The Formation of Subjectivity in Asian Students in Japanese Higher Education

Abstract

This paper explores how non-Japanese Asians studying at Japanese universities form their subjectivity
and negotiate in Japanese society. To this end, a qualitative paradigm, namely a narrative approach to
data collection, was employed as a methodological framework, and the data collection methods were
face-to-face interviews and social media. The participants were six Asian students from different
Asian countries. After collecting their narratives and transcribing them, I categorized them into three
phases: Expectations & Gaps, Outcomes, and Vision for the future. The findings reveal that all
participants felt admiration and respect for Japanese perseverance and politeness, as well as Japan’s
advanced technology in their imaginary world before they came to Japan. However, after living in
Japan, this view changed to a negative one, leaving them disappointed by Japanese narrowmindedness
and both invisible and visible discrimination against them. These negative experiences
gradually created their subjectivity as they have found themselves trying to conform to Japanese social
power and norms and acting like the Japanese while in Japan. However, their hearts were no longer in
Japan. These findings imply that Japanese students’ intercultural understanding is dominated by the
cultures of the English-speaking world, while their understanding of other cultures except for those of
that world is scant. The paper concludes by suggesting a cosmopolitan pedagogy for intercultural
understanding and communication so that Japanese students can become true global citizens.