98% with mixed Japanese heritage experience microaggressions: survey

Micro aggressions are for wimps. I don’t have time to worry about cobblers like that time is too short and ignore the ignorant people cos they just ain’t worth it. Am I right?

In my own study, I found 98% of everyone has experienced some form of micro aggression based on some personal difference, or perceived personal difference.

People just becoming too sensitive, that's why ii tenkidesune become preferred conversation.

Actually, I have a 100% Japanese friend who is often praised on her Japanese and spoken slowly to and assumed to be Thai or other SE Asian. It's part of the constant assessment and scrutiny of each other for real Japaneseness that permeates the local attitudes. Conservative people like to quickly make sure we are all on the same page.

Micro aggressions are for wimps. I don’t have time to worry about cobblers like that time is too short and ignore the ignorant people cos they just ain’t worth it. Am I right?

So, you won’t mind if I make a micro aggression about your lack of punctuation and ability to use basic grammar?

Young half people who have grown up in Japan are also discriminated against because a lot of them have poor English skills and Japanese cannot comprehend how that can happen when one of their parents is foreign. I got a lot of foreign friends whose kids can barely communicate in English because they spend most of their time with mom and school in Japanese. My ex Japanese wife refused to speak to our son in Japanese so that’s one thing I’m grateful to her for. They are either not foreign enough or not Japanese enough. Sucks.

such as praise for their Japanese language ability,

Oh, the horror!!!

About 98 percent of people with some foreign heritage in Japan have experienced microaggressions such as praise for their Japanese language ability, a nationwide survey by a group of researchers has shown.

If praises are included I'm surprised it's not a hundred percent

If it’s micro aggressions or racism, I’ll take the former. Fact is that we all experience things we don’t like. It’s a part of life.

But the examples here are pretty weak. They are simply people trying to learn about others.

That is quite low. I would expect that 100% of people have felt some type of micro aggression in their life.

Geeter MckluskieToday 07:34 am JST

such as praise for their Japanese language ability,

Oh, the horror!!!

Maybe English comprehension has gone awry here. She is 100% Japanese. Would you like to be praised for your English - as if it is a surprise you can speak it - by other English speakers?

My apologies, Geeter, it is my own comprehension that has gone awry. You are referring to something else.

It’s rarer now but when people praise my Japanese ability after an initial ‘sumimasen’I proceed to tell them that I speak Japanese like a 5 year old-the conversation usually ends after that…

I'm dealing with an issue now with City Hall. To my contact, I have explained multiple times that my children were born and raised in Japan and attended local schools K-12, though they went to college in the States (culture shock!). He can't seem to get that through his head and asks me repeatedly, "Can your children speak Japanese?"

I've learned not to get frustrated but amused. What a small world these people must live in!

She is 100% Japanese. Would you like to be praised for your English

I have 5 kids, all Japanese, all fluent in both English and Japanese. Also, all of whom could easily be mistaken as being foreign nationals to anyone who didn't know them personally. My wife and I have not set up an "us and them" dichotomy in their perspective. They are all comfortable, confident and clear as to who they are as individuals. I'm sure they've all been praised for their English...as they should be considering the fact that they've been born and raised in Japan, have all gone through the Japanese public school system and all having only their father as an English speaker in their immediate experience of language acquisition. It's also understandable that they would be praised for their Japanese by people who have just met them considering the fact they have blonde or light brown hair with blue eyes and pink white skin like their father. While it may be tiresome to hear such praise from strangers, I hardly think it's "offensive". In my experience, it's the parent who often maligns "the Japanese" or "stupid American" in front of their Japanese/American children who causes the most psychological damage to their own children and not the stranger who praises them for their Japanese, French, Russian or English.

LagunaToday  07:52 am JST

"...I have explained multiple times that my children were born and raised in Japan and attended local schools K-12, though they went to college in the States (culture shock!). He can't seem to get that through his head and asks me repeatedly, "Can your children speak Japanese?"".

Sounds familiar. Here's one that sometimes occurs: you are with your Japanese spouse in a department store and ask a question of the 店員in perfect Japanese (after 35 years here, I am fluent), and they then ignore you and respond while looking at your spouse (as if to say, "this gaijin will probably not understand what I am about to say, so I will address the spouse to be sure.")

Alan Smithee, Ah, the looking-at-the-spouse gambit! How many times I'd gone through an entire conversation with some employee, my wife at my side, without ever making eye contact, questions directed at my wife and answers coming from me! Sadly for all parties involved, my wife has succumbed to cancer, so now they have to deal with me on my own. (But I seldom venture out of my neighborhood, where everyone knows me by name.)

I'm dealing with an issue now with City Hall.

He can't seem to get that through his head and asks me repeatedly, "Can your children speak Japanese?"

Why wouldn't he just ask them directly? What "issue" exactly are you dealing with that your "contact" requires the knowledge of your university educated adult children's Japanese ability?

...and my drinking habits, unfortunately. "Oh, (name), you're buying beer again?!"

"Oh, (name), you're buying beer again?!"

Where I come from we call that banter

Sounds familiar. Here's one that sometimes occurs: you are with your Japanese spouse in a department store and ask a question of the 店員in perfect Japanese (after 35 years here, I am fluent), and they then ignore you and respond while looking at your spouse (as if to say, "this gaijin will probably not understand what I am about to say, so I will address the spouse to be sure.")

Yup. Been there. My answer is to tell the person who is looking at my wife to look at me. I tell them I'm the one asking the question not her, and that it is rude to do that in Japanese culture.

As for micro aggressions, yeah we're dealing with that too. My son has recently refused to go back to his elementary school because some other kids were calling him a gaikokujin. My wife went to school and had a talk with the homeroom teacher. Hopefully the problem will be fixed- fingers crossed.

Please keep woke madness imports out. .

Sounds familiar. Here's one that sometimes occurs: you are with your Japanese spouse in a department store and ask a question of the 店員in perfect Japanese (after 35 years here, I am fluent), and they then ignore you and respond while looking at your spouse (as if to say, "this gaijin will probably not understand what I am about to say, so I will address the spouse to be sure.")

More than sometimes, sorry to say.

Whenever this happened whether in a restaurant or some other place, I would usually speak up and ask why they are responding to my wife and not to me directly? This was often followed by a blank stare on the staff's face. However, this was causing a lot of tension whenever we as a family would go out to eat. My wife did her best to understand my reasons for being frustrated but was having a hard time dealing with the tense situations. So I decided to bite my lip for the sake of my family and not take it to heart when this sort of thing happened. Most Japanese do not even realize that they are being rude (microaggressive) as this is a sub-conscience response to speaking to someone who does not look "Japanese".

S

Luckily for me, I didn't grow up here and from what I heard, junior high/ middle school kids who are mixed tend to get bullied a lot. I'm not sure how it is today, but at least that's what I hear from friends. As for the 日本語上手 part, I honestly don't think much of it. I just genuinely take things as compliments and don't really think about the underlying meaning at all because I have more important things to worry about. If anything, being ハーフ has been pretty beneficial overall despite its caveats.

Another in her 20s with British heritage said her elementary school teacher told her she would grow up to have large breasts because she is "half."

That's creepy behaviour from a creepy teacher - regardless of the ethnicities of the children. Hopefully it was reported.

Give it another generation or two it'll be fine...

日本語上手

I usually gave the usual smiley "not at all" through my entire 20s but now in my mid 30s, with a wife, kids, I couldnt be having any other reaction than jumping straight to a different topic/question, people usually dont get offended by that because the nihongo jouzu is not an actual compliment, just the vocalization of their own 'surprise', or small talk, anything irelevant, same as someone comes up to you with a "atttsui desu ne!"

 It's also understandable that they would be praised for their Japanese by people who have just met them considering the fact they have blonde or light brown hair with blue eyes and pink white skin like their father. 

And its not just about the nihongo jouzu thing.

The whole daily life conversation in Japan can be summarized in 3 simple verbs: 買う, 行く, 食べる

That's all you need to learn before coming to Japan.

Me learning japanese through books/drama/anime/manga before coming to Japan:

wow! the Japanese language is so beautiful! lots of expressions, the beautiful kanji, all these words that dont exist in any other language! Can't wait to go to Japan and immerse myself in these deep conversation while using and learning more words with actual Japanese!

Me in Japan: ok, there is nothing here beyond "go" "buy" and "eat". Let's go back to the books and drama to learn some more japanese.

finally rich - LOL!

Me in Japan: ok, there is nothing here beyond "go" "buy" and "eat". Let's go back to the books and drama to learn some more japanese.

Great all around comment!!

So, you won’t mind if I make a micro aggression about your lack of punctuation and ability to use basic grammar?

We need to unify our definitions of "microaggression". In my experience, "microaggressions" most often refer to happenings that can be given a positive or neutral interpretation but which a minority chooses to take offense towards - for example, being praised for language skills or being asked where they are from. Complaining about lack of punctuation is an objectively negative assessment and should be rated as criticism.

Better than the hyper-mega-super-ultra aggressions in the west. So, why are people so desperate to be accepted by strangers(?)—you can go home at the end of the day with a clean conscience, your family and friends know what kind of person you are and you’re loved by them—that’s more than enough.

This reminds me of those foreigners who want to be accepted as Japanese because they’ve been living in Japan for 269 years and can speak the language. Hmm, let’s see: I’m (proud to be) a caucasian (I do NOT want to… “become” Japanese. Never.)… living in one of the best/safest countries in the world—simple, isn’t it?

People should let micro-aggressions go. Be like wah-taaaahhhhh.

Don't let it get to you.

I used to go with the micro-aggression thing. but then I realised everything was annoying me. Even people's kindness. They made a good comment. (even if clumsy) I became to see it as microaggression. They asked a dumb question. It's a microaggression. They asked if I wanted a chopstick or a fork. Microaggression! Racist! Then I'd come up against real people who don't want foreigners. I realized that nobody was trying to upset me, or be racist or aggressive. But the MICRO AGGRESSIVE is aggressive in reverse. Id rather have NIHONG JOZU detune. Then, Oi speak Japanese! , why don't you speak Japanese? I have come to the point where as a Westerner, I've been programmed to look for racism and sexism, everyone internally and externally am i homophobic, Am I transphobic? am I agist, am I this? Is he this? Is she this? just by the actual idea of having a different opinion. We need to understand the nuances between someone being Naive, helpful and curious, against those with ill intent. But the simple word "aggression" lumps them into a single group as though they are all the same people. Japan is on the same journey, as many other European countries went on regarding immigration. I don't want to hear some old lady is a racist because she asked me if I can read kanji? or can I use chopsticks. Or if they ask my kids Where are you from? What they are tying to do is make a personal connection and show a genuine interest. There are bigger issues to deal with like real bullying.

Better than the hyper-mega-super-ultra aggressions in the west

Honestly I often wish racism here was more aggressive, all these small comments and gestures made to keep us at us and them length causes a lot more long time damage, because people that haven't experienced it for decades don't understand the problem, and there is little to no understanding you can get from others. If racism here was more aggressive more would have been done about it.

Getting the standard "You are so good with chopsticks" "I'm happy you like my country" "Your Japanese is so good" from people that weren't born at the time I set my foot here gets surprisingly annoying, and I can't imagine having to live through that actually being born here.

Some say just go home. For some of us that is even more foreign than here.

The report includes experience testimonies from respondents. One person of Japanese and Sierra Leonean heritage said a company terminated an employment contract with the person, saying the individual did not look Japanese in a first face-to-face meeting. Another in her 20s with British heritage said her elementary school teacher told her she would grow up to have large breasts because she is "half."

I'm pleased the story gave these examples. Neither of these "microaggressions", a benign sounding expression, is "micro" or benign. People should not assume the microaggressions they have experienced personally themselves, e.g., being given an English language menu, are as bad as it gets. There is plenty of evidence of it being far worse for other people.

Even the same action, being praised for Japanese ability or being given an English menu, can differ between the person concerned. I can easily brush off being handed an English menu because being Japanese is not part of my identity. The English is merely an inconvenience because Japanese menus are always better written. For people raised in Japan, being Japanese is their identity. To be treated as foreign is to deny this identity.

falseflagsteveToday  07:07 am JST

Micro aggressions are for wimps. I don’t have time to worry about cobblers like that time is too short and ignore the ignorant people cos they just ain’t worth it. Am I right?

You are right and I couldn't agree more.

I detest the term "micro-aggressions." It's a made-up term, foisted on us by professional victims -- people who are on a perpetual search for something by which to be offended.

Good grief, if you can't be PRAISED for something without turning it into some personal slight, you need a skin transplant because the skin you have now is way too thin.

I still get praised for my chopstick-using ability by Japanese people who know I've been living here since the Clinton administration. Including my Japanese father-in-law.

But for crying out loud, they don't mean anything bad by it.

One person of Japanese and Sierra Leonean heritage said a company terminated an employment contract with the person, saying the individual did not look Japanese in a first face-to-face meeting

Nasty. Unacceptable.

Another in her 20s with British heritage said her elementary school teacher told her she would grow up to have large breasts because she is "half."

Weird and creepy. Unacceptable.

But for crying out loud, they don't mean anything bad by it.

Some might. Who cares?

Adults should have a good reply at hand. Nothing wrong with a bit of sarcasm and a cheeky grin in response.

Sooo... where is the study about the microaggression (and also good old aggression) when you live in a country (not Japan) all of your life, speak the languege perfectly and still get the "you speak (insert language) very good"... or "you don't like a typical asian" or "you must like this chinese dish, right (since you are asian"

... and so on.

The point is... these kind of microaggressions are everywhere and happens to anyone. Is not just an exclusive "Japanese thing"... These type of studies and articles are more telling about how many thin skin and socially unfitted people are around thinking they are the norm or, even worse, important.

I have never been complimented on my chopstick skills by Japanese individuals. It seems like my proficiency may not be as good as I previously believed.

I have never been complimented on my chopstick skills by Japanese individuals. It seems like my proficiency may not be as good as I previously believed.

The Japanese are pretty astute at recognizing your using a fork.

zibala

I have never been complimented on my chopstick skills by Japanese individuals. It seems like my proficiency may not be as good as I previously believed.

The Japanese are pretty astute at recognizing your using a fork.

In my old age, I only use a spoon, especially when watching TV.

Note that micro aggressions can quickly magnify into violence.

Good grief, if you can't be PRAISED for something without turning it into some personal slight, you need a skin transplant because the skin you have now is way too thin.

I still get praised for my chopstick-using ability by Japanese people who know I've been living here since the Clinton administration. Including my Japanese father-in-law.

But for crying out loud, they don't mean anything bad by it.

I'm not surprised it's something that goes over the heads of older generation who are or used to be the majority

What’s next? Nano aggressions. “Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.” Guess where we are at now…..???

I used to go with the micro-aggression thing.

Me too, as this is the place I chose to live with my family and I don't consider these things to be exactly an "aggression", micro or not.

Still weird and a bit obnoxious when I'm in the middle of a group of 5～15 japanese receiving some kind of instructions (driver's license, health check up, etc.) and the person talking stops mid sentence to ask if I'm understanding everything.

zibala

Have you ever been praised for your chopsticks and Japanese language ability?

I still get praised for my chopstick-using ability by Japanese people who know I've been living here since the Clinton administration.

I used to get praised by government/company staff for my Japanese ability after the work was done.

Detail: I was hired as their 1-day translator/interpreter.

falseflagsteveToday  07:07 am JST

Micro aggressions are for wimps. I don’t have time to worry about cobblers like that time is too short and ignore the ignorant people cos they just ain’t worth it. Am I right?

Are you saying the perpetrators or victims of microaggressions are wimps, though?

The survey was aimed at adults who have spent at least a total of a year living in Japan.

If I've been living here for a total of one whole complete year I would be offended also for being praised about having good chopsticks and Japanese language abilities

In my own study, I found 98% of everyone has experienced some form of micro aggression based on some personal difference, or perceived personal difference

Which Journal is your study published in?

Anyway glad actual aggression is rare here especially physical

experienced microaggressions such as praise for their Japanese language ability

It's called small talk, doesn't mean anything.

> Good grief, if you can't be PRAISED for something without turning it into some personal slight, you need a skin transplant because the skin you have now is way too thin.

I still get praised for my chopstick-using ability by Japanese people who know I've been living here since the Clinton administration. Including my Japanese father-in-law.

But for crying out loud, they don't mean anything bad by it.

I'm not surprised it's something that goes over the heads of older generation who are or used to be the majority

That's great that it does not affect you, but it's hardly fair to dismiss or belittle other people's experiences.

I have lived in Japan for 15 years and was still offered a knife and fork or told I was good at using chopsticks, and it is upsetting because, up to that point, I felt a member of the community and equal with my Japanese friends and colleagues. It suddenly makes me the 'other', the outsider; the alien Japan is my home, just like anyone else. Where I come from, it would be considered disrespectful and rude to make someone else feel like an outsider or not a full member of society. I don't want to just be a stereotype.

I think most Japanese are intelligent and socially aware and would know that saying such a thing is not kind.

I'm sure Japanese people wouldn't like it if in my country I said, 'Oh, where are your glasses? Your Japanese aren't you? Or, 'oh wow, you can use a knife and fork, bravo!'

For me, the effect is compounded because I suffer from AuDHD (autism and ADHD) and already struggle to fit in. We all have different experiences of microaggression, and for me, it was hurtful.

Daniel NeagariToday  11:43 am JST

ese kind of microaggressions are everywhere and happens to anyone. Is not just an exclusive "Japanese thing"... These type of studies and articles are more telling about how many thin skin and socially unfitted people are around thinking they are the norm or, even worse, important.

Nope. That is not my experience. I have lived in several countries and visited many, and it was only in Japan and China that I experienced microaggressions.

Think about it: back home in Canada, the UK or NZ, you wouldn't say to a Japanese person;

'your English is so good!',

'Oh, you are not wearing your kimono today!

'you are really good with a knife and fork!',

Japanese are not ignorant children and they can do a lot better.

Imagine being a researcher for obvious things like this.

Yeah, it's not acceptable.

That is partly why we decided not to raise our part-Japanese kids in Japan.

Where they live now, nobody says anything about how how they look ( a bit Asian) or how different they are. They are considered equals with everyone else, no matter what they look like. Even if you have an accent here nobody even says, "Oh, where are you from?'.

Just let everyone be a part of the coimmmunity and don;t make them feel different.

Nope. That is not my experience. I have lived in several countries and visited many, and it was only in Japan and China that I experienced microaggressions.

Think about it: back home in Canada, the UK or NZ, you wouldn't say to a Japanese person;

'your English is so good!',

'Oh, you are not wearing your kimono today!

'you are really good with a knife and fork!',

Japanese are not ignorant children and they can do a lot better.

Yeah I think people too stuck up on the word micro aggression, basically most of those comments if done in the west would get you cancelled. Imagine you are eating together in a group, and someone said "I'm happy you like our country" or "You are so good with the chopsticks" to someone from a different race that has been living in that country for 20+ years. Without a doubt it would be seen as extremely racist.

I think what makes it extra special in Japan is that they still say these things after they know you. They can know that you have basically spent the same amount of years in Japan but they still continue to make comments like you are here traveling.

kurikuri

Today 01:14 pm JST

Yeah, it's not acceptable.

> That is partly why we decided not to raise our part-Japanese kids in Japan.

> Where they live now, nobody says anything about how how they look ( a bit Asian) or how different they are. They are considered equals with everyone else, no matter what they look like. Even if you have an accent here nobody even says, "Oh, where are you from?'.

> Just let everyone be a part of the coimmmunity and don;t make them feel different.

You should be proud of that place.

Where is that?

Everyone experiences "microagressions". Grow a pair and deal with it...

ianToday  01:17 pm JST

kurikuri

Today 01:14 pm JST

Yeah, it's not acceptable.

That is partly why we decided not to raise our part-Japanese kids in Japan.*

Where they live now, nobody says anything about how how they look ( a bit Asian) or how different they are. They are considered equals with everyone else, no matter what they look like. Even if you have an accent here nobody even says, "Oh, where are you from?'.*

Just let everyone be a part of the coimmmunity and don;t make them feel different.*

You should be proud of that place.

Where is that?

We live in 2 countries during the year, Ireland and NZ.

kurikuri

Today 01:29 pm JST

ianToday 01:17 pm JST

> kurikuri

> Today 01:14 pm JST

> Yeah, it's not acceptable.

> That is partly why we decided not to raise our part-Japanese kids in Japan.*

> Where they live now, nobody says anything about how how they look ( a bit Asian) or how different they are. They are considered equals with everyone else, no matter what they look like. Even if you have an accent here nobody even says, "Oh, where are you from?'.*

> Just let everyone be a part of the coimmmunity and don;t make them feel different.*

> You should be proud of that place.

> Where is that?

> We live in 2 countries during the year, Ireland and NZ.

Good to know

Consistent with my experiences with the Irish, no experience with people from NZ

I am not really bothered by the comments for myself, but the comments our kids get sometimes bother me. Often praise or comments are followed by "ha-fu dakara" or "gaijin dakara", which is not really mean in itself, but kids want nothing more than to be part of the group, and to be singled out as different is not a nice feeling if you're 8 years old.

I love living in Japan and Japanese people and I've been here most of my life but if anyone says to me, 'you are good at chopsticks' or 'your Japanese is good' I tell them outright, 'hey, NG. That's not a kind thing to say to a non-Japanese'. Most people realise that it's not kind, but they have seen others do it and they just copy them.

Other's apologise and are curious to know why.

My mother and father-in-law do not use the word 'gaijin' around me anymore and I think that's a good thing.

Japan will learn just like we all did.

It's the first time I have heard the word "microaggressions". It does not seem the right word to fit the experiences.

wallaceToday  02:28 pm JST

It's the first time I have heard the word "microaggressions". It does not seem the right word to fit the experiences.

Yeah, it's probably a kinder way than saying 'culturally insensitive', 'ignorant' or 'subtle racism'.

It's also a kind of implicit bias, stereotyping or exclusion.

Whatever you call it, it's unnecessary, and we shouldn't have to 'grow a pair' to it.

Japanese are generally sensitive and kind people and I know they can and will be more sensitive to other people and cultures as they develop into a more globalised society.

Which word do you prefer, Wallace?

Again... it seems to me people here and the artilcle by itsefl is more foccused in highlighting a niche view and experience of some people making a fuss out of nothing...

If you call those experience "microaggressions" or "aggresions" at all in that case I have been a victim of microaggression in Japan, Peru, Colombia, USA, Spain, Kenya, Afghanistan, Philippines, Chile and Malawi...

I suppose people want to be recoggnized as "sensitive" and "serving justice" but making a thing out of something like this is plainly idiotic

Which word do you prefer, Wallace?

I don't have one. Call it what it is when it happens according to the seriousness of the situation.

Daniel NeagariToday  02:56 pm JST

Again... it seems to me people here and the artilcle by itsefl is more foccused in highlighting a niche view and experience of some people making a fuss out of nothing...

If you call those experience "microaggressions" or "aggresions" at all in that case I have been a victim of microaggression in Japan, Peru, Colombia, USA, Spain, Kenya, Afghanistan, Philippines, Chile and Malawi...

I suppose people want to be recoggnized as "sensitive" and "serving justice" but making a thing out of something like this is plainly idiotic

Yeah, but Dan, microaggressions impact individuals differently. for you, it's 'idiotic' but for others, especially children, it's hurtful and makes them feel excluded and discriminated against.

The intentions are usually not harmful, but the systemic nature of microaggressions has a cumulative effect on groups of people who look diffrent in Japan includidng many of our kids. I'm sure you can have some empathy and understanding for them?

There is clearly motivation in Japan to do more to help Japan develop greater cultural sensitivity and inclusivity towards a more equitable society so visitors and residents can be more comfortable and welcome.

@caroti

I was once a child too.. you know... and so was a whole generations before me and after me. My syoungeer sister is by definition a millenial and that part has not been a problem.

I think this "problem" is as you mention a personal thing, Giving is that how each individual takes it. Thus is not a issue of a nation but of the human race.

This type of misunderstandings are everywhere, the thing is that you have to grow up and lern that not everything goes as you want nor all has to be equal.

Other has made comments imilar to my, perhaps with a more colorful phraseing, but emotional growth and cultural literacy is what this "98%" is lacking.

Since we are in this... let me put a very fresh example that happened to me on 5 june 2024.

I was participating in an exhibition, a coupel of attendees (a CTO and Engeneer from an US compnay) approached to our booth and since I was the only English speaker at that moment I approach them and presented our booth and our business.

After ending the small presentation of our compnay, the very first comment that came from the CTO was "you English is escellent" which I kind of was proud of it since is not my third language, and inmediatly after that he said "but from where are you?, are you Japanese? becasuse you have a latin accent in your English and don't look very Japanese either"..

Should I have been offended and cry for comprehension at that???

If you must know, I didn't take offense at all, though i was dissapointed that although all my effort I am still not able to fix that "latin accent" in my English, but that dissapoitment was foccused in me.

I love living in Japan and Japanese people and I've been here most of my life but if anyone says to me, 'you are good at chopsticks' or 'your Japanese is good' I tell them outright, 'hey, NG. That's not a kind thing to say to a non-Japanese'. Most people realise that it's not kind, but they have seen others do it and they just copy them.

Disagree, they will see you as the unpredictable angry foreigner that will have to be dealed with caution.

Only after hitting my 30s I realized that's nothing but small talk. Whenever someone says stuff like

Kakkoii desune

Mechakucha nihongo jouzu desu ne

I ignore it completely and immediately jump to the next topic.

Same when they ask for how long I'm here or if I like japanese food, blunt quick answer and move on to the next topic. To think back how much time wasted smiling and answering to every single one of these mind-numbing interactions in the past.....

> Daniel NeagariToday  03:33 pm JST

@caroti

I was once a child too.. you know... and so was a whole generations before me and after me. My syoungeer sister is by definition a millenial and that part has not been a problem.

I think this "problem" is as you mention a personal thing, Giving is that how each individual takes it. Thus is not a issue of a nation but of the human race.

This type of misunderstandings are everywhere, the thing is that you have to grow up and lern that not everything goes as you want nor all has to be equal.

Other has made comments imilar to my, perhaps with a more colorful phraseing, but emotional growth and cultural literacy is what this "98%" is lacking.

So, we should all be individualistic, brush off the societal impact of microaggressions and cultural insensitivity by framing them as just personal issues rather than systemic injustices, and resign ourselves to inequality?

I want my kids to grow up in an inclusive, equitable society that values cultural understanding and respects diverse perspectives but hey, that's just me.

It's the first time I have heard the word "microaggressions". It does not seem the right word to fit the experiences.

You're hitting your nineties and never heard about Debito? Knew the guy before coming to Japan in the early 2000s or so

@caroti

Whan did I said indiviluasit???.. that kidn of reaction is excatly what I mentioning.. that inmaturity and reactioness to what does not fit with your ideal.

I assume you are not like that in the real world,... hopefuly so

finally richToday  03:55 pm JST

I love living in Japan and Japanese people and I've been here most of my life but if anyone says to me, 'you are good at chopsticks' or 'your Japanese is good' I tell them outright, 'hey, NG. That's not a kind thing to say to a non-Japanese'. Most people realise that it's not kind, but they have seen others do it and they just copy them.

Disagree, they will see you as the unpredictable angry foreigner that will have to be dealed with caution.

Only after hitting my 30s I realized that's nothing but small talk. Whenever someone says stuff like

Kakkoii desune

Mechakucha nihongo jouzu desu ne

I ignore it completely and immediately jump to the next topic.

Same when they ask for how long I'm here or if I like japanese food, blunt quick answer and move on to the next topic. To think back how much time wasted smiling and answering to every single one of these mind-numbing interactions in the past.....

Who said anything about being angry?

You can point out insensitive things without being upset or angry about it. Most people are happy to learn how to be kinder.

I'm not one to just ignore something and hope it goes away. Japan can and will do better. Most Japanese would want to know about this, as they have been led to believe it's okay, so do them a favour and don't keep them in the dark about it.

Well if people are complimenting you and you take offense that's your business

ianToday  04:12 pm JST

Well if people are complimenting you and you take offense that's your business

lol being respectful is optional, even in compliments.

Compliments should lift, not label.

(_

finally rich

It's the first time I have heard the word "microaggressions". It does not seem the right word to fit the experiences.

You're hitting your nineties and never heard about Debito? Knew the guy before coming to Japan in the early 2000s or so

Who needs insults from the Japanese when you get them from other foreigners? I have many years before I reach 90. I know who Debitio is but I have never visited his site. Lives in the US for many years now, yes.

sorak

Today 04:36 pm JST

ianToday 04:12 pm JST

> Well if people are complimenting you and you take offense that's your business

> lol being respectful is optional, even in compliments.

> Compliments should lift, not label.

Of course lol

You should make a list of compliments you label as microaggression so you don't forget. You might say thank you inadvertently

You should also indicate clearly if the compliments are labeled microaggression when spoken by Japanese, non-Japanese and/or part Japanese to prevent making a mistake

We didn't really need a survey to tell most of us with mixed children any of this.

In Jr high my Daughter's 3rd year homeroom teacher did everything he possibly could to block her from getting into Sr high including telling her and me that " she contaminates Japanese blood". ( Yes I nearly got violent luckily other teachers intervened ).

After she aced the entrance exams to a very good public Sr high he was so upset he sent a letter telling them to reject her as she was bad for the future of Japan!

The Sr high contacted her public Jr high to complain and they all ignored him.

But what was the most disturbing thing was, nothing was done about him!

He continued to teach and when I complained I was told:

" He only has 3 more years to retirement, it is too much trouble to try and do something now"

This guy had been doing this his entry career and they all knew it.

They said:

We know what he does and we check on him and make sure nothing he does ends up interfering with the education "

But wait, my Daughter spent a year being called names bullied as did other mixed students in her class and the school thinks that didn't interfere with their education!

I will point out that in 5 years of daycare, 6 years of primary school, 3 years Jr high, 3 years Sr high and 6 years in university (masters degree program).

That was the only actual serious problems we ever had.

Yes a few teasing situation, misunderstandings over hair colour but nothing that wasn't solved in a few minutes (oh sunscreen for some reason the schools couldn't understand sunscreen is not make-up an extremely pale caucasian mix burn fast).

My son had zero problems until university where he applied to one private university and despite passing everything top grades was rejected, we later found out he was rejected (unofficially) because he was mixed and was from a divorced family being raised by a single gaijin father.

But in the end he was accepted by a better university (that was a surprise) and was far happier.

The problems we had and that many of my children's mixed friends had/have are often due to those incharge ignoring or saying things like " just ignore" the authorities don't do anything until legal action is Taken, then suddenly they act all upset or surprised.

ianToday  04:45 pm JST

You should make a list of compliments you label as microaggression so you don't forget.

Ha ha

I'll consider it if you consider learning more about what microaggression and implicit bias are and how they affect people, especially Japanese children of mixed parents.

ianToday  05:11 pm JST

You should also indicate clearly if the compliments are labeled microaggression when spoken by Japanese, non-Japanese and/or part Japanese to prevent making a mistake

Genuine understanding and empathy don’t need a manual or a flowchart.

How about we all just focus on giving genuine, respectful compliments and work on not making assumptions instead mm?

finally rich

Today 03:55 pm JST

You do as I hope other, the article is talking about Japanese mixed people not foreigners.

If someone says to me "oh you can use chopsticks well" " or your Japanese is good" it makes me laugh but then I am a Gaijin.

But when they say these things to my now adult children born and raised in Japan and with Japanese citizenship, attended Japanese public schools, graduated with masters degrees from Japanese universities.

It is quite insulting.

When my children as adults are told by police on business trips to Nagoya on multiple occasions that they need proof of their Japanese citizenship and they need to carry their passports.

This is insulting and not legal.

In Tokyo being ask for their alien registration card (which they don't have because they Are Japanese) has happened maybe once or twice, but outside in other part of Japan it has happened a lot and especially in Nagoya for some reason.

sorak

Today 05:23 pm JST

ianToday 04:45 pm JST

> You should make a list of compliments you label as microaggression so you don't forget.

> Ha ha

> I'll consider it if you consider learning more about what microaggression and implicit bias are and how they affect people, especially Japanese children of mixed parents.

> ianToday 05:11 pm JST

> You should also indicate clearly if the compliments are labeled microaggression when spoken by Japanese, non-Japanese and/or part Japanese to prevent making a mistake

> Genuine understanding and empathy don’t need a manual or a flowchart.

> How about we all just focus on giving genuine, respectful compliments and work on not making assumptions instead mm?

Yup you should consider every case if someone giving it is giving genuine compliment instead of labeling an action/compliment microaggression beforehand

“microaggression” :)

Sounds like a concept invented by people who fail to understand that various people can have various ideas and preconceptions.

It’s not a big deal methinks. I’m not even a boomer.

I would imagine that foreign residents in Japan have experienced microagressions at a higher percentage than bicultural or biracial Japanese people. The biggest differences are bicultural or biracial Japanese people are more likely not to expect it, and bicultural or biracial Japanese people are more likely to notice or pick up on it.

I think the chopstick compliments are sometimes valid. I learned to use chopsticks as a young adult before I came to Japan. I followed the prescribed way of holding them. But my wife's family all hold their chopsticks in different ways. I think that's because they learn as kids when they can hardly hold anything. They struggle to use them at first and develop their own methods over time. I recall my sister-in-law pointing out to my nieces that I was holding them properly and they should do the same. They haven't done so yet, and neither have my "mixed heritage" kids.

In Tokyo being ask for their alien registration card (which they don't have because they Are Japanese) has happened maybe once or twice, but outside in other part of Japan it has happened a lot and especially in Nagoya for some reason.

Being asked by any employee of a business like hotels and gyms in Japan other than immigration employees including police especially when they refuse my Japanese driver's license is equally insulting.

is targeting this particular demographic inherently a microaggressive act I wonder..... （⌒▽⌒）

NotThe One

Today 05:52 pm JST

In Tokyo being ask for their alien registration card (which they don't have because they Are Japanese) has happened maybe once or twice, but outside in other part of Japan it has happened a lot and especially in Nagoya for some reason.

> Being asked by any employee of a business like hotels and gyms in Japan other than immigration employees including police especially when they refuse my Japanese driver's license is equally insulting

Are you Japanese? No.

So it isn't the same.

Not to mention that in many countries 2 forms of ID are often required to register for hotels etc...

Last time I was in both Canada and the USA I was required to show 2 photo ID to get my hotel room.

The police is what I am talking about, they should not be told to prove their citizenship and they have been told the need to carry their Japanese passport as proof.

In my country of citizenship I don't carry my passport and I dare any cop to tell me I need to!

It is interesting they chose the title to focus on microaggressions and not the far more serious stuff!

I mean making the title seem less serious was clearly a choice done deliberately.

Why not:

68 percent said they had experienced bullying and discrimination due to their identity.

Or

Some 30 percent reported being looked down on for their roots, and 15 percent said they had been questioned by police in the street.

One would think that having 68% being bullied was a little bit more serious than microaggressions.

Way to downplay the serious problems.

Japanese citizen living in the US,do not look forward to returning to Japan,after having some kind of lives of their own,not having to be someone,other than they are

Can you imagine working at a restaurant, you want to helpful so you pass a customer an English menu .. the customer vents his frustration, accusing you of profiling him.

Why are people wound up so tightly these days?

I don't take offense at these so called microaggressions.

The young lady who experienced the job termination doesn't belong on this list. That is just ethically wrong, I would think that was more an episode of What Would You Do?

Been through it all and shrugged it off mostly. The vast majority of microaggressions comes from mates in some wicked banter. But I give as good as I get.

'Microaggressions' are a complete misnomer, since they are simply subjective assessments of alleged 'agressions' which in most cases are merely a figment of the oversensitive person's imagination.

My kids often get asked things like do they speak English, where is there father from etc

To me and them it's just making conversation and showing an interest.

ushosh123July 16  12:55 pm JST

experienced microaggressions such as praise for their Japanese language ability

It's called small talk, doesn't mean anything.

Interesting perspective. And probably the most accurate interpretation of these micro,nano, non aggressive thing ever. I guess if i was in Saudi Arabia, i might ask someone if its really hot in a FULL HIJAB. Not because I am racist, clumsy, stupid, right-wing or have an agenda, but just because I genuinely want to know, understand, and maybe even start a conversation.

I wonder since when did being annoyed by something hzve to be turned around and blame the OTHER PERSON.

carpslidyToday  12:59 am JST

My kids often get asked things like do they speak English, where is there father from etc 

To me and them it's just making conversation and showing an interest.

My kids too. A lot of kids ask them if they are foreign. Especially since their name is not Japanese! But i have taught them they are trying to understand, start a conversation, and make a friend. I even used to hate the word HALF, but I realised I was placing my cultural expectations ON THE JAPANESE. Maybe the Japanese have to be right. We don't need, African/Japanese. because that cuts them up. They are Japanese in the eyes of Japan. But maybe that's an American hang-up. Cut everyone into groups. Muslim Americans, African Americans (even though they have never been to Africa) Hispanic, Indian, Americans, Asian Americans, Subdivided further into Japanese et al Americans, Irish Americans, and it has moved into other countries. Why Americans never say European American confuses me. (well not really! I think we know why) Even the bizarre behaviour I see in Japan towards me, I see it as curiosity and I'll roll my eyes. (oops is that a micro agression LOL ) My kids are japanese. and they don't have to be anything else unless they visit their other home.If they wish!

People are being silly sausages, really especially about the kiddies. Well, my son’s friends asked him things like what do you eat at your house?Do you pray before eating dinner, etc. Most people aren’t trying to be horrid, just asking things, maybe not so socially aware , things are different here, it’s Japan. Where I used to live a few people said they’d never interacted or spent any time with a foreigner before, it’s human nature.

Anyway, I used to tell my son, you’re not different you’re special you see, my dear old gran used to say that to me when I was little if other kids said beastly things.

A broken country. Sad to see.

On the other hand, 100% of people would not care about "micro aggression" if people didn't make polls, news articles, or politically-motivated academic essays on the "phenomenon". There is no right to expect everyone in society to talk to us exactly how we wish them to.

The survey was conducted by a committee made up of Lawrence Yoshitaka Shimoji, a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, and Viveka Ichikawa, a psychotherapist and University of Toronto PhD candidate.

Ha! As soon as I saw the headline my first thought was: I'll bet this 'survey' was the work of some meddling clueless westerner. Bwahahahahahahahaha. Bullseye!

Yes, of course, when assessed by criteria unthinkingly imposed on Japanese society by arrogant westerners who know diddly squat about Japanese culture [sigh] we'll get all this boo-hoo rubbish about 'micro aggressions' (whatever they are supposed to be: they're certainly not what they were when the term was coined in the 1970s).

I wish foreigners would stop beating Japan with their irrelevant tiresome identity-politics yardsticks. Japanese citizens have higher levels of life satisfaction than those in just about any other developed country. In fact the only folks here who gripe about their lot are those who’ve been brainwashed by ludicrous contemporary western values.

Micro-aggression incoming? Grow a pair and tell them to get lost. Sorted.

TT

GaijinjlandJuly 16  07:28 am JST

My ex Japanese wife refused to speak to our son in Japanese 

She sounds like a keeper, mate.

Oh, hang on a minute... :o/

TT

Misunderstanding of them perpetuates exclusion, and this is a serious situation,

Oh stop it, Shimoji!

Take that Marxist tripe with you back to the UofT and wallow in your own self-interest

I guess my Japanese born daughters are the other 2%. No microaggression with them, and I've never heard that term until now. Yes, my wife, their mom is Japanese.

"Ha-r

Ha-rro!. I am a boy,. Can you eat sushi?, And so on and everywhere... One poor soul learned, "My mother is virgin." That seems long ago. I haven't heard the annoyances in decades. Or so it seems. Something has changed or transmogrified.