Advice on how to deal with xenophobia?

[Belacqua]

I’ve been living in Japan for around 5 months already for my postgraduate studies.

The experience has been amazing so far. But unfortunately there are some xenophobic classmates in the laboratory.

This has been stressing me lately, although it is partially my fault, as I have been dedicating too much unnecessary thought to it. It is just that it is the first time in my life that I experience something like this.

I have met some very friendly Japanese, and they are what makes it worth it living here. But of course, the laboratory is where I research and spend a a lot of time there.

I decided to post this in Philosophy in case anyone wants to share some writings about a philosopher or philosophy.


Any advice is welcomed. Thank you.

Can I ask how the xenophobia shows itself? Is it rude remarks, or jokes about your country? Or is it more active sort of sabotage?

In my experience Japanese people can think in a very us-vs.-them kind of way, which doesn't seem as rude to them as it does to me. Especially if they're not used to foreigners, they can sort of band together in discomfort, in a way which reads as exclusive.

There can also be a kind of quiet exclusion, as when they just assume that you wouldn't want to join them for lunch, or something, so they don't invite you. 

Also, I'm curious about where you're from originally. Sad to say, white Americans face less prejudice than darker-skinned people from less popular countries. I've been discriminated against even as a white American, but not nearly as much.

Without knowing any more, I'd just say to wait and keep your antenna out for how people treat you. There's all kinds of people in Japan, as anywhere, and some will surely be glad to know you. I hope you can find someone like that at your research place.

[brewer]

Ignore them as much as possible, try to cope with what you have to. Up to this point it's only ignorant words.

Maybe head phones when possible?

[Macoleco]

I’ve been living in Japan for around 5 months already for my postgraduate studies.

The experience has been amazing so far. But unfortunately there are some xenophobic classmates in the laboratory.

This has been stressing me lately, although it is partially my fault, as I have been dedicating too much unnecessary thought to it. It is just that it is the first time in my life that I experience something like this.

I have met some very friendly Japanese, and they are what makes it worth it living here. But of course, the laboratory is where I research and spend a a lot of time there.

I decided to post this in Philosophy in case anyone wants to share some writings about a philosopher or philosophy.


Any advice is welcomed. Thank you.

Can I ask how the xenophobia shows itself? Is it rude remarks, or jokes about your country? Or is it more active sort of sabotage?

In my experience Japanese people can think in a very us-vs.-them kind of way, which doesn't seem as rude to them as it does to me. Especially if they're not used to foreigners, they can sort of band together in discomfort, in a way which reads as exclusive.

There can also be a kind of quiet exclusion, as when they just assume that you wouldn't want to join them for lunch, or something, so they don't invite you. 

Also, I'm curious about where you're from originally. Sad to say, white Americans face less prejudice than darker-skinned people from less popular countries. I've been discriminated against even as a white American, but not nearly as much.

Without knowing any more, I'd just say to wait and keep your antenna out for how people treat you. There's all kinds of people in Japan, as anywhere, and some will surely be glad to know you. I hope you can find someone like that at your research place.

Well most of it it’s being treated like a ghost at the lab. Don’t look at me or talk to me. Although I’ve noticed it’s like that even among Japanese. The lab is divided in small groups. There is no cohesion.

The “senpai” that was assigned to me is complete xenophobic. Although not directly mistreats me, does not help me and wants me to fail. He looks baffled when other Japanese talk to me. Like if I was an alien.

Tried talking to other 2 female classmates and even though they were polite at first, I learned they were talking shit behind me. I think one of them was telling me lies too, for her own pleasure.

It’s so strange to be treated that way just because of your nationality. I’m Latin American. I’m not black or even brown. I’d say between white and brown.

Japan and Latin America have no history of conflict. Maybe they think I’m violent and drug dealer? Well what they think I don’t care either way.

[Belacqua]

Well most of it it’s being treated like a ghost at the lab. Don’t look at me or talk to me. Although I’ve noticed it’s like that even among Japanese. The lab is divided in small groups. There is no cohesion.

The “senpai” that was assigned to me is complete xenophobic. Although not directly mistreats me, does not help me and wants me to fail. He looks baffled when other Japanese talk to me. Like if I was an alien.

Tried talking to other 2 female classmates and even though they were polite at first, I learned they were talking shit behind me. I think one of them was telling me lies too, for her own pleasure.

It’s so strange to be treated that way just because of your nationality. I’m Latin American. I’m not black or even brown. I’d say between white and brown.

Japan and Latin America have no history of conflict. Maybe they think I’m violent and drug dealer? Well what they think I don’t care either way.

Unfortunately, what you say doesn't surprise me. Japanese universities can be very cold places. Somehow the whole idea of camaraderie and a happy student life just hasn't been important in any of the schools I have known here. 

You've probably heard that traditionally, Japanese students knock themselves out in high school. They have to do club activities and cram school and sports, etc., in order to get into the best possible college. Then once they've passed the entrance exam, they often don't take college seriously at all, and their lives don't center on college the way American students' do. This worked out well for the professors, who generally did their own research and didn't want to bother with students any more than necessary. I've heard professors say that teaching classes is an interruption of their real jobs. 

Back when the big companies hired kids fresh out of college for lifetime employment this was fine. Mitsubishi didn't expect a kid to have learned anything in college, because they wanted to train him their own way. And since they had him for life they were willing to spend two or three years getting him up to speed. 

Now things are in a kind of unpleasant period of change. Far fewer companies offer lifetime employment. But the universities haven't developed a tradition of careful guidance or mutually supportive education. You'd think that grad students would be more enthusiastic about their work and more likely to be conscientious about it, but the students I knew were mostly marking time and didn't seem to care about any more than getting the official qualification. And the teachers are fine with this, since they don't have to bother with actually teaching. 

I was in humanities -- far from STEM subjects -- but my experience was similar to yours in some ways. The graduate seminar I had to attend had no organization, no one worked together, the teacher would often demand we make presentations and then when we started he would leave the room because he had something more interesting to do. The grad students only talked about ticking off boxes in the list of requirements to graduate. I was in philosophy of art, and I never once had a conversation with another student about art. My first PhD supervisor was just as you describe: no help and wanted me to fail. After I got the the university harassment officer on the case, I changed to a supervisor who was merely indifferent. 

Probably -- I hope -- there are schools where this isn't true. I did meet one very enthusiastic teacher, who spent quality time with her grad students. And she fled the prefectural university for a plum job in Tokyo at the first opportunity. 

I could get through it because I am older and didn't need the school for my social life. Also I was never expected to do group projects -- and I am certain that if I had, the atmosphere would have been the same as what you describe. In the end I did my dissertation more or less on my own. I reached out to helpful people on the Internet, but no one at the university was a bit of help.

So I think you're right that it's xenophobia, but it's also context-dependent xenophobia. The atmosphere of Japanese grad schools is suited to such coldness. 

Japanese people tend to be very context-dependent in general. If they're in a situation where tradition calls for respect and deference, they can do that. If the context doesn't specify what sort of relationship they should have with you, they'll ignore you. I joke that when you're shopping in a high-end store, the staff will treat you like royalty and do whatever keeps you happy. But if, when their shift ended, they found you on the sidewalk having a heart attack, they would likely step over you. 

I guess my advice would be to get what you can, on your own, from the facilities available. Don't expect help or interest. For more friendly social circles you could try university-related clubs, if you have time. Most cities of any size also have international culture clubs or special nights at bars, where non-xenophobes can gather. I'm sure there will be friendly, non-prejudiced people around, though seeking them out may take effort.

[purplepurpose]

Tell them that you watch Naruto. And know a few hand signs jutsu yourself. I bet they would accept you.

[Macoleco]

Well most of it it’s being treated like a ghost at the lab. Don’t look at me or talk to me. Although I’ve noticed it’s like that even among Japanese. The lab is divided in small groups. There is no cohesion.

The “senpai” that was assigned to me is complete xenophobic. Although not directly mistreats me, does not help me and wants me to fail. He looks baffled when other Japanese talk to me. Like if I was an alien.

Tried talking to other 2 female classmates and even though they were polite at first, I learned they were talking shit behind me. I think one of them was telling me lies too, for her own pleasure.

It’s so strange to be treated that way just because of your nationality. I’m Latin American. I’m not black or even brown. I’d say between white and brown.

Japan and Latin America have no history of conflict. Maybe they think I’m violent and drug dealer? Well what they think I don’t care either way.

Unfortunately, what you say doesn't surprise me. Japanese universities can be very cold places. Somehow the whole idea of camaraderie and a happy student life just hasn't been important in any of the schools I have known here. 

You've probably heard that traditionally, Japanese students knock themselves out in high school. They have to do club activities and cram school and sports, etc., in order to get into the best possible college. Then once they've passed the entrance exam, they often don't take college seriously at all, and their lives don't center on college the way American students' do. This worked out well for the professors, who generally did their own research and didn't want to bother with students any more than necessary. I've heard professors say that teaching classes is an interruption of their real jobs. 

Back when the big companies hired kids fresh out of college for lifetime employment this was fine. Mitsubishi didn't expect a kid to have learned anything in college, because they wanted to train him their own way. And since they had him for life they were willing to spend two or three years getting him up to speed. 

Now things are in a kind of unpleasant period of change. Far fewer companies offer lifetime employment. But the universities haven't developed a tradition of careful guidance or mutually supportive education. You'd think that grad students would be more enthusiastic about their work and more likely to be conscientious about it, but the students I knew were mostly marking time and didn't seem to care about any more than getting the official qualification. And the teachers are fine with this, since they don't have to bother with actually teaching. 

I was in humanities -- far from STEM subjects -- but my experience was similar to yours in some ways. The graduate seminar I had to attend had no organization, no one worked together, the teacher would often demand we make presentations and then when we started he would leave the room because he had something more interesting to do. The grad students only talked about ticking off boxes in the list of requirements to graduate. I was in philosophy of art, and I never once had a conversation with another student about art. My first PhD supervisor was just as you describe: no help and wanted me to fail. After I got the the university harassment officer on the case, I changed to a supervisor who was merely indifferent. 

Probably -- I hope -- there are schools where this isn't true. I did meet one very enthusiastic teacher, who spent quality time with her grad students. And she fled the prefectural university for a plum job in Tokyo at the first opportunity. 

I could get through it because I am older and didn't need the school for my social life. Also I was never expected to do group projects -- and I am certain that if I had, the atmosphere would have been the same as what you describe. In the end I did my dissertation more or less on my own. I reached out to helpful people on the Internet, but no one at the university was a bit of help.

So I think you're right that it's xenophobia, but it's also context-dependent xenophobia. The atmosphere of Japanese grad schools is suited to such coldness. 

Japanese people tend to be very context-dependent in general. If they're in a situation where tradition calls for respect and deference, they can do that. If the context doesn't specify what sort of relationship they should have with you, they'll ignore you. I joke that when you're shopping in a high-end store, the staff will treat you like royalty and do whatever keeps you happy. But if, when their shift ended, they found you on the sidewalk having a heart attack, they would likely step over you. 

I guess my advice would be to get what you can, on your own, from the facilities available. Don't expect help or interest. For more friendly social circles you could try university-related clubs, if you have time. Most cities of any size also have international culture clubs or special nights at bars, where non-xenophobes can gather. I'm sure there will be friendly, non-prejudiced people around, though seeking them out may take effort.

I identify a lot with your answer. It seems you understand me the most, as you have experienced it yourself.

I agree with the point that most students care only about their qualifications, and graduate as soon as possible, instead of trying to do new, innovative research. So far it seems that the professor assigns each student their research, instead of the student proposing new ideas. Thus, most of the results are nothing new, and in fact lack years behind other universities. I think this is one of the causes Japan is falling behind other countries regarding research and innovation. I think part of the problem is that Japanese students do not understand their privilege, and not everyone has access to such expensive equipment.

In fact, me and an Indonesian student are the ones who propose new ideas, although we can not implement them. The reason is, modifying the equipment is not seen positively by the professor. So basically we have to work with what we got. It is funny though, since the professor does not know how to use it, only 3 students know how to.

The experience regarding the presentations is very similar. Every Thursday there is a presentation, but very few people assist, and the professor never does except for some specific dates. His feedback is nonexistant or insignificant. 

Communication among members is important to promote innovations, ideas and discussion, yet it is nonexistant in my laboratory. Unfortunately this coldness and lack of teamwork extends even among Japanese students. 

I must say I am very disappointed, as I was expecting a high level of research in my laboratory/university. Maybe it is the case for other laboratories, I dont know. The advantage Japan has over other countries is its money. But when it comes to the promotion of innovation, its definitely behind.