ABSTRACT
The Japanese government, despite an obvious ethnic mix in the nation's population, has throughout this century promoted an image of homogeneity - to the extent that a newcomer to Japan might be forgiven for expecting that all people in Japan will look, think, speak and act alike, be the same shape, and share their history, their favourite foods, and one cultural experience. NonJapanese in the Japanese population are often conveniently ignored, both within Japan and beyond, as if they have no real part to play. One is either a 'Japanese' or an 'alien'. Japanese people who do not conform to the national images may experience severe emotional or material hardship.
