Outsider and Gaijin

From the tragedy several days ago, when a Chinese immigrant killed two kindergarten children in Shiga, Japan, the focus is on how to be considered an insider in Japan.

In Japan, a Gaijin (foreigner) is consistently reminds of being a foreigner. “When are you going to return to your own country?” you will likely being asked by your coworkers, your landlord, even a stranger. Japan has a relatively short history of immigration. Several years ago, Osaka city government denied a Korean immigrant's right to work for the city even she was a certified civil officer.

In China, a Laowai (foreigner) is defined as a westerner, and American is defined as a blond, blue eyed Caucasian. Many second or even third generation Chinese Americans, who speak no Chinese, find it is extremely hard to let locals to believe they are Americans.