A question about "Japanese only" signs in Japan?

Asked by Nick88 (61

) September 12th, 2021

As a retro video arcade game fan, I’ve been thinking of visiting Japan at some point in the future if and whenever this covid crisis gets under control. I’m quite familiar with its culture, etiquette, and people.
Or at least some elements of them. I’ve heard stories about some areas having signs reading “Japanese customers only” or Japanese only” kind of thing. If and whenever I visit Japan in the future, where can I expect to find these signs and therefore not wander near those areas, and do I need to worry about not being allowed in the video arcade game centers as an American foreigner? I’m doing a lot of research on Japan as I find the Japanese a very interesting people and a fascinating country.
Do I need to worry about being kicked out of the game centers on the basis of being a foreigner assuming that I follow the rules well and behave and speak some of the language?

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1 Answer

When I lived with a Japanese family in Hiroshima for a month in the late 90’s, I never encountered any signs like you describe. Things may have changed since then of course, but my general impression was that Japanese people were incredibly kind, thoughtful, and considerate of others. I did have a random old lady drive up and start screaming at our group of American students at one time totally unprovoked. She looked old enough to maybe have lost people in WW2. But that was the only time I was there where I ever experienced any open hostility.

gorillapaws (30518

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