Hey! Hello! I'm coming 2025-2026 for a year abroad on an exchange program to Doshisha from Haifa University, I have so many questions but I'm so nervous I don't even know what to ask. I asked most of my questions on r/KyotoStudents but I want to ask here this one:
I'm coming from Israel – how is the climate regarding safely answering where I'm from? As an Israeli, I know to hide that fact when traveling abroad as it can (and has) created very unsafe or awkward situations. Also, I don't want to make anyone feel like they have to talk politics with me! or feel weird to speak to me – I'm just me! So – is my nationality a """big deal""" in Japan like it is in the USA or Europe?
****I'm aware of my country and why people reply the way they do, but if I stay a year in a city I need to know it is ok to say "I'm from Israel" without being blamed for horrifying crimes, say where I'm from without sparking a political debate or making anyone feel weird for talking to me, maybe even like they shouldn't speak to me! Im a cool person, didn't choose where to be born, like all of us, you know what I mean?
And a question to anyone who happens to be Jewish living in Kyoto (Israeli or not, just Jewish) do you feel okay answering you're Jewish? From what I know Philosemitism is more common than Antisemitism in Japan, and the antisemitism that does exist is quite harmless. Anyway, would love an answer 🙂
Thank you so, so, so much to anyone answering!
PLEASE no debates in the comments, I really just want to know these things and Im not trying to spark a geopolitical ethical debate! (The whole point of this post, saying where I'm from without making people feel awkward or weird around me)
by Strange_Travel9148