I agree there is a lot of BS in this thread
This whole defeated nation mentality and taking to arms is BS. Most of my friends, and I would like to believe a majority of the people over there abhor the thought of war and international conflict. They are living in a country that has seen the horrors of war up close, and my friends all have family who remember the suffering and waste. That is the reason the museums in Nagasaki and Hiroshima also have the words "Peace Memorial" in their titles. They are reminders to all about the horror of war, and a dedication to peace. The outcry in Japan when Japan sent 20 SDF troops to the Iraq War, and they were non-combatants, was huge. Many Japanese people saw this as their country supporting war, no matter if the cause is justified or not. I was in Tokyo and witnessed the massive protests and marches against the war in Iraq. Iwas actually stranded in Shinjuku because I was stuck in a small two block area and couldn't get through to the train station.
The fingerprinting of foreign nationals I have seen, although I have never been fingerprinted. It's just like going through security at an airport in the US, and even at Lester B...You have been randomly selected for a spot search...It's never random, and racial profiling is alive and well at Narita too.
I agree that language is a considerable barrier for most foreigners in Japan, just as it would be the same for a non-English speaker here. Some other good points I believe made so far are as follows:
"Japan has been fingerprinting and photographing foreigners entering the country since November 2007. It's not obvious, but the agent does it right at the immigration booth. I was recorded last year when I was there.
- Japan isn't xenophobic (but mainland China definitely is), they're self-conscious. A LOT of Japanese people enjoy traveling to other countries, but Japanese culture does think about their self-image a lot which often gets misinterpreted as being perhaps racist or anti-American.
- The idea that you still think that Japanese women will all flock to you because you're a foreigner is laughable. You're obviously a sex tourist. Don't deny it. This immature belief only reinforces stereotypes and makes you look like a fool. Your chances with a Japanese girl depends on your personality just like anyone else there.
- It's definitely true that Japan isn't foreigner friendly when it comes to mongering and punting. And even if you're fluent in Japanese they would have reservations about letting you in. I have no idea why. You have to ask yourself if it's really worth your trouble just to get your rocks off when nobody wants to entertain you. If you do get in, prices are about $300/hr CAN. " This statement is very true.
"Don't be silly. Your chances are about the same as they are with a comparably hot girl here. If you have enough money, looks, charm or combination thereof, then your chances are about the same with a Japanese as any other girl." I agree with this statement 100% if you add "are fluent in Japanese" and have "lots of money".
"True, just about all of the very beautiful Japanese women that I have observed, were with Japanese guys." I have to agree pretty much with this too.
Some excellent points were also made by canada-man and goodtime. Your answers show that you definitely have spent extended periods of time there. luckyjackson comments were also funny as hell. I really liked "Wow. Like...."mystical" man. don't want to ruin your moment, but for my sake, would you mind if we add, "knows Japan is a sovereign country", to the list of criteria that qualifies you for "normal"? "
But lomotil I am confused that you are making statements that we are to attribute to your time and experiences spent over there, but then you tell us "it is a beautiful country with amazing history, unique cultural, extraordinary manufacturing prowess, and last but not least, alluring women, a place that one day I would like to tour, fingerprinting or not." Have you actually been to Japan?
Your insistence that any guy who looks like a character from a manga or anime will score is ridiculous. Who actually looks like a character from an anime or manga?? Even all the cosplayers don't look like the characters, and they are trying to. The whole square jawed General Mcarthur thing
being an attraction is also so far off the mark. If you are a pretty boy JE type guy, you can get a girl, and guess what JE guys are all japanese. That's not to say foreigners don't get girls over there, as some do. The operative word is some, not all. It has been covered by myself and other members previously in this thread, so no need to rehash it.
Also the Japanese never signed the Potsdam Declaration, which in itself was not a treaty. It was a document which outlined the Allied terms of Japan's surrender in WWII. Japan actually rejected the Potsdam Declaration, which led to the US dropping the atomic bombs. Afterwards Japan did sign the Japanese Instrument of Surrender which did end the war, and led to the creation of the Japanese Consitution. No matter what you may think, Japan is a sovereign nation.