Given Japan’s ethnic homogeneity, people who are not visibly Japanese tend to stand out. Curious stares in non-tourist areas are not uncommon. This can often be attributed to genuine interest—you may be the first person of your race or ethnicity that your host family, community, or other Doshisha students may have met—but it may take some getting used to.

Possible Experiences for Students of Color

• Issues of race or diversity in the US are generally not as well-known in Japan or are perhaps only understood on a surface level. Similarly, many Japanese people may not have given thought to issues of race or diversity within Japan itself.
• Students of color may occasionally find that their identity as an American or “foreigner” is focused on more than their race, which can be surprising if they don’t feel particularly “American.”
• Due to the emphasis of light-colored skin in Asian beauty standards, the issue of colorism exists within Japan. Beauty products with skin brightening or whitening additives (marked by the term 美白 or “beautiful white”) tend to be very popular. In general, most beauty products in Japan are not targeted toward darker or non-East Asian complexions.
• Although short-term residents (such as study abroad students) may not encounter it as often, xenophobia does exist and is particularly directed at long-term immigrant communities. Xenophobic sentiment was also aggravated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Further Resources: Organization – Diversity Abroad

 Black Students

• Perceptions of Black people in Japan are primarily influenced by what is shown in popular and international media. While the popularity of Black celebrities (entertainers, athletes, etc.) has helped to create positive associations with Black culture, particularly among the younger generation, many of the negative media stereotypes are also prominent.
• Black haircare and beauty products may be difficult to find and can be expensive compared to the US. Similarly, Black students may also encounter various comments and questions about their hair, including unwanted touching.
• Further Resources: Organization – Legacy Foundation Japan, Video – Black in Japan, Video – Black in Tokyo, Video – What’s It Like Being Black in Japan in 2021?

Asian Students

• Students who can be visibly mistaken for a Japanese person may find it easier to blend in than other students on AKP. However, students who blend in too well may also experience some awkwardness if there is a disconnect between their appearance and Japanese language ability.
• Similarly, Japanese heritage-speakers or Japanese American students may experience a disconnect between their desire to connect with their culture and their “outsider” status as foreigners. They may also find themselves burdened with higher self-expectations or expectations from Japanese locals compared to non-Japanese students.
• Due to the complex geopolitical history between Japan, China, and Korea, anti-Chinese and anti-Korean sentiment is something that students may encounter while in Japan. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic had aggravated anti-Chinese sentiment.
• Further Resources: Blog Post – Asian, but Not Japanese, in Japan, Blog Post – Asian and Gaijin

• More and more Japanese people (particularly the younger generation) are supportive of LGBTQ+ people. But some of the older generation or those in more rural areas may still hold outdated or discriminatory views.
• In general, it is rare to hear people talk in-depth about romantic relationships, sexuality, or gender in public, as these topics are usually considered “private” or “personal.”
• It is not illegal to be LGBTQ+ in Japan. However, there are no national anti-discrimination laws to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
• While there are a few LGBTQ+-friendly establishments in Kyoto, people hoping for a larger LGBTQ+ scene should look to the nearby city of Osaka, which also hosts the Kansai Rainbow Festa (the local Pride event) in October.

Transgender Students

• People in Japan may be less familiar with common US terms or concepts related to gender identity, such as “transgender” or “genderfluid,” though this has been changing. It may also be possible for a transgender person to be mistaken as gay or lesbian, as those identities might be more familiar to the general public.
• In order to comply with immigration policy and other legal requirements, official documents (such as your visa materials, residence card, Doshisha ID card, etc.) will need to match the name and gender listed in your passport. This may be unsettling for students whose passports do not properly reflect their identity. For non-official documents and day-to-day interactions, AKP staff and faculty will respect your personal pronouns and chosen name.
• Students who are taking hormones to transition will need to confirm, prior to entering the country, whether their prescription is legal in Japan. If it is legal, it would be best to bring the needed supply in advance through an import certificate; foreign prescriptions are not honored in Japan, and it can be a difficult and time-consuming process to get a Japanese prescription for HRT. More information about importing medications can be found on the Bringing Medications into Japan page.
• There is one “gender-neutral” restroom in Kyoto, located in Kyoto Station. However, many buildings have implemented “barrier-free” restrooms, which are single-stall wheelchair accessible restrooms that can be used so long as a person with physical impairments is not in need of it. Doshisha itself has barrier-free restrooms in various buildings across campus. Taishinkan, the older building in which the Kyoto Center is located, does not have such restrooms.
• Onsen and public baths are usually separated into “male” and “female” sections, and it may be difficult for transgender students to choose which side they feel comfortable entering. For the most part, people are expected to enter the side corresponding to their assigned gender at birth. While mixed gender onsen are rare in Kansai, students may be able to find and reserve a private onsen at many facilities in advance for a slightly higher fee.

Further Resources: Organization – Stonewall Japan, Video – What Japanese People think of LGBT People, Article – The ABCs of LGBT+ in Japan,  Blog Post – UK Student’s Experience as LGBT+ in Japan, Blog Post – High School Student’s Experience Studying Abroad as Trans in Japan

• Most Japanese people do not consider themselves religious, although many participate in both Shinto (Japan’s indigenous religion) and Buddhist practices. Religious holidays that may be commonly known in the US such as Easter or Passover may not be as well-known in Japan.
• There are mosques, churches, and synagogues in and around Kyoto. If you wish to connect with a religious community while on AKP, ask the Kyoto Center staff for assistance!
• Christians: Doshisha University offers a weekly Chapel Hour and Chapel Concert through its Center for Christian Culture.
• Muslims: Doshisha also serves various halal dishes in its cafeterias and provides several meditation rooms on campus that can be used as prayer rooms.
• Further Resources: Webpage – Religion in Japan, Webpage – Jewish Kyoto

When it comes to accommodating disabilities, Japan excels in some places more than others. AKP will provide reasonable accommodations for our students with disabilities but may need some advance notice. To request accommodations from AKP, you will need to ask your home institution’s accommodations office to send a letter to AKP detailing your accommodations. More information can be found in AKP’s Disability and Accommodations Policy.

• Visual Impairments: Japan originated the use of yellow tactile paving on sidewalks so such paving is present almost everywhere in Kyoto. Most traffic lights also make sounds when it is safe to cross.
• Physical Impairments: All of AKP’s classrooms are wheelchair accessible. However, the Kyoto Center, which is on the second floor of an older building, is not. Outside of Doshisha Campus and central Kyoto, ramps in buildings and stations may be hard to find. While central Kyoto is relatively flat, there are areas with steep hills in the outer neighborhoods as well as some temples only accessible by stairs.
• Hearing Impairments: Japan has its own form of sign language called JSL (Japanese Sign Language). While subtitles/captions are common in Japanese television programming, these will be in Japanese.
• Learning Disabilities: Many common medicines, such as Ritalin for ADHD, are illegal in Japan. If you are taking medicine to address a learning disability, please contact your local Japanese consulate/embassy to confirm whether your current medication is legal. Be sure to also turn in any accessibility accommodations requests at least one month in advance of your arrival so that AKP can support you during your time abroad.
• Further Resources: Organization – Mobility International USA, Website – Accessible Japan

• Vegetarian/Vegan: Being vegetarian or vegan in Japan can be tricky due to the prevalence of fish ingredients in food, such as fish stock or bonito flakes. Always double-check ingredients, even if it looks vegetarian. HappyCow (happycow.net) is one great resource to find vegetarian/vegan restaurants in and around Kyoto.
• Kosher: It is difficult to find kosher food in Kyoto. There are two Chabad centers in Kyoto (https://www.chabadkyoto.com/ or https://www.jewishkyoto.com/) that may be a resource for those looking to eat Kosher.
• Halal: Doshisha University marks all halal dishes on its menu with the halal symbol. As for halal-friendly restaurants, Halal in Japan (halalinjapan.com) has one list of such restaurants in and around Kyoto.
• Further Resources: Webpage – Traveling to Japan with Dietary Requirements