This the second time I am having my Chinese New Year celebrated in Japan.
I was not expecting much of celebration this time. Just like the previous year, I called home, wrote some emails to wish my friends, had a small dinner with some Malaysian chinese friend in the town, and that was it.
Since I am not close to my Japanese counterparts, I did not expect any New Year wishes from them, but after some conversations with a few Chinese friends around, I realized that I was not the only one who was not greeted by the Japanese counterparts. I was a bit annoyed by the fact that although the Chinese, being the largest community immigrants in Japan, they are somewhat, being treated petty.
I did not jumped into any conclusion, as my observation was narrow.
Still feeling dissatisfied, I called Patrick, who stayed in Japan for 4 years and was closer to the counterparts, and started complaning my about my dissatifactions. Just as I expected, Patrick agreed with fact that the counterparts tend to overlook at this major foreign community, needless to say other minorities celebrations (except those celebrated by Americans).
I may be a bit over-sensitive over this issue, but perhaps because I come from a multi-racial country, where we try if possible not to over look other minorities celebrations. (correct me if i am wrong), I may still embraced strongly to the concept of "open house", and "sharing celebrations".
Perhaps "sharing celebrations" concept only thrive in multi-racial countries like Malaysia, Singapore and...??
If u guys received any wishes from Japanese friends during your New Year celebration, kindly drop a msg in my box.
Info : My Chinese friend told me that historically, the Japanese used to follow the chinese lunar calander, therefore celebrated the new year at the same time as the chinese.
Note : This piece of writing does not contain any bias on any race, nor intended to provoke any kind of misunderstanding to anyone. It is just a piece of my thoughts to share.
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5 comments:
my friends remembered CNY. Even Basak wished me. Prob because I had been talking about it :). But you also have to look at it this way: although the majority of immigrants are chinese, unless you live near places like chinatowns or concentrated places with chinese nationals (they tend to have a more festive outlook which gives others a clue that a festival may be coming), you won't really know when CNY is. American festivals as you put it, for example, Halloween, is more commercial than anything else and so many movies had been made featuring Halloween tht it is impossible to ignore it. Christmas, though not american in origin, is also another happy time to spend ¥¥. Ramadhan and Aidil Adha, ppl do know about it but they don't know when. Same goes for Deepavali and Thaipusam. Malaysia is multiracial and sensitivity is a great issue. Therefore, we are more aware of the fact than others because we cannot afford to be insensitive.
AL
thank Ai Leng for ur comment. The reason why I put the info down there, is to highlight the fact that the Japanese know about this Chinese celebration, and most of them realized that the Chinese started to get busy about going home, etc..to celebrate the new year. I do not dare to ask any Japanese about this, but I wish some of you may want to give some opinion or share experiences. Again, with no intention of provoking misunderstanding
This is a sociological inquiry, but rite now I am still feeling dizzy and sick to write anything useful.
Koreans are actually the largest foreign community in Japan, Chinese on the second. Yet compare to Malaysia's unique context, the formation of Japan is basically on the concept of nation-state, as the natioanlism construction of Japanesese-ness has traceable history.
And in reality, the total population of foreigners in Japan is less than 5% (I havent checked on the exact statistics). There are voices from the academicians, NGO and NPO to promote multi-culturalism in Japan, but obviously to promote such consciousness and awareness among the Japanese still has a long way to go.
I strongly recommend this classic book to you. Imagine Communities by Benedict Anderson. The historical case studies on the nationalism of Japan, Thailand and the Philippines are very enlightening.
Nightraveller
Nightraveller * thank you for ur information. Sorry, I just realised my mistake :chinese is not the no 1 foreign commnunity in Japan.
Didn't know you were sensible to this issue... so, better late than never: HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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