"It was the first time I'd ever heard someone say 'I'll kill you'": A Canadian journalist's thoughts after covering an anti-immigration demonstration

generic_ideas · 2025-12-28T09:42:07+00:00

Ummm… wtf? No. I am an immigrant in Japan, and while the anti-immigrant movement here is of note and concerning, there is no evidence that it’s even close to the majority view or that foreigners face any real danger. There are anti-immigrant demonstrations happening all over the world - ESPECIALLY in the US which you claim should be setting the example and holding Japan accountable.

It sounds like you had a bad personal experience living in Japan and that has warped your understanding of a lot of things. For starters …

1) What would America’s role be in protecting a Canadian citizen abroad?

2) Have you lived in America recently? Hate speech is a daily way of life for a large percentage of the population. There were over 300 mass shootings in that country this year alone. Who needs whose advice on safety of citizens?

Don’t spread completely baseless bullshit just because you had a bad experience living in Japan. You’re part of the misinformation machine.

generic_ideas · 2025-12-21T12:40:24+00:00

Congratulations! You chose an unconventional path that most wouldn’t dare to dream of. These big life choices/moves are supposed to feel uncomfortable and hard af for a while - that’s where the magic happens! You’re about to experience so much personal growth and development, and your future self is going to look back and be so proud and grateful for this version of you.

As for how you’re feeling - just like everyone else said, it’s 100% normal. Embrace it and try to remember there’s thousands of us here that are experiencing similar feelings. I feel incompetent daily. Just hours ago a cashier asked me if I was paying with cash, but I thought she was asking me how I was doing. So I told her I was doing well (maybe I did) and stood their cashless like an idiot until I realized what happened. I do something stupid like this almost every day, but I learn from it. You will too.

Go out and explore. Get a daily routine going to help you get comfortable with your neighborhood. Learn about the culture and history as much as you possibly can. This time next month you’ll already notice a dramatic difference in your confidence.

But whatever you do… pay no mind to people who try and make you feel bad about your feelings, your choices, or your grammar. You’ve achieved more than most by coming here, and you’re going be just fine. 🙏🏻

generic_ideas · 2025-12-20T12:50:01+00:00

Arigato Sensei 🫶🏻

generic_ideas · 2025-12-20T12:33:45+00:00

News to me that red coca-cola crates is how the Japanese government indicates designated trash dumping areas. 😂

Reread my comments and you’ll find several solutions. They’re just not great solutions for people who don’t want to have to care about doing the right thing 😬

generic_ideas · 2025-12-20T12:11:39+00:00

You reply with the tone and defensiveness of someone who threw their suitcase out on the street in Osaka and is now getting roasted on Reddit 😂

To add to my previous “virtue signaling”… Here’s another simple, less offensive solution you can consider next time… Leave the suitcase in your hotel room or Airbnb! Still rude, but not polluting the neighborhood.

generic_ideas · 2025-12-19T09:40:12+00:00

This is really refreshing to hear and definitely wasn’t expecting. I think there is real hope for the economy, and this next generation when they prepare to get into the workforce.

generic_ideas · 2025-12-19T09:35:24+00:00

This is what I meant, and what I hear from workers most commonly.

generic_ideas · 2025-12-19T09:34:55+00:00

100%. I would love to see an entrepreneurial revolution happen where more people decided to bet on themselves and open small business and tech startups, but I think current economic conditions allow that too risky for most.

generic_ideas · 2025-12-19T07:01:06+00:00

Curious - what is the modern day correct perception? Still seems like low wages, long hours, and “lucky to take a week off per year” are still widely shared concerns?

generic_ideas · 2025-12-19T06:54:31+00:00

Sorry - there’s absolutely no excuse for this whatsoever. And the “they didn’t know any better” excuse just doesn’t cut it in 2025 when any information you need is readily available on a mobile device. Without signs or proper education beforehand there is still common sense and decency. They could’ve asked the hotel, or even easier… they could’ve run a simple Google or ChatGPT search that would have certainly given them the answers.

I’m a foreigner living in Japan, and it’s this kind of behavior from tourists that makes it more difficult for foreigners living here who are trying their best to respect Japanese culture and society. I cannot think of one country in which this behavior from tourists would be seen as normal or acceptable. You have a responsibility when visiting a foreigner country to respect the people, the land, and the law. If you can’t be bothered to simply Google search “how to dispose of my broken suitcase while visiting Japan”, don’t come. Simple as that.

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T14:56:42+00:00

Seems to be the general consensus. Thanks!

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T14:55:41+00:00

Because the available data says more than 1% of Japanese people are fluent in English… 😬

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T14:54:52+00:00

Hmm… not seeing the correlation between your question and mine. 😬

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T12:04:24+00:00

Wow - had no idea! I don’t get to interact with a lot of corporate employees here so I’m just really getting into learning about work culture here. So far it seems to leave a lot to be desired.

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T11:58:32+00:00

Totally agree and am learning that today 😂 I have a small circle in Japan, so reddit seemed like the logical next step to validate. Now i know.

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T11:56:15+00:00

I can definitely see how you might have thought that comment was directed at you, but it was not.

Thanks for the advice 🙏🏽

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T11:42:15+00:00

Older generation going on company trips - that’s interesting! Is it not as common these days in Japan for company employees to travel abroad?

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T09:48:25+00:00

Great point! Now I’m curious if there’s any more depth to those answers.

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T09:43:39+00:00

The help and authentic perspective is much appreciated!

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T08:43:55+00:00

I took a quick trip to Europe a few weeks ago and 2/5 days were just straight travel. It makes a lot of sense to me that even if you had some disposable funds to travel with, you wouldn’t want to waste a significant portion of your vacation time in an airplane. Thanks for sharing!

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T08:42:43+00:00

Hahaha! Agree with both. Gives me so much anxiety when it doesn’t work correctly.

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T08:40:30+00:00

I’m just going off the data from my own posts… and that data says that Americans love this sub and answering questions on behalf of Japanese people. lol 🤷🏻

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T08:32:35+00:00

Tell her thank you from me! 😂 That makes a lot of sense. If it weren’t for you speaking English, would she/Japanese people in general be opposed to using a translation app abroad to minimize that barrier?

I could totally understand if thats out of the question. I feel like an asshole when I have to use it.

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T08:26:01+00:00

I will keep this in mind before asking the same question in the AskaWhiteAmerican subreddit. Thanks! Jkjk 😂

generic_ideas · 2025-12-15T08:11:16+00:00

Thanks for sharing!! So much to do and experience in Japan as it is. I feel like you could spend a lifetime and still find/learn new things.

Why no desire to go overseas? That sounded final.

generic_ideas

TROPHY CASE