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51.8% concerned with safety if foreign tourist numbers increase

Friday 28th November, 06:24 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 72 Total Comments Show All

  • realist at 10:54 PM JST - 28th November

    Yes, we have heard all this Japanese xenophobic crap before. Its not surprising, really, when you consider the amount of anti-foreign brainwashing in this country, day and night, that the Japanese people are subjected to. So few of them read real newspapers, or listen to news, that its also not surprising they are so ignorant of their own country and also the world in general. They get most of their information about foreigners and foreign countries from the endless brainless TV quiz shows here.

    Oh - and I also dont believe the figure of 8.5 million foreign visitors to Japan, either. I certainly dont see them, and I am all around central Tokyo every day. Narita Airport is mostly empty when its not Golden Week or some other Japanese holiday.

  • 30061015 at 05:11 AM JST - 29th November

    “...some steps should be taken”

    Yes, I couldn't agree more. Walk right over to that dangerous looking gaijin tourist and say; "Hi! Welcome to Japan! What country are you from? ...well, hope you enjoy your stay & thank you for spending your hard earned cash in my depressed county."

  • whyamiinjapan at 12:36 PM JST - 29th November

    You know, I really think that these responses and all other responses about how some foreigners feel about Japan and the Japanese should be translated and published in a book (if there isn't one already). I don't think people here really know how many foreigners feel. If they did, it might make a difference. By the way, 8.5 million tourists? No way.

  • ptolemy at 02:42 PM JST - 29th November

    Now the japanese aren't that different, but at least they don't mobb foreigners in groupes, agress foreigners en masse, and most of all the japanese people around a potential scene won't really participate in to that mob.

    They wouldn't dare, they would be afraid the foreiger has cooties. The only mob the average J participates in is the lotto line or the subway.

  • sf2k at 03:11 PM JST - 29th November

    51.8%? That high? Then close the visa offices internationally, save some serious coin, case closed. Or rather, keep the offices open but hope that nobody comes and if they do complain to them on the plane so that Japan might not be confused with being xenophobic?

  • Ah_so at 07:38 PM JST - 29th November

    WOW, 1854 respondents represent 51% of 130 million inhabitants. Now I truly believe that there are LIES, DAMN LIES, and then STATISTICS

    Obviously you do not understand statistics. 1854, if selected on established opinion polling techniques, should be plenty to represent 130m to about 2 standard deviations.

  • Ah_so at 07:50 PM JST - 29th November

    PaizuriSan

    Most of us on this board have been in Japan a while, and we know what the REAL meaning of safety is to the Japanese people. Japanese people are like cats in a lot of ways (afraid of rain and uncleanliness). Their xenophobia leads to natural fear of others who are not them. They are also baby-like if things don't go their way. And if things are not in a certain order. Americans usually look at a problem and fix it fast and move on; Japanese usually don't know what to do if a new problem arises and get concerned.

    Succinctly: Their safety, comes from NOT just fear of their belongings and life but their society rules.

    Good post. Trying to understand the Japanese way of thinking is more constructive than shouting, "Xenophobes" (we know they are). However, perhaps in a topic about Japanese xenophobia, it is not helpful to say that "the Japanese" are "baby-like", although I understand what you are getting at.

    I certainly see the cat quality among many Japanese I have met. Good observation.

  • Ah_so at 07:53 PM JST - 29th November

    The japanese tourist industry can still survive withoit foreign tourists as anyway 95% from the tourists are japanese (bringing mountains of cash through out japanese sights, most foreign tourists would anyway never go or find.)

    I went to Kyoto this year for the first time in over a decade. Ten years ago it was nearly all Japanese and a few gaijin. This year the majority seemed to be from other Asian countries. There were a lot of Koreans and Chinese - I was quite surprised.

    About a year ago I posted something very similar to the above on this board, but since Kyoto have had to admit I was wrong.

  • RakishGadfly at 03:28 AM JST - 30th November

    realist;

    I also dont believe the figure of 8.5 million foreign visitors to Japan, either. I certainly dont see them, and I am all around central Tokyo every day.

    75% of foreign tourists to Japan come from East Asia, so please tell me what a Chinese or Korean tourist looks like? Red silk dragon robes and slurping kimchee, perhaps? Xenophobic crap, indeed.

  • Youdontknow at 02:41 PM JST - 1st December

    More xenophobic scaremongering!

  • whizzer at 04:41 PM JST - 2nd December

    Can't wait for the "International Olympic Comittee" to get their hands on this !

  • jeancolmar at 08:56 PM JST - 2nd December

    I wonder what percentage of the respondents to this poll are afraid of being cut to pieces by a knife-wielding Japanese maniac? Crazy and violent Japanese with knives are a far greater danger in this country than foreign tourists. Or is having to communicate in English more terrifying than facing down some guy with a kitchen knife who wants to carve you up because he misses his dog or can't find a date?

    But seriously folks, don't mind these polls. Japanese are by and large gracious with foreign visitors. It's once you start to live here that you start getting the xenophobic crud.

  • JusticePunk at 04:23 AM JST - 4th December

    Not just to japan, but other areas. I'm afraid to be A tourist. Its like star trek really to me. If I did go to japan I would try my best to be polite as possible. I do it now here int he states. If I mess up, I put my left hand behind my head and say "Oh my, I'm so sorry". If I did go to Japan I would ask "How do you translate "I'm sorry, I'm an ignorant American, please forgive me I mean no offense."?". I really don't like making people feel uncomfortable around me.

  • SiouxGirl at 04:47 AM JST - 4th December

    Yes, I was a little concerned about being stabbed to death by some stranger, but then I realized - I can stay at home and be stabbed to death by a stranger (for free, in that case). But what kind of life is that to live? Staying home and playing it safe. So I'm packing my bag and buying my ticket. I want to eat and see the sights. If a little girl who looks half Asian and half Caucasian asks you to waltz with her in the middle of the street - that's me!

  • JusticePunk at 05:03 AM JST - 4th December

    Yes, I was a little concerned about being stabbed to death by some stranger, but then I realized - I can stay at home and be stabbed to death by a stranger (for free, in that case). But what kind of life is that to live? Staying home and playing it safe. So I'm packing my bag and buying my ticket. I want to eat and see the sights. If a little girl who looks half Asian and half Caucasian asks you to waltz with her in the middle of the street - that's me! >

    Ever listen to that "Agoraphobia" song by Incubus? Thats how I feel, and same with you. Playing it safe inside is dull, boring, and you still die.

    So why not get your ass outside, have fun and die awesome!

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