What's It Like Being Half Japanese In Japan? | Street Interview

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this video do not represent that of Asian Boss or the general Japanese public.

0:00 - Intro
0:30 - Mixed background & upbringing
1:26 - How did your parents meet?
2:32 - Upbringing and treatment by other kids
7:05 - How do you identify as?
9:58 - Discrimination?
13:35 - Advantages of being half Japanese
15:35 - Why are people so fascinated about half Japanese people?

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[AsianBoss]

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[yotrader]

If you've grown up in major cities in Japan, it's not that rare to have had half-Japanese classmates in school. Sometimes we don't even notice because they're mixed with those from neighboring countries (often Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, or Filipino), or mixed with Nikkei-Brazilians & Peruvians. Half-Japanese kids with a Japanese education and Japanese surname will be treated as Japanese as the rest of the population. (Lately, there are quite a few successful half-Filipino models, singers, and actors/actresses in Japan.)

However, half-Japanese or even full-Japanese kids who were raised abroad and didn't have any opportunity to receive Japanese education (such as "HOSHUKO" aka Saturday School) and aren't fluent in Japanese language, culture, and norms will most likely be treated as any other foreigner in Japan. Frankly, foreign-nationals who are fluent in Japanese language/culture will be appreciated far more within Japanese society than Japanese Descendants who don't speak any Japanese at all. In other words, it's not whether you're half-Japanese or not that matters in Japan.

[ivanj]

Brazilians energy are unique. So much fun haha

[jaba]

I feel bad for my fellow Filipino and her experience with the discrimination 😔

[gloriathomas]

Did you know that Japanese Brazilians/Latinos are the largest Japanese diaspora outside Japan? In fact of of the most polarizing person in Latin American politics Alberto Fujimori is the ONLY person of Japanese ancestry to ever become a head of state of country.

[artigotale]

The Brazilian/ Japanese girl is fabulous!!! I love her warm nature

[ARIZJOE]

I am constantly amazed by these atypical young adults in Japan. Most are very intelligent and poised. Their parents should be proud.

[kainihon]

Thank you so much for the interview, it was really fun!!!🙏🏼🍻

[IzumiKittichatYamada]

I sympathise with those who were discriminated. As half Japanese half Thai I also had bad comments from some people about my heritage as if being mixed race is wrong. But Im also glad to know that people out there are standing up

[mkelly]

This was very eye opening and I really liked hearing the interviewees perspectives. However, I am also interested in hearing the perspectives of half Japanese and African descent persons. Thank you Asian Boss for another amazing interview.

[akaiseigo]

I think a lot of older generation might find them uncomfortable to deal with because unknowingly they can speak Japanese and cultural background that is so different and this thing called country's centuries-old self-isolation stigma that still exists.

[russbus]

I am also half-Japanese and American. Mother was born in California but is 100% Japanese and father has ancestry from Germany/Eastern Europe. Both of my mother's parents were interned during WWII. The issue I felt like I faced growing up was not having a group of people to identify with. It always made me unsure of myself, and confused of who I am. Created self-esteem issues, especially during middle school. Very brief instance of bullying in 7th grade. But I had friends. Overall, American kids are nice and I had a good childhood.

[IndigoYouTube]

These people are all so beautiful. It makes me sad that some of them were bullied. The Venezuelan and Turkish men are gorgeous

[yoohoo]

Way to not answer the question 14:57 - the story from the half Filipina person clearly demonstrates the different experiences faced by people depending on whether they are coming from a poorer Asian country or white America

[twinningintokyo]

As a mother of kids that are Black British (my side 🇬🇧 🇯🇲 ) and Japanese (husband🇯🇵 ) in Tokyo, ironically even other mixed couples are shocked I have a Japanese husband.

Weirdly so. I feel like the norm for a lot is Japanese women possibly marrying foreigners but that their men would date & to a woman of colour at that is viewed with utter awe😂 !!

I’ll always get he must be Hafu ?!?! (he’s full) he must be foreign born (he’s not) sometimes I’m like “lady with all due respect your husband is from Iceland 🇮🇸 😂what’s with all the disbelief!?! “ lol one love ❤

[pengngep]

I feel like Brazilian nikkei are different than half Japanese people, the mixing in Brazil has happened for 3-5 generations already

[Mckenzie]

Give the Filipina mixed some medal for protecting her friend. She got bashed the way she looks which is SHO STIME is a full blooded Japanese who have the same outfits and personality. They can be really identical like father and daughter tandem. It really sad that everyone in the comment section prove that the discrimination towards a half people is real. Anyways, I am a fashion designer and I’ve noticed that her jacket is more than a million yen goes along with her nani’s trasformistas necklace ❤❤❤❤ Keep it up Filipina girl and don’t mind them maybe you are a rapper I hope that i will see you in stage with pop sho ❤❤❤❤❤

[fakavai]

The hafu japanese dude who got teased alot about his long eyelashes when he was younger by other kids at school & he got home & trimmed them. I know how you feel dude, I got teased about my long eyelashes when I was in primary school & intermediate school. I trimmed mine, my Mum scolded me for doing that & yes the trimmed eyelashes grew back👀😳🤔🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[peggyroyster]

Some people really need to learn being or saying you are half American is not correct. Americans are citizens of the United States. American law do not equate nationality with race or ethnicity but with citizenship and an oath of permanent allegiance

[LuisCCGarcia]

I always had friends from different parts of the world. I'm Brazilian and I frequently see Brazilians complaining about Japanese people treating they differently, but back in Brazil, lots of Brazilians treat Chinese, Japanese, Peruvian, Bolivian people differently too.

What I think: It's normal for human behavior, to live in groups and being defensive against outsiders. We can't help but accept it's human nature, it's engraved in our basic instincts. BUT, as an evolved species, we can make an effort to not treat good people bad, just because they're outsiders. And we should always remember, if WE are the outsiders, we should try to addapt to the locals, not the other way around (there's a lot of Brazilian people that comes to Japan and think that the Japanese must addapt to their behavior, how crazy is this?).

Respect, open mindness, humility and understanding of the ambient are essential if you want that different cultures live together and share the space.