Why this Canadian made a documentary about being Japanese

"What was the purpose of making a Japanese documentary? We need to investigate your purpose?" Last week I released the trailer for my feature-length documentary Being Japanese 日本人とは. I received lots of great comments and questions. I respond.

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[eltrouble]

That Suzuki kid must REALLY want to watch the documentary. He has so many questions and comments.

[delciagarcia]

I fully understand your purpose and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to learn more about Japan. I’m very disappointed however, on how rude and crass some of the people commenting were. You have been a worthy ambassador of the rich Japanese culture and have inspired many of us viewers to appreciate the richness and beauty of Japan. Your wife is a Japanese national, your in-laws, your precious children share this heritage, I don’t understand the hateful comments. Your videos are love notes to Japan, its people and its culture. I also fall under the foreigner category, but I assure you, I feel nothing but respect and admiration for Japan, its people and also wonderful people like you who educates us on the subject. I will watch your video and thank you for the hours and hours you invested in putting it together. Peace and respect to all.🙏

[tkwok]

When you released the trailer it never occurred to me that the documentary was gonna be about you. I can understand someone being confused about the purpose of the documentary; especially if they haven't watched it. I thought it was pretty self explanatory that you were not going to be the focus of the documentary though. Oh well. You take all the comments in stride. Looking forward to watching it.

[minghueileong]

I genuinely laughed at the last frame where you wrote "A documentary by Kuso Gaijin" Thanks for making the documentary!

[Ritermann]

People should really learn what a “documentary” is, before posting stupid accusations and ignorant comments. I am a film maker myself and looking forward to the documentary 💪🏻

[itsJoshV]

Great reminder for anyone, whenever you feel like your country has ignorant folks, remember that EVERY country has them =)

[mics]

Part of me always thought that you made this in dedication for your kids, to help them understand their background!

As for the comments, people really will find ways to sling mud.

[Tarodenaro]

What a peak comedy content, not only for Greg's dry sarcasm but also from people who took things (way) too seriously right here.
got a good laugh out of it, thanks; please keep making more videos.

[Harry-xn]

As a Canadian, I think a lot of us grew up hearing that "It doesn't matter where you're from, now that you're here; You're Canadian." or similar mentalities towards immigration. (After passing our relatively strict immigration process.) We're encouraged to practice tolerance, acceptance, and to welcome difference. Canada has our own share of problems, and our own dark history, but this common sense of acceptance I think is still being taught today regardless of our past, or present. Maybe we're idealists.

I always find my common sense clashing with foreign countries when I think of how topics like immigration are approached there. I think in Canada, our national identity isn't something as concrete as to be defined and contrasted against others, but something we attempt to use to embrace new cultures and ideas. At least, on paper. In practice I think we have a long way to go.

With a lot of countries, you hear the opposite practiced. A strong national identity with well defined cultural practices, rich histories and sources of pride, sometimes an exclusive mentality of "You'll never be one of us." And I think with something like a national or cultural identity ground gained by others is sometimes viewed as ground lost by that people.

As a result of the ambiguous nature of our accepting teachings, growing up I often found myself wondering what it actually meant to "be" Canadian. I knew of strong examples of other cultures and their activities, but being Canadian felt loosely defined, or open ended. Like it was waiting for the next chapter.

Perhaps this is why as a Canadian I find other cultures and countries so fascinating, and emigrating one day is a frequent dream of mine. I don't know if it's in search of an identity, or just to see the wide world where all these wonderful people come from.

I'm looking forward to your documentary!

[SamH]

As someone who lived abroad in a mildly "unwelcoming" country, I discovered it could take a toll on the mind, encountering such hostile native people frequently, specially if it goes without being addressed or talked about.
I truly admire your high spirit in dealing with these trolls. Your family is lucky to have you.

[brian]

I felt quite proud that you didn't lower yourself to these trolls.

[khankhattak.]

If you are not japanese, you are not japanese

Yeah every 60 seconds in Africa, a minute passes

[LifeWhereImFrom]

And because I received so many comments, I want to say that I think the comments I received are not at all representative of Japanese people. I'm fairly confident in saying that those commenters were a very loud but very small minority. Most Japanese I have met have been very lovely, including my wife! Japan is a fantastic country, I love it, and the Japanese people are great as well. No country nor people are perfect, but for the most part, I think all earthlings are A-OK.

[YourWaywardDestiny]

Why wouldn't anyone want to explore what it means to be any identity? Is it really so strange to go "but what is the essence of that thing?" to something you know? What does make a Canadian a Canadian? Or a Japanese a Japanese? Or a Brazilian a Brazilian? Or a Croatian a Croatian? And so on for really any country. Even if it seems simple on the surface, you are or you aren't, but that's not a real answer, is it? If it's so simple to divide between what is and what is not, why is it so hard to list off key traits instead of vague "you'll know it when you see it" kind of answers? I feel like looking harder into an identity isn't a bad thing at all, it's very interesting. We should all ask these questions.

[ginny]

Fantastic information! Subscribed today. Enjoying catching up with past content, and looking forward to your future videos.

[theresaratelle]

I am a Canadian living in Japan. "What makes a Canadian a Canadian?"
When someone from another country comes to Canada because they eagerly want to be Canadian, my heart glows.
You are already there.

[randolph]

I feel your frustration. I really don't know how people can be so rude, my wife is actually 100% japanese, born in Japan and grew up in Australia. She always mentions to me that even if she says she is japanese, people say she isn't quite japanese even thought she lived with her parents who only spoke the japanese language at home and if you were to walk into her house its like stepping into a typical home in Tokyo. On the same note I am Filipino, and often when I return to the Philippines to visited family and friends, they cringe at the notion when I say I am Filipino when I speak, eat and breathe Filipino culture at the same time embrace the Australian culture for what it Keep up the great work Greg.

[bbypink]

Wow you seem like such a nice and chill person. I love your voice, it’s so… peaceful. And you answer questions very well, can’t wait to watch the doc!

[CaptinHoot]

It's cool that Greg wants to learn about life in Japan, and wants everyone to live in peace and harmony.

[hripsimed.]

My favourite YouTube channel, always satisfied with rich information ❣️