The outrageous behaviors of foreigners…

Now that I’m a foreigner myself, I often see the behavior of “foreigners” in Japan on social media.

Of course, these unfit behaviors are due to the cultural differences, differences in customs, and unique manners that are only found in Japan, as well as the trouble that can arise from “innocent mistake”.

But…but! Do your homework!

This also applies to Japanese people. The days of “forget your shame when you travel” should be over. I think that a generation ago, the only information available for traveling or studying abroad was on TV, in travel magazines, and in magazines for studying abroad. That kind of information was, how should I put it…mostly “useful” information that you should at least know, and it only ever briefly touched on culture and manners.

So a book was published that was called “Chikyu no Arukikata (How to Travel the World). ” This book packed with information that people traveling abroad and those aiming to study abroad wanted to know more about. However, it still can’t compare to the amount of information available these days.

With the spread of the internet and the proliferation of information networks on social media, some information is like “It’s up to you to believe it,” but there is also more information available about culture, customs, and manners, and the voices of people who have actually experienced it are being shared on social media and blogs.

That’s why

I want to say it loud and clear: Do your homework!

Foreigners, what are you doing in Japan?

If you are going to a foreign country, I would like you to learn at least a little about the culture, customs, and manners of that country before you come. Rather than looking around and thinking, “That’s strange…”, I would like you to come with an open mind and think, “So this is how they do things in Japan!?”

For example, on the train, Japanese people stay quiet and maintain a certain level of order, without causing discomfort to others until they reach their destination. Even if there are empty reserved seats on the Shinkansen, they will not sit down because they are “reserved seats.” This is “normal.”

I’m not saying this is true for all foreigners, but there are some foreigners (and sometimes Japanese people) who don’t try to understand these things.

The list goes on and on, and there are many examples of behavior that foreigners show that is quite glaring. Please remember that you are in a foreign country where customs are different from your own.

I wish the foreigners would stop taking all seven-seater seat in train with four people. I also wish people would stop watching YouTube in their native language with the volume turned up and without earphones. I learned that some countries, there are normal not use earphones, but this is Japan.

I understand that people want to save money, but I wish they would take the airport bus if they had the large luggage instead of the train. I wish people would stop forcing their own country’s customs and ways of thinking on people in Japan. Before asserting “my rights!”, I wish people would think about how things are in Japan.

It’s a small thing, but when I see that kind of behavior makes me so upset for some reasons.

I encountered a family when I was traveling on the train. I assumed the family is from South Asian descent. Just naturally observing their movements, I noticed that a woman, who appeared to be the daughter, was living in Japan, with her parents and younger brother visiting from abroad. On a Keisei Line express train, a boy was carrying a bouquet of flowers, and they placed a suitcase wrapped tightly in plastic at their feet, heading to their destination. The train was relatively empty, so there were no problems with the suitcase and other luggage, but what concerned me was the attitude of the woman, who appeared to be living in Japan.

Although the car was empty, there were a few other passengers, so the family could not sit in the same row. Then the woman glared at the other Japanese woman with intense eyes. I see, if the woman gave up her seat, they could all sit in the same row…

No, no, even if it was a family member she hadn’t seen in a long time, she had no right to force someone to give up her/his seat. Fortunately, the woman who was being glared at had her eyes down on her smartphone, unaware of her gaze.

Furthermore, the boy – though he is a boy, his body is that of an adult – lies down on the lap of the other woman and sleeps. If you can imagine this, you can probably imagine how disturbing it is.

They got off at Oshiage station, but after they left, bouquet petals were scattered on the floor. I wish they’d stop. This woman, who appears to be living in Japan, what did she learn from living Japan?  If she has doubts about Japanese culture, customs, and manners, she should go back to her own country where she feels more comfortable.

There may be some people who work in Japan and support their families due to circumstances in their home countries, but if they do not have the ability to learn and accept Japanese culture, customs, and manners, I believe that Japan is not the country that suits them.

Furthermore, there are people who are “nuisances” or whatever, but they cause trouble in Japan, find it amusing, film videos of it for YouTube and the like, and then in the end say things like “I’m not doing anything wrong,” “I’m not breaking the law,” “It’s my right,” “I don’t understand Japanese,” and cause all sorts of trouble while visiting Japan.

Hey Japanese people! What are you doing? Say something! But instead, they are also filming it and posting it on social media. If they don’t want to be involved, at least they can report it?

And the Japanese government. I want them to take firm measures against foreigners. As a foreigner myself, I think that if they become stricter on others who are innocent, means things will become more difficult for me, but I can’t afford to say that. As a former Japanese (with Japanese nationality), I also think that we should protect Japan as a country, its beautiful culture, and the customs and manners that allow us to live safely today.

Wherever you look, there are foreigners working at convenience stores, airports, hotels, etc.

 In the summer, I went to the Immigration Bureau in Osaka to reapply for my residence card. What surprised me was that the government was proactively supporting foreign workers. I guess they say it’s because there is a labor shortage. However … Isn’t there a different policy or plan? Why are Japanese people reluctant to work in hospitality or service-related jobs such as hotels or convenience stores? If we issue residence cards to 3.77 million foreigners, won’t the day come when Japanese people who want to work can’t find a job?

Why is Japan so “kind” and “lenient” towards foreigners, even to the point of bowing down to them?

Shouldn’t foreigners who commit crimes in Japan, deport the country before spending Japanese tax money? Is there any point in giving them a grace period?

Anyone who has been to Hanauma Bay in Hawaii knows this. (Actually, I’m not sure if it’s still there, but) you have to watch a video before entering the beach. It’s a video that explains the rules and etiquette for protecting the environment of Hanauma Bay to tourists who visit. This video wasn’t there when I first visited Hanauma Bay. But I think there must have been a reason why such a video had to be shown to visitors to Hanauma Bay.

When boarding a flight to the United States, you will always hear an announcement that says, “Fed regulations prohibit gathering in the aisles.” This announcement was added as part of anti-terrorism measures after the 9/11 terrorist hijackings.

What if the Japanese government broadcast information before landing on all flights to Japan about the things you should not do in Japan and about Japanese etiquette? Also, how about playing a video about Japanese etiquette in the Welcome Japan section in the corridors leading to immigration at Japanese international airports? Well… most likely and clearly what you should NOT do and if you do what circumstances may consider.

Foreigners who enter Japan have “permission to enter” the country, so I think that anyone who engages in illegal behavior in Japan should have that permission revoked.

went to Ginza this summer and was shocked. It’s Ginza, Tokyo… and no, not just Ginza, Ueno too. Shops that are clearly not run by Japanese people have popped up everywhere!

I saw news reports of foreigners buying up Japanese apartments, jacking up rents and putting residents in hardship, or buying up apartment rooms and running them as Japanese vacation rentals like Airbnb, causing problems for residents.

This is now an issue for the Japanese government. I hope that they will make it a priority and take firm measures to deal with foreigners.

The same applies to foreign driver’s licenses. For me personally, it would be very inconvenient if these regulations were to become stricter, but I would end up driving in Japan without understanding Japan’s traffic rules and would end up causing an accident.

To obtain a driver’s license in Japan, you must study hard at a driving school (or on your own). However, in the United States, for example, you can get a driver’s license immediately after passing the driving test and a relatively easy driving test. In countries like Mexico, you can get a driver’s license with just some paperwork and a fee.

This may be an exaggeration, but I can’t help but think that a Japan that is so lenient towards foreigners might one day be taken over by another country.

If my opinion elicits both positive and negative reactions, how will Japanese people who reject my views justify their opinions?

Please don’t get me wrong, I am speaking to foreigners who visit Japan and engage in egregious behavior (behavior that violates Japanese law).

I am now a foreigner in Japan by nationality. However, I am still a foreigner in America, where citizenship is granted by nationality. I live my life in America, mindful of American common sense and manners, as the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

When I visited Cebu Island in the Philippines this year for the first time in 40 years, I did my own research how I should behave or should not behave in their country with respect of their culture.

I hope that foreigners in Japan and those who will be visiting in the future will cherish Japan. I also hope that the Japanese government will establish solid policies for foreigners so that Japanese people will not feel this way. I hope that Japan will not misunderstand the meaning of “hospitality” towards foreigners, and will not turn a blind eye to it as a matter of diplomatic relations, but will take full responsibility for allowing foreigners to enter the country. Japan, which has permitted entry, should also have the right to revoke the permission.

Finally, I would like to thank foreigners who love Japan and understand its beauty, culture, customs, and manners.

Since I am not living in Japan any longer, I think I am able to see my own county (I mean I lived and grew up) from the outside. And it has really given me a strong desire to protect Japan’s beautiful culture.