Interesting. The only issues I've had were with the police. They obviously took it for granted that they could speak Japanese in front of me and I wouldn't understand (I was happy to play up the "dumb gaijin" role) and the fact that I was black came up more than once.
But people in general? I found them notably kind and welcoming and help…
Interesting. The only issues I've had were with the police. They obviously took it for granted that they could speak Japanese in front of me and I wouldn't understand (I was happy to play up the "dumb gaijin" role) and the fact that I was black came up more than once.
But people in general? I found them notably kind and welcoming and helpful. As I say below, I think it made a big difference that I was obviously a visitor rather than somebody trying to live in Japan.
Interesting. The only issues I've had were with the police. They obviously took it for granted that they could speak Japanese in front of me and I wouldn't understand (I was happy to play up the "dumb gaijin" role) and the fact that I was black came up more than once.
But people in general? I found them notably kind and welcoming and helpful. As I say below, I think it made a big difference that I was obviously a visitor rather than somebody trying to live in Japan.