{"id":13959,"date":"2016-05-13T00:17:40","date_gmt":"2016-05-13T10:17:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.debito.org\/?p=13959"},"modified":"2016-05-14T12:13:19","modified_gmt":"2016-05-14T22:13:19","slug":"goj-busybodies-hard-at-work-alienating-shinjuku-foreign-residents-manual-assumes-nj-criminal-tendencies-kyoto-public-notices-cultivate-foreign-tourist-manners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/?p=13959","title":{"rendered":"GOJ busybodies hard at work alienating: Shinjuku Foreign Residents Manual assumes NJ criminal tendencies; Kyoto public notices “cultivate foreign tourist manners”"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hi Blog. Despite all the campaigns to increase foreign tourism and “prepare” Japanese society for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, sometimes Debito.org feels like suggesting\u00a0people just avoid Japan’s\u00a0sweaty-headed public-servant busybodies, who spend our tax monies to further alienate NJ residents and tourists from the rest of Japanese society. Check these\u00a0out:<\/p>\n

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n

March 17, 2016<\/strong>
\n From: “Concerned Long-Time NJ Resident”<\/strong>
\n Dear Dr. Arudou,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here is the full “Shinjuku Foreign Residents” guide available online.<\/em><\/p>\n

In English: http:\/\/www.seisyounen-chian.metro.tokyo.jp\/about\/pdf\/poster-leafret\/frm-english.pdf<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In case it disappears:\u00a0ShinjukuForeignResidentManual2016<\/a><\/p>\n

In Japanese (which was not available at the kuyakusho office, only foreign language versions were there): http:\/\/www.seisyounen-chian.metro.tokyo.jp\/about\/pdf\/poster-leafret\/frm-japanese.pdf<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In case it disappears:ShinjukuForeignResidentManualJ2016<\/a><\/p>\n

Some screen captures follow. \u00a0Here is the cover and back cover:<\/p>\n

\"ShinjukuForeignResidentManual20161\"<\/p>\n

COMMENT FROM DEBITO<\/strong>: \u00a0Note how this is a guide designed to “avoid getting caught up in criminal activity” (yes, hanzai<\/em> in the original Japanese). \u00a0Yet look at the first four pages within. \u00a0Find the\u00a0crimes:<\/p>\n

\"ShinjukuForeignResidents20162\"<\/p>\n

Right. \u00a0That age-old canard about foreign residents being mentally incapable of throwing away their garbage correctly<\/a>. \u00a0I can think of plenty of Japanese I’ve seen having the same trouble, only without being accused of “criminal” activity. \u00a0And it’s not a crime anyway. \u00a0Nor are these activities:<\/p>\n

\"ShinjukuForeignResidents20163\"<\/p>\n

COMMENT FROM DEBITO<\/strong>: \u00a0I’m quite sure the police will respond. \u00a0But not because they received a complaint about\u00a0the Japanese in my neighborhood I’ve experienced\u00a0that hoard, are untidy, or are noisy at inopportune times. \u00a0Rather, police will respond because they got tipped off by some busybody claiming a foreigner was “suspicious” (grounds for arrest in Japan if you’re suspicious while foreign-looking<\/a>), which is something this manual can’t caution\u00a0against.<\/p>\n

And how about this one:<\/p>\n

\"ShinjukuForeignResidents20164\"<\/a><\/p>\n

COMMENT FROM DEBITO<\/strong>: \u00a0Crikey. \u00a0This manual should be distributed to Japanese! \u00a0Flagrant rule-breakers on a regular basis there! But Japanese, not foreigners, aren’t assumed to be criminal, because Japan, runs the narrative, is a peaceful, safe, law-abiding society, whereas foreign countries, and their foreigners, by definition, are not, because we Japanese are different and unique and… oh, you get the idea.<\/p>\n

Anyway, here’s what submitter\u00a0“Concerned Long-Time NJ Resident” had to say about this manual:<\/p>\n

======================================<\/p>\n

This guide still has me angry that this sort of view of “foreigners” is still persisting\u2014maybe even growing\u2014as the Olympics approach; worse, it is being promoted by a government agency. I have been stopped by the Japanese police many times (for no reason other than being “foreign-looking”) and treated like a criminal when I simply pass through the train station, and I’ve seen similar treatment at the station of other “foreigners.” So after those experiences, pamphlets like this that further the view of non-Japanese in Japan as criminal-prone imbeciles really rub me the wrong way. There are plenty of guides for residents of Japan that do NOT take this approach with non-Japanese residents when explaining laws and helpful services that have been translated to other languages.<\/em><\/p>\n

I have already called and complained to the organization that put this guide out and the kuyakusho office as well. Thank you for giving a voice against such issues when so few in Japan even speak up for the rights of non-Japanese residents (and Japanese too) in Japan. It is greatly appreciated. As for credit, just leave out my name and say it was from “a concerned long-time non-Japanese resident” of Japan. I’m most concerned about the issue rather than any credit, plus I don’t need to be harassed by any rightwing nuts.<\/em><\/p>\n

======================================<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, it’s not just Shinjuku. \u00a0The Yomiuri reports on NJ-targeting busybodies elsewhere:<\/p>\n

======================================<\/p>\n

From: \u00a0JK<\/strong>
\n Date: \u00a0May 12, 2016<\/strong>
\nHi Debito: This was a new one for me:<\/em><\/p>\n

Picture signboards to cultivate manners of foreign tourists<\/strong>
\n The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 11, 2016<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/the-japan-news.com\/news\/article\/0002901542<\/a><\/p>\n

\"TokyoMannersSign2016\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A signboard set up until early April on a path along the Chidorigafuchi moat in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

With breaches of etiquette by foreign tourists becoming a problem in tourist spots nationwide, local communities are using signboards featuring illustrations, pictograms and manga to inform visitors of how best to behave.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

These moves are aimed at helping foreign tourists understand Japanese etiquette and rules, in order to prevent such trouble, but some are concerned that the signs could spoil the scenery at tourist spots.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In three locations that are good for viewing cherry blossoms in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, including the Chidorigafuchi moat, signboards were set up this spring for the first time, urging visitors not to break cherry tree branches. Explanations were written in English, Chinese and Korean with a pictogram of a hand trying to hold a tree branch and a line through it.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

According to the Chiyoda City Tourism Association, which set up the signboards, it had received complaints from a large number of nearby local residents and Japanese tourists that foreign tourists were breaking the branches of cherry trees. To inform them in an easy-to-understand way that this is a breach of local mores, the association decided to include the illustration on the warning signboards.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Some signboards explain etiquette using manga. Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, set them up in February in a parking area for large buses near the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sets of four-frame cartoons warn visitors not to enter the premises to take memorial photos and explain how to use Japanese-style toilets. About 2,000 tourists arrive daily at the parking area. Many of them are with group tours from Asian countries, Europe and the United States.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

An official of the ward office expects the signboards to be effective, saying, \u201cWe hope visitors will understand the proper etiquette while they\u2019re in the parking area and then go on to enjoy their visit.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2015, the number of foreign tourists to Japan hit a record high of 19.73 million.<\/em><\/strong>
\n The Cabinet Office conducted a survey of 3,000 Japanese nationals nationwide in August last year about the situation involving foreign tourists.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

With multiple answers allowed regarding things people are worried about as the number of foreign tourists increases, 26 percent of respondents cited growing trouble due to differences in etiquette, cultures and customs. This figure was the second highest after the 30 percent who mentioned security issues.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Match signs to surroundings<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Signboards were set up to avoid such trouble, but the signs themselves have also caused concern.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kyoto\u2019s Gion district is lined by many ochaya tea houses and ryotei Japanese restaurants, and Gionmachi Minamigawa Chiku Kyogikai, an association of local residents in the southern part of the Gion district, set up wooden signboards about two meters tall at four locations there in December last year.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"KyotoMannersSignboard2016\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Pictograms and X marks are used instead of letters. They warn against six kinds of prohibited actions, including pulling on the kimono sleeves of maiko and leaning against or sitting on fences.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

However, the district is designated by the Kyoto city government as a zone for the maintenance and improvement of historical scenic beauty.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A senior member of the local association said, \u201cWe didn\u2019t want to set up the signboards because they impair the scenic beauty, but we could not overlook the breaches of etiquette.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Seiko Ikeda, a specially assigned professor at St. Agnes\u2019 University, who is studying relations between scenic beauty and signboards in tourist spots, said, \u201cAlthough I understand the feelings of local residents, I feel uncomfortable about such signboards.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

She added: \u201cAlso, in the context of hospitality for foreign tourists, more comprehensive consideration is necessary. For example, such signboards should not bear pictures or designs with aggressive images, and they should harmonize with the surrounding scenery.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nobuko Akashi, president of the Japan Manner and Protocol Association, a nonprofit organization that recommends other measures than signboards, said, \u201cSteady efforts are essential, such as thoroughly notifying visitors about etiquette and rules before they come to Japan via information websites for overseas.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

ENDS<\/p>\n

============================================<\/p>\n

SUBMITTER JK COMMENTS<\/strong>: All these foreigners keep causing meiwaku because they don’t have proper manners or etiquette, \u00a0so while we didn’t want to spoil the view, we couldn’t gaman anymore and put up signboards telling them what not to do. Perhaps if we nix the pictures and blend the signboards into the surrounding scenery, the view wouldn’t be so spoilt.<\/em><\/p>\n

My problem with “helping foreign tourists understand Japanese etiquette and rules” is two-fold.<\/em><\/p>\n

First, it knows no bounds (e.g. Don’t break the branches, and while you’re at it, don’t pull on the kimono sleeves of maiko or lean against or sit on fences).<\/em><\/p>\n

Second, it’s decidedly one-sided mindset (e.g. Do the local residents understand why the cherry tree branches are being broken? Is it unintentional or unintentional? Do foreign tourists dislike cherry tree branches?). \u00a0<\/em>Regards, JK<\/strong><\/p>\n

============================================<\/p>\n

CONCLUDING\u00a0WORD FROM DEBITO<\/strong>: \u00a0I understand full well the need for cautioning people when\u00a0tourists, or anyone, are\u00a0disrespectful towards local sights and environments. \u00a0But creating reactionary media that stigmatizes foreigners as if they are natural-born criminals or incorrigible rule-breakers (i.e., naturally unable to follow rules because<\/em> they are foreigners) is equally disrespectful. \u00a0Care must be taken and tact used\u00a0to avoid belittling guests, not to mention alienating NJ residents, and busybodies who get paranoid about any strangers darkening their doorsteps must not have free rein to overthink countermeasures (for it soon becomes an invitation to xenophobia).<\/p>\n

How about the government or these self-appointed local “manner\u00a0and protocol\u00a0associations” quietly advising tour agencies to rein in their patrons, and make the rules clear, as Japanese tour agencies do\u00a0for Japanese\u00a0abroad? \u00a0It worked in the Otaru Onsens Case<\/a>. \u00a0Dr. ARUDOU, Debito<\/p>\n

Do you like what you read on Debito.org? \u00a0Want to help keep the archive active and support Debito.org’s activities? \u00a0We are celebrating Debito.org’s 20th Anniversary in 2016, so please consider donating a little something. \u00a0More details here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Despite all the campaigns to increase foreign tourism and “prepare” Japanese society for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, sometimes Debito.org feels like suggesting people just avoid Japan’s sweaty-headed public-servant busybodies, who spend our tax monies to further alienate NJ residents and tourists from the rest of Japanese society. Check these out:<\/p>\n

Yomiuri: With breaches of etiquette by foreign tourists becoming a problem in tourist spots nationwide, local communities are using signboards featuring illustrations, pictograms and manga to inform visitors of how best to behave. These moves are aimed at helping foreign tourists understand Japanese etiquette and rules, in order to prevent such trouble, but some are concerned that the signs could spoil the scenery at tourist spots.<\/p>\n

Shinjuku Foreign Resident Manual: “Helping you avoid getting caught up in criminal activity and have a peaceful and safe time in Japan.” With pages on how to avoid “criminal activities” such as not sorting your garbage properly, smoking outside of designated areas, and talking loudly on the phone while on the train or bus.<\/p>\n

Submitter Concerned NJ says: This guide still has me angry that this sort of view of “foreigners” is still persisting\u2014maybe even growing\u2014as the Olympics approach; worse, it is being promoted by a government agency. I have been stopped by the Japanese police many times (for no reason other than being “foreign-looking”) and treated like a criminal when I simply pass through the train station, and I’ve seen similar treatment at the station of other “foreigners.” So after those experiences, pamphlets like this that further the view of non-Japanese in Japan as criminal-prone imbeciles really rub me the wrong way. There are plenty of guides for residents of Japan that do NOT take this approach with non-Japanese residents when explaining laws and helpful services that have been translated to other languages.<\/p>\n

Comment from Debito: I understand full well the need for cautioning people when tourists, or anyone, are disrespectful towards local sights and environments. But creating reactionary media that stigmatizes foreigners as if they are natural-born criminals or incorrigible rule-breakers (i.e., naturally unable to follow rules because they are foreigners) is equally disrespectful. Care must be taken and tact used to avoid belittling guests, not to mention alienating NJ residents, and busybodies who get paranoid about any strangers darkening their doorsteps must not have free rein to overthink countermeasures (for it soon becomes an invitation to xenophobia). <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67,43,36,22,19,26,4,13,2,11,55],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13959","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-embedded-racism","category-bad-business-practices","category-bad-social-science","category-cultural-issue","category-education","category-ironies-hypocrisies","category-japanese-government","category-media","category-otaru-onsen-lawsuit","category-problematic-foreign-treatment","category-tourism"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13959","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13959"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13959\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13959"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}