A non-racially Japanese individual can become a Japanese citizen through naturalization. So technically, yes, this is possible, though difficult. After naturalization, this person would become a foreign-born Japanese.

However, would this naturalized Japanese citizen ever be considered Japanese by the Japanese society at large, and by individuals who are not his close friends/confidants? No, because the Japanese society as a whole sees nationality and race as inseparable, and have not had enough exposure to diversity to be able to see beyond this construct. It is not so much rejection as it is a total unfamiliarity with Western views of nationhood and citizenship. I hope this makes sense.

It seems that many Americans, or other Japanophiles from diverse societies, struggle with this reality — and that is totally understandable. The best way to deal with this issue is to understand how and why Japanese society is the way that it is. Accept it. Understand that the society could change someday, and that the current cultural perception of us/them does not mean that you cannot like Japan, love Japan, have close ties with Japan, take inspiration from Japan, study Japanese, or integrate the culture into your everyday life. All it means is that if you ever decide to put down roots there, you could seek naturalization but would nevertheless have to contend with a certain social “otherness.”

Always be patient, diplomatic, and respectful — these traits will get you very far in Japan, and will open many doors.

Fantastic series of videos. Admittedly I am a relative newcomer to Japan, and have only been here a total of about a year if I add up my various visits plus recent (more permanent, career based) move to Tokyo, but I feel like I'm starting to see some of the cultural layers peel away in my daily interactions with others – particularly through daily life at my work and graduate school. As an anthropologist, I try really hard to listen to everyone's feelings about identity, home, culture and place, and then form somewhat of an understanding about the cultures and subcultures around me… but this is something that any anthro student or professional is told can and will take YEARS to come together for you. Since I have some years to spare, I'm trying to be patient and just let the big picture come together over time. I don't want to become Japanese – but I do enjoy living among Japanese people and making a positive difference in the community around me (I'm okay with participating in things like trash cleanup days and I think it's helped me to be at least recognized as a positive part of the community).

I have to say, Hikosaemon's account on being Japanese and whether or not that is a desirable goal really has a lot for people to think about and really digest intellectually (and I've been thinking about it for the past few days). Honestly, I think he had a lot of really helpful things to say, and I tend to agree that keeping my identity as my own, rather than forcing new definitions or restrictions around it constantly, is something that is very important to me. Observing the general social code is of course important when living in another country and usually makes things a lot easier for you and those around you, but your identity is something you always have control over. If you are a generally unhappy person where you are living now and you want to come to Japan thinking that will make you happy – it probably won't work out. I get a lot of emails from people who want to move to Japan because they love what they've learned about Japanese Culture and have formed this very defined picture of Japan in their heads…(I think this happens to everyone to some extent. Even I admit to having some defined notions before I came!) but I try to remind them that at the end of the day we're all just human – eating, working, sleeping and living in the space around us for better or for worse, AND that what many of the Japanese Video Bloggers have been saying is quite true (I'm paraphrasing here but you get the idea) “Everyone who comes to Japan will have a different experience.” It's wonderful to travel and experience new cultures and ideas, but remembering who you are and why its special for everyone to have their own sense of identity, culture and happiness in life is quite important. That's what I honestly feel.

I have to say, Hikosaemon’s account on being Japanese and whether or not that is a desirable goal really has a lot for people to think about and really digest intellectually (and I’ve been thinking about it for the past few days). Honestly, I think he had a lot of really helpful things to say, and I tend to agree that keeping my identity as my own, rather than forcing new definitions or restrictions around it constantly, is something that is very important to me. Observing the general social code is of course important when living in another country and usually makes things a lot easier for you and those around you, but your identity is something you always have control over. If you are a generally unhappy person where you are living now and you want to come to Japan thinking that will make you happy – it probably won’t work out. I get a lot of emails from people who want to move to Japan because they love what they’ve learned about Japanese Culture and have formed this very defined picture of Japan in their heads…(I think everyone does this to some extent and even I admit to have had perceptions before coming here) but I try to remind them that at the end of the day we’re all just human – eating, working, sleeping and living in the space around us for better or for worse, AND that what many of the Japanese Video Bloggers have been saying is quite true (I’m paraphrasing here but you get the idea) “Everyone who comes to Japan will have a different experience.” It’s wonderful to travel and experience new cultures and ideas, but remembering who you are and why its special for everyone to have their own sense of identity, culture and happiness in life is quite important. That’s what I honestly feel.

1. As prescribed by your job description, you are on the front line building grassroots intercultural bridges in Japan.
2. You have been “in and out” of Japan a few times, each transition lasting over a year.
3. You have studied – through both your own extensive curiosity and through university – the paradigms of Japaneseness, trends in cultural identity, and being caught between cultures. You have practiced putting these ideas clearly and concisely.
4. Holding both a Philosophy degree and Japanese culture close to your heart, you have clearly been doing some deep thinking about this for years up to recording this 'cast.

As with all things it's a question of degrees. You can integrate so far, but there are stumbling points. As time goes on some things will become easier for foreigners and some will become harder. Aspiring to meaningful, succinct, and well-considered social commentary is useful for everyone.

You say in the post “How to argue in Japanese” that you're looking for a “fight” having you've just come out of university and want to tackle all these questions. I say it's good to keep chasing new ideas, trying to understand the nature of questions that are important to you.

Your cast and the original are the only two above that are watchable, as you are not rambling. Oration is a skill. It's not a chat. So thanks Hikosaemon and Gakuranman. I hope these vids gave some comfort to Bobby!

PS

I feel like the practical message is this.
Living in Japan can be a gruelling experience, so be as proactive as possible. Grab it by the horns. Get involved in as many local things as you can. Drink with the men, get involved with any clubs, festivals, projects, anything you can. Be productive. This is the best therapy for sitting on your arse having a sad and lonely crisis.