Sapporo - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Interesting question in Japan context. If never being accepted as a Japanese doesn't bother you, there are no serious racial prejudices. Acknowledging my own biases, I would say Japanese fundamentally view outsiders as different, but not necessarily inferior. Not a very religious society, but religion is certainly tolerated and may be practiced freely. Strong traditional gender roles persist, but there are many more women with careers than there were 15 years ago. Many receptions for business or politics, though, will still be more than 75% male, sometimes up to 90%. You will always be served tea by a female during office calls. - Sep 2011
