Right's here in Japan.

[bokuwa]

I see on other sites Americans complain about some places do not let Americans in, "Only Japanese", this has never bothered me and still does not. Don't care really. I generally don't like going places I am not wanted to start with and it is their county not mine.
Just thought I would add something for the forum to discuss and see what comes up in replies. No hidden agenda here.

[TheNoNamedOne]

Bokuwa, this I think is a very impportant issue not only here in Okinawa and Japan, but the world also.

When discrimination based on one's ethnicity or national origin is applied to keep one from participating in society, it goes to the right to pursue happiness. Even in Japan the constitution stipulates that there shall be no discrimination. Japan has also ratified the UN resolution on Human Rights, and that, too, stipulates there shall be no discrimination.

I am not talking about the right of countries to discriminate on such things as hiring. Of course countries only want to hire citizens for certain jobs, be that civil or civilian, but when it comes to the basics of freedom of movement to participate in the economy and social life of society, that has to be protected, and one should not dismiss it in a cavalier way.

You harm Japan when you don't stand up for rights here that are guaranteed to every person. When you see those signs, you should cause a stink about it. I sure have, and that has resulted in several times when cops were called to the premises by the establishment's owner. And, although it usually required some debate time with the police, they usually backed down and the sign came down.

Looking forward to your reply, and I will probably comment more on your post above later.

[dk]

I have no love for "Japanese Only". I have a long history with that crap and I think if I started discussing what I've been through as far as that's concerned I'd probably internally combust.

[bokuwa]

Sorry, but I will always look at Japan as my wifes country not mine. I have the opinion that whatever is, is the way it is.

THE PROSECUTOR WROTE;
I sure have, and that has resulted in several times when cops were called to the premises by the establishment's owner. And, although it usually required some debate time with the police, they usually backed down and the sign came down.

That is okay if you think that you are doing something that will further your rights. You can win the right to get in, but it will not get you to be welcomed in.

In Tokyo there are many places with signs "Japanese only" and everywhere in Japan places with no signs, that we are not welcomed in and made to feel we want to leave.

I just want to take the easy way out and go where I am welcomed and stay away from places that are not inviting to me.

[dk]

I just want to take the easy way out and go where I am welcomed and stay away from places that are not inviting to me.
True that. Which has me at the point where I just want to stay home all the time.

There are very few places on Okinawa where I feel welcome and at home. My house, my office, Hinotama Hall (club in Naha), and with a select group of friends. That's about it.

[Tempestuous]

There are very few places on Okinawa where I feel welcome and at home.

That's some what sad to hear. On the other hand I believe that foreigners in many countries likely feel the same way.

Those we know suffer from feeling uncomfortable or unwelcome in other countries regardless of how long they have resided there. There may be varying degrees of discomfort, but it's still there for many.

In many ways we're living in an idealistic world thinking it isn't like that. Really stinks that in all these years we have only changed the overall functioning of the human race by a couple baby steps. It's mostly covered up with floral slip-covers and denial.

[DoctorP]

I lived in the mainland for a while after I left the service. Many of those signs are there as a precaution. I was welcomed into many of the clubs that had them. Of course I was traveling with locals at the time. Had I walked in alone it may have been a different story.

[Boost]

I was welcomed into many of the clubs that had them. Of course I was traveling with locals at the time.

No one likes a show off DrP! :p Only kidding, I remember getting the unwelcome sign once or twice. Was a bit offended but not enough to care to fight it.

[DoctorP]

The only place I ever really had a problem was outside Camp Hansen at a camera shop called George's. He was real mean and rude. So I just left.

[dk]

I used to think it was cool to be able to enter a "Japanese Only" club as a gaijin. It felt cool to have local friends who could get you in almost anywhere.

Now, I don't even want to give them my business. As far as I'm concerned, they should even be allowed to stay open.

Discrimination anywhere is not cool at all.

[P_chan]

If it has a "japanese only" sign on it then I believe it's not worth my time. It's pretty ridiculous that we still have stuff like this going on in the world.

[Bones]

I really have to wonder......

I really don't think that any of you, .......

Waste of of my time.

But I'll post it anyway.

"I see stupid people. They don't even........"

NBTP

[dk]

I don't get it.

[P_chan]

yeah I don't get it either.

[Bones]

Sometimes I get frustrated about posts like this one, where the posters complain about the "Japanese Only" signs, and take the easy way out. They simply resort to discrimination charges against the owner of the establishment that they would like to visit.

But nobody ever takes the time, to ask why the signs are being displaced to begin with.

[Bones]

Before somebody else points out my spelling mistake, I meant to say "displayed", not "displaced".

NBTP

[newvalor]

well discrimination leads to hate which can eventually lead to bad things if done to the wrong person. who says that possibly some crimes are done it retaliation by people who were discriminated against in japan. yeah there's of course reasons why those signs exist, but to ruin fun for everyone just because of one person doesn't give full out extent of a person to become prejudice or bias against an american or any foreigner. say it was one bad apple, causes trouble and gets thrown out, ok but now the owner of the business can think that all lets say american is bad. it's still like that in some parts of the island, that's why most can only get in to these places by complaining or with a local group. you know they don't want you there and they mostly stand and watch every move you make, they treat you rudely, and you're still wondering why? I have been curteous all the way. best thing to do is leave well enough alone on these places, it's there business. if they only want locals money then fine, let the place next door make more money for the gaijin instead. anyways, those places are usually boring and have no life to them.

[P_chan]

Majority of the places I see 'japanese only' signs outside are massage parlors (the happy ending or soapy kind) and whore houses. So like I said before, it's not worth my time because it's a place I wouldn't visit.

Once I think about it, it's actually quite funny. Now okinawa is the poorest prefecture in japan, and their number one business is tourism. Wouldn't' putting 'japanese only' signs outside your business keep tourist out, which is your number one source of income?

[DoctorP]

Once I think about it, it's actually quite funny. Now okinawa is the poorest prefecture in japan, and their number one business is tourism. Wouldn't' putting 'japanese only' signs outside your business keep tourist out, which is your number one source of income?


That is funny! But I would have to bet that most of Okinawa's "tourism" is in the form of mainland Japanese visiting moreso than foreigners!

[P_chan]

yeah I guess your right there.

[TheNoNamedOne]

Majority of the places I see 'japanese only' signs outside are massage parlors (the happy ending or soapy kind) and whore houses. So like I said before, it's not worth my time because it's a place I wouldn't visit.

But what about those other times, P_C? Like a cool looking bar or club? I understand that if one were a military person on tour here not being so concerned with being treated as a 2nd class person, but those of us who live here and pay taxes as permanent residences should not accept such discrimination when one encounters it.

Strange that people think of themselves above animals, but then are willing to be treated just like one -- a dog--"No dogs allowed."

[DoctorP]

But what about those other times, P_C? Like a cool looking bar or club?

That is not a problem as all of the places with those signs are actually quite run down!

[TheNoNamedOne]

That is not a problem as all of the places with those signs are actually quite run down!

I am not sure how the places are now since it has been a few years since I've frequented bars and clubs, but then, and really not so many years ago, there were some nice bars and clubs that did not allow foreignors.

JJgarage bar was one of those when they first opened -- until I had the police come. Then it changed. The club on top of that tall building in Chatan on 58 at the north corner of Camp Foster had the same policy, too. I busted that by calling the police as well.

There were some cool basement reggae clubs on Kokusai that had the policy, too.

I am pretty sure if I were to go looking, I'd find some nice ones still with those kinds of signs, but probably less so now than then.

[pmtswife]

WOW! I had no idea these signs exsisted! I need to get out more!