Gaijin In Japan、外人、外国人、日本にいるの外人、Eddie Venz, Eddy Venz, Dan Venz, Edward Venz, Japan Foreigners and the Unspoken Contract

A "First of its kind" book about being a Gaijin in Japan!
Finally! Someone tells it like it is!
The most in depth book about foreigners living in Japan ever written!
Take off your "Rose Tinted" glasses before you start reading this book!

Gaijin In Japan

Chapter 3
Continuing with The Gaijin "Stigma" & the Gaijin "Complex"

Numerous members of the Japanese population interviewed also cited impatience as a character trait of most foreigners. They (Japanese) specifically recalled instances at work where the foreigner was not as patient as members of the Japanese population in regards to change. It was noticed that the overall opinion of foreigners was that when they (foreigners) wanted something done or wanted something changed, they (foreigners) wanted it done or changed right then. It was also noted that foreigners had a tendency to want to renegotiate their contract or working conditions during mid-contract, instead of fulfilling their contract and renegotiating their working conditions at that time. Furthermore, members of the Japanese population cited many instances where they (Japanese) felt that foreigners wanted to be promoted to quickly and were not willing to work their way up the corporate ladder of Japan, as members of the Japanese population are forced to do.

Foreigners who were interviewed stated that although they (foreigners) might seem impatient, members of the Japanese population have a tendency to confuse impatience with drive and determination. Foreigners are under a great deal of pressure to "prove" themselves worthy in a Japanese company and therefore are willing to take more risks than they (foreigners) usually would in order to impress upper management.

Foreigners also stated that one of the main reasons for the impatience of climbing the corporate ladder or waiting for promotions is that they are hired differently than most Japanese employees. Many Japanese employees are hired directly out of University, when they are 23 or 24, are put on full-time status (insurance benefits, pension benefits, annual raises, bonuses, paid sick time and personal leave) as soon as they are hired, are trained by the company and have little to do, but wait, for promotion opportunities to come.

The average foreigner arrives in Japan at the age of 24, after graduating University and gaining skills and working experience in their home country. Upon arriving in Japan, they usually take a job at entry level, and as a contract (paid a guaranteed salary which is broken into an hourly amount, are deducted for days they are sick, have no bonuses, have no health insurance, have no pension benefits and are at the mercy of the company for renewal of their contract) employee, for the first year or two they (foreigners) are in Japan. During this time they learn the Japanese language and culture and gain Japanese business skills. By the time they (foreigners) are hired for their career (lifetime) position in Japan, they are considerably older, have more working skills and experience than other new (Japanese) employees and often times already have a family to take care of. Many foreigners cited that members of the Japanese population overlook this when considering foreigners for employment, but not when considering members of the Japanese population for employment.

To confirm if this was true I interviewed a Human Resources Director for a large firm in Tokyo. The transcript of that interview follows;

Dan: "Could you tell me the requirements for a candidate interested in gaining employment with your company?"

HR Director: "Well, we are looking for people who are currently living in Japan, have experience in the position that is open, have excellent Japanese and English speaking ability, at least a 4 year degree and someone willing to work as a full-time employee."

Dan: "Is being a Japanese National part of the job requirements?"

HR Director: "No, our company does not discriminate. We hire many non-Japanese. In fact, we have more than 30 foreign employees."

Dan: "What are the benefits of the position?"

HR Director: "We offer a full-time, sponsored position for qualified candidates. The working hours are from 9:30 to 6:30 Monday to Friday as well as two Saturdays a month. The salary is negotiable, usually based on experience. Employees are off every Sunday, as well as All Japanese National Holidays. There is also an additional 7 days off at the New Year, 4 days off in May and 7 days off in August."

Dan: "You mentioned sponsorship. Since one of the requirements is that the candidate currently reside in Japan, don't they usually already have a visa?"

HR Director: "Most do, but for those who do not have a visa, we do offer visa sponsorship."

Dan: "In the benefits, I did not notice anything regarding health insurance, the Japanese pension plan, bonus structure or personal vacation time."

HR Director: "We only offer those benefits to our lifetime employees."

Dan: "How does the company decide who can be a lifetime employee?"

HR Director: "Usually we decide after the employee has worked with the company for a couple of years."

Dan: "So, the policy is the same for "all" employees?"

HR Director: "Yes."

Dan: "It must be hard to get qualified Japanese candidates if your company does not offer them lifetime employment until they have completed two years of employment."

HR Director: "Well, most Japanese people interview for lifetime positions from the beginning of employment."

Dan: "Oh, so if a foreign candidate requested to become a lifetime employee from the beginning, that would be o.k.?"

HR Director: "No, foreigners are accepted as lifetime employees, but in order to be considered for lifetime employment benefits, they must first work two years for the company."

Dan: "That does not seem very fair."

HR Director: "In the past, our company hired foreigners as lifetime employees and they quit after 2 years with us. It costs the company a lot more money when an employee has the benefits of a lifetime employee, so the company created the "two year" rule for foreign employees. It is not unfair, it is safe business."

Dan: "Isn't that discriminatory?"

HR Director: "No."

Dan: "It isn't?"

HR Director: "No. Once they prove to us that they are not going to quit, we offer them the same benefits as everyone else."

Dan: "If you were offered the position you have, but had to wait for two years to receive any real benefits, would you have taken it?"

HR Director: "No, but if I was a foreigner, I think I would understand why the company must protect itself and I do not want foreigners who do not understand this working for us anyway. We do not discriminate, we just ask the foreign employees to prove that they are willing to work for us long term before receiving those benefits."

Dan: "Has the company ever had a Japanese person quit."

HR Director: "Of course, some people change careers, some people get married or have children. There are many reason that employees quit their job."

Dan: "Then wouldn't it make since for the company to adopt the same "two year" rule for all employees."

HR Director: "No, because for the most part, our Japanese employees do not quit."

Dan: "So, what you are saying is that foreigners are not trustable?"

HR Director: "No, I am not saying that, but that was the policy when I got here, and I have to abide by the policies the company has."

Dan: "So, now you don't agree with the policy?"

The interview ended abruptly after that question and the HR Director never did answer the question.

Although before the interview started, the HR Director was excited about being interviewed and looking forward to having his name, and the name of his company in my book, upon completing the interview, I was contacted by the HR Director and told that I could not use his company's name, nor his name in my book.

Another stereotype members of the Japanese population mentioned was the inconsistency of foreigners, not only in their work performance, but also in their day to day personalities and mood swings. Many members of the Japanese population who were in positions of management of foreigners noted that their (foreigners) work performance varied considerably. A foreigner could be the most productive member of the workforce one month, and then do a complete reversal the following month. Members of the Japanese population considered consistency to be of utmost importance for it was connected to the reliability of the employee. This inconsistency in performance and attitude (best described by one informant as going from "gung ho" to "screw you") led to doubts of Japanese management to allow foreign employees to be "in charge" of important projects. It was also reported that foreigners were much more apt to bring their personal problems with them to work and lacked a basic Japanese character trait of separating work and home.

Many foreigners interviewed conceded that they could understand this stereotype. They (foreigners) conceded that this is a problem within Japan in regards to foreigners. They (foreigners) explained that the pressure of having to prove themselves worthy as well as the pressures of being a foreigner in day to day life in Japan, sometimes wore their determination and will to succeed down. They (foreigners) had a tendency to over perform, be overly patient and put too much pressure on themselves to adhere to the Japanese way of life that every once in a while, they (foreigners) snapped. That they would lose all motivation to continue trying to be successful. The foreigners interviewed noted that this feeling would normally last for about one week, and then they would get back to normal, and everything would be all right for a while, until the feeling of powerlessness overwhelmed them once again.

Being hot tempered was also a stereotype associated with foreigners. Many members of the Japanese population cited foreigners becoming overly emotional during meetings or during negotiations which made the member of the Japanese population feel uncomfortable in dealing with a foreigner. I had the opportunity to observe a meeting between a foreign staff member and Japanese Manager which went as follows;

C (Japanese Manager): "Thanks for coming into the head office today, I heard you have something you would like to discuss with me."

K (Foreign Employee): "Yes, I wanted to talk about my remuneration."

C: "Well, let's have a look at your contract ("C" pulls "K's" contact from file). It seems you signed a one year contract, to work 34 hours a week, with 5 weeks paid vacation, for 270,000 yen a month, from March of 2002 to March of 2003."

K: "Yes, that is what I wanted to talk about."

C: "Well you are only halfway through the contract, what did you want to talk about?"

K: "Well, specifically, my remuneration."

C: "We usually do not grant promotions in mid contact."

K: "I understand that, but I feel that I was taken advantage of during my contract negotiations."

C: "How so?"

K: "Well, I was new to Japan, so I did not know what other foreign employees were receiving as remuneration, plus I had jet lag, and the recruiter told me I needed to make a decision right then, instead of giving me time to think about it."

C: "But you signed the contract."

K: "Yes, but under pressure."

C: "Are you saying that someone forced you to sign the contract?"

K: "No, only that I was pressured into signing the contract before having ample time to review it."

C: "Who told you that you are not making as much as other foreign employees?"

K: "I can't tell you that, or they will get into trouble."

C: "Well, if you cannot tell me, then I can't take your comment seriously."

K: "What will happen to them (the person that told me) if I told you?"

C: "That's not your problem."

K: "Yes it is. How can I tell you who informed me that I am being taking advantage of, knowing that you will probably fire them, when all they were doing was looking out for my best interests?"

C: "But they (the person who spoke to you about wages) broke a policy. The policy of discussing wages."

K: "If everyone was paid fairly, it would not be a problem."

C: "That is not true. Everyone negotiates a different wage package, based on many factors."

K: "Well, regardless, I have obtained information that most of the foreigners working here, that started at the same time as I did, are earning more than I am, and it makes me feel as if I am being taken advantage of by the company."

C: "We are not taking advantage of you. You are behaving like a spoiled child."

K: "Then why am I being paid less than other foreigners who were hired to do the same job?"

C: "Who told you that?"

K: "I already told you, I won't say."

C: "Why not?"

K: "Because they could get fired."

C: "Well, if you want a pay raise, you will have to write a formal request, which I will submit to my superiors. Then, we will schedule a presentation with the board of directors, in which they will listen to your request, review your performance record and make a decision."

K: "Thank you. That is all I request."

C: "I will let you know when the presentation will be."

I was informed that this person was, indeed, earning 25,000 yen a month less than other foreigners that were hired at the same time. This foreigner had her meeting with the board of directors and pleaded her case. The board of directors reviewed her performance, found nothing negative, but did not like the way she had gone about presenting her case. It was therefore decided that she would not receive a raise. It was further decided that she was to be informed that her request would be taken into consideration upon the completion of her contract, at which time, the company had already decided not to offer this foreign employee a new contract. In this way, the company felt it would be able to ensure the continuation of employment until March, at which time heavy recruitment activity would ensure a suitable replacement for the foreign employee.

Another stereotype associated with being a foreigner was a tendency to exaggerate their skills, experiences and abilities. This behavioral trait seemed to stem from the inability of members of the Japanese population to confirm the actual history of foreigners in Japan. Many foreign informants also implicated this character trait to be prevalent among foreigners new to Japan. An interview I had with a foreigner who has lived in Japan for over ten years follows;

Dan: "Do you think foreigners in Japan exaggerate?"

Paul: "Yes I do. At least for the first few years. But not everybody. I think those foreigners who were "average" in their own country see Japan as a place to live out their own fantasy's of greatness. I think they see it as a place where they can overcome their own faults and weaknesses. I think those foreigners who were actually able to obtain success in their own country are actually at a disadvantage in Japan. Those foreigners who actually have exceptional looks, abilities or skills are penalized by the inability of members of the Japanese population to recognize those exceptional looks, abilities and skills."

Dan: "Are you saying that "average" foreigners have better luck in Japan than exceptional foreigners."

Paul: "Hell yes. That is exactly what I am saying. Great foreigners fall by the wayside in Japan while average foreigners, who happen to have good connections or just plain luck, become very successful. All due to the inability of members of the Japanese population being able to recognize "real" talent."

Dan: "What do you suggest as a remedy for this problem."

Paul: "Hell, there is no remedy. New foreigners have better luck than immersed foreigners for the simple reason that new foreigners are still themselves and do not give a shit what Japanese think. You want to be successful in Japan? Learn how to be a professional foreigner. A foreigner who knows the game but acts like they don't. Someone who is willing to "not" give a shit. These are the foreigners who make it. The foreigners who live in Japan for a long time and try to assimilate end up being wasted talents."

Dan: "So, what has this got to do with foreigners exaggerating?"

Paul: "Everything! It is because new foreigners exaggerate that immersed foreigners, who happen to be exceptional, are seen as normal or average foreigners because they lose the advantage of being a foreigner. They become honest, yet members of the Japanese population cannot see that. This leads to their (immersed foreigners) skills, abilities and experiences being taken down a few notches by members of the Japanese population."

I also interviewed many members of the Japanese population in regards to this "exaggeration" stereotype. The overall stigma and disadvantage that this stereotype creates for foreigners in Japan is a belief by members of the Japanese population that in some way, foreigners who have decided to live in Japan (with the exception of company transfers, professional athletes and entertainers) are faulted. That in some way, these foreigners are defective or lack true talent and/or ability to succeed in their own country and that is the main reason they have chosen to adopt Japan as their new residence. Following is an interview I had with a member of the Japanese population in regards to this stigma;

Dan: "I understand that you lived in America for quite a few years." Mr. Nomura: "Yes, for about 6 years."

Dan: "Did you notice any difference in Americans in Japan when compared to Americans in America?"

Mr. Nomura: "Honestly, it is hard for me to believe that the Americans in Japan are American. Before I went to America, I had nothing to compare Americans in Japan to, so I just assumed that they were typical Americans. After living in America and having American friends, I realized that there are very few "executive type" Americans that live in Japan."

Dan: "What do you mean?"

Mr. Nomura: "The successful Americans I met while I lived in America were really no different than Japanese executives. There was a "quality" about them which is hard to describe, but it was there. It was present in there view of life, the way they talked, the way they handled pressure, their personality and in the very way that they carried themselves. If I tried to put it to words, I think the only word that would best describe it would "professionalism." Americans who choose to live in Japan seem to be amateurs. They (Americans in Japan) seem weak and feeble when compared to their successful American counterparts. They (Americans in Japan) complain a lot, but they lack the mental capacity or determination to change their own conditions. My experience in America leads me to believe that most Americans living in Japan would be hourly workers in America, not successful executives.

Dan: "What do you think would happen if one of your successful American friends decided to move to Japan?"

Mr. Nomura: "I think that they would be very successful within a year. I think they would become fluent in Japanese, start at entry level in a firm and work their way up very quickly."

Dan: "But what about the stereotype that you just described? Wouldn't that hold them back? Don't you think that these successful Americans would also be viewed as amateurs if they decided to move to Japan?"

Mr. Nomura: "It (the stereotype) would hamper their efforts at first, but I think that this (stereotype) would just make them stronger and that they would tackle the stereotype as an individual and overcome it on an individual basis. I don't think they would waste their time complaining about it. They understand the meaning of "time management" and would realize that complaining about it would hold no benefits. If there aren't benefits in doing something, it is a waste of time."

Dan: "What do you think are the chances that one of your friends would actually decide to move to Japan?"

Mr. Nomura: "None. Unless they were sent here as executives."

Dan: "Why?"

Mr. Nomura: "Because, although there are many roads to success, these individuals are smart enough to choose the road with the least amount of obstacles. Living in a foreign country is something that most people, throughout history, have done through necessity, not choice. People who were being persecuted in their own country were forced to seek a more safe and stable life elsewhere. Most (emmigrants) did not want to leave their home country."

Dan: "Are you suggesting that Japan is not a good country?"

Mr. Nomura: "Not at all. Just that it is always easiest to be successful in your country of birth, than in a foreign country. In a foreign country, there are certain disadvantages associated with being a foreigner. Also, most people choose to marry within their own society. This is for the simple reason that the value systems of both people in the relationship will be relatively the same, and this makes it easier to raise children."

Dan: "So you think international marriages are bad?"

Mr. Nomura: "No, not bad, just not well thought out. In considering marriage, most people take into consideration the value system of the individual they intend to marry. In order to be able to do this, one must have a great deal of knowledge of the other's social structure and language. I find it amusing that most foreigners who come to Japan, end up getting married to a Japanese woman with basic English language skills and then complain later that the value system of the woman that they chose to marry is not up to par with their own value system. I think it is important that you make sure you are not marrying an idiot "before" you actually get married. I think this type of marriage is a direct reflection on the type of foreign individual living in Japan we are talking about. It is also quite noticeable that foreigners who are married to other foreigners in Japan have a better success rate than foreigners married to Japanese."

Mr. Nomura's final comments are directly related to the "gaijin marriage stigma" which will be discussed in more depth later in the book. Mr. Nomura, based on his own personal experiences with successful Americans in America and compared to his personal experiences with Americans living in Japan, has formed an opinion that Americans in Japan are not of the same caliber as Americans in America. He has further formed an opinion that most foreigners who are married to members of the Japanese population entered marriage prematurely and without deep thought of their partner or future problems that an international marriage would involve. In short, he finds foreigners, but more specifically Americans living in Japan, immature and amateurish.

Another stereotype attached to foreigners in Japan is more of a concept than a personality trait. It could best be summed up by the statement "quantity over quality." Most members of the Japanese population interviewed stated that foreigners were not as worried about the quality of goods they purchased but the quantity, or size, of the goods. That they were more interested in the size of their residence, than the quality of construction or location. That they (foreigners) had a tendency to buy on "price" alone, instead of contemplating the durability of what they were purchasing. Foreigners were also seen as apt to frequent used or secondhand stores, thrift shops and even garbage bins in an attempt to save money. All of these traits added together has lead to a stereotype that foreigners in Japan are cheap. That, in order to save a buck they will sacrifice quality and even their own pride.

This character trait is in stark contrast to members of the Japanese population, who showed a tendency to place more importance on the quality of goods purchased than the quantity. It can be confirmed by the very few number of secondhand stores that are successful in Japan.

Another character trait which was associated with this cheapness was that of foreigners using the kindness and tendency of members of the Japanese population to pay for outings which the foreigner attended with members of the Japanese population. I came into contact with one Australian in 1994 who was very proud of the fact that he had been able to set up house in Japan by using the kindness of various Japanese people.

Malcolm: "You see these foreigners that go out and spend a fortune in order to get set up in Japan. They are stupid. I got my apartment without any key money and pay a discounted rent because one of my student's friends owns the building and the student talked to them for me. I found out when the big garbage days were, and went around looking for furniture. I could not believe the amount of good stuff that Japanese people throw away. I guess when they buy something new, they just throw away the old because they do not have the space to store it. I got my sofa, the hot carpet, the television, television stand, coffee table, kitchen table, chairs, telephone, video player, stereo, oven toaster, fridge, microwave, pots and pans, dishes and washing machine all from the garbage. As foreigners left, I would hang around and wait for them to try to sell everything to other foreigners. When it got close to their departure, I would offer to take the rest of their stuff to the garbage for them. Then I could go through all of their stuff, keep what I liked and throw away the rest. One of my Japanese friends even sold me a car for 10,000 yen. I think I spent a total of 30,000 yen to get set up in Japan. The guys that actually go to the store and buy all of their stuff new are retarded. They spend at least 500,000 yen setting up house in Japan."

Malcolm is a superb example of "gaijin cheapness." While extreme, Malcolm is not far from what many foreigners recently coming to Japan have been taught or are taught as soon as they arrive by other foreigners. That they can abuse the system and get by for less. That they can use the kindness of the Japanese people for their own benefit. The problem with this type of behavior is that it assigns all foreigners the same stereotype of cheapness. A stereotype which many foreigners would like to avoid, as they are not cheap, and do not abuse the kindness of members of the Japanese population.

Another stereotype assigned to foreigners in Japan is one of loose morals and sexual promiscuity. This stereotype stems from post World War II, when thousands of GI's were assigned to Tokyo and other parts of Japan. They were notorious for frequenting and enjoying the prostitution districts. Many of these GI's went on to marry these prostitutes and take them back to their home countries. This stereotype, due to GI's after World War II, still exists today, and was the beginning of the "gaijin marriage stigma."

Go on to Chapter 4