treatment of Japanese in China
Jan 2nd, 2007 | 08:54 PM
#1
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treatment of Japanese in China
I have what many may consider a silly question considering it is 2007, but I ask it because of something I read on Marija's very informative trip report - China: On our own.
She mentioned that her tour guides gave her unsolicited and very unfavorable opinions (hatred was the word she used) about the Japanese. My husband and I will be travelling independently to Beijing and Hong Kong this Spring. I am Caucasion American and he is Japanese American (3rd generation Californian). We are professionals in our early 40's. What, if any, prejudice or unkind treatment might we encounter in China based on his Japanese ancestry?
She mentioned that her tour guides gave her unsolicited and very unfavorable opinions (hatred was the word she used) about the Japanese. My husband and I will be travelling independently to Beijing and Hong Kong this Spring. I am Caucasion American and he is Japanese American (3rd generation Californian). We are professionals in our early 40's. What, if any, prejudice or unkind treatment might we encounter in China based on his Japanese ancestry?
Jan 3rd, 2007 | 12:30 AM
#3
Joined: Mar 2003
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I like your use of the term "Caucasian American" - I use that too!
In Beijing, there are many, many Japanese expatriates living safely and happily. In fact, most people will probably assume your husband is Chinese. I would not worry about your safety at all. In any case, China is a police state and there is very little violent crime.
That being said, there is a strong prejudice against Japanese people - fueled by long memories and the government's agenda. After all, if the Chinese people have a common enemy (Japan) they're distracted from the many abuses of human rights and personal freedoms that the Chinese government creates. Perhaps your guide may express his/her opinions about Japan extremely freely - that would not surprise me. But I wouldn't let this stop you from visiting and enjoying China. For one thing, it may not happen at all. Also - an open exchange of ideas is what will change minds.
In Beijing, there are many, many Japanese expatriates living safely and happily. In fact, most people will probably assume your husband is Chinese. I would not worry about your safety at all. In any case, China is a police state and there is very little violent crime.
That being said, there is a strong prejudice against Japanese people - fueled by long memories and the government's agenda. After all, if the Chinese people have a common enemy (Japan) they're distracted from the many abuses of human rights and personal freedoms that the Chinese government creates. Perhaps your guide may express his/her opinions about Japan extremely freely - that would not surprise me. But I wouldn't let this stop you from visiting and enjoying China. For one thing, it may not happen at all. Also - an open exchange of ideas is what will change minds.
Jan 3rd, 2007 | 01:16 AM
#4
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Since the last 2 years or so, China has really turned up the rhetoric against Japan, after being mostly silent for many years.
I'd say they were too quiet before, and too much these days. And with China and Japan juggling to be the dominant power (economic, political and military) in the region, I doubt they'll turn down the rhetoric any time soon.
But like petitepois said, personal safety won't be a problem. I mean, even after the US mistakenly bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, or after the collision of the US spy plane and the Chinese fighter causing the crash of the latter, there was no actual physical harm done to Americans or other Caucasians.
I'd say they were too quiet before, and too much these days. And with China and Japan juggling to be the dominant power (economic, political and military) in the region, I doubt they'll turn down the rhetoric any time soon.
But like petitepois said, personal safety won't be a problem. I mean, even after the US mistakenly bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, or after the collision of the US spy plane and the Chinese fighter causing the crash of the latter, there was no actual physical harm done to Americans or other Caucasians.
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