Anyway, this is blatantly racism xenophobia and don’t give me the “yes but what if they don’t have anyone who speaks english or chinese?” That’s fair but in that case you put something that says “sorry we don’t have any english speaking staff” or tell me directly but anyway, it shouldn’t be that hard to order tbh, yeah i can’t talk but we are in 2026 with such translation tools, i can scan, look at what it says and then point at the various menu entries with my finger, to pay i can just look at the numbers lmao
But japanese people are not only xenophobic, they are also racist. There was a show that, if I remember correctly, made fun of a black person for making sushi. Like it was the funniest thing ever for them. Racism has been normalised in the japanese society, but there’s also blatant xenophobia.
However, if I were to chose between being victim of racism in the US or in Japan I would always chose Japan because there would be fewer threats to my life.
“Lmao” your ability to use software to translate for you doesn’t change the intent behind this sign. Japan is racist AF despite their polite society, and there are a growing number of restaurants and other establishments with signage that outright says some version of “no foreigners/no white people.” You will probably get a frosty reception in this establishment if you enter it because you decide you were too clever to be deterred.
Well, what is the alternative? Not eat? It may not be a problem in bigger cities but smaller ones it probably is (but i have never been to japan so idk)
The alternative isn’t hyperbolic starvation, it’s to go to a different restaurant, or even one of their famous 7-Eleven shops. Barring a medical condition there’s nothing but some minor discomfort for the vast majority of us if you miss a meal. Obviously your poor planning for mealtimes isn’t an emergency on their part, but you’re welcome to try the restaurant in this situation. They may serve you and they may treat you coldly or offer the least service, or, they may not serve you, or even ask you to leave. But the sign is there for a reason.
your poor planning for mealtimes isn’t an emergency on their part
What does this even mean with regards to a tourist staying in a tiny hotel room? How much grocery shopping and meal preparation of their own are you expecting tourists to engage in?!
Your response in general is crazy.
“If they won’t serve you, just don’t eat.”
“If Kim Davis won’t give you a marriage license, just don’t get married.”
“If the school bars your children from attending, just don’t send them to school.”
I know a handful of white Americans who at a glance you’d never guess they’re highly educated polyglots and would meet the requirements for entering this restaurant. The way the sign is worded, I think you’re right, only fluent Japanese people allowed here because we only speak Japanese here.
I mean, if the Japanese text says “if you can read this, you’re welcome”, it does suggest that English or Chinese people who speak and read Japanese are welcome. It’s a real weird thing to pull, like they think they’re being cute.
Guess who’s reading this, lol
Anyway, this is blatantly
racismxenophobia and don’t give me the “yes but what if they don’t have anyone who speaks english or chinese?” That’s fair but in that case you put something that says “sorry we don’t have any english speaking staff” or tell me directly but anyway, it shouldn’t be that hard to order tbh, yeah i can’t talk but we are in 2026 with such translation tools, i can scan, look at what it says and then point at the various menu entries with my finger, to pay i can just look at the numbers lmaoEdit: corrected racism in to xenophobia
Can people really no longer differentiate between xenophobia and racism?
Not being pedantic, but misnaming thins only adds to the woes of the world, to (mis)quote Camus.
But japanese people are not only xenophobic, they are also racist. There was a show that, if I remember correctly, made fun of a black person for making sushi. Like it was the funniest thing ever for them. Racism has been normalised in the japanese society, but there’s also blatant xenophobia.
However, if I were to chose between being victim of racism in the US or in Japan I would always chose Japan because there would be fewer threats to my life.
“Lmao” your ability to use software to translate for you doesn’t change the intent behind this sign. Japan is racist AF despite their polite society, and there are a growing number of restaurants and other establishments with signage that outright says some version of “no foreigners/no white people.” You will probably get a frosty reception in this establishment if you enter it because you decide you were too clever to be deterred.
The Cardinal Rule: Don’t fuck with the people who handle your food
Well, what is the alternative? Not eat? It may not be a problem in bigger cities but smaller ones it probably is (but i have never been to japan so idk)
The alternative isn’t hyperbolic starvation, it’s to go to a different restaurant, or even one of their famous 7-Eleven shops. Barring a medical condition there’s nothing but some minor discomfort for the vast majority of us if you miss a meal. Obviously your poor planning for mealtimes isn’t an emergency on their part, but you’re welcome to try the restaurant in this situation. They may serve you and they may treat you coldly or offer the least service, or, they may not serve you, or even ask you to leave. But the sign is there for a reason.
What does this even mean with regards to a tourist staying in a tiny hotel room? How much grocery shopping and meal preparation of their own are you expecting tourists to engage in?!
Your response in general is crazy. “If they won’t serve you, just don’t eat.”
“If Kim Davis won’t give you a marriage license, just don’t get married.” “If the school bars your children from attending, just don’t send them to school.”
I know a handful of white Americans who at a glance you’d never guess they’re highly educated polyglots and would meet the requirements for entering this restaurant. The way the sign is worded, I think you’re right, only fluent Japanese people allowed here because we only speak Japanese here.
I mean, if the Japanese text says “if you can read this, you’re welcome”, it does suggest that English or Chinese people who speak and read Japanese are welcome. It’s a real weird thing to pull, like they think they’re being cute.
It’s kind of a meme that Japanese people think only other Japanese can speak and read Japanese.
Your phone will be allowed in, but you have to stay outside.