PanSIG 2025

Black Japanese Students: Analyzing their Educational Experiences in Japan

17 May 2025, 16:20

25m

BLDG 8/1F-112 (Kanda University of International Studies (神田外語大学))

Practice-oriented Oral Face-to-face presentation Intercultural Communication in Language Education B8-112 SAT: ICLE & Critical Thinking; SUN: CT, Listening & ER

Speaker

Helen Aracena

KEYWORDS

Hāfu students, Japan, educational experiences, diversity

ABSTRACT

This presentation examines the experiences of hāfu students in Japan, particularly those with one Black parent and one Japanese parent. Using an autoethnographic approach, it explores the unique challenges faced by this group in educational spaces. Previous studies show that the type of school significantly influences hāfu students’ experiences. Research indicates that students attending international schools often experience more positive outcomes, such as greater inclusion and increased confidence. Conversely, in schools with predominantly Japanese students, hāfu students tend to face exclusion and hardships. Additionally, a student's physical features can impact their interactions with peers, as their appearance may shape how they are perceived by others. Japan’s perceptions of Black people are also a crucial factor in understanding the reactions of Japanese students to their Black hāfu classmates.
This study uses an intersectional framework (Crenshaw 1991) to examine how factors like familial background, economic status, and societal stereotypes combine to shape the educational opportunities and experiences of Black hāfu students. Narratives from students who have attended various schools—public, private, and international—reveal the complexities of navigating these educational environments. The presentation sheds light on the barriers Black hāfu students face and discusses the potential for greater diversity and inclusion in Japanese schools.