Japan is a country that strictly treats blacks and ignores whites in Europe and America, but it shows a very relaxed attitude towards yellow people, especially China and South Koreans. What's going on?
Opening up Japanese entry statistics reveals an interesting phenomenon: over the past five years, the visa pass rate for Chinese and South Korean citizens has been stable at more than 98 percent, while the average pass rate for African nationals is less than 70 percent.
Although the pass rate of European and American citizens is not low, there are invisible thresholds in residence permit approval and work visa issuance. This differentiated treatment is no accident, and behind it lies Japan's accurate calculation of its own interests.
From a historical perspective, Japan's cultural ties with China and Korea have long been deep in the bone marrow. The Suan messengers of the Suan era brought Chinese characters, tea, and architectural styles back to Japan, and today the shadow of Chinese ancient architecture can still be seen in the clean water temple of Kyoto and the eastern temple of Nara.
In modern times, the three East Asian countries have become increasingly bound in the economic field. In 2023, China will become Japan's largest trading partner for the 18th consecutive year, and South Korea will be Japan's third largest export market.
This close economic relationship is directly reflected in the entry policy. Japan's visa-free policy and simplified entry process measures for Chinese and Korean citizens are essentially to facilitate business exchanges and tourism consumption. After all, in 2019 alone, Chinese tourists contributed more than 1.7 trillion yen in tourism revenue to Japan.
In contrast, Japan's "strict defense" against blacks stems more from practical concerns. In the 1990s, Japan experienced the problem of illegal detention of African workers. Although the number was greatly reduced through subsequent special rectification, this historical memory made Japan particularly cautious in visa approval.
In addition, Japanese society's acceptance of "heterogeneity" is low. According to the survey of Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, African-American residents in Japan only account for 0.2% of the total population, and they are mainly concentrated in specific areas of big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. The existence of this niche makes relevant policies lack a relaxed social foundation.
Objectively, however, this restriction is not based on racial discrimination, but more on social management and security control considerations.
The "love to ignore" white people in Europe and America reflects Japan's awareness of strategic autonomy. During the Cold War, Japan was deeply dependent on European and American markets and security guarantees. However, with the improvement of its own economic strength and the strengthening of regional cooperation in East Asia, Japan began to adjust its external attitude.
In terms of visa policy, European and American citizens can enjoy visa-free treatment, but in terms of high-end talent visas, technical immigration, etc., there is no more favourable policy than Chinese and South Korean citizens.
Behind this equal treatment is Japan's clear understanding of its own positioning-today's Japan is no longer a country that needs to be dependent on Europe and the United States, but an independent economy that has an important say in the East Asian economic circle.
It is worth noting that Japan's relaxed attitude towards China and Korea is also largely based on the recognition of China's strength. China, as the world's second-largest economy, has increasingly highlighted advantages in manufacturing, scientific and technological innovation, market scale, and Japanese enterprises need to gain technology and market resources through cooperation with China.
China's demeanor as a big country has also made this kind of cooperation smoother. Whether it is its responsibility in dealing with the global supply chain crisis or its inclusive attitude in cultural exchanges, Japan has realized that maintaining good relations with China is in line with its long-term interests. A wise choice for its long-term interests. This kind of mutual respect based on strength is far more sustainable than simple policy preferences.
Of course, Japan's differentiated policy also has some controversies, such as whether it is too utilitarian and whether it ignores the diversity of cultural exchanges.
But it is undeniable that the country’s foreign and immigration policies ultimately serve its core interests, and Japan’s choice is only a concrete reflection of this logic.
So do you think Japan will adjust its entry policies for different ethnic groups in the future? Will this differentiated treatment based on interests affect the depth of regional cooperation in East Asia? Welcome to leave your thoughts in the comment area.
Opening up Japanese entry statistics reveals an interesting phenomenon: over the past five years, the visa pass rate for Chinese and South Korean citizens has been stable at more than 98 percent, while the average pass rate for African nationals is less than 70 percent.
Although the pass rate of European and American citizens is not low, there are invisible thresholds in residence permit approval and work visa issuance. This differentiated treatment is no accident, and behind it lies Japan's accurate calculation of its own interests.
From a historical perspective, Japan's cultural ties with China and Korea have long been deep in the bone marrow. The Suan messengers of the Suan era brought Chinese characters, tea, and architectural styles back to Japan, and today the shadow of Chinese ancient architecture can still be seen in the clean water temple of Kyoto and the eastern temple of Nara.
In modern times, the three East Asian countries have become increasingly bound in the economic field. In 2023, China will become Japan's largest trading partner for the 18th consecutive year, and South Korea will be Japan's third largest export market.
This close economic relationship is directly reflected in the entry policy. Japan's visa-free policy and simplified entry process measures for Chinese and Korean citizens are essentially to facilitate business exchanges and tourism consumption. After all, in 2019 alone, Chinese tourists contributed more than 1.7 trillion yen in tourism revenue to Japan.
In contrast, Japan's "strict defense" against blacks stems more from practical concerns. In the 1990s, Japan experienced the problem of illegal detention of African workers. Although the number was greatly reduced through subsequent special rectification, this historical memory made Japan particularly cautious in visa approval.
In addition, Japanese society's acceptance of "heterogeneity" is low. According to the survey of Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, African-American residents in Japan only account for 0.2% of the total population, and they are mainly concentrated in specific areas of big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. The existence of this niche makes relevant policies lack a relaxed social foundation.
Objectively, however, this restriction is not based on racial discrimination, but more on social management and security control considerations.
The "love to ignore" white people in Europe and America reflects Japan's awareness of strategic autonomy. During the Cold War, Japan was deeply dependent on European and American markets and security guarantees. However, with the improvement of its own economic strength and the strengthening of regional cooperation in East Asia, Japan began to adjust its external attitude.
In terms of visa policy, European and American citizens can enjoy visa-free treatment, but in terms of high-end talent visas, technical immigration, etc., there is no more favourable policy than Chinese and South Korean citizens.
Behind this equal treatment is Japan's clear understanding of its own positioning-today's Japan is no longer a country that needs to be dependent on Europe and the United States, but an independent economy that has an important say in the East Asian economic circle.
It is worth noting that Japan's relaxed attitude towards China and Korea is also largely based on the recognition of China's strength. China, as the world's second-largest economy, has increasingly highlighted advantages in manufacturing, scientific and technological innovation, market scale, and Japanese enterprises need to gain technology and market resources through cooperation with China.
China's demeanor as a big country has also made this kind of cooperation smoother. Whether it is its responsibility in dealing with the global supply chain crisis or its inclusive attitude in cultural exchanges, Japan has realized that maintaining good relations with China is in line with its long-term interests. A wise choice for its long-term interests. This kind of mutual respect based on strength is far more sustainable than simple policy preferences.
Of course, Japan's differentiated policy also has some controversies, such as whether it is too utilitarian and whether it ignores the diversity of cultural exchanges.
But it is undeniable that the country’s foreign and immigration policies ultimately serve its core interests, and Japan’s choice is only a concrete reflection of this logic.
So do you think Japan will adjust its entry policies for different ethnic groups in the future? Will this differentiated treatment based on interests affect the depth of regional cooperation in East Asia? Welcome to leave your thoughts in the comment area.