Fukuoka - Post Report Question and Answers

Fukuoka is a very international city, since many Asian students come to study here. Since there is a military base in Nagasaki, some clubs may discriminate if they think you are a Marine. There are churches here and on a whole, Japanese are open to any faith. Women of certain races may be thought of as working in snack bars. They may assume if you are of African descent, you are either a TV or rap star. Most racism here is not malicious, just ignorance. It is at a low level at best. You'll need a sense of humor sometimes. If you remember that this country was isolated for a long time and realize that people want to get to know you, not enforce the stereotypes they have, you'll do very well. One problem is the people that like you ONLY because you are a foreigner. It tends to be middle-aged women that know some English. Prepare to have them always come over/invite you out to events. Be judicious in what you tell them, because they will tell everyone, including your boss, about what you said. Those of Asian descent sometimes feel that they are ignored when everyone is oohing and aahing over the new foreigner, but they don't have to deal with people coming up to them and asking them to teach English. - Jan 2007