GAIJIN DA!! Isn't being different good?

[Samurai_Jerk]

Oooh ... his hair is so soft!

I was just looking at AK's comments in the Debito/NY Times thread that was just resurrected. He, as usual, makes a good point. Yeah there's a downside to being a gaijin but the upside far outweighs it. Take the good with the bad. How many of you would actually still enjoy Japan if you were fully accepted as part of the society?

[Taro Toporific]

How many of you would actually still enjoy Japan if you were fully accepted as past of the society?

It certainly put a damper on my revenue.

Near Isetan Shinjuku --- we both have own begging permits (aka handicap IDs) in front of us.

[Mulboyne]

How many of you would actually still enjoy Japan if you were fully accepted as past of the society?

Isn't it a necessary condition to be "being fully accepted" that you also "fully accept". That's a trade-off I could live without. Why give away my meagre competitive advantage? A more interesting question for anyone in a Japanese/Foreigner relationship: how important is it that your children be fully accepted?