Foreigners in Tokyo

Foreigners in Tokyo have apparently increased while I was in Vancouver. This road sign backs up the fact; it has a warning message in four languages including English, Korean and Chinese besides Japanese. Someone say that Japan is getting more dangerous year by year because of the foreigners. That is true in a sense; the criminal ratio caused by foreigners is very high. However, I think the biggest reason for their crimes is on our side. As you know, Japan is one of the most exclusive country and it's very difficult for foreigners to live in this society. Foreigners without any Japanese connections cannot even rent an apartment if they had enough money. My American friend was saying that he was interviewed several times by the police while he was living in Japan for only one year. As I was treated in a very good manner when I was living in Vancouver, I sometimes feel sorry about the unkind attitude of Japanese society to foreigners. If it is more friendly and pleasant for foreigners, the crimes by foreigners would decrease. As we can't go back to the age of isolationism, we have to be more open just like Vancouver.

Comments

[Aviatrix]

Vancouver had some times in the past when they were very hostile to foreigners. It is good for three reasons to hear that you had a good experience.

One is that it means that Vancouver has improved.
Two is that it means that cities can improve, so Tokyo can get better for foreigners
and Three is that I am glad you were well-treated in Vancouver.

[mochi]

> Aviatrix

Thanks for your interesting comment. You're right that cities can improve, but I think it takes a longer time until Tokyo becomes an international city because we Japanese rarely reveal our true character and the problem doesn't become big enough to improve the city.