Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2013

gaijin hatin’

Regarding “Gaijin vs. Gaijin” (The Last Word, Mar 1): What’s the matter with ignoring, avoiding and disapproving of other foreigners? I’ve lived here for 50 years now and I don’t feel one iota of guilt for not wanting anything to do with them. To be honest, they’re in my way. I didn’t come here to be with them. And frankly, the more there are of them, the less of a commodity I am, and—yeah!—I like being a commodity. I enjoy feeling special. I thrive on the wide choice of freedom and options my status as a rarity can generate. And just what’s wrong with that? The fewer foreigners here, the better. The pay’s higher, the jobs are plentiful, diverse and rewarding; we’re treated with a deferential reverence and a quiet courtesy—the very worst results of which lead to mild cases of megalomania. I can deal with it. Gaijins? Go away.—Aretha Jones

[…] I’m getting the vibe the author met one of these snobs, really took it to heart, and wrote this in a fit of rage. The anti—English teachers are arseholes, they’d be arseholes in their own country anyway and they’ve found something new to be an arsehole about. No point in being upset about it, the majority of people are sound.—Calico Jack Rackham

I’ve been here nine months now… not sure what this guy’s talking about. Anyway, I’m here with the US military, so I’m surrounded by gaijin. We sure as hell don’t have that complex. I chose to live far away from my base to be forced to learn more Japanese and meet people outside of work (thus having a personal social life as well) or I’d end up limiting myself. I’m sure most gaijin look at other gaijin with curiosity—or not at all. Perhaps you should stop thinking so much, William.—Wendy

Interesting read. Some good points. All the haters are taking it too personally. Be honest and unmerciful.—Jacky

Spot on. What a fascinating read. This is exactly the undercurrent that I felt in the presence of other foreigners at times. Especially if you have moved out of the big city and into the less ethnically diversified areas of Japan. I couldn’t quite describe the feeling I had, but this article sums things up pretty well. I think part of it may be the fact that some foreigners (I for one) are fed up with Western attitudes where acting big, bold and cocky is cool. As such, those foreigners (again including me) try to run away for some genuine peace and rest.—Beautifulnippon

COVER MODEL

As a long time reader, I would like to say that the cover of issue #988 is one of the best in quite a while. I’d say it’s in your top ten ever. Warhol would approve. It’s worth framing. Well done! (But will the pendulum swing back to bikinis or pro wrestlers?)—Allan Murphy

THANK THE STARS

I’ve been reading and recommending Metropolis since I lived in Tokyo 15 years ago. It is indeed the best gaijin magazine in the country hands down. Every aspect of it is great. However, for me the greatest and most amazing aspect is [Horoscope writer] Cathryn Moe. I cannot even begin to explain how accurate Cathryn’s forecasts have been over the years. Often times the degree to which her forecasts detail what is actually transpiring in my life at the time of the forecast is truly amazing. The current edition [Metropolis #987, February 22] is one such example. Thank you, Cathryn.—T N