What do Japanese people ENVY about Foreigners?

As you might have thought, many people in this interview are most likely talking about imagining people from the U.S. We understand that when we say "foreigners" it should not necessarily refer to them. The world is more diverse and should be. However, Japanese people tend to think that way due to their educational and entertainment environment, and I was very curious as to why, so I conducted another video interview. If you are interested, please check it out. Which country do you imagine when you hear the word "foreigner"? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lA2NIWCWjc

The most beautiful thing is that all the japanese friends on the video talked without thinking, spontaneously correct words came along. We also envy japanese people for their clarity and organisation in their thoughts and words, their power is in the details. Full respect!

Interesting insight Shuya. Being an English person, it got me thinking, at 5:25 the lady mentions about being accepted for who she is. I haven't lived in Japan so I can't say from her perspective but the English are extremely judgemental on what you have, your status and how you look. I think the reason she might feel so accepted by foreigners is because when "we" meet someone foreign in England, you completely drop any standards or "englishism" you think should apply to that person because they're not from your country, therefor you don't have any predetermined thoughts except they're not going to understand English as well as you do. I tend to welcome anyone not from England with open arms and not judge who they are. With this mentality (I know not everyone in England thinks like this and this is from one persons perspective that lives in England) I think that's why she might enjoy interactions with foreigners so much :)

I think everybody’s talking about the Americans - here in Europe definitely not everybody speaks English, the houses are not that big and some people are not that friendly after all! 😄

Really interesting video, I guess I've taken my English-speaking skills for granted.

Always smiling all the time is a skill that is drilled in to us growing up, we have to look happy even if we are miserable. It's no different than maintaining a stoic demenor.

My opinion is that Japanese, Chinese, Korean people are very well brought up, polite and respect their elders and culture. This is a good thing. I also think they are really brave to go to another country to live as a foreigner and educate themselves without family. We have a Chinese lady where we work and see how hard it is for her to communicate with us. As a matter of fact, she has taken to mixing with us 'brown skins' bcause we accept her for who she is and know the struggle of acceptance. We have taken her into our circle, she comes on holidays with us and comes to our homes for girly time. Unfortunately the 'whites' don't have anything to do with her, but she doesn't care cause she's got us and we got her back.

Thank you for sharing these invaluable interviews with us!

I’m glad you asked. I feel, appreciated for just my smile and sense of independence. Thank you for the video.

Great video. The responses to "What they envy" were super fascinating to me. Can't wait for more videos.

The last two women you interviewed were very good, very insightful. I think they could carry on a conversation on many subjects..

I love how honest their answers are and the girl who said that they accept her for who she is was super nice I know not everyone is like this but that is a characteristic that I'm always trying to work on. To treat people the way you wish to be treated and to accept their faults not because you have to but because as another human being we are all imperfect and we should be aware of such things but in some small way we can better one another because we are all just trying to live and deep down a lot of us want acceptance and to accept others as well. Sorry for my long philosophical ramble.😂

Wow, such wonderful insight. To return the thought, I envy how orderly and polite Japanese people are, there’s little chaos and the social rituals are so interesting. I would love to visit one day.

Cool video! I live in Japan (Mie) and I still don't understand the whole "I'm Japanese so I'm not allowed to have a free mindset" thing. Like, we aren't taught how to do that really in America we just do it? There's nothing beyond just deciding for yourself "I'm not going to care about this set of social expectations that don't make sense and anyone who has a problem with that has a problem with me". Like we know there will be consequences for it, but most people just decide that living authentically is worth the consequences.

Beautifully honest interview. You are a wonderful interviewer, very engaging.

I envy about Japan how safe it is. I watched a documentary on Japan and it showed how elementary school kids were going as a group together to school, no parents around. My sister would have loved that kind of safety in Canada, but sadly she always had trouble bringing the kids to school until they finally hit High School, Gr. 8. and picking them up. My sister and her husband were both working so it was hard. I must say though overall the crime rate is going down in Canada every year, especially here in British Columbia Canada.

Very noice ! Very good ! Thank you thank you for content 😁

Who do not want to grew taller? haha The interview was very casual and free, and most of the thing they said are valid in my opinion. High 5!

Great video Shuya. I just subscribed. I lived in Japan for a year a few years ago. And I really envy the way that Japanese people get together at parties with close friends and have fun at izekayas. Drinking and laughing together. In America friends go to bars but it's not that same. Your next video you should ask foreigners what they envy about Japanese people.

Nice video to give people some insights of how Japanese think of foreigners. However, this video doesn't really apply to Asian foreigners that can speak fluent English. We don't have the same leniency compared to foreigners from Western countries, and seems like we are held to a higher standard, in terms of room to make errors. I grew up in the US and speak native-level English, in addition to my mother tongue and Japanese, my mentality and work ethics are very American (gotta have my breaks, and no excessive OT). Too bad I still look Asian and they are trying to make me follow the Japanese social standards and work hierarchy.