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Is 20 years in Japan a long, long time? Or is it just a 21st century blip on the 78-year post-war Japan radar screen? The word from those who observed “Made In Japan” changing from a worldwide joke because it meant cheap trinkets that easily broke to powering a tiny chain of islands to be ranked as the 2nd largest economy in the world for decades while living in Japan during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s-----and then onward until today? “Kid, we’ve been there. We know. You haven’t gotten it yet.” And I’m not going to take umbrage at your snide remark about the Fives with Tens because I’m a tall lanky guy. Instead I’m going to correct you on your boiling down remark that a few decades back, there weren’t so many foreigners in Japan. Son, there have always been a lot of foreigners in Japan because of one particular group that is simultaneously the largest group of foreigners to ever live in Japan, the group of foreigners that has married the most Japanese women AND the 100% American group that has had the most positive influence on Japan re: the Japanese Constitution and enabling Japan to make the forced and unbelievably successful transition from swords to ploughshares. Can you guess what American group I’m referring to?

The not return-policy thing. I guess its because of meiwaku combined with the top quality of second hand-products. And shame I guess. The shame of returning a gift. But thats why many gifts in Japan is consumable I think. Gifting non-consumable products in Japan is meiwaku if anything is. PS. And the physical media-thing. Fans in Japan are more fans of the old times, loyal and prefer tangible items. But I wonder how and if the younger generations will change this. And I think physical media is not only everywhere, they are of high quality. Cds often include extra items such as posters and dvds/blurays, changable covers, etc. And, not only japanese shop physical media, many tourists do shop a lot at these stores, I'm one of them. I am really happy physical media stores still exist in Japan. PS2. The costume-thing is connected to wanting to belong to different groups and having different identities. For it to seem like a costume is mostly you comparing how the same would be elsewhere than Japan. And you not understanding different sub-cultures clothing. The hiphop-thing seems like you have very little understanding of hiphop to be honest, both in Japan and elsewhere. What seems like a caricature for you, is probably the exact opposite, inidividuals expressing themselves, but more group-oriented than outside of Japan.

I would say that one type of foreigners is the one talking about and stereotyping other foreigners, and even trying hard to stay away from other foreigners. "I am more japanese than other foreigners".

I have definitely seen a few of these stereotypes, and probably fit one or two at least a little bit. Let’s do our best to not to fit into any of these stereotypes, ganbatte!

I’ve never heard of a hen na gaigi being specialists before. I thought that would just be weirdos haha. I guess I’m probably one in that case, I’ve made woodblock prints my life! Talk some more about your love of prints share that love around.

subscribed. What uni do you work at?

Thanks for the upload! As one of the yearly crop of prospective JETs bingeing youtube while we wait to hear back about our applications this channel has been great. What percentage of western foreigners do you think don't really fit into any of these stereotypes, i.e. successfully assimilated and well adjusted? Also, I don't know if this is something that fits your channel or not, but video that I would be really interested in seeing is your personal career path. Transitioning from JET to the broader professional world is probably my biggest anxiety about going, so hearing the perspectives of people that made it work would be really cool.

I will listen to the future video about it, but I probably fall into the Japanophile category. It is after all on one of my visits that I met the woman that became my wife. I will probably fall also into the "explain foreign culture to Japan" category, I will be moving to Tottori (so not Tokyo ;) ) prefecture in January, and I am Italian. I would like to show Italian culture past the stereotypes that I've seen when I've been introduced to my wife's family. One of her sisters's coworkers even asked her if I was with the Mafia! I'm not planning to push it though, just my personal way to start being part of the community. As for the Japansplainer, the way I am I am at risk of falling in that stereotype, but I've seen so many Italiansplainers that I know to hold back and listen. As for you, I like that you own the stereotype, but I really don't think it applies. You specify that these videos are from your point of view, and you do it every time, but wouldn't a Japansplainer say "this is the way it is" rather than "this is the way I see it"? In my experience Japansplainers are mostly frequent tourists rather than residents, there is some overlap with the Japanophile in that the enthusiasm for Japan sometimes clouds judgement.

cool video! thank you for not filming the kids !

As someone who is about to move to Japan. A lot of thoughts are going through my head regarding if I am doing it for the right reason or not. It is a strange thing to leave a life and a country you know behind. I could see myself falling down the path some of the toxic traits you described. I will take care. Interesting to hear about it from your perspective cheers.

Question, Were you really that out of breath just by walking?

Do you live far from your workplace? Seems like you do.

Stereo type. You an English teacher 😂 poor little man

Thank you for another great video

I feel that the LBH category applies to me in a somewhat roundabout way. I don’t live in Japan but visit on a somewhat regular basis and tend to have a more active social life when I’m there. I do have a SO and friends in the states, but feel that something about being in Japan serves as a conduit to being more social since all of my Japanese friends love to go out drinking on the regular

They think all foreigners are an American 😂😂😂

I can see a bit of myself in pretty much all of those stereotypes!

I find it cringe when a foreigner moves to / or regularly visits Japan and completely gives up their own identity. They dress 'Japanese' or how they see Japanese stereotypes and look ridiculous! Even women in their 50s running around in pastel mini dresses with ribbons in their hair 😂😅

日本人は差別をするのはないと思いますがただ外国人は自分の勝手で日本人はそんな勝手な事をしません。foreigners need to think of others. They are rather selfish, when you do things without thinking of others that is no manners.

In my time teaching in Japan back in the '90s I would say that it was mostly white nerdy guys, maybe more like what we would call "dorky" that came to Japan to teach. Maybe that falls into the LBH catagory..

I'm still amazed at the notion that people are classified on their looks. When an 'average' guy has a relationship with a beautiful wife, there must be something 'wrong'. Personality seems of no importance what so ever...

Is it so that All mentioned categories of the foreigner you also do find everywhere abroad or it’s specific for Japan only? Thank you for interesting content and thanks that you remain very genuine ❤

while I watch this channel for all its insights into and expostulations of all things Japan, I also watch it for the fluid but succinct, subtly sophisticated but not overly verbose eloquence of the author which is always helpful for someone like myself who is not a native English speaker but who has to earn his bread by using English as an instrument and means of communication

Its not へな gaijin, it's へんな gaijin

This was an interesting watch. I grew up in the Swedish countryside but I haven't lived there in almost 20+ years. I miss it and one day I'll definitely move back there. I've never been much of a city person anyway. And I'm trying to keep my rural dialect alive. Most of my siblings speak "standardized" Swedish. I'm stubborn and still use old words and expressions. I may sound old-fashioned but that's how you keep culture alive. I subscribed to your channel by the way. I really enjoy your videos! I'm currently doing a bachelor's degree in Japanese studies so that's why I kinda stumbled upon your channel. And you writing to local newpapers etc about this issue sounds like a great idea. Respect.

I am not sure how much you still know about this since it’s been so long that you’ve had to think about this, but I am wondering about the process of moving to Japan as a 30+ year old working professional. Most of the people you see moving to Japan are either making content or leaving their home country right after school/college to be an English teacher. But I suspect that there are lots of people who think about moving to Japan who have already built a career in their home country. How hard is it to get a visa, get your first job, first apartment etc.? Might be a topic for a video if you haven’t already made one.

Hmmm...interesting how you left out the BIG most modern-day one, "TH-cam INFLUENCER" ...hmmmm...

Create this stereotype that tall white skinned guys can't find anyone to date.

Spot on about the sarcasm. I’m British, and Americans sometimes have to ask if I’m being serious or not. Which kind of spoils the sarcasm…

The "bull in the china shop" at minute 11:00 is the most discussed exemple on TH-cam. About 75 percent of all Japan videos talk exclusively about the tourists who throw garbage everywhere, cause trouble on the subway, pull women by their kimonos and spray graffiti in holy temples. I always think, my God, is there absolutely no one who knows how to behave in Japan? Luckily I learned something about the other foreigners here too, thank you very much!

I don't know so many foreigners in Japan IRL, but thanks to youtube, I knew the existence of the Nihongo as selfworth people lol

this list seems very common to every foreigner community.

Looking forward to the upcoming deep dives you mentioned.

Always be careful when you say Japanophile 😂

I think you may have omitted the ‘foreign investor’ or the ‘foreign entrepreneur’.

Good therapy for a trapped (committed?) tall lanky American with a beautiful child and a beautiful wife, but I might ask myself how did I get here? White and height? There's much too appreciate here although I dont ever expect to be accepted here no matter how much I try to assimilate. Overall, living here beats living in trumpland where I also dont fit in.

Stereotypes are based on truth. Look at Johnny Somali, and the dancing thugs in the subway and shrine. If the stereotypes weren't true, nobody would do that, but it's always happening.

This is your most Murakami vid.

Is "arigato" often used as a synonym by locals for gaijin? Just curious...

Imagine being in a training session while hearing other foreigners talk among themselves, "My Japanese wife ~ " "My Japanese wife does ~ " Or "My Japanese girlfriend ~ " "My Japanese girlfriend does ~ "

Another one is the expat TH-camr who has the opinion that he knows everything and all other expats are ruining the place and shouldn't be here.

I think I would fall into the camp of someone having the "Seidensticker Syndrome." Seidensticker the famed translator and Japanologist had a love-hate relationship with the country and its people. Having ever-mounting feelings of great attraction and intense frustration that came in varying waves during his career. Don't know if this would be a common stereotype but my gut feeling and experiences would tell me this would be quite common with long term foreign residents of Japan. Maybe a good topic for an upcoming vlog.

In my opinion, even though many people won't admit it, almost all 'western' foreign residents in Japan are kind of all those stereotypes at the same time.

You should add the military stationed there that loved it so much they end up moving there after they retire and enjoy the fact you can stand out and stay completely hidden at the same time.

My 3 basic foreigner stereotypes are 1. The newb. Fresh off the banana express and loves everything about Japan. 2. The hater. This guy has been here long enough to hate the place. The food, the people, the weather. Man this place sucks! 3 is the dinosaur. Been here long enough to appreciate Japan for what it is, even though it's not perfect.

another you can add in is the foreigner that avoids other foreigners, not really sure if its because they want full immersion into the culture or if its because it reminds them of back home but Ive been in social situations where these type of people will intentionally avoid talking to you or keep their distance, great video!!

I'd say this mainly applies to western expats. There's quite a few types of Chinese, SE Asians who fly under the radar like the foreign worker.or small business owner.

After losing 1/3 of my most recent trip to food poisoning (Thanks, Burger King), when standing in the check-in line at Narita...there were quite a few foreign guys who were more than happy to share their 'Japan truths' to anyone who would listen. Let's just say, it was a long day at the airport...

Hearing about the various stereotypes of people in Japan is very interesting.

@ExJapter, you are NOT JAPAN-SPLAINING just because you are using your experience to explain things about Japan. You up front present yourself as only explaining things to the best of your ability at this current moment under the current circumstances. The real problematic Japan-spainers are the types who learn a little bit about Japan, then think they know those points entirely and other peripheral and non-peripheral points deeply as well even though there is no reason for it. I've seen real Japan-spainer blowhards. @ExJapter, you are one of them. You are a teacher who freely shares your knowledge while updating your knowledge. Your fine.