Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008

By WAYNE WILSON

Fujieda, Shizuoka

I studied at Oita University as an exchange student. One thing that was very disappointing about my stay was that I visited many onsens only to be turned away. I couldn't even swim in the local pool. Why? Because I have tattoos. After getting a grant from Japan's government to study in Japan, I was still faced with discrimination. In addition, there were restaurants and clubs that my friends -- including Japanese -- and I could not get into because I am a foreigner. I thought Japan had agreed to become a nation that does not discriminate.

I live in Japan now and work at a junior high school, and I own my own school and house in Shizuoka, where I had to prove that I comprehended enough Japanese to get a loan. How is this fair? My wife, who is Japanese, and I went to a local pool only to be turned away. How is Japan going to become more international if the people, most of whom I have met are nice, are scared of what they don't understand?

I like it here and enjoy what I do enough to teach Japan's children, but apparently lack the qualifications to go swimming. Every chance I get I teach about how things are accepted differently around the world and not to judge a book by its cover. I hope to make a difference to some with my little contribution.

The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.

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