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Content Warning: Discussion of racism and racist incidents. Article features links and tweets with depictions of blackface.

The recent controversy over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's use of blackface was a reminder that this pervasive form of racism still exists worldwide. Japan, sadly, is no exception. Episodes of blackface in Japan continue to make headlines and stir controversy.

While Japan is renowned for its relative ethnic homogeneity, the country is becoming increasingly diverse. Year over year, more people of all nationalities, drawn by Japan's deep culture and history, take up residence in the country. And the country has found national pride in high-profile mixed-race stars such as Osaka Naomi and Sonny Brown.

For some of Japan's black residents, there are many positive aspects to living in the country. YouTubers Rachel and Jun captured some of these experiences in a YouTube documentary where they interviewed eight black residents. Many of those interviewed spoke warmly about the increased opportunities and relative safety they felt in the country. (“No one's really trying to kill me here,” remarks Andre', who emigrated from America.)

Black in Japan (short version) A video interview of eight people on what it's like being black in Japan. Many thanks to everyone who was willing to share their experiences and thoughts her…

But for all of the positives, there are also deep negatives. The recurrence of blackface in media, in particular, typifies an attitude of ignorance – and, in some cases, outright racism – that holds sway in the country. In this article, Krys Suzuki and Jay Allen take a look at the history of blackface in Japan – and speak with black residents in Japan about how such episodes impact their daily lives.

Blackface in Japan: Modern Controversy, Old Problem

By Krys Suzuki

Back in March of this year, a Japanese production company announced its own adaption of the popular musical Hairspray. However, this announcement also stirred some commotion and controversy. The concern centered around the use of blackface in Japan and Japanese media.

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On one hand, some may want to commend Japan for appreciating one of our most beloved pop-culture productions. But it does raise more than a few eyebrows when we realize the potential issues. Hairspray is a story about American race, diversity, and… blackness.

Given the issues with problematic depictions of race in Japan in the past, some wonder how this increasingly diverse society plans to pull off recreating such a production without stepping on anyone's toes. Producers have announced their ban on blackface, forbidding its use in any of the roles. However, some of us are still holding our breaths wondering how it will turn out.

(JP) Link: Blackface Makeup Banned By Production Team of Japan's Rendition of Hairspray the Musical

The History of Blackness and Blackface in Japan

There are two ways this production can go: either pretty okay or really, really badly. On one hand, it can raise awareness of the racial issues people of color in Japan. However, the lack of diversity and “anti-gaijin” ideologies that unfortunately still exist raise concerns. (The casting of Crystal Kay – a Japanese-born R&B singer, and the daughter of a black American father and a third-generation Korean national living in Japan – is a refreshing breath of fresh air.)

But why is blackface even something we have to worry about in this day and age?

Granted, Japan certainly lacks the history that America has regarding race, despite their own history of race-based exclusion. But this doesn't mean that race, prejudice, and even blackface have never been a problem there before.

Japan's first encounter with people of color goes back to the 16th century in conjunction with their introduction to Europeans. This meant that the first black people Japan met were most likely servants of these European visitors. (This already puts us off to a rocky start as far as first impressions go). Later on, Commodore Matthew Perry introduced Japanese officials to what he dubbed “Ethiopian entertainment” in 1854, which was essentially a performance by his fellow white crew members using – you guessed it – blackface.

(JP) Link: Why is Blackface Wrong? The History of Minstrel Shows Japan Should Know

Blackface in Japan as “Tributes”

In the 1920s and 30s, the Japanese entertainment industry decided to hop on the bandwagon and adopt blackface for itself. Even as movements for racial equality began overseas, Japan failed to recognize it as a problem. Actors continued to take the stage in ridiculous get-ups and horrid black-painted faces. Many naively cited their performances as “tributes” to their favorite doo-wop artists and other performers of color.

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Even one of the most notable groups that advocated for feminism, gender equality, and LGBT rights couldn't escape criticism. Some Japanese actresses of the Takarazuka Revue performed their roles as black servants in their first production of Gone with the Wind in the 1970s in blackface as well. (Shame on you, TR. We expected better.)

(JP) Link: About the Problem of Blackface and Cultural Appropriation in Theater

This disturbing trend continued into the 1980s. People finally called it out after bringing attention to anti-black sentiments put forth by Japanese politicians of the time. This finally saw the discontinuation of these offensive portrayals. However, this win was only temporary. Blackface emerged once again after the election of former US President Barack Obama in 2008. Japanese talents now took to the stage depicting the former President in comedic roles performed in – you guessed it – blackface (now distastefully dubbed “Barackface.”)

(JP) Link: Japan's Outlook Doesn't Change That Blackface is Taboo Around the World

Sadly, incidents of blackface aren't limited to mainstream TV. User B² on Twitter keeps running tabs on Japanese users on Instagram who routinely post photos of themselves in blackface.

B² on Twitter F**kery filed under the hashtag 黒人 (black person/people) on Instagram- an ongoing thread:

Not Just an “American Disease”

Some in Japan consider racism an “America-byo,” literally an “American disease.”This implies an exception to anyone who is not American. Japan is also one of the very few democratic nations without any real laws against hate speech.

Japan's Hate Speech Act of 2016 was established only very recently in response to increasing tension and anti-Korean sentiments. However, this Act administers no real punishment for the violation of supposed anti-hate laws, causing many to question its effectiveness. This makes it even more difficult to define racism/hate speech in Japan, regardless of its definition in other countries.

“I'm Not Racist! I Have Black Friends!”

Looking at it on a national rather than global scale, Japan is statistically the least ethnically diverse country in the world, with about 98% of the population Japanese nationals. This automatically thrusts every other race by default into minority status and has cultivated a very strong “us-versus-them” mentality.

But it doesn't matter what country you observe. You are always going to find a mix of people at all ends of the spectrum. Some who are blatantly racist, some who are thoroughly anti-racist, and those who are… somewhere in between.

It is these “in-betweeners” that are the most problematic because they tend to “get away with it” more easily. If they are not publicly known as “racist,” it's easier to feign innocence. Many will try to use their respect for black people and culture, or the presence of black friends, as justification. This only allows the issue to drag on.

The Relation Between Comedy, Racial Discrimination, and Violence

黒人差別と暴力、あるいはお笑いとの関係 – onasussuの日記 今は2018年。 21世紀になってから17年も経つ。 そんなこの時代に、未だに性差別、人種差別が残っているのは恥ずかしい事だ。 さて、新年早々問題になっている2017年年末の「笑ってはいけない」での ダウンタウン 浜田によるブラックフェイスの問題について、自分の意見をまとめておきたい。 いくつかあるが、ブクマが多かったのはこの記事か。 ここでの ブコメ …

It Starts In The Classroom

Whether or not a thought or action is racist does not solely depend on the majority/minority status of the offending person or group, but on the intention and implications of the act itself. The issue isn't necessarily whiteness or blackness – it's ignorance. And using the “in-between” stance as an attempt to spare oneself from criticism is nothing more than intentional ignorance.

In Japan's defense, their different historical relationship with the outside world leaves out much of what the Western world learns in history class. Slavery and the struggles of people of color were not as big as an issue to Japan in their development. And while many are aware that such a period did exist, many do not know the full details of what really happened, nor the present-day issues that still linger as remnants of that time. It also doesn't help that Japan is still wrestling with its own treatment of its own minority populations, such as the Ainu.

I'm not condemning Japan or Japanese people in general, but the educational system. Schools have done a pretty terrible job of conveying the importance and accuracy of historical events to younger generations. Children don't learn about blackface in Japan. It is this haphazardly taught education that bears great responsibility for the development of racism by undermining the challenges faced by other societies in favor of one's own, not only in Japan, but in educational institutions around the globe.

Doing Race Right

So how does one avoid issues of race and politics when portraying people of a different background than their own? There is a wrong and a right way to do anything, and that includes race.

For example, on the opposite end of the blackface issue lies the other issue of whitewashing. In a recent event, we saw half-Japanese, half-Haitian national and professional tennis star, Naomi Osaka, depicted in a TV commercial as an animated character with a much lighter skin tone and a blonde ponytail.

(JP) Link: The Whitewashing of Naomi Osaka's TV Commercial and the Response Overseas

大坂なおみ日清CMのホワイトウォッシング問題に対する海外の報道(海外の反応) イギリスの公共放送局『BBC』より Naomi Osaka: Noodle company apologises for ‘white-washing' – 23 January 2019 大坂なおみに関するニュースの見出しは全て全豪オープンテニスでの勝利であるべきだった。だがハイチ系日本人のスター選手は再び、カートゥーンでの描かれ方に関する騒動によって本来注目されるべき事柄とは違ったところで注目を浴びてしまった。 今回は日本のラーメン会社である日清がそのMangaの中で混血である彼女をホワイトウォッシュしたことで非難された、そしてて多くの人々がなぜ、こんなことが2度も起こり得るのかと疑問を抱いている。 2018年9月(※大坂なおみが全米オープンで優勝した直後)、オーストラリアの漫画家が同国の新聞『ヘラルドサン』に掲載された風刺画の中で大坂なおみを “金髪” の “白い肌” の女性として描写した際には論争は終結するまで数週間を要した。 This obviously isn't the most offensive aspect of the the Serena Williams cartoon but: if it isn't sexist or racist then why is Naomi Osaka, who is Japanese and Haitian, portrayed as a white woman with a blonde ponytail?

Even if done without malicious intent, there is a certain responsibility to be aware of how content will be received. This is especially true for mass media and celebrities. Treating race nonchalantly can create a potentially harsh backlash, whether intentional or not.

Japan – and the world – needs to get away from the idea that the only two options of portraying black figures in the media are either as exaggerated cartoonish versions such as blackface, or complete erasure through whitewashing. But that's going to take education – and time.

The Impact on Black People Living in Japan

By Jay Allen

For black people living in Japan, issues of blackface and representation have consequences for their daily lives. When I asked on Twitter for people living in the country to share their experiences, I received a wide-opening array of horror stories of mistreatment, casual prejudice, and outright racism.

Unseen Japan @ 不要不急の外出自粛 on Twitter We're doing a piece of blackface in Japanese media & wld love to get some input from Black Japan Twitter: (1) What experiences have you had a racism in Japan? (Links to past tweets ok) (2) Have issues w blackface gotten better in recent years? Worse? (Cont'd.)

One user, A (name withheld by request), related one incident that stood out:

I was on a train in Osaka and a couple sat across from me proceeded to talk about how dirty black people are and that if you hang with them, you and everything you own will become dirty as well. Then the guy pointed at me and said “See? Even her bag is black” and they laughed about it.

Others, like Twitter user BAEthany, reported experiencing job discrimination due to their race:

Beth THEE Villager on Twitter @UnseenJapanSite When I lived there I always got approached in department stores to use whitening products, and at work I had my boss tell me that she understood that my hair was part of my “culture” but worried that me having it in braids would smell bad and be offensive to our clients

Other incidences of racist behavior are less egregious but just as serious. In the Rachel and Jun video above, several users commented on how inappropriate touching – particularly of hair – is a chronic, serious issue. Some Japanese people think nothing of touching the hair of black women without even stopping to ask for permission. (To be fair, white people are just as guilty of this as anybody else.)

The Deification of Whiteness

One consistent theme that emerged from people's feedback is Japan's perceived biased towards whiteness. People of color who emigrate to Japan often complain that white foreign residents are given special treatment. Farrah Hasnain, a writer for the Japan Times, coined the term “Mayojin” to capture the phenomenon of white people in Japan who are faux-oppressed:

𝓕𝓪𝓻𝓻𝓪𝓱🥀 on Twitter @Ishikawa_Sachi Thank you so much for making this thread. Absolutely true and definitely needs to be said. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 I'm tired of the mayojin assuming that they've experienced oppression when they're handed a fork instead of chopsticks while poc, esp woc and black women actually experience it.

The deification of whiteness ties into the issue of blackface as well. White actors are often preferred when a “foreigner” part is required in a TV show or movie. This leaves black actors in the country struggling to find work. It also helps perpetuate stereotypes by limiting everyday depictions of black people in Japanese media.

Actor Maurice Shelton says he's seen this firsthand while working in Japan. “I get actively excluded because of my race all the time,” he says. “The agencies will often say the clients only want ‘Caucasian’ or ‘White’ talents. Sometimes I don’t get calls at all for jobs that could be performed by anyone.”

Shelton says that, sadly, he hasn't seen much improvement since his time in the country. ” There are struggles going on behind the scenes but it’s hard to measure exactly how much progress has been made.”

Education – and Representation – are Key

The use of blackface in Japan and the lack of minority representation in media hasn't gone unnoticed by its increasing number of black residents. And many are making it clear that things need to change.

Perhaps the most well-known voice in this area is Baye McNeil. McNeil garnered attention when he took to Twitter to call out Hamada Masatoshi's use of blackface. McNeil made clear this wasn't an isolated incident, but rather the third incident he'd seen in a single week. Since then, McNeil has written about blackness and race in Japan for a myriad of Japanese and English publications, including Toyo Keizai, the Japan Times, and The Washington Post.

Baye McNeil on Twitter This makes 3 times this week and two nights in a row! This time on the number one viewed program of the year, the super bowl of comedy! Japan…you're making it really hard to love you these days…you gotta do better than this! #BlackfaceisBad #StopBlackFaceJapan

In his write-up of the Hamada issue for The Japan Times, Baye featured quotes from several Japanese people who said their fellow citizens weren't necessarily racist, but ignorant. I asked Baye what he thought of this, and what can be done to tackle the issue of racism in Japan.

“It's a complicated question,” Bays says.

I think many Japanese consider racism a choice and characterized by ill will and hateful intent. And by this definition, I think that actual racist Japanese people are rare. However, I don’t define racism this way. To me, neither malicious intent nor hate is required for racism to take place. Ignorance results in even more racist behavior than hate. And it’s even more difficult to address because the perpetrators are unaware of their racist tendencies and believe themselves to be good people. Which they are. And as good people, they are incapable of harming another group based on skin color or nationality or cultural difference except by accident or misunderstanding.

Baye says that Japan must first admit it has a problem. “[I]f good people refuse to acknowledge this possibility, racism will continue to be very difficult to address in many countries, including Japan.” He also echoed Krys' sentiments that education needs to start early. “The problem is right now [Japanese kids] are being taught through school, media and parents that Japanese are special and that other humans are very different and will likely be incapable of understanding Japanese people, language, or culture. So they grow up believing discrimination is natural.”

Twitter user A echoes Baye's sentiment:

It's fairly easy for Japan to work on representation in media etc given how many white people they feature in anime, dramas, TV shows, etc. I feel like they just don't want to, which is a reflection of the aforementioned prejudice. I feel like we first need Japan to acknowledge that there is a problem.

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