try.

I have only been living in Japan since last October, so I do not consider myself qualified to comment yet on its described monoculture, nor its progress towards multiculturalism.

However, in response to fears that right-wingers are regaining ground in our world, I would say to everyone please take heart and look to the future.

Rather than support that sentiment with political logic, allow me to share something from a very personal perspective.

I am a British man who is very proud to be married to his adorable, clever, modern and witty Japanese wife. It is my wife that has helped me rediscover my patriotism for Britain. She expresses her love for Britain almost daily, even though we now live in Japan, even though she was not born British.

Naturally, since our arrival I have been going through the typical blue phases that one experiences whilst trying to cope as a newcomer. Of course, this has been in the midst of Japan undergoing a very testing time. I can honestly tell you that the Japanese I have met so far have been particularly amiable and warm towards me, also patient with my inability to say more than a few words in their national language ... and this during a period when the stresses of a threefold crisis would make a little impatience perfectly excusable.

Furthermore, I have entered a country where English in Romaji characters can be found written pretty much everywhere it seems, despite the popularity of Katakana among natives; where you can press a button on your TV remote to call up the dialogue of a drama, film or news excerpt in the original language (unless the broadcast defaults to use of subtitles anyway). When visiting Fukuoka, I was verging on guilt pangs in Canal City, for there was a distinct absence of Japanese text on display. And for old fashioned foreign drivers who would rather not rely 100% on their sat-nav, the above mentioned frequency of Romaji applies to road signs too. I cannot see life being made all that difficult for even the linguistically laziest of us new residents (mea culpa, that's me).

The point I am making? Is Japan really a defensive monoculture? Maybe it is, but being new here I have only had enough time to see indications of the opposite.

If one evil maniac in Norway has praised Japan for embracing the same evil, the praise is misplaced. Thus far, I have not suffered much in the way of anything that could be described as a racist attitude towards me here. Regretfully, my wife was an occasional victim to a softly racist attitude still present in The UK, which is disheartening considering Britain is meant to be a leading nation in multiculturalism. Luckily, for the most part, I think I can say Britain actually is at the forefront of global liberalism and that such instances are only echoes of a less enlightened past. As far as I can tell, Britain and Japan are mostly harmonious in this regard, sharing broadly the same humanitarian and egalitarian values. Let us celebrate that. My late father fought in Burma during WWII against imperial Japanese forces. Nowadays there is a high frequency of Japanese-British marriages. Forgive me for sounding too much like an old hippy, but has LOVE not won through more successfully than even the best of political intentions? These days FAMILY is not constrained by nationality, indeed, the ever so traditional concept of FAMILY has embraced the planet, has crossed ethnic divides, has forced us to rebrand our patriotism, making it open, inclusive.

We should all express to the Norwegian members of our planetary family how much we love them, how much we believe in their ability to overcome this dreadful event and how confident we are that they will stand tall and united against the abhorrent mindset held by Breivik and others that think like him. We must stand with them in this.

And we should hold on to our hopes for the future too, because the coming generations from our current bloodlines and matrimonies will not so easily be confined by ethnic, national and religious categorisation, let alone anything as superficial as skin colour. This is bound to be as true in Japan as it is in Britain and America, many children being born here are mixed lineage, meaning it will shortly be impossible to maintain the artifice of a monoculture any longer. For all of us who are 'Gaijin' with Japanese spouses, or Japanese with 'Gaijin' spouses, we must surely be excited about what our children and grandchildren will achieve anywhere they go in the world. How does it feel to be the parents of the new world order? Still waiting to become a dad myself, but I bet a lot of you reading this will say fantastic! Friends, brothers, sisters, family, the fascists lost, we won, BE OPTIMISTIC, a great number of people around the world have died or been imprisoned to earn you that right.

Once again, to Norway, best wishes, recover; remember those that have been taken from you fondly. We all will.

The large amounts of Zainichi Korean and Chinese living in Japan doesn't make it homogenous either..

Every culture and every country have their own racist nuts.

I will take what Japan did during the Meiji Era - the almost wholesale import of the best Europe had to offer - to whatever modern day concessions someone somewhere might be making in deference to whiny proponents of post-modernist drivel called 'multiculturalism.'

It doesn't take much analysis to see how closely this view from the far right-wing echoes Breivik's. In the Manichean outlook of the right-wing, adopting a foreign technology is acceptable, whereas accepting the people who developed the technology necessarily involves "concessions." And, of course, it follows that those who are accepting become "whiny" and deferential. But in fact, it's those who point that finger who are, ultimately, the genuine cowards.

Any study of the Era mentioned by BV will find that those who wanted to reach out to accept modern Western developments were staunchly opposed by the Breitbart's of their day. The disdain of multiculturalism -- aka foreign influence -- was particularly acute as right-wing militarists took power.

Racist European views - I hope they get the ring leaders in the UK. This guy is trying to start a race war.

Holy Wars - AGAIN ????? The world is to small for this crap

Every nation (whether rich or poor) will have to deal with the issue of immigration over the next fifty years. Immigration and multiculturalism are difficult issues to discuss, but using violence to promote an ideology is never acceptable.

Funny how he is referred to as a "gunman" and not a terrorist. It appears all the problems that Japan found scary about foreigners are slowly manifesting here in Japan. In Japanese themselves. The polorazation of the classes, poverty disenfranchised youth...

Hopefully praise by a nutcase will make Japan look at itself and adopt policies that encourage more multiculturalism.

People should certainly not take any of his advice, but nor should they run in the opposite direction because of his words. The only thing to do with his ideas is to disregard them completely. He has nothing of value to say, not even as a springboard to do the opposite.

Don't know why JT mentions the opinion of a massmurderer. We should deny that monster the honor to even mention his weird ideas.

It is just a destruction of identity of the host country.

So is time. If not for time, Europe would be stuck in the Rennaissance. Or the Middle Ages. Change is as inevitable as time. Why no launch a campaign against time? You can join the Amish and other such groups. No need to enjoy all the things that time has brought. You can live stuck in the past in your own little isolated community and never enjoy the benefits other cultures and even time itself brings. Just stop your whining, pack up your stuff and get out of mainstream society. There is no need to apply the breaks on behalf of everyone else.

but it needs some respect from the immigrants towards the culture, norm and people of nations that accepted them.

But the nation that accepts them also needs to have some respect for the immigrants that ARE making efforts to assimilate - and I dont see a lot of that in Japan either.

How can anyone who lives or has lived in Japan debate against multiculturalism? If it weren't for the Japanese accepting at least some foreign influence, you never would have made it into the country. Also, how would you expect Japan to succeed as a nation, given that its economy relies heavily on exports, without learning about, interacting with, and accepting other cultures?

There are plenty of multicultural nations with very low crime rates and plenty of monocultural nations with very high crimes rates (uh, Afghanistan, anybody?) Mexico has an astronomical murder rate and it's almost exclusively intra-racial. On the other hand, New York City, one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world, has enjoyed extremely low crime and extremely great economic success since the late 90s. Toronto, too. Ditto Geneva. I don't think it's a coincidence either that Tokyo is both one of Japan's most multicultural cities and the driving force behind its economy.

You also can't argue that Japan's success is not due almost entirely to foreign influence. The University system was introduced by foreigners, they rely on the American primary education system, their business practices are largely western, their entire language is heavily influenced by Chinese, their primary business sectors (cars, technology, etc.) are obviously not Japanese inventions, parts of their katakana writing system was introduced by the Portugese, and on and on. What happens when you stop inviting foreigners in and at least trying to get along with them? you experience great economic and intellectual stagnation, much like parts of the American South.

Do you really think being "stuck" in a modern, enlighted, humane society is the same as being stuck in a Shariah theocracy?

That comment is precisely the fear-mongering hogwash that sparked the killings in Norway. You don't bother to dig deep, and so you think all law is the same. Therefore, you can scarcely understand the difference between criminal and civil law. And failing that, you come up with this crap about Shariah taking over, just because some Muslims are asking to be under Shariah civil law AMONGST THEMSELVES, which is not to say, YOU. Hard to tell if your paranoia begat your silliness, or your silliness begat your paranoia, but needless to say, they are inter-related and have no creedence whatsoever.

The way we see multiculturalism is usually one-sided. We don't see the other side that looks for the ultimate "do-over" in life. We need not open the flood gates and allow anyone in, but have to realize that people leave their countries to attain opportunity (and for the most part flee the past), so some leniency in immigration is healthy - for everyone. En masse is a bit freaky for any culture to accept.

I'm a proponent of integration, and accepting the beliefs of the area that I move to. Yet, I entrust my new hosts to respect and treat me with dignity. I do not want to push any religious or moral beliefs on them, nor change their language because some expression may be offensive. If I don't like it and continue to complain then I know I don't belong here.

As an afterthought let's hope this story goes away before some loose-cannon copycats this (anywhere) or does hara-kiri on the diet steps.

@Godan Similar situation in my case, and I agree with what you are saying however I keep trying and do on occasion win a battle or two. The war on the other hand is a different matter. I doubt that Japan will change its overall attitude towards non-Japanese no matter how hard we try to assimilate, at least not in my lifetime but then I never expected that it would and am willing to accept it and have made a great life for myself here.

Whatever Breivik says shouldn't be taken into account when considering the merits and drawbacks of adopting multiculturalism or failing to do so. It would be an "ad hominem" fallacy to say that something is bad just because a madman supports it, or that something is good because he's against it. There was another man with similar obsessions of racial purity who was also a bit vegetarian, but it doesn't mean that vegetarianism is inhumane, for example

Although Japan is not much of a multicultural country, it definitely doesn't go as far as condoning gunning down dozens of people in defense of homogeneity. I don't really see why this bit of news is reported at all, or why it would make a splash anywhere in the world.

He certainly hasnt noticed all the gaijin English teachers, business owners, engineers, bankers etc :P

"Also, japan is unique with its culture and cutoms and language. My children should not have to learn other foreign languages to get a job, or stand up on trains for foreigners, for example. Foreigners are guests in japan. Foreigners should respect japanese culture and live the exact way of japanese and not bring their religion,custom or language."

Yeah right, if this mindset was actually carried out we would all have to go back to Dejima. Since when does a guest pay tax? Educate your children? Attend meetings? Drive innovation at the high end of the economy?

Sorry too reveal this to you matey, but I've never met a Japanese who thinks this society is perfect the way your comments imply. I kinda think you're foolin with us??? Is this some kin of reverse japan bashing?

WickedUncle - natsukashii!!! (Ask your wife what it means!) I remember when I used to feel exactly like you. I sincerely hope you never lose that view of Japan. But I fear the longer you stay here, the more experience you will get and the more reality you will see under the surface.

Dont get me wrong - I love this place and I want to stay here and raise my family, be a good citizen. It is a good place in many ways, and god knows, the UK has its problems. But be prepared for the pendulum you are swinging on right now to swing right back the other way, come back and go again several times before you finally find a way to make your life here. Steves advice above is not far from the truth - you can ignore it, live in a bubble or fight against it, but ultimately everyone here finds a way to make it work for them. The lucky ones can really make it work for them.

5 will be fab, 5 will be awful and the other 90 will fall somewhere in the middle. Sounds like your wife is in the fab 5%. From one happy Anglo-Japanese family to another, good luck to you both.

Orangewedge:

Give it a rest. Even the majority of Japanese themselves consider themselves to be monoculturalist. Even our resident representative of Japanese nationalism Kentaro75 talks about this in a post in this thread. Japanese borrow bits and pieces from other cultures and assimilate them into theirs.

As chewitup suggested, read about the history of Okinawa and the Ainu and see just how Japanese "multiculturalism" has worked in the past.

The "vast cultural rainbow" in Japan between the various regions that you refer to is akin to comparing the "cultures" of whites between different states in the US of A. Texas accent vs. Brooklyn accent? Niigata-ben vs. Hiroshima-ben? Tex-mex chili vs. New York hot dogs? Takoyaki vs. Kyo-ryouri? Is this the extent of your definition of multiculturalism in Japan? Rearry?

Religion in modern Japan is a joke in terms of the amount of influence it exerts in modern life. Strong foreign cultural influence in Japan amounts to Tokyo Disneyland, Louis Vuitton and eating at an "Italian" restaurant on the weekend.

For all practical intents and purposes, Japan is a homogeneous monoculture with fringe elements that the status quo find helpful in defining / refining that monoculture. I don't see why you want to believe otherwise when even Japanese themselves are saying so. What exactly is your reason for pushing this issue?

Explain to me how a country that embodies everything from Ainu to Okinawan with a bit of Korean and Chinese in the middle is not multi-cultural. The genetic makeup of the "Japanese" people is diverse and the history of immigration is very long and still growing

Oh my oh my! Do you have any idea of the prejudice Ainu & Okinawans have faced for decades! How many Japanese refuse to admit Ainu even exist/existed!! Embody Korean & Chinese............

While clearly Okinawans & AInu exist, many Japnese are loath to admit it, same for Korean & Chinese influence, which is EVERY WHERE, many locals dont really want to admit it. Yes some do but Japan still has a long long way to go in admitting all these things, let alone embrace any!

You really need to come to Japan some day & see this for yourself if you dont believe me.

If you make the effort to meet Japanese halfway - and learning their language is a large part of that - I truly believe the greater amount of whatever 'discrimination' you might encounter is more positive, so to speak, than negative.

A post I can absolutely agree with.

Seriously, I am mystified as to why that spirit of wanting to meet others halfway isn't more evident behind the vast majority of your posts. Not in any way a slam; it puzzles me.

Why doesn't the media use the term "Terrorist" for this guy. He is a Killer, Gunman, Madman but why not Terrorist. Is "Terrorist" term reserved for Muslims only.

@ my2sense,

I'll direct you to another word: Delusional

It's often used to refer to conspiracy theorists, tea partyers, "the national debt is the Republicans' fault" denialists, and other right-wing whack jobs

This guy - this racist should really think about it for a minute. EUROPEAN COUNTRIES have been invading, hourding, raping, pillaging other countries for centuries.

What the hell is he thinking ????

Except for China - all the countries in the world have been invaded, and altered by European countries.

When a few thousand of arabs come to his country to legally immigrate. What does he do ? Go crazy and kill kids who want a unified nation.

an ill-advised remark...afraid, mental therapy may not cure his illness.

Hopefully praise by a nutcase will make Japan look at itself and adopt policies that encourage more multiculturalism.

@ihavegreatlegs

Don't you think referring to this mad man as a "weirdo" is kinda putting it lightly?

It did make me grin a little that they now know just what kind of person admires the society they have built. I've already pointed it out to a few people here at work when they mentioned how awful the massacre was.

But the posters above are right, this will have no effect. It will make no difference to most Japanese...they simply aren't capable of making substantive changes without being forced to. Japanese who are capable of independent thought leave Japan for real cultures.

It doesn't matter what country you are in. We are in a time of rising conservatism to the point where it is turn fascist similar to the late 1920's to early 1930/s. This trend to grow and get more ugly. Remember the debate in japan's conservatists regarding having an Empress a few years ago. Even Russia is closer to a fascist country than a communist country. The fascists and nazis picked the jews as a target in the early 1930s and today it is Islam. Funny how religion seems to come into play. The difference is that jews weren't bombing people around the world back then but today the excuses for hate have a slightly higher barrier. To see how low a country is dropping, just look at how they treat their poor, elderly, and infirm.

This is a typical example of sensational news that brings sparkles with no substance at all. Who takes this kind of "he said/she said" story seriously? Winning sympathy from those cultural conservatives (i.e., xenophobes, right-wingers)?? What a pity!

And where is the source??

This guy is totally loony! The Japanese don't need to praise themselves for this nutcase manifest. Hope they don't even see this in the papers. Totally nuts!

Funny how he is referred to as a "gunman" and not a terrorist.

Yeah, only muslims can be terrorist, rest are just gunmans. When it first unfolded, they were sure it was Al-qaida. Even when they knew it was a blond european man, they said al-qaida recruiting blond europeans.

japan all ready enjoys many aspects from foreign cultures. we just also happen to have a strong sense of national identity.

I agree with 50% of this statement.

The fact that they are strong in their own traditions does not mean there is a lack of multiculturalism here. in the long run, I don't suppose that the English ever pronounce the French language correctly, nor do the Americans ever learn Spanish. How does that make ye naysayers superior to Japanese?

Who ever said we were superior to Japanese? Im not hearing that at all. All I am hearing (and quite correctly too I believe) is that this is not a multicultural country and that IS a fact, especially when compared to the US or UK, and most other "developed" nations. My husband is as "westernised" as you can get, but you should still hear what he says sometimes about non-Japanese. Bias against non-Japanese here is endemic.The only country he doesnt put down is the UK - he wouldnt dare try!!!

Speaking another country`s language is hardly a measure of multiculturalism, but in any case, taking that argument further you could say most French dont pronounce English "correctly" (whatever that means) either, and many many Americans I have met speak fluent Spanish. I think a true measure of multiculturalism in a country is understanding of and tolerance for other cultures, and the ability to exist side by side harmoniously and with mutual respect - something Norway appeared to have until this guy came along.

Before this happened I complimented Japan on its tough immigration policies and not bowing to EU pressure to let more people in. Japan is a soverign nation and should be free to control its borders however it wants.

Who is making this statement and who is dignifying it by publishing it?

'Moon bat'- that is funny. I love it.

I scarcely doubt any of you truly know what multiculturalism is. I don't even think I have a firm grip on it.

But if you think any country ever really had one culture and was better for it, you are kidding yourself.

Sure, it might be possible to go overboard with multiculturalism, but having a Chinatown or a Musllim or Jewish or Wiccan community is a source for thought, exchange, dialouge and experience. A monotone culture is a stupid idea promoted by fundamentally stupid people.

I scarcely doubt any of you truly know what multiculturalism is. I don't even think I have a firm grip on it.

I was thinking much the same while reading the comments here. As it seems most people have their own definitions of the term, it will be very difficult to come to any sort of consensus on the matter. Sad.

But if you think any country ever really had one culture and was better for it, you are kidding yourself.

Well said, Chewitup!

In my opinion, when an immigrant enters a country, he or she should learn to respect and adopt the culture of that country, not force his own culture to it. If you have a tenant in your house, and he tries to change your house rule to benefit him, you don't feel nice. It is the same case. Immigrants in many countries promise to abide by the laws and norms of the land, and later refuse to adopt. Look at USA! Some of its states are already facing this issue. I am an immigrant here in Japan, and I chose to adopt Japanese culture. But I see many foreigners here, who loves to stay here and get the benefit, yet, refuses to conform to the country's norms. Unfortunately, the races of these foreigners are very distinct, and that makes people generalize. Australia and many European countries are also suffering from this issue. I am not saying it needs ethnic cleansing, but it needs some respect from the immigrants towards the culture, norm and people of nations that accepted them.

Antonios, best comment of the day

Japanese are open minded people, and that's why we have what we have.

Nothing like a joke to lift the sombre atmosphere...

I was sure JT would pick up and highlight this part of Breivik's comment. If you go back J history for 2000 years, Japanese has integrated Indian religion and Chinese culture. Namban or Western culture has infiltrated since 16 c. Japan is not and has never been a monocultural society. Just dont mixup Islamphobia and anti-monoculturism.

It is hard to agree with a mass murderer, but clearly in this point he is absolutely right.

By avoiding multiculturalism, Japan is avoiding the mess that Europe has created for itself by mass immigration from muslim countries.

In the long term, Japan has a future, Europe (as a continent of liberal democracies) does not.

You're right. It was actually the "ten-ten"s used to modify characters in both the hiragana and katakana writing systems. You know, like "ぽ”　and "が”

Look it up

I don't care about the killer's manifesto.

I would be very surprised if Breivik has ever visited Japan. His claims about the country comprise typical extreme-right assumptions. Japan appears to be a homogeneous monoculture, so its historical success must be because of race and anti-immigration policies. Nothing to do with post-war reconstruction, the move into high-tech because they weren't allowed a massive arms industry, the export economy, or the way that much of Japanese culture has been adopted from China and Korea and then allowed to develop in its own way.

Breivik also conveniently omits how the economy has tanked in the last 20 years, or how there is so much molestation that it is considered almost normal, and indeed feeds into the porn industry. Japan is one of the few non-Muslim countries in the world with women-only train carriages.

It's often my observation that cultures see themselves as directly opposite to what they are. The British think they're fair-minded when a lot of foreigners see them as sneaky. The Americans think they live in the freest country on Earth when in fact they can't even directly elect their own president or easily get on to a ballot paper; then there's the sink-or-swim mentality. The Australians think they are the most easy-going people around, but try asking immigrants or Aboriginals. And the Japanese think they are a monoculture when they are anything but.

The Japanese culture is like a double edged sword while the Samurai sword cuts in only one direction.

The point I am making? Is Japan really a defensive monoculture? Maybe it is, but being new here I have only had enough time to see indications of the opposite.

Look mate, the stuff you are pointing out, signs in English etc, is hardly a sign that Japan isn't a "defensive monoculture". The way tourists are treated, and the way foreigners living here is completely different. As you will surely realise after being here for a few more years.

Japan is a "defensive monoculture". It's the Japanese way.

Some people here are suggesting that we should pay no attention to Mr Breivik's 'manifesto'. I disagree and I'll try to explain why.

The reason is that from his manifesto we can find out why he did it: how his ideas and beliefs developed (development is not always in a 'positive' direction) and led him to do what he did last Friday. He didn't just go crazy that afternoon: he made a rational decision to go out and kill people in specific groups (with the caveat that the basis of his reasoning included ideas which the rest of us would - I hope - reject immediately). Indeed, this discussion here on JT is probably helping some of us to understand. If we find that his ideas sound similar to those of certain groups in society, we should consider how that situation is related to policies, attitudes etc concerning multiculturalism, integration and so forth.

Understanding how he got to the point of going on a killing spree might also help us to identify the next one before it's too late. ('Pre-crime', anyone?)

"A rational decision?!?" you may ask. Yes. He arrived at his decision to go out and kill people by reasoning on the basis of things he believes. We may disagree with his beliefs and we do not (presumably) condone his actions but that does not mean his decision was irrational.

People with a negative and hatred streak in them to judge people based on race, skin colour, religion etc are no different to the psycho in Norway, period..

.

If Mutual respect is always the key to any relationship be it on an individual level or on a national level. Mutual respect precludes being either a bully or a doormat. I don't have to give in to your every whim and you shouldn't try to push your views on me. We should both listen to each other and then make reasoned judgements and possibly get separate televisions. I'm not sure what each and every person means by multi-culturism nor am I sure what they mean when they say it's a success or failure. It's all relative to who you're asking. What is certain is that there are no "pure" nations. Pure! I think that word should be used for soap not people! There is also no going back to the way things were 200, 100, 50 or even 10 years ago, whatever that was anyway. Airplanes alone have made that a near impossibility. Mutual respect is the only way things are ever going to work.

Very well said!!

Jforce: you don't have to accept any beliefs. You simply have to accept people's rights to gave them, however dumb they may be.

He hate Muslims and Multiculturalism so much that he killed his own people? Killing sons ,daughters, futures of other families, creating so much sadness, so much griefs in his own country then declaring his admiration for a culture that he understands very little about? complete madness!

@kentaro75

That's the problem. Reality check! Many Japanese THINK they live in a perfect society, a perfect utopia free from all the ills that plaque the rest of the world. So Japanese people believe that what happened in Norway could never happen in Japan. Drugs, murder, rape and sex crimes don't really happen, these are crimes that usually happen almost always in western societies. While Japan is much "safer" than most countries, Japan is far from being perfect. Also, most foreigners that live in Japan DO respect, the culture, customs and learn the language. A psychotic moon bat, goon such as Breivik can also happen in Japan and after living here for more than 12 years(still don't understand the "guest"thing) I really could see the possibility that something like that could happen. Japan is not immune and has its share of moon bats too.

Tamarana: Speak for yourself. There are numerous reasons why people live in Japan and many if not most of them have little to do with any particular perceived uniqueness of Japan. People come here because their work sent them here or because they could get work here. People come here because their spouse is Japanese or because they had siblings, neighbors, friends from home who were here and suggested they could get work. Your circle may include mostly educated, white people so your view may be a bit narrow. Those people may be the ones who were most inclined to come here for cultural reasons but get outside of your narrow world and you will see that for people from other Asian countries, South America and African countries, the reasons are largely economic. And those people quickly learn that no matter how fluently they speak the language or how stridently they obey the laws and rules, they will never be accepted as anything but foreigners and thus peripheral to Japanese society. I know whereof I speak because that describes my spouse to a tee; a visible minority from an underdeveloped nation, fluent in Japanese as well as 5 other languages, hard working, law abiding and regularly stopped by the police and disparaged to his face by people who think he can't understand him. By the way, my husband feels his country is as "unique" as Japan and I would love to see you try to tell him or his friends that Japan is more "unique" than their countries. Again, the perceived uniqueness of Japan is simply whitewashed, narrow-minded ignorance and over-blown national pride. As for whites experiencing racism, perhaps for the first time, you sound downright gleeful about this. While I can appreciate that experiencing racism may make you more attuned to it in your own country, that in no way makes it acceptable or a good thing or are you okay with racism as long as it's being experienced by white people? Schadenfreunde, vengence, just plain mean spiritedness, call it what you like but you seem to have it and it's not a pretty emotion.

Yabits is saying something that I can 100% say, he is right!

Yes a very good post by yabits. As I said earlier, most people don't know what multiculturalism is, and therefore seek to define it by what they IMAGINE it is, or worse, twist it to suit their agenda. It seems that yabits may have bothered to actually look up the definition. Most unfortunately for all of us, I believe he is one of the few. The amount of ridiculous and silly crap that gets spewed on this board simply because people cannot be bothered to get a definition straight is truly lamentable and regrettable as well as mostly avoidable. So many discussions go in complete circles because so many are allergic to doing a little research.

Well, history will show that the Norwegians were illegal immigrants and literally invaded many countries when they were called Vikings. The Vikings were not only multicultural, they really didn't care who they killed ! Since the invention of the air plane, now everyone travels and lives anywhere they want and when they want, and for how long they want. Every country has rules to follow over immigration so these people living in Norway are not illegal immigrants ?

As time goes forward through too the future, every race will eventually mold into one race of being where individual cultures will not matter anymore; they'll be viewed from the pages of history. This also applies too Muslims, many of them will sacrifice their lives for absolutely nothing too. As we enjoy each others company and admire all the wonderful creative arts the world has to offer, we will learn to love each other and make the world more harmonious and fruitful for everlasting Peace.

It's just a waste and a shame for a man to look for the evil in the world, and act out against his own people, because he doesn't agree with them. I'm sure Norway will not allow this tragedy to change their course of civilized and liberated behavior that they have enjoyed for hundreds of years. No, they will close the doors on this event, and forever, never to be remembered. Norway is one beautiful and peaceful place to live and see.

'Multiculturalism' has made tremendous inroads in the 2 plus decades i have been in Japan. It's places like Cuba,Iran and Venezuela that could use a little more acceptance of foreign ways and thought.

Explain to me how a country that embodies everything from Ainu to Okinawan with a bit of Korean and Chinese in the middle is not multi-cultural.

Did you see the word "preservation" in your defintion? All the Japanese majority have done is do their darndest to stamp the culture of all the people you have named. There was a time when speaking Ainu was illegal and the Ainu were literally forced to assimilate, which is not any sort of preservation at all.

Plus you confused culture and cultural identity with genetic makeup, and that is simply inexcuseably wrong headed. Makes me wonder at what altitude of Appalachia you come from.

About the only thing you got right is by recognizing that there are a lot of cultures accepted here in Japan, but what you failed to realize that they are regarded as domestic and homegrown, and therfore similar, rather than foreign and truly different. Okinawan, Ainu, Chinese and Korean culture is regarded as foreign to the majority of the Yamato tribe and therefore shunned unless its food culture.

OK, yeah I think this is a problem with semantics. I can see why you consider Japan to be "multicultural" since it adopts many different things from other cultures. Pizza does not cease being Italian even if it has been assimilated into the culture (although I have met an ossan that insisted to me that the Japanese invented curry among other bits of wisdom but I digress). Chopsticks do not cease being Chinese even if they have been assimilated into the culture (although I have been complimented on my skill in chopsticks and have been asked where I learned to use them although I look Asian but I digress again. Any other Asian non-Japanese have this kind of experience or am I the only lucky sap to have experienced this level of condescension?). Fine. But forgive me for not seeing how the importation of inanimate objects / concepts can be a useful definition of multiculturalism in this current context.

The Japanese like Italian food and using eating utensils instead of having to use their hands before chopsticks were introduced but how would most react (honestly) to Italians or Chinese suddenly living in their neighborhood?

What most of us are concerned about is the multiculturalism related to the people of different cultures and not the things from those cultures. It seems Japanese want to take only things from other cultures without having to interact with people from those cultures. This is the extent of their multicultural ambitions and the level we want to talk about multiculturalism (or the lack thereof) in Japan as referred to by Breivik in his manifesto; that the interactions between people should define the standard of multiculturalism in a country and not in its importing of foreign products for domestic consumption / purposes of fashion.

That being said, the killing of children at the youth camp was in effect killing the future leaders of a more open Norway. The more heinous the crime he can commit, the better chance of becoming front page news around the world and therefore garnering attention for his cause. In that regard, he has succeeded maybe beyond his own expectations. This is probably the most he can do as an individual in working towards such a grandiose plan as to change the direction of culture and politics of all of Europe. He has taken cultural conservatism to its most practical and logical ends.

Given the backlash towards his actions however, this act might (hopefully) act as a catalyst for more serious progress in openness and multiculturalism around the world and that these events will push more people will start to think more critically of conservative rhetoric in light of these events. Breivik considered himself to be a martyr for his cause but I actually hope that the opposite will happen and that the people he killed will become the martyrs for a more open society around the world as Norway was trying to progress towards (one can dream...).

Breivik's plans were years in the making, spent 300,000 euros of his own money for his cause including writing his 1500 page manifesto. He has left ample material for other people to probe his mind. Whatever anyone may think of his actions, everything he has left behind deserves investigation to find the reasons why something like this could occur and how to prevent it in the future.

So, in essence, what you are saying is that pizza is no longer Italian because it has been assimilated into the culture.

Indeed, it may not be. Reminds of an incident I witnessed on a train near Yokosuka many years ago: I was sitting near a Japanese woman and her young daughter (maybe 4 or 5), and the daughter was intently watching a group of American schoolkids heading home. As the train approached a station, some of the American kids prepared to depart the train and leave some their classmates behind. As they were leaving, you could hear them saying "bye-bye!" The young girl looked at her mother in amazement and said: "Mama, they're speaking Japanese!"

The town where I was raised (Dearborn, Michigan) is probably a Breivik-ian nightmare. Fully a third of my high school class were Muslims composed of new immigrants as well as second and third-generation Americans. Among us non-Muslims there were Italians, Poles, Greeks, Serbs, Armenians, Arab Christians, and a host of other communities. Being so close to the border with Canada exposed us to French TV and radio, as well as Canadian views on things. While I hesitate to claim that made us all multi-cultural, it certainly provided a great exposure to what the world is really like.

By the way, there were never any Japanese or other Asians where I was growing up and I personally felt very deprived by that fact. (It played a major role in my wanting to join the Navy and travel to Asia as I eventually did.)

What the European liberal left practises under the guise of "multiculturalism" is not "foreign influence", but rather surrender to an alien and hostile invasion. The claim that wanting to preserve modern, western culture (the very culture that allows you the freedom of speech that you enjoy here) is not "right-wing militaris". It is simply survival.

Having grown up among Muslims, I can recognize your paranoiac and hate-filled diatribes for what they are.

The kind of hostile persons you refer to represent much less than 10% of any population. Yes, those elements are there, but they just don't normally have all that much influence. The irony is that your hostile outlook makes you fit right in with them: Pig-headed, intolerant, imbeciles feeding off of each other.

sorry, should have been "young", not "your".

Sorry if I seem a little cynical about it all, but I guess I see it happen too much and then the people that REALLY honestly need the assistance can't get it because ppl who need to be dropped from assistance programs like a literal bad habit keep ruining THAT for everyone.. and THAT has NOTHING to do with race

Heythia

I seriously don't understand this board, so you go into a foreign country and you expect them to comply with what you want?

I have actually found this to be a really prevalent attitude in Japan - I've heard a lot of foreigners (mostly caucasian folk) complaining about how bad Japan is, what a terrible bunch the Japanese are, how it's just not like home, whilst all the while living in nice apartments, earning a decent living, living it up in the Izakayas and Clubs, taking ski trips to Hokkaido etc etc. Complaining just seems to be what many people do, and you are right, this board is rife with it as well. I had done a lot of travelling by the time I got to Japan - most of South East Asia, the Subcontinent, The Middle East, Europe, North Africa, North America, but when I arrived in Japan for the first time, I felt like I was on another planet. It was clearly a very different place from anywhere I had been before. There was a strength of place that I found impressive. A determination to be true to themselves that I can't help admire, even if I don't always agree with some of it's manifestations. Yes, I think they can do more to embrace the non-Japanese that live in their country. Yes, I do think they need to be better global citizens in a variety of ways. But Japan ultimately Japan has the right to determine these things for herself. And I think it is happening slowly, because everything happens slowly in Japan - they are getting better, but gunboat diplomacy has never been reflected on favourably in Japan, and gunboat immigration - ie, belligerent foreigners telling the Japanese how to run their country, is never going to be received well either. And probably rightfully so.

He praised japan...International recognition...

Arigato

yabits:

" Yes, the authoritarian regime of Dearborn, Wayne County, Michigan. "

Oh, yes, of course! Dearborn, Michigan. Where Christians are threatened and harrassed to shouts of "Allahu akbar" at the "Arab festival", where pro Hamas activists call for death to all the Jews, where a sunnic convert tries to firebomb a Shiite mosque, where an "Ex-Dearborn resident" was just indicted in attempt to carry out bombing in Israel for Hizballah, Debbie Schussel gets gets death threats.... how long should I go on?

Of course, you can ignore all that, as long as you keep a low profile. I suggest you would be less sanguine about wonderful Dearborn if you Jewish, homosexual, an apostate, or a cartoonist for that matter.

Sorry, but quoting Dearborn as an example why we should all bury our heads in the sand and not be concerned does not fly.

Jernfrost - an excellent post. But I have to point out one misconception - -

As a Norwegian I also feel that we along with many other nordic nations are taking a disproportionate share of the worlds refugees. We are only 5 million and we take in more refugees than the USA, which has 300 million.

Between 12 and 20 million illegal aliens - predominately poor,uneducated Mexicans - have invaded our country and in some towns overwhelmed social welfare systems designed for American citizens. I am all for immigration, but I think we should have a system like that of Canada's.

This guy is a terrorist.. Most dangerous terrorist. and his propagation ..He forwarding a reason, for his act and to destroy peace loving multicultural harmonic societies in the modern world . This guy is a Conservative Christian .. ..he is not a Muslim( He is Islam-phobic ) Why not he is a Christian terrorist. Clean shaven Sweet Faced Christian Terrorist.

Breivik said that Japan and South Korea are today the most peaceful societies “where you can travel freely everywhere without the constant fear of getting raped, ravaged, robbed or killed.”

Obivously he never read Japan Today News or he would know that is an incorrect statement. Japan has it's share of crimes. There are still unsolved murders in both Japan and Korea. Rape does happen, it has been documented and they have had enough ravaging on the subways to warrent sub car for "women only". HE wants everyone to think he's crazy, but if he was crazy he wouldn't have been able to accomplish all he did and get out of it alive. To me that shows intelligence, and he's also intelligent enough to now manipulate the system. I hope they see through him. I think he is a thrill killer who now spouting nonsense to make it seem like he belong to some big conspiracy so he can offer to bargain others that "may" be involved in order to gain a lighter sentence.

Actually bass4funk, I am seeing it the opposite way - if this "moon bat" (love that expression!) is praising Japan and those who are paranoid about foreigners, surely this is the incentive these people need to actually distance themselves from that way of thinking? Or am I just ever the eternal optimist??!

He is a nut case and anything he has to say is from a nutcase praising Japan or any country means nothing he is a nut case, he killed in cold blood and deserves nothing but contempt.

The nutcase also questioned this in his manifesto:

The interesting question is, why are not Japanese and South Koreans demonized as the Nazis and fascists?

What on earth is this story doing at the top of the front page as a leader?

Don't the editors at JT think before they post or do misguided opinions make up the sort of sensational news that is guaranteed to draw readers?

I come onto JT to read news concerning Japan about which there is plenty at the moment.

Maybe the idea is to promote foreign countries as dangerous and Japan as a safe wonderland?

Please prioritise your news content and editing JT

As far as I can tell, he has never been to Japan and thus has no Idea about Japan. A nut case. Japan has enough home grown nuts do not need outside help.

I think that Breivik has proven himself to be mentally ill and not capable of reliable divination on Japan's multicultural practise. Quite to the contrary, Japan, as far back as media allows, has demonstrated a keen interest in others cultures. The fact that they are strong in their own traditions does not mean there is a lack of multiculturalism here. in the long run, I don't suppose that the English ever pronounce the French language correctly, nor do the Americans ever learn Spanish. How does that make ye naysayers superior to Japanese?

I have lived in Japan a long time and heard the same opinion from many long-term European expats. I usually took it to be sour grapes, a back-handed way of expressing their offense and even disgust at what they regard as an overly enthusiastic embrace of things American on Japan's part. But now I am kind of wondering.

Why thank you, we Japanese pride ourselves with our unmitigated bigotry.

Like I said, this discussion will certainly bring out those we need to keep an eye on.

Hi there kimachi!

Just wait for some similar-minded Japanese guy hearing this and trying to kill a load of gaijin? Japanese people are easily influenced, and sickos are even more easily influenced...

i 100% agree with Kimachi. Those that advocate for MC in Japan or any other country are actually bigots in themselves whom have an exalted blinkered world view believing that they can force other countries to accept their ideas. It's an authoritarian mentality where they would actually use govt forced legislation upon another if need be to achieve their strange goals.

Just wait for some similar-minded Japanese guy hearing this and trying to kill a load of gaijin?

Brievik didn't kill 'a load of gaijin'. He killed a load of Norwegians.

Brievik didn't kill 'a load of gaijin'. He killed a load of Norwegians.

I know. He killed people who were connected to a party that supported multiculturalism/immigration.

That kind of party doesn't exist here.

That's why they would go after gaijin.

What else do you think they would do? Run into a Shakey's and shoot the manager and staff?

Elbuda, I've been in Japan for a long time and caught a lot of trains. Believe it or not, people often sit next to me, and i've never once had a person run away.

Every country will have different ideas about immigration. I've met plenty of people in different countries who think immigration in their country should be stopped or reduced, for different reasons. It's okay to hold that view as long as you don't bomb and shoot people. That goes for Christians, Muslims, vegetarians, anti-whalers - everyone.

The issue here is wholesale murder of innocent people.

In my previous posting there is a typo read as "Quote" sorry

I hope this is one bit of praise no Japanese takes seriously.

Antonios couldn't have put it better. A great Greek philosopher indeed.

Kentaro75

clearly you need to take off yr rose coloured glasses bigtime. Japan isnt so safe, plenty of crime, corruption, drugs, terrorism(remember Aum!)

And I aint no GUEST, I bloody live here, got it!

End of rant

SteveCPFC defeats his own 'argument'

"The next Japanese that says to me that i am a guset (guest) here is liable to get a knuckle sandwich"

Japanese are open minded people, and that's why we have what we have.

steve@CPFC

To those that say you have to adopt etc, hogwash. If the person obeys the laws , pays taxes and acts decently that is fine,

Steve, l agree. If a person moves to a country and obeys the laws, pays taxes and acts decently then that is good and they are the type of person you want in your community. When a person moves to a country and refuses to make an effort to fit in, brings their baggage from their home country, wants to be treated special and differently. Or worse still wants to impose their views and ways on the new country or expects the new country to change to suit them this is an issue. And this is what is happening in some places. Places where muslims for example want Sharia law introduced in Western countries etc. If you move to a country you do so accepting their laws and customs. You dont go there and then want them to change to suit you and your beliefs.

If foreigners come to live in your country, live decently within the law, pay taxes and don't cause hassle, leave them alone and stop bigotted thoughts.

Steve so as you know me so well exactly what thoughts are bigotted please enlighten me?

But we DO, we DO. NOT!

chewitup:

" So is time. If not for time, Europe would be stuck in the Rennaissance. Or the Middle Ages. Change is as inevitable as time. Why no launch a campaign against time? "

But maybe modernity is a place where you want to get stuck. Do you really think being "stuck" in a modern, enlighted, humane society is the same as being stuck in a Shariah theocracy?

And no, mass immigration and submission to a hostile ideology is not as "inevitable as time", as the contrast between Japan and Europe shows.

"Of course many right wingers in Japan would agree with these racist statements, as would many racists in the USA as well.

All racist religious bigots are the same, no matter the country.

Well Zurcronium, reviewing your posts I see nothing but intense and exclusive derision and even hatred for Japanese and Americans who do not share your political beliefs.

They should all be put on a island somewhere so they can duke it out among themselves and leave kids alone

Lead the way.

@Human Target

parts of their katakana writing system was introduced by the Portugese,

The Portuguese certainly introduced a lot of stuff, but katana was developed by the end of the 9th century, about three hundred years before Portugal existed.

Back on topic please.

disturbing

The nutcase also questioned this in his manifesto: The interesting question is, why are not Japanese and South Koreans demonized as the Nazis and fascists?

Foxie, I think those terms are mainly used for caucasians, conservatives, Israel and its supporters. Perhaps Japan and South Korea will get some heat after the West toes the party line.

yokomoc:

" it is not fair to say a certain amount of immigration (and emigration) is needed to allow new ideas and skills in to a country and to balance out the work force "

What you and others here are guilty of is oversimplification. The islamic colonization of European countries can not be compared to the benign "multiculturalism" that you imagine by looking at Japan, in the form of Chinatown, international schools, expats in Motoazabu, American English teachers, nurses from Sri Lanka and so on.

The determination of muslim immigrants in Norway and other countries like the UK, France, Holland, Germany etc) to never accept Western values and instead demand superior rights for their Shariah is a completely different phenomenon.

One simply can not compare one to the other. By using the term "multiculturalism" for both, you are obfuscating the issue.

There are many steps to accepting others. You can allow them into your country for brief periods of time as tourists, students, short-term workers. You can accept them for longer periods under work visas or permanent residency. Finally you can accept them under the assumption of permanency as citizens. In all cases, the mere fact that you have allowed them in at all assumes a certain amount of give and take. They obey the rules and you treat them with respect. It's similar to personal relationships. If you're in my house as a guest I fully expect you to use my shower, eat my food, etc. But I also expect you to be personable, not break things and follow the general patterns of my household. If I marry you we'll live together with mutual respect for what each person brings to the relationship. I don't expect you to do things completely my way and don't expect you to want the reverse. Marriage works well when people go into it with their eyes wide open. Understand that you'll make mistakes, have fights and misunderstandings but that with time and respect things will be good. Mutual respect is always the key to any relationship be it on an individual level or on a national level. Mutual respect precludes being either a bully or a doormat. I don't have to give in to your every whim and you shouldn't try to push your views on me. We should both listen to each other and then make reasoned judgements and possibly get separate televisions. I'm not sure what each and every person means by multi-culturism nor am I sure what they mean when they say it's a success or failure. It's all relative to who you're asking. What is certain is that there are no "pure" nations. Pure! I think that word should be used for soap not people! There is also no going back to the way things were 200, 100, 50 or even 10 years ago, whatever that was anyway. Airplanes alone have made that a near impossibility. Mutual respect is the only way things are ever going to work.

Wicked Uncle, Im all for your love attitude-you and you wife should be able to have a tonne of kids with that sort of attitude, in fact you probably realize this and are already at it-unless there is some physical complications-sorry. No idealogies holding you back just some good tripping hippy love, yeah man. In fact Norway could drink some of that attitude probably, why fight it all when it leads to murder it seriously is sad, maybe just some trippin' love, multiplying and the mono will be history.

BurakuminDesJul. 26, 2011 - 09:03PM JST

Foreigners are guests in japan. Foreigners should respect japanese culture and live the exact way of japanese and not bring their religion,custom or language.

For Japan's sake I am seriously hoping "Kentaro75" is just trolling. Because this joint is in massive trouble if there are people out there with his mindset! Maybe he will change his stance on allowing foreigners in when he is an elderly, slobbering, senile mess in a care home and there are no staff to clean him. Or is he already in there? And, heck, would any foreigner want to help him?!

Posts like this one is the reason I like Burakumin....You leave me ROTFL!!!!

parmen -

japan is unique with its culture and cutoms and language. My children should not have to learn other foreign languages to get a job, or stand up on trains for fore igners, for example.

Most people who go to Japan respect the culture anyway! & Learn the Language! Not stand up in trains for "foreigners"? how you gonna know at first if they'r NOT Nihonjin? thats Racist! I hope the next time you stand up for an old person obn a Train they say Xie xie ni. & then after you reilize its a chinese person

As for Japan's supposed uniqueness, I've got some news for you - every country, culture and language is unique in it's own way. 99.0% of the people on the earth have borrowed from, given to and been influenced by their neighbors near and far. We're all unique and then we're not.

Of all the dumb cliches you hear on a (sadly) regular basis, the one about Japan's uniqueness, has got to be one of the saddest, most desperate, pathetic and annoying ones. It's right up there with the whole master race and blood purity tripe. You've almost got to pity people so lost in their own, small, hate-filled worlds. They must be awfully uncomfortable places.

Japan is not very multicultural, you can't really argue against that, but that's partly why I like it. I've never really experienced much, if any overt racism in Japan - apart from the occasional pissed Ojisan muttering under his breath, who quickly shut his pie hole when asked if there is a problem. There is no doubt a narrow view of the world at times, and an over inflated sense of the national character, history and culture, but, don't most countries do that? I come from an extremely multicultural country where the residents shout from the rooftops that it's the greatest country in the world (I assure you it's not), but where racism is alive and well too. The Chinese do the same, the French do the same, the Americans do the same. The Japanese are no different. But I venture to suggest that many of you live in Japan....because it is Japan. You didn't arrive by chance or accident. You know it IS unique. And most of the foreigners I have met in Japan are University educated white folk. Not all, of course, but many. And I can't help suspect that part of the huge frustration that this group of people exude about the unfairness of life in Japan is because, for the first time in their life, they experience what it is like to be a minority group in a foreign country - well, to an extent at least, because most everyone has the option of returning home. It's good for you. Builds character and empathy.

@Orange

OK, I understand that you all got your feelings hurt by not being of Asian descent and coming to live in Japan. BUT, that doesn't prove that Japan is not multicultural

I don't think anyone's feelings got hurt. Question: if Japan is so multicultural, then why is it, historically other Asians and everyone has to assimilate and accept and adopt the Japanese way of thinking, social life, fitting in and giving up YOUR own culture. Doesn't that go against the philosophy of what multiculturalism is?

Wow! for once, Yabits is saying something that I can 100% say, he is right! Summed up, everything in a nutshell. Japan still has a long way to go.

There a scores and scores of other people who have the same sentiments as this norwegian guy, they dont like the muslim migration and have seen it first hand and have had enough, dont be surprised if others take extreme actions like this guy to get their message across. Those in power need to take heed of the point this guy was trying to make, muslims do not mix well with others and some have had enough . just saying

I agree with you 100%. Europe is being invaded by stealth every single day as more and more Muslims look to take advantage of the liberal views held by most Europeans. Once inside they stubbornly refuse to accept to local culture and customs and they play the racial discrimination card when they can't get there medieval ways accepted.

see maybe Breviek was pushed to a point, it would definitely seem that way eh-one little dictatorship fighting another.And focusing on students-so is education the issue? I dunno but when i meet Europeans or even Africans who say it is normal to speak several languages and it is a indication of multiculture, I start to wonder if it isnt just a competitive streak. Just 15 years ago in my small home town down under I couldnt even find a decent English/Japanese dictionary, let alone some lingo orientated cheap teacher. The internet is now available I know, but initiative is personal and pcs can breed laziness as well. So Breviek I do feel sorry for. I cant excuse his crime, but it would seem his family his country, his fellow countrymen had no place for him. Education.....and just how flexible is it in Europe, Breveik seems awfully educated smart wise, and street wise. What options are available to someone like this in Europe? Norway seems quite flexible compared to some European countries, really, and possibly why Breveik felt he could be heard there......

Well Chewy, let's have your definition then. What does the word Multicuturalism stand for?

Here's one I found.."the preservation of different cultures or cultural identities within a unified society, as a state or nation". Explain to me how a country that embodies everything from Ainu to Okinawan with a bit of Korean and Chinese in the middle is not multi-cultural. The genetic makeup of the "Japanese" people is diverse and the history of immigration is very long and still growing. The dialects of speech and even the food and song is regional, how can you keep claiming that it is not a mixture of cultures. Maybe you need to define the word "culture" first.

OrangeW3dge

Explain to me how a country that embodies everything from Ainu to Okinawan with a bit of Korean and Chinese in the middle is not multi-cultural.

Excellent point. What could be more 'multicultural' than a nation that allows for Buddhism, Shinto and Christianity to co-exist as they do in Japan?

yabits and chewitup - - do you have the same demands for Cuba? Should it open up a bit more, become more culturally and linguistically diverse?

OK, I concede that the definition that Breivik puts forward as multiculturalism is not the point that I am arguing. And, yes, there are many Japanese people that argue that they are homogeneous, just as many "Americans" claim to all be American. So, in essence, what you are saying is that pizza is no longer Italian because it has been assimilated into the culture. And chop sticks are not Chinese because we now call them hashi. Your sense of anthropology is skewed because it is now called multiculturalism on some news site on the internet. And now I will rest...

@SwissToni

While you're technically right about Sharia, the issues run much deeper, as with other multicultural issues. For example there is the problem of coercion of unwilling Sharia participants. Even the Guardian, the UK's most left-leaning paper, is not in favour of Sharia. http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2010/jul/05/sharia-law-religious-courts#start-of-comments

BTW I think multiculturalism has worked fantastically well in the UK for thousands of years BECAUSE things like Sharia courts have not been allowed. If Japan opened up its doors it should also beware of such things.

yabits and chewitup - - do you have the same demands for Cuba?

Demands? What demands? Don't remember any demands.

Seeking 'multiculturism' is a pursuit of racism. An acceptance of endorsed, if not outright enforced, generalities. It is akin to an invasion led by an unelected dictatorship with no face nor method of blame.

That is, multiculturism seeks to destroy the individual. How can one (or even many) preserve a culture outside of it's source? How can one even hope to define a culture via a subset of itself? It is a few imposing their will on the many; both in terms of their will over 'their' own, as well as over the 'host' nation.

Multicultural-acceptance is two way street that requires those that wish not to be caustic to not overshout their neighbors. To not drive their views so as to divide the public stream. To be civilized is to belong and shape with unity of purpose-- not to cause disruption; not build your future upon the destruction of others or their ways. It is to find the path that makes use of others desires, gifts, dreams in a way that benefits both peoples.

It's is perhaps in the end the recognition that your neighbors culture is a bit of your own and vice versa. It a blending of spices that work together, not a replacement or bitter contrast.

Chewitup:

" Maybe he could lay down how Muslim immigrants are expected to behave in Norway and we could get an idea of if I am right or wrong? "

I haven´t followed the last few dozen posts here, but just to answer your baiting question: Muslim immigrants should be expected to embrace the laws and values of their new country -- the way non-muslim immigrants do. And not demand that their medieval Arab Shariah laws have priority over the existing laws --- first for them, and ultimately for everybody. Alas, that is not happening, and there is no precedent for that happening either.

I would have thought that is obvious, but since you ask to have it explained again...

yabits:

" The disdain of multiculturalism -- aka foreign influence -- was particularly acute as right-wing militarists took power. "

What the European liberal left practises under the guise of "multiculturalism" is not "foreign influence", but rather surrender to an alien and hostile invasion.

The claim that wanting to preserve modern, western culture (the very culture that allows you the freedom of speech that you enjoy here) is not "right-wing militaris". It is simply survival. To see the ultimate monoculture, you need not to look further than to any iSharia-ruled country.

yabits:

" Having grown up among Muslims, I can recognize your paranoiac and hate-filled diatribes for what they are. "

You don´t say where you have grown up, but obviously it was a place where islam was kept in check by an authoritarian government. Those places do exist. But they don´t take the laisser faire approach to islamic fundamentalism that Western countries naively do.

" The kind of hostile persons you refer to represent much less than 10% of any population. "

And that is a consolation?? What would you say if someone told you that the KKK or Nazi party is "only" 10 percent of the population. Besides, your 10% figure comes out of thin air. Polls show that e.g. 50% of your British muslims want shariah. That should be a reason for anyone to take their head out of the sand.

BV, I have demanded nothing nor have I asked you to demand anything. None of us here are in a postition to demand anything from anyone. All we can do is suggest, warn and opine.

I am not Norwegian. I would not presume to speak for them.

But earlier you said this about Breivik, apparently addressed to Norway:

Keep him in there permanently. Sounds like the Norway of his psychotic dreams.

I could just as easily say it is you that is making the demands and speaking for Norwegians.

Come on. If you can go that far, surely you have some "suggestion" of how immigrants in Norway should behave, what they are doing wrong, etc.?

You don´t say where you have grown up, but obviously it was a place where islam was kept in check by an authoritarian government.

Yes, the authoritarian regime of Dearborn, Wayne County, Michigan.

http://www.amazon.com/Disuniting-America-Reflections-Multicultural-Enlarged/dp/0393318540

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_M._Schlesinger,_Jr.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyphenated_American

Read them..

Every country has a right to a national identity and preserving its national culture and heritage. In nations with a long history to hold dear, this is important. Scottland and Ireland have survived massive influxes of immigrant populations [at least 5 different 'races'] and done it peacefully by assimilation. The immigrants moved there and 'became' integrated in language, dress, daily practice, religion, etc, with the local population because they appreciated it for what it was. When a 'culture' of people comes in and decides they want to essentially interchange their own culture for the local one, there will always be resistance. Cultures can live in peace side by side of course... but Each country should and DOES have a right to maintining its national cultural identity and NO IMMIGRANT group has a RIGHT to ask that it be changed or altered or anything else simply to fulfill their personal vendetta. You move to a country, you accept it's culture and practices and you respect that. On that note, "multiculturalism" is certainly a fuzzy line. We can all live side by side, but what is the POINT in erasing national cultural identities? Even if we erased all cultural identities on a national level, people create for themselves cultural identities on other levels all the time. That is the HUMAN way of finding acceptance and inclusion in a social group which is essential for us. There are Sports cultures, social networking computer cultures, there are religious cultures, hobby cultures, gaming cultures, etc, all of which separate us on a daily basis from being involved with to some extent and also from associating ourselves with those outside of those created cultures. We are naturally drawn to others with simiar likeness of ourselves. That's not a bad thing. That is how we build our personal identities and it's not an INTENTIONAL separation necissarily.

[continued] It's actually pretty absurd to assume that humans will ever not be divided by cultural differences on any level. That's simply not human nature. That doesn't mean we can't be kind to eachother, and have good-will toward one another.

Even from a very early age, humans associate patterns with likenesses to themselves and begin this process... just give a group of kindergarten kids two colours of shirts. One orange, one blue... automatically, even if they're friends, they will naturally see themselves associate with those who have the same colour of shirt on because they 'look' like them. The shirts become the pattern "hey they're just like me!". That's NATURAL. In this article we're only discussing this same kind of thing but on a larger scale. ITS OK TO HAVE A National CULTURAL IDENTITY and to be proud of it and preserve it.

@Heythia I can see your point. But it also seems that in a way that's asuming that all white people move intentionally because other races are present - which if you look at other major cities or even some small towns- is certainly not the case. There's no way to force the desires and aspirations of any person no matter what race, to be the same as another. When some people see opportunity for jobs or a bigger house or a school system where their friends are being moved to because a school district split [or any other number of circumstances], those are personal decisions that take into account a lot more than racial demographics. I know where I live there are many blacks, hispanics and whites all living in the same middle-class neighborhoods in the suburbs together being neighbors... Ok so my own spanish isn't fluent level so It's hard to communicate with my neighbors sometimes, [and I'm "white"] but the separation doesn't have to be "racial" as much as people might think. I can't move into the inner city because taxes are too high in areas that are near to family I have there but there is rampant crime in other areas. To proove i'm not "racist" or in order to work into my life a little more "multiculturalism", should I move to the crime-ridden areas? Obsurd reasoning, to be honest. [though I know there are some truly racist people out there ...but i think they're few and far between. maybe i'm just optimistic]

There are too many factors in decisions on where and why people relocate and I can promise you most reasonable folks dont' consider "Race" into why they end up buying a house.... honestly for me, that's too much money at stake out of my pocket to want to include a dumb reasoning like that.

Take a good look at LA. the innercity core is full of blacks, mexicans, and asians. The outter suburbs are full of whites. And I've lived in LA for a good part of my life, when the inner core starts to move out, the whites move further out. Thus we achieved multiculturism. Have all the minorities in one spot and when they move, whites moved out.

or take a good look at Seattle's public school system. They had to integrate schools based on quotas because all the whites moved the suburbs and ruined the public school district.

I'm not being racist or anything but that's how I see it. For the first time ever, white people aren't the majority and they don't like it. They get to be treated like a normal minority anywhere else in the world UK, US, France, etc.

And where do all the whites live in japan? In the suburbs, no. But once they start moving out to the suburbs, you'll see Japan act like any other country. This is just normal progress. And no having one black person in your neighborhood does not make you multiculturial. That's called having a token black guy

Good point. Sad, but true. Was born and bred in L.A. you are right. Coming from a non-Caucasian L.A. is probably THE most diverse city on the planet, California to be exact, but at the same time, it is also very segregated, no one wants to see it, admit to it or acknowledge that there is this hidden problem, while people party together, go out together, where they live, how they live is totally the opposite, perceptions are quite deceiving.

" this hidden problem, while people party together, go out together, where they live, how they live is totally the opposite, perceptions are quite deceiving."

but that's asuming that white races are the only ones that do such a thing. Im' sure black or mexican ppl never desire to spend time with other blacks or mexicans for example. I'm sure all they think about is how they can set up that next date with a white person but those white ppl just won't let them!!!!!!!. I'm sure they ABHOR partying with other black ppl or other mexicans and it's the worst thing on the face of the planet. amirite? SO is it really HONEST and FAIR to peg such a description on white races whether they're minority or majority??

To further my point, I have three sets of neighbors right on my street corner.. one of which is black, one white, one mexican! I two years in a row for holidays I've taken treats to each of the families trying to be open and friendly... the ONLY NEIGHBORS THAT EVER RECIPROCATED THE KINDNESS were the white neighbors.. so I talk to them regularly. OF course.. feel free to BLAME THE WHITE PERSON HERE. <--me.

Secondly to further my point.. I have a mexican friend of which, I am her ONLY white friend she has. She laughingly tells me that she's asked by her other mexican friends all the time "you have a white friend? is that weird?!?!!!!?"... as if I'm not human ?? ;) Of course she and I end up joking about it.

Asim Munawar

" Why doesn't the media use the term "Terrorist" for this guy. He is a Killer, Gunman, Madman but why not Terrorist. Is "Terrorist" term reserved for Muslims only "

That claim is wrong on so many levels. Firstly, the media do call him a terrorist. In fact, they are full of glee that they now finally have what they always wanted: a western looking, Christian terrorist. You can almost smell the enjoyment at CNN, ABC, MSNBC, and the rest of the alphabet soup. Secondly, not only do the media not "reserve" the terrorist label for muslim jihadists, they try their darnedest to avoid it. When do you ever read about islamic terrorists any more? They have all been morphed into "activists", or "fighters" or "insurgents" or whatnot. And the jihadist motive is blanked out to a degree that is almost laughable. Just yesterday, there was another attempted terrorist attack prevented at Fort Hood. But you´d have to read the various articles to the last line to see the jihadist connection. Universally, the articles described the guy as a "American" or "Soldiier" or some such.

So, nice try at deception, but the opposite is true.

I think frost had a point about what he was saying-like SWeedes and German and Norway all have an affinity with cheese and cold weather right? Yet there would be reasons that they differ, especially say Germany and SWeeden versus Norway in education. While there is still assimilation going on within countries bordering each other, and the world communicates more globally, it would seem that Norway is a little far from Muslim countries for such large numbers of immigrants. This is what I dont understand. Unless the Muslims and Chinese are having a competition for being known to have a restaurant in everytown around the world. In which case couldnt they just yk migrate to each other-hello! silk road anybody......

Sorry, but quoting Dearborn as an example why we should all bury our heads in the sand and not be concerned does not fly.

I have to agree. Been many times to the Detroit, Dearborn area, not bad, but not the model city I would use when trying to classify diversity.

Breitbart/Victorious:

" Between 12 and 20 million illegal aliens - predominately poor,uneducated Mexicans - have invaded our country and in some towns overwhelmed social welfare systems designed for American citizens "

And the Mexicans are from a culture that is similar to yours. Even if they become the majority in your country, the major changes would be spicier food and more catholic churches. Now imagine the same flood of immigrants combined with a culture and ideology that is diametrically opposed to yours, refusing everything that modern democracy stands for and wanting to replace it with a radical theocracy.

Columhcille, racism is definitely not exclusive to whites...they just do it bloodier. That is why they get all the attention. Getting excluded because of your color is one thing. Even getting jokes and derision I can deal with. But getting shot at, hung, or beaten over race seems to mostly be the MO of the white supremisists.

Oh, yes, of course! Dearborn, Michigan. Where Christians are threatened and harrassed...

If there are any threats or harassment, they are coming from the tiny percentage of any population subject to mental hysteria such as the type you project here.

Firstly, the media do call him a terrorist. In fact, they are full of glee that they now finally have what they always wanted: a western looking, Christian terrorist. You can almost smell the enjoyment at CNN, ABC, MSNBC, and the rest of the alphabet soup.

As if we needed further proof of your delusional state of mind.

Not delusional at all, he's just stating the facts. All the networks labeled him as a Christian moon bat. If you want to call anyone delusional, then look no further to the liberal networks that repeatedly refer to him as such.

Not delusional at all, he's just stating the facts

Really? Was it a fact that the networks were "full of glee" over this tragedy. Was it a fact that this "always wanted" a "western looking Christian terrorist?" Are those what you consider to be "facts?"

Do you seriously believe people who claim they can "smell the enjoyment" of such an event, as though they could read other peoples' minds? If so, then it's obvious there is at least one seriously deluded person to add to the list..

If you think that the liberal networks didn't go around trumpeting and beating the drum and every 5 min referring to him as a Christian terrorist, then you need to seriously cut your salt intake. Of course they were full of glee and if you can't see that, that tells me, you don't want to see it. Either way, it's a shame that many liberals are focusing too much about him being a so-called Christian, rather then the actual crime itself.

Of course they were full of glee...

Wow... I watch MS-NBC and NPR and certainly never heard the term "Christian terrorist" even once, much less every 5 minutes as you claim. I doubt if you watch much of the "liberal networks," so you wouldn't know.

Nevertheless, if the term was used as often as you claim, it should be easy to point to a video clip or transcript where the term was being used. If you can't find that, and I'm betting you can't, find a YouTube video that shows a liberal reporter expressing anything resembling "glee" regarding the incident.

So much for just stating facts.

"But it seems Japan is even scared of taking in other asians with similar culture. To me it seems that Japan is practicing a policy which in a Norwegian context would have been something similar to being scared of accepting swedes and danes into the country. That just seems extreme to me."

Jernfrost--Excellent and insightful comments. Analogies across regions are always interesting, but alas they never quite work. Scandinavia is a fortunate place where differences have been resolved peacefully, for the most part. Norway was ruled peacefully for centuries by Denmark, and then ruled in a benign manner by Sweden until 1905. Same with Iceland--ruled in a benign manner by Denmark until 1918.

Now, in Northeast Asia, you have a train wreck of history, by comparison. Korea was ruled by Japan in a manner more similar to how Finland was ruled by Russia--in a violent, coercive way that engendered extreme bitterness. Japan's colonial rule in places like Manchuria, Sakhalin Island, and Taiwan wasn't as traumatic and as bitter as what transpired in Korea, but in none of those cases did it approach Norway being benignly ruled as a part of Sweden. I think this history makes Japanese reluctant to accept more Asian migrants, out of a somewhat understandable fear that they dislike Japan and wish to do it harm. Obviously Norwegians have no such concerns about Swedes and Danes.

"I have lived here for decades and pretty much always felt accepted"

BreitbartVictorious--You seem pretty obsessed with American politics (as your name indicates) for somebody who's lived in Japan for decades. Care to explain why? If the US seems like a foreign land to you, why worry so much about what's going on there?

I went to school with 100 kids from 80 different countries. It was great. People are taught racism and people are taught multiculturalism. In Australia 50% of the population are either born overseas or their parents were born overseas. And this year the UN rated Australia the best place in the world to live. Sydney is made up of 200 Nationalities of people.

Eat that Breivik.

Wow... I watch MS-NBC and NPR and certainly never heard the term "Christian terrorist" even once, much less every 5 minutes as you claim. I doubt if you watch much of the "liberal networks," so you wouldn't know.

Oh, but I do. I watch them all, tough, though it may be. Here are some of the media outlets that said, he was a fundamental Christian terrorist. Finding the sources were much easier than finding a Shamrock shake; AP, the Guardian, CNN, ABC, Reuters, NY Times, CBS and the list goes on and on. All jokes aside, people hear and believe what they want to, the fact is that most of the liberal networks branded him as a "Right-wing, Christian moon bat."

Clean shaven Sweet Faced Christian Terrorist.

Actually, he seems strangely but typically Norwegian to me. What I mean is that Norwegians have to look at the fact that this monster is something of a product of their society, albeit obviously not something any of the social engineers there ever imagined would appear. Alienated from his father, he lived with his mother into his 30s. What is the background here?

Asim: "Why doesn't the media use the term "Terrorist" for this guy. He is a Killer, Gunman, Madman but why not Terrorist. Is "Terrorist" term reserved for Muslims only."

You are correct that the term is much more liberally applied when a Muslim is involved than a Christian, but the term terrorist has been applied to him, and rightly so.

And don't worry about WilliB's comments -- he's just upset that once again it's been proven you cannot simply equate terrorism with Islam and is having a bit of a fit.

bass4funk: "Here are some of the media outlets that said, he was a fundamental Christian terrorist. "

So if it's easier than 'finding a shamrock shake', why is it you still can't provide a link? I agree 100% with yabits -- anyone who claims that people are 'gleeful' about what happened because it was a "Western-looking Christian" needs to have their head examined. No one is happy about what happened any more than they are happy about other terrorist acts -- regardless of who committed them.

No one is happy about what happened any more than they are happy about other terrorist acts -- regardless of who committed them.

In part that statement was rhetorical. Of course, no one is happy or shouting out to the rooftops with glee with what this madman did, but the fact is, that many (and the networks and papers that I listed) in the liberal media did say and jumped on that bandwagon and made the point that Anders was a Christian radical fundamentalist.

@ Bass4funk - and all you other giddy right-wingers,

You do realize the New York Times came under serious flak because when they broke the story about the shooting - before the shooter's identity was revealed - they strongly implied he was a Muslim terrorist, right?

Sound like the mouthpiece for the Liberal agenda to you? In fact, the NYT in the last 5 years or so has shown distinctly pro-war leanings and has been more or less ambivalent in fiscal matters.

And how about MSNBC? They recently drove one of their top-rated pundits, Cenk Uygur, out of his position because Uygur refused to play softball with political guests. MSNBC more or less proudly proclaims itself the "Anti-Fox News" on the surface, yet even they won't tolerate their hosts challenging the established center-right political discourse.

The rhetoric coming from the right-wingers on this thread distinctly smacks of McCarthy-era paranoia.

Masswipe jut placed Sweeden and Norway in the same boat about education-what that fails to acknowledge is exactly how different they are and how Sweeden is a lot more dictating about how education is to be acquired. Very different. Then along comes Tokyo Cherry(really) and talks about Australia being what? Stat talk-that we all know can be formed however you like it.In fact drop the Tokyo and you sound like a total cherry about Christianity. Australia may not have a history to preserve-though thank goodness there is the Aboriginals, and I might add how well are they assimilated?-and may seem multicultural in race, but it has a long way to go about being multicultural about idealogies. Oh they will claim that that they are very multi-ideal, they have gay tolerance. Wow. Ask if they tolerate a large family, and hear the pin drop. Ask how education ought to be acquired, and hear the pin drop. Australia is a farce of multiculture, and wake up time is probably just around the corner. America nad Australia are about as different as Sweeden and Norway where multiculture is concerned. On one side, they rule freedom and righteous ness, and on the other they allow freedom and rule the people after their own self-determining decides righteousness. In fact you could say the same for the Muslim and Christian religions perhaps. One will allow multiculture/multi-ideals, one will govern an ideal held way that tries to determine multiculture. Whatever-very different.

Back on topic please. Posts that do not refer to Japan will be removed.

In fact drop the Tokyo and you sound like a total cherry about Christianity.

@illsayit I never mentioned anything about Christianity.

Here we go! More fear mongering from a deranged, narcissistic, homicidal manic that wants to install fear into the Japanese public and probably some of these loony Ultra Far-right politicians will no undoubtedly take heed to his whack statements, just watch. People here are already paranoid when it comes to foreigners and now this moon bat is just adding fuel to the fire.

Or am I just ever the eternal optimist??!

Probably are. I hope that you are right, just going by the history of Japan in the wake of these kind of incidents where people can take things out of context and run with it. I try to be optimistic, but I just don't see Japan waving pens around for systematic change appropriately when dealing with foreigners, but only time will tell, I guess.

@Borscht and killing 76 people will get the people on his side?

It is just an excuse

The fact that they are strong in their own traditions does not mean there is a lack of multiculturalism here.

Orange -- really? Other than some foreign restaurants, what evidence of multiculturalism is there in Japan? Certainly the 1.5% of the population that is not "Japanese" would not support your claim. Nor the fact that Japanese will not allow children of second and even third generation Korean families born in Japan to automatically be citizens doesn't either. Or the 14 asylum seekers Japan accepted last year. A "keen interest" in other cultures doesn't make a society multicultural. Having the guts to open up one's society to actual members of other cultures, in sizeable numbers, does.

Another interesting and arguably valid observation Breivik makes about Japan is the successful maintenance of patriarchy in contrast with most western nations the benefit of society and nuclear family structures

It's interesting that this very trait is today under increasing pressure in Japan as is the expectation Japan should embrace multiculturalism.

When I (gaijin) first experienced structural exclusion in Japan I felt like it was unfair. After a while I realised part of what makes Japan the admirable culture it is, is this very exclusion. The fact Japan favors those who grew here rather than those of us that flew here is an asset not a deficit.

Quote:

To illustrate this, look at Japanese and South Korean policies. They do not have any laws directly banning women from attaining positions of influence (becoming prime minister or president of a corporation). Yet they are traditional, patriarchal and very successful societies.

as an anti-globalist you are better off not joining the Lib/Globalist trend. If you want to be a slave and not have any rights like most Chinese I would join it, but in the end you will 99% end up as a slave. =Libs do not understand this and do not understand why their teaching job was cut when they supported/taught the Lib agenda.

=Muslims are not the problem, but are presented as the problem. Forcing immigrants on the populace large scale made them the problem.

Japan is behind USA/EU on this mostly because the culture keeps most out. Do not be surprised if Japan has a banker crisis (high debt ratio) and devalues the currency though. -This will hurt an elderly population on a fixed income very much and people with fiat savings will lose most of it. =Tough(er) times are ahead and I would convert some of your fiat to physical gold/silver that will not be devalued thru fiat inflation.

This should make those black truck guys happy.

First prayer for those who died in Twin Terrorist Attack in Norway.

In advertising it is called negative publicity. Look how media is giving coverage to this guy's statement. It is strange on some website first they called him Right wing Christian Fundamentalist then the word Christian vanished. Here is a quate from a news. "The man who has been described by police as a Christian Fundamentalist, has been charged with two counts" No doubt Norway Police and Security is very good I wonder how this guy got all of his stuff?

He described Japan and South Korea as model countries. This clearly explain this guy got only Bookish knowledge. It would be better if Media stop coverage to this guy.

@herefornow, Sorry, I was away for a while. Wee, I don't think that you can equate multiculturalism with those who simply play along with Europeanisms or Anglo-Saxon superiority and make their contributions through cuisine. The vast amount of American artifact in Japanese media should be proof enough. There is almost nothing that goes on here without being compared to what is happening in the United States. (I, for one, am getting rather tired of hearing about "Americans") But for that simple fact, your argument is void, and to carry it a step further America is multicultural by the virtue of it being inhabited by 99% foreigners. Sweeping generalisations to not make truisms.

BreitbartVictorious

SteveCPFC defeats his own 'argument' "The next Japanese that says to me that i am a guset (guest) here is liable to get a knuckle sandwich"

Good pick up considering the other day Steve was saying how violence solves nothing. Yet he wants to resort to violence over being called a guest. Love it!

Japan is shrinking, not even Japanese think Japan is a successful nation. They are voting on that by not having kids. SK population is shrinking even faster than Japan.

Of course many right wingers in Japan would agree with these racist statements, as would many racists in the USA as well. In fact the manifesto included many quotes from US christian radical websites, some of which are now not up any longer as their owners must feel guilt at being quoted to justify mass murder of kids. All racist religious bigots are the same, no matter the country. They should all be put on a island somewhere so they can duke it out among themselves and leave kids alone.

@Lieberman

I see nothing but intense and exclusive derision and even hatred for Japanese and Americans who do not share your political beliefs

Derision of others' views is all part of politics. Surely you've heard Prime Minister's question time in Westminster? You can feel the contempt through the radio. Racist bigotry is entirely different. A political opponent can change their opinions. No one can change their skin colour.

Is it not fair to say a certain amount of immigration (and emigration) is needed to allow new ideas and skills in to a country and to balance out the work force, but if it happens too quickly it can lead to divisions and an overload of 'foreign bodies' for want of a better phrase? In this case Japan has had far too little and parts of Europe too much. At some point Japan will have to open the floodgates and the longer they wait the worse the shock to the system, while Europe will have to stem the flow for a while until the current population settles into some kind of order.

chewitup:

" You don't bother to dig deep, and so you think all law is the same. Therefore, you can scarcely understand the difference between criminal and civil law. And failing that, you come up with this crap about Shariah taking over, just because some Muslims are asking to be under Shariah civil law AMONGST THEMSELVES, "

Yes, that is beginning. But Shariah law "AMONGST THEMSELVES" is already a slap in the face of Western values, like for example the equality of all under the law. So, in your mind it is then OK that if a girls name is Maria, she has access to Western rights, whereas if she is born as Fatima, she is treated as property under medieval Sharia? That is crazy. But alas happening already in the UK and in Norway.

And of course the next step is then to demand that where Shariah and Western law conflicts, Shariah has priority. You can see in Malaysia how that plays out.

Your dismissing this problem is misguided.

That in it self is rather shocking. What worries me in this whole story is that he has apparently never been to Japan and SK yet he gathered all this info. So, doesn't that mean that more people have those thoughts? If so, it would be truly embarrassing for Japan and SK to have such an image. WickedUncle, good luck with your life in Japan. If you want the nice treatment to continue, never learn Japanese.

RaymasakiJul. 26, 2011 - 09:48PM JST

parmen -

japan is unique with its culture and cutoms and language. My children should not have to learn other foreign languages to get a job, or stand up on trains for fore igners, for example. Most people who go to Japan respect the culture anyway! & Learn the Language! Not stand up in trains for "foreigners"? how you gonna know at first if they'r NOT Nihonjin? thats Racist! I hope the next time you stand up for an old person obn a Train they say Xie xie ni. & then after you reilize its a chinese person

LOL

Jforce: sorry, I meant - their right to gave the beliefs.

Wickeduncle; Interesting what you have to say, but using the word "gaijin" annoys many, incluidng me a British man who is not the G word but British in Japan. There is racism everywhere, but Japan has no laws to protect against racism. The undercurrent of Japanese media and many aspects of society is one of uniqeness and a knowing of superiority. Almost half Japanese think foreign residents shoudl have less human rights than Japanese.maybe these are the things that racists from otehr countries admire as in the West we have strong anti racism laws. The racism in Japan is mostly low key but if you have abad time that could effect your family due to your race or nationality there are no laws to protect you.

and that fact that many "foreign" companies have established factories and offices for a hundred years means nothing? This is probably the first Asian country to willingly adopt Western clothes, music, cinema, and literature and although the katakana version of foreign words persists, this is one of a few Eastern countries to teach English in almost all public schools. Now, saw the part about racism and not be multicultural again. You seem to be blinded by your own prejudices.

Orange -- do you truly understand the meaning of multicultural? Having foreign companies here, staffed almost exclusively with Japanese-only speaking Japanese, is not evidence of multiculturalism. Wearing Prada and having LV bags does not make Japan multicultural either. Nor does singing foreign songs in karaoke parlors, or loving Brad Pitt. Those are simply influences and may make Japan "international" or even "cosmopolitan". But, they have no relation at all to being muticultural. What is it about that concept that you cannot understand? So long as Japan equates race with nationality, there can be no possible way to say Japan is even close to multicultural. I think you are the one blinded -- to reality.

jeffydiver, you might be surprised to know that there were peaceful Vikings who settled outside of the Nordic countries and lived in harmony with their neighbors. It so sad that people choose to remember the scumbag murdering invaders and pillagers rather than men of peace and valiant defenders.

Much the same will happen here I am afraid. This guy is already more a household name than Thor Heyerdahl, and Norway will be remembered for Breivik for a long time to come.

Well Chewy, let's have your definition then. What does the word Multicuturalism stand for?

I have already stated that I have the wisdom to admit I am no expert. But at least I don't have culture and DNA confused. I had a look at wiki and that helped me a lot. But I still don't think I have such a great grasp on it quite yet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiculturalism

So, in essence, what you are saying is that pizza is no longer Italian because it has been assimilated into the culture. And chop sticks are not Chinese because we now call them hashi.

In essense what you are saying is that adopting bits and pieces of a culture is the same as having the entire culture, alive and vibrant in your country. Having a Chinese restaurant in town is not the same as having a Chinatown, sorry.

those who wanted to reach out to accept modern Western developments were staunchly opposed by the Breitbart's of their day.

They always seem to learn only a small portion of each lesson, but never the whole lesson and never enough to intelligently apply it to new situations. (facepalm)

Funny how before Japan got 'rich' no one was calling for them to be more 'multicultural.'

@ Kentaro75

WHile I do not support Mr.Breiviks evil action, many Japanese agree with his idea that japan is the perfect socirty just the way it is, no multicultures, just japanese.

Evidence, please. You're not gonna run off with a dubious statement like this. Just because a bad guy makes a statement that works in your favor does not make him/her a lesser evil for criticizing the politics you don't like. And, contrary to your opinion, Japanese in younger generations are generally positive toward growing trend of foreign influence in the society.

Also, japan is unique with its culture and cutoms and language. My children should not have to learn other foreign languages to get a job, or stand up on trains for foreigners, for example. Foreigners are guests in japan. Foreigners should respect japanese culture and live the exact way of japanese and not bring their religion,custom or language.

Pity the J-government is implementing the policies that exactly run counter to your statement-- 1) encourage young students--including your kids-- to learn English or any foreign language; 2) invite thousands of workers and tourists from foreign countries, and 3)offering more permanent resident visas/special resident visas to foreigners living in Japan for many years.

Seriously, I am mystified as to why that spirit of wanting to meet others halfway isn't more evident behind the vast majority of your posts.

I am pretty sure his idea of "halfway" is further from himself and closer to others and we would describe it more as having others bend and conceed while he considers just talking about a compromise to be the actual compromise.

To my step-father, a "minute" seemed to have meant "two hours", and "soon" meant "never", so I am quite familiar with this sort of say-one-thing-do-another type of mentality.

Maybe he could lay down how Muslim immigrants are expected to behave in Norway and we could get an idea of if I am right or wrong?

@frost, Funny how you mention all White western countries. it seems to me that they also set quotas on how many people can enter the country. Look at the US, only 5% of the US population is Asian. I'm sure a whole lot of Chinese and south east asian countries are willing to come in but atlas they're being pushed out for Mexicans and white Europeans. Funny isn't it.

I seriously don't understand this board, so you go into a foreign country and you expect them to comply with what you want? Last i checked, if i moved to Europe or the US, I'm forced to learn English or the local language and forced to obey its laws. So it's ok for Western countries to do that but japan can't? Seriously?

P.S. no matter what your race or ethnicity is, if you go to any country and they detect that you're not born there, you will encounter racism. Like when I was stationed in Germany, everybody looked at me and called me Godzilla wherever I went. Europe is so understanding.

@columhcille. I think the posters just want an appearance of multiculturism. For example, look at a normal european city, it's normally full of immigrants and people. Look at the outside, full of the nation's own people (i.e. white).

Take a good look at LA. the innercity core is full of blacks, mexicans, and asians. The outter suburbs are full of whites. And I've lived in LA for a good part of my life, when the inner core starts to move out, the whites move further out. Thus we achieved multiculturism. Have all the minorities in one spot and when they move, whites moved out.

or take a good look at Seattle's public school system. They had to integrate schools based on quotas because all the whites moved the suburbs and ruined the public school district.

I'm not being racist or anything but that's how I see it. For the first time ever, white people aren't the majority and they don't like it. They get to be treated like a normal minority anywhere else in the world UK, US, France, etc.

And where do all the whites live in japan? In the suburbs, no. But once they start moving out to the suburbs, you'll see Japan act like any other country. This is just normal progress. And no having one black person in your neighborhood does not make you multiculturial. That's called having a token black guy

@heythia "They had to integrate schools based on quotas because all the whites moved the suburbs and ruined the public school district."

and for this kind of thing, My mom and uncle are teachers..i know public schools right now everywhere are under the gun so to speak, but one race moving out and into other schools is no excuse for poor performance. I've met plenty of well-educated blacks, hispanics, middle-easterners, etc, that don't need a "white person" holding their grades up to par. That's PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. That just shows that people want to have their hands held instead of walking on their own two feet and making a better life for themselves. That's what America is all about right?

I understand some schools are underfunded or have more gang activity or are located with more poverty, etc, but again, it boils down to personal decisions made by people every day. A "white person" can't go in an fix a bad attitude or make a kids parents not want to be drunks etc. Why put that burden on anyone when it boils down to personal responsibility. Maybe if "white people" and considerably "white help organizations" stopped helping, people stuck in those situations would decide on their own to better their lives and decide to do something for themselves and get a grip on reality. I live in a big city with many nationalities; working in the inner city and having friends who live in the inner city, I know there are plenty of people who make the choice to live a crappy life every day because they're allowed to.. because they're handed food stamps which they sell to buy drugs and they're paid for all their kids by different daddies by the govmnt. It's a situation that's been created by ALLOWING it..Sometiems I wonder if it's not inadvertently NURTURED behaviour... we're PAYING for it to happen... literally.

"chewitupJul. 30, 2011 - 03:38PM JST ... racism is definitely not exclusive to whites...they just do it bloodier."

Agreed, actually. The first thing that comes to mind is the bloodiest of all these possible examples -even when compared with the German Holocaust. Queen Elizabeth I. Great Britain in the 1500s-1600s. Bloodiest period of the world's history. Angles[again,a Germanic tribe] vs Celts. The goal was complete Genocide if we look at idealists of the time.. and honestly, they should have been successful for all their efforts.

Most people only get to see rosey-painted versions in movies of the "Greatest Queen". But then again, aren't we all only the product of our upbringing, or maybe pupets of our stars' astrology? So who's to blame? Unadultered intention does not need a court of law to determine it's goodness or lack thereof.

So yes, there... you are certainly right.

I agree, Japan should take up Europe Multiculturalism. Japan should start banning halal and voluntary burqas. Japan should also adopt the US ban on discrimination that is almost impossible to use. Damn japan for it's irrational laws. It should be more tolerance and adopt Europe and the US laws that basically does nothing.

Teacher: OH MY....look children. This puppy is shaking. Child 1: What's wrong with him? Teacher: This one has definitely lost his myelin. Child 2: What does that mean? Teacher: It just means that some wires in his head can't send a signal to his brain. Child 1: Like a burnt out lightbulb? Teacher: Exactly.

What a sicko this guy was. Shame on the people around him that didn't blow the whistle. They've got blood on their hands too.

This bastard is one sick, evil, horrible piece of dog crap! May he burn in hell for all of eternity! Praise Japan?? I would like for this fool to ride a Japanese train, see Japanese run away from him when they really want to sit down but are TOO AFRAID to sit next to a GAIJIN etc..see if this kind of treatment would make him feel better about Japan??

I just hope some other maniac in Japan doesn't decide to pull a "Breivik" here!

If Japan's law allowing people to get guns easily and no death penalty in law, sure those rightists will do something more crazy than Anders Behring Breivik! Or maybe they have already overthrown manyuncompetence PMs and their cabinets!

So he prasises a country that has no laws to protect foreigners from racial dsicrimination. The man has severe problems and we should not take his ramblings and rants seriously. This man needs help, we shoudl bot listen to him, he is in a fantasy world created by mental disorders. We need to locate what triggered the spree killing, prevent it again and make him better. His rants means nothing, there will be no big Nazi terrosist cell. it is fearmongering by those who should know better.

A mass murderer praises Japan.. That says it all.

chewitup,

You can live stuck in the past in your own little isolated community and never enjoy the benefits other cultures and even time itself brings.

Yeah things like crime, changing of way of life to suit their needs etc. chewitup, maybe you should go and have a close look at a country that has a large multicultural population (and no Japan doesnt apply). Maybe France, UK, Australia, one of those type countries that do take a lot of people from other countries. Yes the majority do settle in to their new lives well and bring good aspects of their culture. But others bring a lot of baggage and trouble with them. I for one would rather live in an isolated little community to a large multicultural one any day. And l can say that because l have had exposure to both.

spidapig; I am not saying your comments are bigotted, i am talking about people in general who make everything wrong with their country the fault of foreigners.

I don't feel i have to fit in and accept beliefs or atittudes in Japan, but i tolerate some i think are bad. I also don't integrate with Japanese or foreigners in Japan except for family and some neighbours. Mind you, i do the same back home in UK mostly.

Because foreigeners are a minority they are easy to pick on and they have only a small voice especially in Japan where immigration is at low levels. I hope one day we can all look beyond colours and nationalities. It is predicted in the future that humans will all be coffee coloured and look more similar. I doubt this will end racism though.

miamum; I don't feel respect very often here except from those close to the family and rarely some are genuinely intersted in where i am from and how life compares to Japan. There is a lot of racism here, you can either ignore and pretend you are in Utopia, have little contact with the outside or spend time fighting against it. I like to live by the second and third options.

My own family may be termed multicultural, we all benefit by the diversity of religion, diet, customs and belief. When you realy look at where each nation originated the answer is Africa. Our extended family incorporates Australia, Japan, Mongolia , Argentina, Italy, Britain and Ireland. Does this mean the bigots of this world would consider us a threat to thier selective breeding programme? Nazi intelligence is still alive and mentaly ill. One Earth ,one people and if I had my way an ideal world would have no frontiers and as yet I have only found Japan a welcoming place for foriegners

@WickedUncle I read your comments, your views are spot on

steve@CPFC, actually there are laws to protect against racism. The problem is they have no teeth or penalties. So breaking the law is meaningless. Americans are ok but most Europeans drive me crazy with their high and "noble" principles. Once they get going on Japan Bashing there is no stopping them. About this madman in Norway, am sickened by his actions and have nothing in common with him. The man with his racism disgusts and me. He deserves to have his head lopped off.

OK, I understand that you all got your feelings hurt by not being of Asian descent and coming to live in Japan. BUT, that doesn't prove that Japan is not multicultural, nor does it prove your perceived racism theories. Here it is as plain as the nose on your face, but you refuse to accept it because your experience is only European. Japan has been multiculural for thousands of years already but because you are a racist and lump together all Asians as one culture you are blinded to the facts. Here they write in four different mediums, one from Europe, one from China, and two of their own design. The aboriginal people of Japan have nearly disappeared being replaced by those from at least three separate cultures, and several other minor ones. Even though there have been communities of Portuguese here for so long that even they Japanese use the term "pan" for bread (spell it how ever your European flavor dictates), and that fact that many "foreign" companies have established factories and offices for a hundred years means nothing? This is probably the first Asian country to willingly adopt Western clothes, music, cinema, and literature and although the katakana version of foreign words persists, this is one of a few Eastern countries to teach English in almost all public schools. Now, saw the part about racism and not be multicultural again. You seem to be blinded by your own prejudices.

Still a matter of semantics, because if there were no mixing of the genes there would have been no mixing of thought, but since the first is no true, the second has surely occurred. Again, I tell you that outside of TV land or the media that a vast cultural rainbow exists in Japan. Tohoku, Kanto, Kansai, Okinawa all speak differently have different customs, etc., etc., etc.. There are at least two major religions and thwe list can go on. Someone one is pulling your finger when they try to tell you the "Japanese" are One. BTW, I was from the Midwest (Chicago, to be exact) and Appalachians were a small part of the mixture there as well. My point being, just because it's not European cultures that are being featured here, it doesn't indicate that there are not many cultures at work here. The people of Japan are certainly more diverse culturally than those from Wisconsin, or wherever the White guys come from that sit in judgment on these boards.

yabits - -

"In the Manichean outlook of the right-wing, adopting a foreign technology is acceptable, whereas accepting the people who developed the technology necessarily involves "concessions." And, of course, it follows that those who are accepting become "whiny" and deferential."

Whatever. I have lived here for decades and pretty much always felt accepted.Oe Kenzaburo was right.The Japanese are fundamentally decent people, and he qualified that by saying he meant it in the sense that George Orwell did in speaking of his compatriots, once upon a time.

If you make the effort to meet Japanese halfway - and learning their language is a large part of that - I truly believe the greater amount of whatever 'discrimination' you might encounter is more positive, so to speak, than negative. Hard to explain to anyone who lives here less than four years or so - at which point your own country becomes a little like a foreign land. The ten-year mark is impossible to describe.

Kimachi; No you don't6 get it mate. You are talking about racism and exclusion. japanese don't believe in this when they are abraod, they want to be treated equally. You don't know what you are talking about.

sunhawk

japan all ready enjoys many aspects from foreign cultures. we just also happen to have a strong sense of national identity.

Like what? Yeah you have some foreign restaurants and foreign foods but that is about the extent of Japanese multiculturalism. To claim anything else is a joke.

The guy has no sense of economics, clearly Japan is sitting on a large piles of debts and GDP at only 0.1-1.0% GDP

LOL some of the posts here. I will take what Japan did during the Meiji Era - the almost wholesale import of the best Europe had to offer - to whatever modern day concessions someone somewhere might be making in deference to whiny proponents of post-modernist drivel called 'multiculturalism.'

chewitup

To my step-father, a "minute" seemed to have meant "two hours", and "soon" meant "never", so I am quite familiar with this sort of say-one-thing-do-another type of mentality.

IOW - your rather difficult personal relationships are responsible for the cynical, nihilist pose you like to strike. We get the pic.

Maybe he could lay down how Muslim immigrants are expected to behave in Norway and we could get an idea of if I am right or wrong?

I am not Norwegian. I would not presume to speak for them.I have no desire to 'lay down', as you so tellingly put it, behavioral norms for Muslims in Norway or anyone in Norway. I would not, for example, demand that they do not sing a national anthem or have flag ceremonies, as you do of the Japanese.

We are happy . Kakuiii He Praising japan ....3Q Andre Brevike san.

spidapig24; Doesn't mean that i do not lose my tempet when confronted with racism. I don't condone violence nor do i say i am a perfect person. In fact i came from an area with many foreigenrs in fact i accepted one so much i married her and now live in Japan. I would think a racist deserves at least a tounge lashing. Racism and snobbery are two things i really hate in modern society and i want them to end.

To those that say you have to adopt etc, hogwash. If the person obeys the laws , pays taxes and acts decently that is fine, In Japan especially we hear little about benefits of foreigenrs to soicety but often hear scaremongering racist trash from the media which amny locals lap up.

If foreigners come to live in your country, live decently within the law, pay taxes and don't cause hassle, leave them alone and stop bigotted thoughts.

There a scores and scores of other people who have the same sentiments as this norwegian guy, they dont like the muslim migration and have seen it first hand and have had enough, dont be surprised if others take extreme actions like this guy to get their message across. Those in power need to take heed of the point this guy was trying to make, muslims do not mix well with others and some have had enough . just saying ...................

It's ok to comment how good you are etc.But in fact, do you really want some islamists in Japan?Maybe some Russians or guys from Libya?Are you ready to pay taxes to feed them?Think about it, then write how "good and generous" you are, and how bad am i...

I have actually met quite a lot of people like this weirdo, but none act out on it.

MrDog; Perhaps even they would go after foreigners.

Yes I have to agree with the Norwegian nutcase guy in every way.

このコメ、削除されるかなw

sojherde; He is a spree killer not mass murderer.

Yeah How & why this got an artical from JT is completely crazy. YES the Japanese embrace alot of things (non Japanese) you have to be Blind not to see it. Japan is expensive place to live. the Most crime committed in Jp by Foreigners are chinese & Koreans. simple FACT! so its not just about race even though many like to play the Race card. when people go to Japan they "do as the Japanese do" i would too. Religion is the MAIN/Big issue. its pretty Obvious most people in any country are not gonna want or accept you IF you are forcing Religious beliefes on anyone. Many places in America are multicultural it can & does work. (in USA)

Multiculturalism just doesn't work. It is just a destruction of identity of the host country. Looking at politics in Europe most of countries saw a rise of far-right politicians is recent years. France, Swiss, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands...and more are coming. I do not think it is about racism toward foreigners but more about anger and lost of patience. I agree that Japan should never embrace multiculturalism, never, it is a poison. For example I lived 2 years in France to study, it was really painfull, suburbs of Paris full of muslims and are like a bomb that exploses on a regular basis. Their women want to go to pool with a burkini (burqa + bikini), want everyfood to be labeled "halal", want more and more mosque but would not accept a church in Saudi Arabia. Women who wears skirts are labeled "prostitutes" by their kids, there is also a lot of homophobia among them. There are some places where police left and never send patrol cars. A lot of doctors also left some places. There a lot of violence toward male obstetricians when it comes to giving birth they always want a female for obstetrician. Muslims not foreigners are causing problems.

What my french friends did not understand is why they want to live in western countries but with their own rules. Most of them left terrible places plagued by islam ruling everything but as soon as they get to Europe they start the same mistakes that brought war and destructions in their countries. They do not want to be part of the society like european migrants, they want to change everything to suit their opinion. I think far-right will continue to rise in Europe.

Kentaro75; As a foreigner in japan, i take it i am a guest. A guest should be treated with respect and dignity, otherwise call them something else. The next Japanese that says to me that i am aguset here is liable to get a knuckle sandwich. Japanese expect to be treated with respect when abroad and so do i while in Japan.

That's How he likes Japan. He will come to Japan After finishing his prison terms to get marry Japanese woman. " another looser in his country, but only will success in Japan..." As many other Foreigners .

sunhawk Jul. 26, 2011 - 08:01AM JST. Japan all ready enjoys many aspects from foreign cultures. we just also happen to have a strong sense of national identity.

The foreigners will always be geijin (means aliens from outer space) regardless if the person live in Japan for 20-30 years, and more you hear it, it's becoming old. They should be treated more equal but "separate but equal" still means something to foreigners living in Japan. With the aging population, Japan need to open up to college and university graduates from other countries to immigrate and live in Japan as a citizen. These people can contribute to make Japan a better place to live. However, this is Japan, keep dreaming, it won't happen.

kimachi; Your previous post made your "thoughts" and "ideas" perfectly clear.

WHile I do not support Mr.Breiviks evil action, many Japanese agree with his idea that japan is the perfect socirty just the way it is, no multicultures, just japanese. We adapt and take the positive aspect of foeign cultures ex baseball, some foods and clothes - but we do not accept the dangerous and negatives aspect ex drugs, crime, terrorism and so on. We have success o keep japan very safe because of this. Also, japan is unique with its culture and cutoms and language. My children should not have to learn other foreign languages to get a job, or stand up on trains for foreigners, for example. Foreigners are guests in japan. Foreigners should respect japanese culture and live the exact way of japanese and not bring their religion,custom or language.