Japanese Sex Trade

[Mr. Harley]

Guys - we need a litmus test, a no duh way to discriminate between National Chauvinism and Racism in a society that is racially homogenous. If Japanese treat one group of Caucasians better than another, that's a good indicator. However, if they treat black Americans worse than white, it's racism. Why as I think aloud am I getting this horrible suspicion it's going to be one of those real world applications, neithr black nor white but all kinds of shades of greys and tangents.

[chequita guevara]

It's not like they can't be both racists and national chauvanists.

[pchang]

especially when one identifies one's race with one's nation

[Ned]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse


It was more likely your opinions on various subjects.

As in I am one of the very few Americans who believes that our using A-bombs on the Japanese was unjustified?

[pchang]

That's probably it. Everyone knows the use of atomic weapons was crucial to the development of monster movies in Japan and that it was the strong export market for those movies that jump started the Japanese economy in the 1960's and 1970's.

[DanS]

I'd say that I'm now disgusted with you, but I've always been because of some of the sickening things you say and the lies you try to perpetuate.

SPREAD THE LOVE!!!

[Spiffor]

BTW, I am curious about whether the Japanese attitudes to foreigners are evolving. For a very long time, Japan was a modern country that still kept much of its pre-modern attitudes, but it seems that the 90's and 2000's are rocking the boat.

Do the Japanese change their old view of foreigners, the same way they are changing their old views of plenty of things?

[DaShi]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara


I'm not using one incident to generalize. I'm using one incident to illustrate. I don't have time for all of the incidents.

Fine, I'll ignore the illustration and jump right to the conlusion you made: all japanese are seriously racist.

Now your mentioning all of the incidents reminds me of when some of my friends down south would say, "I don't have anything against black people, but I can't count the times I've seen them loafing on the job." and other things of that sort. I don't keep in touch with them much, it seems.

Anyway, I don't deny that racism exists in Japan and that in certain aspect may even exist in its culture. But I'm not going to make bold statements like the Japanese are seriously racist. Che, I guess I'm alittle surprised at you is all. You've demonstrated great sensitivity over black racial issues, but here you fallen into the same trap that you've so strongly argued against.

As for the topic, it's about prostitution. I was reluctant to post this thread, because I feared what has happened: UR's gleeful attempt to turn it into an anti-Japanese thread, as he doesn't whenever given the opportunity (ie. the NK). Unfortunately, your post opened the door for him, but I can't blame you for his actions. However, since I've covered this topic in China and Southeast Asia, I thought it fair to show that even a 1st world country such as Japan can be a haven for sex slavery when I came across the article.

[Last Conformist]

Are you implying that sex slavery in 1st world countries is unusual?

[DaShi]

[Last Conformist]

That was not a rhetorical question. Unless you hold the, to me somewhat surprising, opinion that sex slavery in 1st world countries is remarkable, you presumably would not have felt the need to post a thread to show it exists, particularly not if you worried that the likes of UR might turn in into an anti-Japan bashfest.

[DaShi]

I believe that many people are not fully aware of the types of sex industries in any area of the world, thus I posted the article. Since I don't write these articles, I have to make do with posting the ones I find educational and interest and hope that a proper discussion of the issue will follow. I'm not trying to prove anything. I prefer to let people think for themselves, as regretable as that usually is.

Actually, I shouldn't have to worry that it will turn into a UR anti-Japan bashfest. That should be the moderators' responsibility.

[mindseye]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger

If? Did you actually ask them these questions or is it entirely a hyothetical scenario?

I really have talked about this with students (and others, of course). The "if" was to contrast with asking about racism in a different place (as in "if, on the other hand, I ask them about ...")

The worst answers are the ones where someone straight-faced explains to me that the reason they are put off by black people is because their dark skin means they are "dirty". Thankfully, these are a minority, at least here in Shanghai.

The good news is that my school, which formerly was very worried over the idea of hiring black teachers, now employs them for all classes (including little children) without apprehension. Sign of the times, I believe.

[mindseye]

Originally posted by Spiffor
BTW, I am curious about whether the Japanese attitudes to foreigners are evolving. For a very long time, Japan was a modern country that still kept much of its pre-modern attitudes, but it seems that the 90's and 2000's are rocking the boat.

Do the Japanese change their old view of foreigners, the same way they are changing their old views of plenty of things?

One of my American buddies left Shanghai to live in Hokkaido, Japan for a year, He just returned to China, one of his main reasons was he was so sick of racism in Japan, after being treated so well in China.

Where he lived in Japan (a smaller city), some bars, bathhouses, restaurants and the like had signs proclaiming "No Foreigners." He asked some businesses for explanations, usually they complained about drunken, rowdy Russian sailors making trouble.

In general, he felt that Chinese were much more favorably disposed towards white foreigners than Japanese. I would say that that is considered "common knowledge" among foreigners living in these parts. On how fast it's changing, I can't comment.

[Bosh]

Originally posted by shawnmmcc
Guys - we need a litmus test, a no duh way to discriminate between National Chauvinism and Racism in a society that is racially homogenous. If Japanese treat one group of Caucasians better than another, that's a good indicator. However, if they treat black Americans worse than white, it's racism. Why as I think aloud am I getting this horrible suspicion it's going to be one of those real world applications, neithr black nor white but all kinds of shades of greys and tangents.

Um both happen, Americans get treated at least marginally better than other whites in Korea (we're the real deal, many English language schools really try to avoid hiring Aussies or Kiwis or if they do pay them less ) and white Americans get treated vastly better than black Americans.

Anyway, I don't deny that racism exists in Japan and that in certain aspect may even exist in its culture. But I'm not going to make bold statements like the Japanese are seriously racist.

They are.
The level of racism in Japan, on average, is definately higher than in most other countries. Its not racist to say that just like its not racist to say that historically the American south is/was more racist.

Are you implying that sex slavery in 1st world countries is unusual?

The scale differs to a massive degree.

The good news is that my school, which formerly was very worried over the idea of hiring black teachers, now employs them for all classes (including little children) without apprehension. Sign of the times, I believe.

Wow, I would've expected China to be behind Korea in this regard. In many English language schools the parents would generally complain a great deal if a black teacher were hired.

In general, he felt that Chinese were much more favorably disposed towards white foreigners than Japanese.

Ah ok, in Korea it depends what kind of foreigner you are, personally I've always been treated very well and there are definately some clubs that unofficially ban foreigners (ie foreigners always get told that its a "member only" club).