In Japan, we use the word “hafu” for a mixed-breed person. I think the definition of “half” is peculiar to Japan. We, the Japanese, tend to think the person who is of mixed with white and Japanese blood as “hafu”. Even though in Japan there are many people who are of mixed with Asian and Japanese, they are usually seen as the Japanese, because they look Japanese. Almost people who are of mixed with Asian and Japanese tend to think them as “the Japanese”. On the other hand, people who are of mixed with White and Japanese are inclined to feel the difference between them (“hafu”) and the Japanese because of our stereotype for them.
One of my “hafu” friends told me about her story as a “hafu”. Her father is American and mother is Japanese and she has lived in Japan for 18 years. She was brought up with Japanese culture, but she often feels the difference because people around her think her as “hafu”. She said they emphasis on the difference between them and her, for example, her American face, characteristics, and so on, so she is over conscious about the American side in herself. Also other my “hafu” friend, he is half Japanese and half American, said “I think I am Japanese, but people around me don’t think so.” He has been displeased with our stereotype for “hafu” person. For instance, he was asked to speak English many times, even though his English is not good enough because he has lived in Japan all his life. Both of them want people around them to pay attention to the Japanese part of them.
I think we, the Japanese, don’t understand people who are “hafu” well. Shouldn’t we change the attitude to them? What do you think about that?
by Moe Kawamura
JAPANsociology 
I think the Japanese need a little change of their thinking. I can guess what are problems their two “hafu” complain because I am a mixed- bleed person. I was treated as outside man like they say when I was a child and also now, in university or in my part-time job team. Although my friends are kind, there are many people change their behavior when they know I am a mix for example, do not tell me their thinking about my another country, ask me another language and look me down when I could not answer their question and complain something it is because of me or my another country thinking are bad when made mistake or had opposed opinion in group.
I think these are everyone who are mixed-bleed person living in Japan experienced. These happening often stress us, the mixed-bleed, and make us feel we are just an outsider. I think these situations are less than before because the globalization developed and people accept foreigners gradually. However, it is not fade out completely. I do not think Japanese should change their attitude soon, but I wish people think about what the “hafu” feel from their treatment. Please do not make them as an outsider.
English class:immigration
Koichiro Otani
Koichiro:
Thank you for giving comment to me.
As I said on blog post, we should change our attitude.
However, I don’t have good my opinion for this. (I don’t know good way we change)
because I don’t know “hafu” person’ feel well.
Are they Japanese? Do they have another identity?
I think it is very difficult question, maybe they have both Identity.
So we need to know them well.
How do they feel about themselves? What do they want us to?
Not to make “hafu” person as an outsider, we have to know each other.
Moe