Japan?

[Brown Wolf]

I have been doing reaserch on Japan and have come across information saying Japan has problems with human rights. (Prejudice, racism, and so on) I would like to know what others view on this? Does Japan really have trouble with human rights?

------------------

[Tachikaze]

Japanese, as individuals, seem to have good attitudes about people of other cultures and races. However, there are some underlying fears, prejudices, and segregation in the minds of many Japanese.

Japan is a country of very strict social conventions and classifications. Group identity is critical to Japanese social cohesion. Each person is taught to differentiate between inclusion and exclusion in various groups and the roles of people in these groups.

At least four groups of people do not fit conveniently into Japanese society.

Eta -- a historical low class that included people who worked with animals, like butchers, and reportedly included ninja.

Ainu -- possibly the original inhabitants of Japan. They have either been excluded or completely assimilated into the larger Japanese society.

Gaijin (foreigners) -- sometimes respected, but also sometimes feared and held in suspicion.

Koreans and Philippinos -- special cases of foreigners because they have become established minority groups in large Japanese cites. Koreans, in particular, have been seen as a defeated people, and looked down upon.

The way in which Japanese judge and treat members of these groups generally differs from the racism of other nations, like the US, South Africa, and Australia. But being excluded in Japan is a greater hardship than in other societies, because of the importance of belonging.

But, in my relationships with Japanese people, I have experienced good attitudes about the ethnic groups that face racism in my country (the US), namely blacks, Amerinds, Muslims, and Latinos. They are more curious than judgemental about various ethnic groups.

Now, when we turn to Japanese attitudes towards women, we have a more unpleasant story. Although it seems to be improving in the younger generations.

One more group I have left out are the handicapped. People with physical or mental handicaps have historically been excluded from Japanese society. I don't know how much this has improved, but I did notice some special facilities for the blind and people in wheelchairs in my last visit. I had heard these facilities were sorely lacking previously.

[ShaiHulud]

In Japan, 4th generation Koreans (whose families have been in Japan that long) are still foreigners, required to re-register periodically. You don't 'become' Japanese by living there or being born there. That pretty much says it.

------------------
Wind fells blossoms, rain
fells steel,yet bamboo bends and drinks

[solypsist]

yes, Brownwolf...and they're still crucifying Christians over there, right now. Even as we speak! http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Tachikaze]

All joking aside, the Japanese are the most religiously tolerant nation I know of today (OK the Netherlands is pretty cool, too).

I love the way they handle religion. They don't impose their beliefs on others; don't worry about whether the people next door are Buddhists, Shintoists, Christians, or atheists; and they don't mix religion and politics.

They are very live-and-let-live about religious and/or spiritual beliefs. It's a private matter to them.

Christian nations and institutions can learn a lot from the Japanese.

------------------
A murky puddle becomes clear when it is still.

[This message has been edited by Tachikaze (edited 01-18-2001).]

[ShaiHulud]

Soly... It's like trying to take a bone from a dog, isn't it? hehe So, bear up, Wolf!

------------------
Wind fells blossoms, rain
fells steel,yet bamboo bends and drinks

[Brown Wolf]

SOLY I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT RELIGION.

I am talking about people. The koreans that live there, the chinese, the americans who live there. I am not talking aobut relgion!

Now I have heard that Japan treats non-japanese race people who live there badly. Is that true?

------------------

[Brown Wolf]

Bear up? what?

------------------

[Rob]

Quote Originally posted by solypsist:
yes, Brownwolf...and they're still crucifying Christians over there, right now. Even as we speak! http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]

OK, Soly, there's no need to bring that post back up again. Brown Wolf is asking a polite question and so long as this thread remains civil then there's no problem with it. Please don't turn this into another 'CHRISTIAN MURDER' thread.

[solypsist]

sorry guys, and most importantly, to BrownWolf it was all a fun ribbing and in good humor. http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/biggrin.gif I won't mention it again, unless of course, the opportunity presents itself!

A thread already exists on this subject on here, and accessing it will prove very educational. A lot of former .Org users had some great things to say and if I have time I will look for that thread and make a link to it. But perhaps you guys should check for it and maybe revive it before starting a whole new one. Just a suggestion.
Ok. Here's the link: http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000018.html


[This message has been edited by solypsist (edited 01-18-2001).]