"Half" In Japan [Archive] - Japan Forum

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Karamuucho
Nov 3, 2006, 02:59
Being half-Japanese myself, and since I'll be moving there in February (!!) for starters, I'd like to know about being a "Half" in Japan.

I'm sure there are differences from being a "Gaijin" or a native.
Are there any advantages I can utilise?
What are the pitfalls I should be aware of?

Having been on holiday a number of times (but not for a while now) I only really have memories of the social aspects of being a "Half". Physically I'm not that much different than most Japanese (about 180, slim, brown hair (nothing amazing thanks to dye in Japan) brow eyes) and since I was in Tokyo where Gaijin are now nothing amazing, I didn't get many looks. I still surprised a few people by talking Japanese, after picking up the phone in English, etc.

I want to know more of the business side of being a half, I understand that being a Gaijin has its good and bad sides (such as the eikaiwa business). Since I really only have (UK)college qualifications, native english and conversational Japanese, I'm aware I'm gonna have to work my *** off to impress an employer.

I apologize for the awkward question! Hahaha. Any help or advice big or small will be appreciated. Thankyou!

maushan3
Feb 15, 2007, 14:32
A guy in my Japanese class is "Half" (Japanese dad, Mexican mom). He has been to Japan twice and says he didn't experience any racism. He liked it a lot. He looks very Japanese, except that he is kind of fat.

Mauricio