Interview with Ms. H

"Are Chinese in Japan united?
I don’t think so. When Japanese people go abroad, they are extremely united—they form associations, business chambers, and support networks. They always stand together. Of course, here in Japan we also have things like a Chinese Entrepreneurs Association, but in reality, everyone mostly goes their own way. It’s not at all like how Japanese or Koreans stick together when they’re overseas.

Some Chinese here can’t speak Japanese well, so they only stay in a Chinese circle, making friends only with other Chinese. But for people like me, who have already integrated into Japanese society, we don’t only make friends with Chinese. Still, I can feel that our community isn’t as cohesive. Koreans have groups like the Korean Federation, and Japanese abroad also organize activities that bring everyone together easily. Even Indians, from what I’ve seen, are very united.

Chinese, on the other hand, might hold some events, but it never reaches the same level of solidarity. In Japan, we’re just not as united."