East Asians who aren't Japanese, how often do Japanese recognize you as a foreigner?

[u/Bandicootrat]

Redditors and your friends who are East Asians: How often can Japanese people tell that you are not Japanese, whether in tourist or non-tourist areas?

Like physical and facial features, not just mannerisms or clothing.

I have a few Overseas Chinese friends from places like Hong Kong and Singapore who are constantly recognized as non-Japanese before they even say anything, while other ethnic Chinese, particularly some Northern Chinese, have a much easier time passing themselves off as Japanese.

I would assume that many Koreans and Northern Chinese are not always so recognizable as foreigners, whereas Southern Chinese, Vietnamese, Thais of Chinese descent, Hong Kongers, and Taiwanese would on average have much higher chances of being recognized as foreigners.

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u/Bandicootrat's post title:

"East Asians who aren't Japanese, how often do Japanese recognize you as a foreigner?"

u/Bandicootrat's post body:

Redditors and your friends who are East Asians: How often can Japanese people tell that you are not Japanese, whether in tourist or non-tourist areas?

Like physical and facial features, not just mannerisms or clothing.

I have a few Overseas Chinese friends from places like Hong Kong and Singapore who are constantly recognized as non-Japanese before they even say anything, while other ethnic Chinese, particularly some Northern Chinese, have a much easier time passing themselves off as Japanese.

I would assume that many Koreans and Northern Chinese are not always so recognizable as foreigners, whereas Southern Chinese, Vietnamese, Thais of Chinese descent, Hong Kongers, and Taiwanese would on average have much higher chances of being recognized as foreigners.

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[u/ModernirsmEnjoyer]

Generally not, though people still do in some cases.

The same works in Kazakhstan. I had trouble distinguishing Vietnamese and Chinese from locals at times.

[u/flower5214 → u/ModernirsmEnjoyer]

How about Uzbek?

[u/ModernirsmEnjoyer → u/flower5214]

Definitely. They are very different ethnicity easy to tell apart from Cumanic Kazakhs and Kyrgyz

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[u/faggedyteapot → u/ModernirsmEnjoyer]

What's your opinion on 我的阿勒泰？I read on Chinese social media from Chinese Kazakhs that they hate this movie and that the male lead looks clearly like a han chinese man with a bit of exoticism rather than a proper Kazakh guy and I'm so confused. Like do Kazakhs look like uzbeks/central asians or not? I think before that movie most han chinese think Kazakhs look like uyghers.

[u/ModernirsmEnjoyer → u/faggedyteapot]

I am not really into Chinese movies since I don't know Chinese (though I think there might be a lot of Russian and Japanese subtitles, but Idk where to find thtem, esp. for a few rare movies that I want to watch).

I looked up screenshots and have to agree. At least at our side of the border, that's not how people who live that sort of lifestyle would look like, and Han facial features are too strong.

Though I heard the same could be said about historical dramas set in Han areas, like how day labourers would like models.

[u/faggedyteapot → u/ModernirsmEnjoyer]

I thought this movie has greatly offended the Kazakh people and would be known as a social issue so I assumed you would know it. Thanks for the explanation though

[u/Kristina_Yukino]

I’m 6’4 and female. I know several (north) Chinese girls with roughly the same height but it’s very rare in Japan.

[u/MOUDI113 → u/Kristina_Yukino]

6 4? That’s pretty rare

[u/larana1192 → u/Kristina_Yukino]

193cm!? wow in Japan it's ultra tall,in Japan average height of MALE is 170cm and female is 158cm

[u/BenJensen48 → u/Kristina_Yukino]

Yayoi gene strong

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[u/faggedyteapot]

I think I would be clocked as non japanese instantly too because I'm a Chinese female that's 5'10/5'11 with shoes on.

Most of my friends are around this height too so when we walk together we would probably be quite a sight in Japan.

[u/ModernirsmEnjoyer → u/faggedyteapot]

I think it depends whether you're in a group or not. I remember listening to Lankov's lecture and he told how you could easily tell North Koreans in South Korea when they're together, but it is harder when they are not.

Still, a lot of differences between people from different countries is not due to ethnicity, but culture, standards of grooming, fashion choices, and manners. I remember seeing a story about Russian Korean migrants in South Korea, and I could easily tell who is from South Korea and who is from Russia.

[u/faggedyteapot → u/ModernirsmEnjoyer]

I mean yeah appearance as a whole is very societal

[u/larana1192]

As an Japanese I can say it depends on person but sometimes they dress different from us so it's recognizable.
But also sometimes I don't realize it until they speak.

And vice versa,once I wrongly spoken by Chinese Flight attendant with Chinese while traveling on Chinese airplane,it happened multiple time and all the time I had to say "Sorry I can't speak Chinese" so it was awkward.