How the Japanese Islands are Viewed by the Japanese

A friend of mine once told me that when he was in Japan, everyone was saying to him “So, when are you leaving?”

You may all be wondering where I got the name of my blog, Japanda. Well its from my friend. He said to me that if you’re from the West, you are viewed in at least a little way as somethng like a bear. Hence the name JaPANDA.

You are a curiosity, a pet. Obviously, Japan did a lot to immunize itself from the West from many centuries, granting only trading rights to the Dutch who had to live on a small island connected to the mainland and who werent allowed to trade on Japan’s mainland itself.
My question is – how do the Japanese regard their land. Something that shouldnt be trodden upon or occupied by gaijin? Does it have a special significance?

This question is increasingly important as Japan’s population ages and Japan is looking for youthful energetic and able workers to support its economy,sometimes from overseas. Further, as other nations struggle with issues of multiculturalism and terrorism, Japan seems to be one of the few countries in the world that has a relatively homogenous population.

Your thoughts?