What We Need More Of

I was born in the UK in 1990 and came to Japan when I was three years old. I speak English and Japanese fluently (both with a regional accent). Always lived in Kansai and went to a local public school.

I often feel odd with the way that Japanese people operate. I feel it in different situations. In little stuff like: the way people look at me on the train or how they seem unconfutable talking to a white person like me. To more obvious things like: how people appear to have a hostile attitude towards other Asian countries, even though Japan’s culture and history intertwine with theirs. While simultaneously the same people view the West as a good role model, when they have given Japan and other countries nothing but trouble. To be honest, I don’t like it when people do this. It makes me uncomfortable. It makes me think: why is this? What makes Japanese people operate in such ways? Is it unique to Japanese people?

I think this may come from “lack of respect”. Lack of respect towards Japan’s own history, Japan’s own culture and Japan’s own people as individuals. It’s the lack of this self-respect that causes Japanese people to act in ways I don’t like. If you can’t respect yourself, it’s hard to truly respect others. I don’t think this is a problem unique to Japan. You can see it in many cultures. For example Britain, where I’m from. The increase in nationalistic opinions in the country, I think, is linked to lack of respect.

Respect is what helps people to be confident, to learn, to communicate and ultimately makes it easier to accept other people and their culture. There is no need to think that your culture is in some way inferior. No need to be uncomfortable or to be hostile towards other cultures. We are all different yet all the same. Respect yourself as what you are, and others as what they are. That is the key to a happier tomorrow.

文：Joseph Wright

Joseph Wright

1990年4、英国に生まれ、1993年からは関西育ち。学校はずっと日本の公立。日本語も英語もペラペラ。税金を払っているのに選挙権がないのが悩み。