Hi everyone! I don't normally comment on my own videos, but I thought this was a good time to do so. I really appreciate everyone here who watched this video and commented their thoughts either about my appearance (which have all been positive so far luckily haha) and their own similar experiences and "theories" as to why we're all experiencing the same things! I've been so happy reading all these comments and feeling reassured that I'm not the only one! Please keep these comments coming but just remember to keep this a friendly space! Thanks so much!

Great Video!! As a 3rd generation Japanese from outside of Japan, I have experienced the same thing. I used to wonder if it was because 2 generations had passed, that there was a physical difference that set us apart. Then I noticed that it was very easy for me to tell a Japanese tourist visiting here apart from a Japanese local. The way they dress, their mannerism, all make them very easy to spot. I guess it"s the same for us in Japan....

As a Chinese-American who gets looks in Japan, it's comforting to know that it's really anyone, Japanese or not, who hasn't spent entire life in Japan that will still get looks from natives. It'd be interesting to learn what mannerisms and other signs give away anyone who hasn't lived in Japan their entire lives as there is a population of Chinese and Koreans who have melted into Japanese society. Also love your videos' style and worldview!

I m full blooded Japanese. Grew up in Japan til I was 16, then came to the States. Now it's many many decades later.....Japanese view me as a Gaijin. Americans view me as "not American". Ive been having a very hard time living with this because I feel like I don't have a country.

You are a Japanese person, raised for a decade in America. That's the best explanation of what you are. You are a bit different from the average japanese person. People aren't used to japanese people raised abroad, and they don't know where to put you. You seem different and foreign from the typical japanese person. I think your face looks japanese, but you sound and move like an american. You don't seem to be japanese (even tho you have 100% japanese ancestry). I think the difference is that you have a very direct and bold approach to communicating, everything from the pace you talk at, your voice, your facial expressions, your body language... all of it feels american. I think even when you aren't speaking there you have an approach, energy and that is more bold, direct rather than an energy of someone who strives to be careful, humble, polite and indirect. But... that's my impression. You may or may not agree with it of course. :D And finally, you are who you are. It's neither good or bad to be a very common and typical japanese person or less common, a rare japanese person raised abroad. You aren't raised as a typical japanese so you have likely been able to develop more individualistic traits than what you would have been otherwise (which is a PRO in my eyes). The only downside is of course that japanese people feel that you are a foreigner (in the way you talk and act). You know there are thousands of americanophiles in Japan. People who love america, and strive to be more like an american person. You have what they strive for naturally, since you have been nurtured for a decade in american culture and values! That's valuable.

Dude, don’t overthink this. I am Korean and everyone I meet thinks I am either from HK or Japan (when I have facial hair). It is what it is and I am not (neither are you) the only one that does not fit the stereotypical looks and features of the people in one’s home country. As homogeneous as one might perceive Japan and Korea to be, Korean/Japanese are actually quite interracial if you go back in history.

2:19 ive been thinking about this too! I live in Belgium, and I can mostly tell French and Flemish/Dutch people apart from a glance, because they "hold their face" more tensed and have intrinsically different behavioral patterns, even though most of us share great grandparents..

I'm a Nisei Japanese American. While visiting Japan, I feel so American, because I don't dress like common Japanese men...but while I'm here in the states, I feel so Japanese because most of the people around me are Japanese. It feels so strange.

I’m a sansei Japanese American, and each time I visit Japan I wish that I paid more attention when I attended Japanese language school instead of goofing off. When I do speak the little Nihongo that I know in a store in Japan, the clerk responds back with turbo-Japanese which is too fast for me to understand.

There’s a difference between ethnicity and nationality. For example I am Italian, but for 4 generations my family has been born in the US. So I could also say “I’m Italian!!!” But the truth is if I go to Italy I will completely not give off Italian vibes, I’ll just be treated as an American. Which sounds like is exactly what is happening to you

To be honest, if I had no idea that you were Japanese, and based on looks alone, I probably would have guessed that you're Indonesian, Burmese, or some other Southeast Asian.

Hello! I get the EXACT same thing. But, I am a kikokushijo. I was born in Tokyo, raised in the US from the age of 2 to 25. Nobody thinks I'm Japanese and I don't look like my parents. The only reason I know I am not adopted is that I look like my sisters and brother. Some people think that is because we are a bit more expressive in the US, using different facial muscles(using eyebrows to express feelings) that our faces change. Of course, my Nihongo is not as beautiful as yours and I'm seen as an outsider the second I speak although I have now lived in Osaka longer than I have lived in Los Angeles. There are many different kinds of people with many different backgrounds. The more expose people have to different people, the world gets just a bit better(at least that is what I hope). Keep the good fight up.

Love this so much! Great perspective. I live in the countryside so 99% of the time everyone talks to me in Japanese.

I'm Asian, raised in Europe. In my country of origin, I'm not accepted as a local, and here, I'm not considered European. I've come to accept it as it is, and actually, there's something fun about not belonging anywhere (most of the times 😜).

I can't exactly explain it, but my limited idea is that part of it is about how you rest your mouth by default. It's too relaxed and open. Normally when I see a Japanese person speaking, they're resting with a more closed, and tighter (more stressed, maybe?) mouth.

I am Chinese, raised in Canada since I was a young child. When I visited China this spring (to see my extended family who I haven't seen for years), locals basically treated me as another local because I'm fluent (until I tell them I spent 20 years abroad). At the same time, it was easy for me to tell when somebody was a foreigner (even though they look fully Chinese) because I paid attention to the way they dress, their mannerisms, eating/drinking habits, speech patterns, etc. I think by taking note of these details, I was able to consciously adopt these traits and "disguise" myself as a local and fly under the radar

I had a similar experience when I went back to my home country and I noticed there are a few things that set you apart from the natives I would say: 1) The way you dress (Other countries especially Asia has a different dressing styles that isn't that major but nevertheless they notice it immediately.) 2) The Accent - The MOST important factor is that accent, if you grew up and lived abroad for a long period of time then your accent changes and it won't sound authentic 100% even if you think you have a good accent they will notice you using a few words and phrases that doesn't really match theirs. 3) The way you speak and carry yourself - I would say the 2nd most important one since its immediately noticeable. Those are the things that I noticed, How that helps and when you showed the clips I'm 100% some, if not all, applies to you lol. Anyways, have a good one!

People in Tokyo have assumed my relatives from Aomori and Hakodate are foreign or haffu by the way they speak too. It might also be the posture, it seems like Tokyo natives have a more reserved or professional posture while young adults from northern prefectures look more laid back or comfortable.

It is not that you don't look Japanese.. You dont feel like a Japanese Tatemae is a real phenomenon. I think you might have acted too friendly to someone who is not very close to you (those serving you). I'm a chinese But as an introvert, i dont act very friendly to people who i just met Because of that, as long as i kept my mouth shut, Japanese people always speaks to me in Japanese What i did, which could have mistakenly made people thought that im a Japanese: Whenever there is a question that can be answered with a single "hai" (yes), i would simple said so. No extra words. Say "hai" for every-single-explanation given. And bow your head. To show that you are listening and understanding the message If i bang into someone or need to give way, i just simply bow my head. Sometimes u dont even have to say a word. The bowing is the most important. (If i had to say something, it was always "sumimasen" or "shitsureishimasu") I speak rather softly. (Even as a guy) ps. Maybe i watched too much anime, but bowing your head feels like a very normal/natural behaviour to me. It can be used for gratitute, apology, acknowledgement, greetings, farewell. It is like a natural response to someone you are interacting with. And the angle of bowing has varying degrees based on what type of response you are giving, from simply head bowing 15 degrees for acknowledgement to the full 90 degree whole body bow for the extreme apology

This happens to my husband a lot. He’s fully Japanese and was born and raised in Japan, but he has slightly darker skin and wears more western style clothes, which is all it takes for people to assume he’s foreign.

I lived in Germany three different times for a total of 10 years. After a while you begin to pick up on the differences between people of various countries. I could tell British, French, American, etc. without hearing a word spoken. I am from USA.

BRO YOU RESEMBLE KYOTAKO1372 SO MUCH HAHAHA even in terms of presentation style!

I can feel it. 😂 I grow up in Japan and every year I travel in Japan with my daugher ( half Japanese) and my wife ( 100% Japanese). Everyone is laughing after we open our mouth. HAKATA DIALECT IS STRONG ENOUGH.

I lived in Michigan for 13 years, or most of my childhood and I just returned to Japan 2 weeks ago. Makes me relieved to hear stories like mine.

That's an interesting topic because I've never thought about something that i've just noticed before... if two brazilians start talking to each other, even overseas, they would feel connected and understand each other's references and way of living, and it's true to me... the problem is, when *some* Brazilians start living in other countries they really start being a nuisance to the locals, making trouble and being chaotic, being loud, starting barbecues in japanese parking lots, showing off wheelies in the traffic at european countries...from that point to worse things I guess. You can imagine the type very well. From THOSE people I'm really not related to and want distance from.

I'm Polish and sometimes Polish people speak to me in English, even when I speak to them in Polish 😅 One time a girl asked me something in Polish and I guess I answered so badly that she asked me the same question but in English haha Or a guy in a convenience store helped me with something and just explained it in English, it made me feel bad, so each time I went back to that store again I just pretended I didn't speak Polish 😆 I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing, if you look or behave differently to other people from your country of origin, I think it's still very kind and thoughtful of those people to get out of their comfort zone and help you 😊 Also, I've heard Misa from Japanese AMMO had a similar situation, she asked for directions at a station in Japanese and a worker replied in English Maybe it's usually foreigners who get lost and ask for help haha

Damn, bro I like your style of videos. Subbed. The videos give off the authentic early 201x KZfaq videos vibe, which I missed for a long time lol.

I'm loving your channel, keep up the good work Taisei! ♥

Japanese born Australian here. I have exactly the same experience whenever I visit Japan too hahaha...

It’s mannerisms and demeanor 100%

2 of my Japanese friends studied in America for a few years and were treated like foreigners when they returned to Japan (middle school). 1 of them was passively bullied/excluded. IE: "Don't ask her. She's a foreigner. No foreigners allowed."

Quarter Japanese living in the US here. My last name is Japanese, so whenever I go to visit and hotel or airline staff look at my reservation they always immediately assume there’s some mistake, because surely it would be impossible for someone with a face like mine to have a name like that. lol

I am Canadian, and very much of European descent. My wife is Japanese, born in Japan, raised in Japan, parents live in Japan, etc. Almost none of her relatives speak English, other than an aunt who lived and worked in the US for a few years and her cousin, who went to Tokyo University. Our youngest daughter was born in Japan, and lived there until 4 years old. Our youngest was born in Canada, and only just recently (as in earlier this month) visited Japan for the first time in her life. She loves her grandparents and cousins. They love her. My older daughter's first language is Japanese. When we moved to Canada, she forgot Japanese, and now can't speak it, unfortunately. She also looks like a haafu. My younger daughter knows no Japanese. Both of our kids have Japanese first names. Now with that lengthy background story out of the way, here's a very short story of what happened when we arrived in Japan. Airport staff kept talking to my wife in English! Actually, she accidentally defaulted to English when speaking to people, as that's what she does in Canada. Since we came back to Canada nearly 2 weeks ago, she's been using more Japanese around the house. Also, my older daughter and I plan to study Japanese together, because the next time we go, we want to actually speak to family in Japanese. Keep in mind that I lived in Japan for 11 years, can understand fairly well, though I'm very rusty.

It"s not just you that is mixed up as foreigner in Japan ! 1) You have a little bit different look from homogeneous japanese look as they are used to. In my case, I"m foreigner of 2nd generation, both parents are Japanese from both side. I also have a "little bit different look" from homogeneous japanese population. Even in my community , I"m asked if I"m mixed blood, They know i"m foreigner and some of them asked if I have Chinese or any asian ancestry. Others, asked me if I have caucasian ancestry from one side of my parents. When I"ve been in Moto Machi Chukagai (in Kanagawa Prefecture), few of them came to talk to me in Chinese. It didn't surprise me at all. 2) The mannerism, the way you walk (rhythm of step posture), talk, seat, your gestures taken into account, gives clear signals that possibly make them think you are not one of them, even speaking "perfect Japanese". Once in my home country, airport staff said "You speak perfect Portuguese" thinking that i'm japanese. According to human genetic point of view. we don't carry much diversity of genetic variation compared to the monkeys.

俺の英語力じゃ半分も理解出来なかったけど面白かった! 確かに菊田さんは日本人に見えなかった 香港のエリート商社マンかアメリカのITエンジニアに見えた 身振り手振りが多すぎるのと表情筋めちゃくちゃ使って喋るから 日本人じゃないと勘違いした あと容姿で言えば 菊田さんは日本だとかなりモテる整った容姿なので 余計に違和感があるんだと思う 俺イケてるんだけど?っていう自信に満ち溢れた言動が見えないから更に外国人感が増す

In my case, it happens the other way round. They ask ME if I am Japanese! That is because when I talk on the phone and they don't see ny face, they think they are talking to a Japanese person. When they meet me, they get confused. Then they ask me if I was born here.

Tbh, I would say you look really similar to friends I had growing up in brazil, yeah, they had japanese in their bloodline, but usually was at most their grandparents

I actually had the opposite experience. I'm less than half Japanese and they treat me like I'm Japanese, often talking to me in Japanese first to the point someone thought I was joking about not being fully Japanese. What I assessed based on my experience is that they think I'm first gen Japanese born abroad.

I am a Mexican born Grown up? Raised ? (in Canadian boarding school all by myself from middle to end of high school years most formative years for a human) in a Japanese bubble. 3 Cultures. When I am asked where I am from I ask back why that question to determine if the person is just trying to make small talk, gauge if they would be open to a honne answer, if the person is trying to label me or just trying to get over fast tatemae interaction. Its never easy to answer.

Thanks...loved this video.

Its most likely in the mannerisms and even slight accents in speech that you may not be aware of. I'm ethnically Indian, born in India but grew up in US, and I can tell immediately if an indian person in the US is american born or from abroad. When I go to India, they can tell immediately. So you my friend must have picked up a lot of British mannerisms that you may not be aware of :)

Yellow outside and white inside. My first identity crisis came when I was in college. My second came when I worked for a major Japanese corporation, ....in Japan. My supervisor and peers perceived my independent thinking and demeanor as, "yappari gaijin" dane? Fresh out of college and as a recruit, "Suck it up, Johnny!" and I moved on. My third was when I asked my Father-in-law to ask her daughter in marriage. No way Jose! Although I spoke fluent Japanese and looked Japanese, it was still, NEIN! Because International Marriage was not acceptable! Married her anyway and 3 years later, I finally, got his approval when I told him he would be a grandfather.

As foreigner who works at reception desk/hospitality in Japan, usually whether you're foreigner or Japanese we have to put Japanese language first above English. But usually switching two languages and other real fast with different people can be exhausting. My coworkers who is Japanese sometimes makes a mistake like handling Japanese customer in English. Yeah, we're just tired and 頭が回んない lol

Its because if you live in a place for a long time, your face also starts to change and it will seems like you are mixed

I’ve lived in America for a long time now, but whenever I go to my home country especially to visit family, I get treated like a foreigner. It sucks. Even though I was born and lived there for almost ten years, I guess I’m just “American” in their eyes.

This is funny, ‘cause I get the opposite. I’m a foreigner (but a quarter Japanese, so there are some features that seem Japanese, especially during the COVID mask era 😂.) However, I’ve lived here almost 2 decades - long enough to develop the habits (unconsciously bowing while on the phone, reacting with “え。。。” or “ね？”) You get it. I also speak Japanese. So, now when I suddenly speak English or tell some story about my country, I get the “え．．．日本人じゃなかったの？” I agree, use it as a superpower. 😅

This is very normal with 'Asians' in general, it doesn't matter where you are. You can be in the U.S. and they (your own community) can still treat you like a foreigner if you don't fit the 'stereotype'. For instance; a KPOP-looking guy or gal gets better treatment than a plain 'Korean' in the Korean community. But then again this all depends on where you go.

Fascinating! its really odd how we all give off incredibly subtle 'cultural' clues as to who we are and where we come from - its not even about appearance, its much more hidden than that. This happens even within countries, where there is no 'ethnic' distinction at all. In the UK people can seem to tell if you are a local or not almost instantly. For instance I grew up in Essex to the East of London, but have lived elsewhere in the UK for 40+ years. I'm still a sort of foreigner where I live in the North East of England despite having lived here for 30 years, but when I go back to Essex, there is some sort of instant connection with people there as if they recognise me as an Essex boy! As for you, growing up in the USA has meant that you obviously give out cultural clues to be an American which Japanese people detect, or at least they don't get 'Japanese' cultural clues from you. Your sense of humour doesn't strike me as as Japanese for one thing! Thanks for the vid.

Very entertaining video, I like what you're doing. This has made me wonder what is a typical Japanese look? I don't think there is one. I'd say embrace your uniqueness, that's a fortunate thing to have. And embrace how interested the people in Japan find you. Happy living. And oh yeh, tell the people you're in a boy band, hence your different look. That could be interesting!

You deserve a larger following

You're not malay or indonesian? Other than the fact you use the indo\malay airport in the beginning of this video but to me you surely looks like abang2 indo\malay

outstanding video! ✌😃I am a ハーフ, half white half Japanese who was born in Shinjuku, natural born American citizen (was dual citizen until 20). my white American boss thinks I'm Japanese, never talks about my Czech or Scottish heritage. but a Brazilian coworker (who became a naturalized US citizen) thinks I look white 🐑I feel out of place when I talk to Nisei/Nikkei/Japanese Americans, because most of them are multi-generation American citizens who were born in America, whereas I am half first generation Japanese. being built like a sumotori, most Japanese think I'm a gaijin too. back in Okinawa, when Japanese people found out I'm ハーフ, they seemed to lose some respect for me because there are a lot of abandoned ハーフ in Okinawa who have a tough life usually with no father. thankfully I was more fortunate, and stuck around with my parents until we moved to America after my father retired

It could be your mannerisms because you lived abroad. I have lived in a military town and have attended a private catholic school for one year in 4th grade, after that I could easily pick out who went to a catholic school, and who was a military brat just the way they carried themselves they stick out.

interesting video

its funny omggg !!

As a foreigner who lives in Japan more than 5+ years, to your question, I do think you look different compare to the average Japanese. (Maybe from the dresscode and mannerism as well. I guess if you compare your KZfaq content to other Japanese KZfaqr you will see what I mean.) In my case, Japanese people will look at me as a Japanese, but when I start speaking, they will pick up very soon that I'm not a Japanese. Long enough I just don't bother to explain my complicated cultural background anymore (except if I wanna make friends) because I'm like anyone else, just want to live a simple life, doing daily stuff. I love Japanese culture, it has its customs and value, just like any other culture, and I love Japan as what it is. Thinking of why Japan in current day is still phrasing "Foreigner" this word a lot because Japan is simply not an immigrant country. There is no "Melting Pot" such concept here and I don't expect Japan to become one. People in Japan don't ever think of changing me as much as I don't ever think of changing anyone, it's a matter of fact that if one wants to adapt to this culture or not. I chose to adapt so I started to behave like one of them. (When in Rome, do as the Romans do.) Does it mean I have changed? No doubt. But does it mean I changed my value in life and all? I don't think so. I keep what I learned from foreign culture that I cherish most and if it does not affect much to the others, it is pretty much in line with the general Japanese principle. "Peace and harmony." The first 2 years were tough, but now I'm seeing myself as a part of the community and happy of where I am.

Bro IDK but I am a 4th generation Japanese person through my dads side and half Vietnamese through my moms side idk but I don’t seem to have that problem unless if I speak English or talk a ton of Japanese. I think it might be since I actively try to copy Japanese mannerisms like speaking softly and such when ordering and acting like an NPC in a way but I do think looks play a role. It might be how you dress/act or it might be some weird recessive gene lottery.

Interesting dilemma. Does it really make a difference in Japan if you are either a Japanese or a foreigner? About being possibly different, have you heard of a place called Kekistan? There could be a mysterious situation of being a Kekistani.

I served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for two years in Okayama and one of my companions was 100% Japanese. But because he was with me the kids would chase him down the streets screaming "ni hou!" over and over. It used to drive him nuts.

I'm half of 3 kinds and I look like I don't belong in all 3 worlds, maybe closer to 1 out of the 3 but even when I go to that country they think I'm something else. Lmao, used to have a hard time introducing myself when I was younger. Now I just play around and choose 1 out of the 3 and pretend i'm not half just for fun

If I didn’t change my style over the years, then yeah, I’d probably come off as foreign too as a Japanese person born in the States. Though I’m basically a walking Uniqlo mannequin/Tokyo NPC. 😂😏 There are some decent shops with a good selection of petite sizes but I prefer getting most of my clothes from Japanese brands so I don’t have to tailor the sleeves and pants half the time. My interactions with people in Japan tends to be very uneventful since I’m an introvert. Most of my social interactions are with relatives.

Interestingly, I get tagged as Japanese when I go to Japan 😮 I’m Taiwanese American 🤷‍♂️ In China, someone thought I was from Inner Mongolia. No idea why. I think I look ambiguously East Asian, I guess? Like not necessarily strongly one type or another, but close enough that Japanese people in Japan assume I’m one of them? Unfortunately, my Japanese isn’t nearly good enough for that 😂😂😂 The world is an interesting place.

I'm half japanese and brazilian, I look more southeast asian tho. Since I'm growing up in the UK right now, all the East asians I know are probably not gonna fit in with the East asians that grew up in their country. Since they all act like Westerners, including me, if you have a Western personality, the East will probably see you more as a foreigner since you're growing up learning Western culture.

Just found your channel and just subscribed ❤

HAHAHAHA, this video cracked me up!

Japanese is not the race, its the aura. I'm from germany and be here for study abroad. I had experience the OTHER way around. I was spoken to in japanese, mostly when I was searching for something in my bag and when i looked up the japanese person was ".... Sumimasen 0.0".... I dont know. I have a feeling its more like the whole aura or your impression what is considering you as japanese. So more culture than race. I love japanese culture and imerse myself in all of it. So maybe i give the feeling of beeing kinda like japanese. The downside: I'm feeling stressed and left out massivly in germany...

Wait, you were born and raised abroad for a decade-so, functionally, you’re like any other person who hasn’t lived in Japan. I feel like sometimes there’s a kind of “essentialism” going on, where, because you’re “100% Japanese” in terms of background, you’re “really” Japanese, when, in some sense (but not _all_ senses), you’re no more Japanese than the people you grew up around. (My nephew, 100% Chinese-American, i.e., Chinese ethnicity parents, grandparents, etc., was told, on occasion, by people in China that he was “really” Chinese, which is also the same kind of essentialism.) Whatever is shaped by the environment you grew up in-your mannerisms, your body language, your clothing, etc.-would not be Japanese, almost by definition, to the same extent as someone who grew up in Japan. The other thing that isn’t clear from your video is how is your Japanese? If it isn’t 100% native (and, you having grown up abroad, it might not be), it wouldn’t be surprising if Japanese people in Japan don’t treat you as Japanese. I _will_ say two things: (1) there’s no need to question who you are (unless you have some faulty belief relying on “essentialism”). You are who you are-you’re not “essentially” Japanese-you’re someone who is “100% Japanese” who spent his formative years outside Japan and so you’re not _typically_ Japanese. If people in Japan can’t place you, that’s their problem, not yours, and it doesn’t matter if they can or not. (2) flipping the narrative so “you stand out” doesn’t sound very Japanese to me, which only goes to support (1).

How do you know it's your appearance? It might be bc you don't speak Japanese 100% like a native having grown up abroad. In saying that you do look slightly Indonesian or Southern Chinese. Is that a slight Scottish accent you have?

i think it's the sharper than average chin probably due to diet differences even if you're standing still and you had a japanese person guess

Recently went to Japan for holiday and all the people there thought I’m Japanese….they all talked Japanese to me

That’s interesting

you may be 100% japanese but youll never be japanese as long as all your mannerisms are foreign and thats what makes you stand out. you need to blend in and follow what others do to be japanese

For some reason, I think home-grown Asians can tell if you weren't living in the original country you or your parents are from. It's okay; the same thing happens to me. Actually, scratch that-it's not okay, but what can you do? P.S I forgot to mention it happens in other non asian countries too.

It may be the vibes, like you vibe foreign though your blood’s Japanese. Which proves that blood purity means nothing and that culture builds character, you belong to the place that vibed you not to your bloodline ✌️ Or maybe not ! Maybe in a few years the smell of Japan will stick to you and people will smell you as one of theirs and not as a foreigner anymore…?

I am Japanese ❤

Perhaps it’s about the facial expressions and mannerisms you picked up during your 10 years outside Japan.

Dude! you look 100% Japanese. It is more likely your mannerisms, your style of clothing, and your overall demeanour that sets you apart from locals. I can sympathise a lot with you. I'm Indonesian but I have predominantly Middle Eastern ancestry (much taller than the average Southeast Asian, darker skin, big round eyes, and much bigger nose) and when I lived in Australia, everyone thought I was either Nepalese or Bengali. Even native Indonesians who don't know me sometimes need second guessing whether I'm Indonesian or not ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If someone has lived in Japan for 20 or more years and speaks fluent Japanese but is not asian, should they be considered a foreigner? (this was not in your video but relevant).

You looks like Ainu

Accidentally bumped into your video. If you don't tell me that you are Japanese, I would have assumed you are Asian American (sorry no offence). I actually have the opposite problem from yours. Even though I'm Chinese, most of the time people would think I'm Japanese. When I went to Japan, from the plane till I leave Japan, people spoke Japanese to me even though I don't speak Japanese well. I noticed that in Japan, if you are assumed a Japanese, speaking imperfect Japanese is OK as long as they can understand what you say. If you look like foreigner, you will get reply in English or sorry no English reply. When I told them I'm not Japanese, they will be like "ehh so you are half Japanese?" 😅 Out of Japan, most people would assume I'm Japanese or Korean. So sometimes just pretend to be one and speak some Japanese or Koran to impress them. Anyway, I understand your "frustration" about the situation.

if i didnt read the title, actually i thought that you are javanese instead of japanese 😂 while i watching your video, im thinking of "why this face looks familiar? where did i see this kind of face?" until i found out that you have "mas mas jawa" (javanese men) type of face. in a good way tho! but this only applies in this video! i think that you still have japanese looks in other video (esp. in your "why you should not move to japan" thumbnail video) fyi. jawa/java is one of the islands and regions in indonesia. and i am indonesian. so thats why i thought you so

Biologically you are japanese. Culturally you are a mix of japanese and gaijin. Is that really so hard to explain?

Thanks for the impressions and your thoughts on this very interesting topic I myself as a 100%外国人 thought about all the time. I had the feeling that ハーフ or even 100 Percent like you sometimes have hard times because it seems so inherent to the japanese people to not speak english so they have hard times believe that you are a "real japanese". Its a really narrow perspective i think but this is it and we have to deal with it. As a foreigner when you start to speak japanese the Japanese sometimes really thrive and say that your japanese is sooooo good, even if it is total garbage or the total opposite can also happen that they even tell you when you speak perapera japanese and use perfect keigo and so on and so forth... Do you understand the point i am making? You cant be japanese because you do not speak like a japanese sometimes and do not behave with your mimic and your body (missing vocab - german guy here ) like them either so it is impossible youre japanese. Is this racist? (dont kill me for using the word)

I usually tell people we are all not a 100% of anything. If you back for enough we are all related and/or mixed. I tell they "Yep I am Mutt, we all are." Lol.

Your English sounds native. Perhaps your Japanese doesn't sound as native? People may not realize but Japan is actually pretty genetically diverse (within Asia) By looking at he Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun genetic origins that make up the majority of the genetic makeup of what is today understood as Japanese people. These were migratory people who came from Central, Southeast, East Asia, and Siberia. A couple of these places are presently known as China and Korea. But to say that some Chinese or Koreans who share this same genetic makeup are Japanese, and would treated as Japanese by their looks is just not the case. Even if you look Japanese, it comes down to mannerisms and language. Simply having Japanese genetics may make you ethnically Japanese - depending how far back you wish to go - but it won't make you fit into Japanese culture and society by default. That is why that even some Japanese who are born and raised in Japan but then come back to Japan years later can even feel outcast by their own culture and society. When living in another place you subconsciously pick up on mannerisms and a different thought process, especially if using a different language, that will give a demeanor that will stick out in a homogeneous society such as Japanese society. Also things that contribute to your appearance such as style choices and how you dress can be a factor.

They be trolling. Once you leave, and return, then they see you as foreigner. Maybe.

lol, the whole x-men train of thought was a fun one. Found and subscribed to your channel about a couple weeks ago. Appreciate the perspective you bring! As people we try to find identity in all sorts of things, such as likes/dislikes, what others say about us, our nation, or achievements and legacy. Personally, I take great comfort in the identity I have in Jesus. No matter what happens in the world or to me I'll feel secure in the present because of the coming future and what Jesus did on the cross, dying and resurrecting in order to reconcile us to Him.

Hello from America! You look Japanese to me. I watched tons of J-dramas, K-dramas, and C-dramas. You are Japanese. 😊 The only thing that is slightly different is your clothes and hair. 😊

Why you got only a hundred subs? You must be in the five digits already with your personality and edit.

I think they speak english at you as a flex, like if a foreigner speaks Japanese they'll obviously show off their japanese instead of english. Why learn english and not use it?

23 and me dna test for a future video❤

I've never seen one of your videos. (I enjoyed myself by the way and learned a lot). But my FIRST thought? Nope, he doesn't look Japanese--but guess what? I'm not talking about your facial features. I'm talking about your MIND. I'm not Asian. And I'm American. I studied Japanese as a language, went over there and lived for a year, then came back and studied some more. Then went back and forth--you get the idea. Right now I'm learning French. This may shock you, I find it HARDER than Japanese (bunch of reasons, it's irrelevant, let's move on). But here's my weird opinion. English speaking countries; the US, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, England, Scotland have an English speaking "mind." And, in my opinion, people around the world who ALSO speak English have absorbed this "mind." When we say "go F yourself!" or even "ok" it's a mindset/a way of thinking. And I don't see that English speaker mind in French people's eyes! They have "French eyes" and not just them, but a several countries in Africa, and Haiti, etc., France made a deliberate and purposeful choice to retain and promote their language. In contrast, the Netherlands I think has the highest English penetration in Europe, and obviously the speak Dutch, but you know, you kinda/sorta see they have that English speaker mindset running parallel to their native mindset. What I mean is, if people have learned English and crossed a...threshold of some kind. I see an English speaker mind. And I saw it in Japan! If the person barely spoke English, I saw a Japanese mind in their eyes. If they had total command of English-I could see...not an American personality, but MY way of thinking was visible in their eyes. So back to you. I saw your face, and immediately thought "not Japanese." You are of course--but the point I'm making is; English is sort of...a poison--that's not the right word. Our movies, tv, music, videos, youtube-it's a real thing. Maximum influential. And as I both traveled around the world, and lived in NYC for 10 years around people who were literally fresh off a plane, I have seen English absorption by people, you can actually see their minds change as they get command of the language. They don't change as a person-but a sort of outlook, or perception or way of thinking. It also manifest in clothes, hairstyle, mannerisms, walk, eye contact--it's a whole thing. But it starts with the face and how the person "holds" their face. This is one guy's opinion, and the best I can do to convey it. This theory of mine isn't "real." It's an odd opinion. I don't think a person could go to an Asian country and be able to pick out 3 English speakers from a group of 30 people. BUT, a local person in that country, could probably spot a person not from there--given those factors I listed earlier.

Its not ur look, its ur vibe.

You look like Vietnamese

hairstyle is not japanese, clothing is not japanese, maybe change that (if you want?)

To me, you look like you could be someone from South America.

He actually looks like generic American mixed dude. Which is cool.

You were raised abroad the way you carry yourself may be just different. Social cues and gestures maybe different too. Take third generation japanese here in the states are more integrated with culture. You look japanese but your giving off ( im from somewere else vibe)

yeah sorry but if you didn't SUMIMASEN hard enough first of all and didn't half bow like 3 times while asking the question it's gonna be a dead give away..... まだまだですね plus u look like u from ryukyu islands....

Lololol💖💖💖