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Japanese-American modeling in Japan? 2007/10/16 03:48
Being a model has always been a dream of mine, however, being full japanese and yet american has not given me a very desirable look (mostly my height) for american and european modeling. Not to mention, whenever I find any modeling agencies that are in japan, they say that they sponsor foreign models but they are predominantly caucasian. Also, they tend to model for high fashion. I have the exact body for a bikini model and I have seen bikini models in japan that are shorter than I am. Would it be more difficult for me, as a non-typical ''foreign model'' Or will I have to go to a japanese modeling agency that does not sponsor ''foreign models''?
by Rie  

Like you, 2007/10/30 14:31
I'm in the very same boat you are, except for music. I'm Japanese by ethnicity, but American by citizenship. It is a very rare case that almost never happens, which is why it is so hard to find information for people like us (Americans of Japanese decent). I am a "wannabe" musician. however, I like to distinct myself from the others, because I know that most people are not serious and/or not willing to endure the nessecary work and sacrafice to achieve their goals. However, some are, and those are the people that I have to worry about. Same goes for your case. Now, I'm not going to Japan for another year or two to try out for the music business. Now, my natural mentality is to think of the worst case scenario, and make that the potential outcome. However, after much convincing, I'm almost inclined to allow this thought to slip through my mind. Know what it is? Well, since we are Japanese by race, maybe...JUST MAYBE, they will cut us a break and give us a few more perks since we are one of their own. HOWEVER, this is ONLY an OPINION AND THOUGHT, and is NOT a proven fact, and in my mind, is highly unlikely. Although I hate to talk shit about my own people, they can be real dicks when it comes to law. I mean, the people themselves might be nice, but the laws are so tight reguarding foregners, that it's rediculous. However, like I said, since we're not foreigners per se, we just might get a break. I know you get a little bit of perks, at least at the airport. When I went to Japan a year back, the Japanese customs at Kansai Int. stopped every gaijin they could get their hands on and searched their carry-on bags, ran a metal detector over them, the whole nine yards. One even was called in for a cavity check. Ewie! They even stopped my step grandfather and searched him because he is an American, but they didn't touch or even say anything negative or accusing to me or my grandmother, in which we are both Japanese by race, but not by citizenship. So, count on some perks at the airports, but when it comes to the actual law, don't even expect any mercy. In fact, they struk up a casual conversation with us while one of them was searching my grandfather. If you get any perks outside of an airport, that's excellent, but when it comes to Japanese law, you need to be prepared for the worst, because Japanese customs and police have little or no remorse for sending a foreigner back. Now, I'm sorry that I didn't answer your question in the context that you have asked it, but I'm just telling you what to expect if you do decide to go to Japan to model, both by the law, and the people.

Now for your question

If you are very serious about modeling in Japan as your career, then there is a couple things that you need to know. First off, pay sucks, and work is hard. No joke. My friends brother is an advertisment specialist, and he works from 6:30 to about 21:30, excluding the overtime he usually puts in, and to top it all off, he get's paid very little. Just enough to survive with meager "play funds", yet he works his ass off. Just that knowledge alone will turn off many foreigners who would like to come to Japan. However, my friend's brother once told me this;
"I wake up early (5:00), and go to sleep late (around 23:45) every single weekday, Monday thru Saturday (yes, Japan works on Saturdays.). But you know what? I don't really care. I'm just thankful to have the oppertunity to live in this marvelous country."
You basically have to have a mentality like that. You cannot be concerned about money. You have to be happy with having money that is just enough to keep you alive if you're a foreigner. Because remember, beggars cannot be choosers. Because if you get too picky, then the company will drop you in a heartbeat, again, with little remorse, if any at all. You have to be thankful for what you have, and be thankful that they're even letting you be there. Because remember, they're the once holding your visa sponsership. They can just as easily drop you.

Next, learn that your industry is an industry that many girls want to be in. You don't know how many times I've heard exactly what you have just said.
"I have the exact body for a bikini model"
Do you know how many times I've heard that? Too many to count. The music biz is like that too. So many musicians are saying that they're so good, when in reality, they're not. You have to be brutally honest with yourself. Think Simon Cowell of American Idol. You have to judge yourself like you would another. If there's something you dislike, aknowledge it. Don't ignore it and pretend that it's not there. Work to fix it, or work to learn to live with it. You cannot cut yourself slack just because you're judging you. Now, please don't be a narcissist or some person who thinks that there's always something wrong with them. No. I'm not saying OR encouraging that. I'm simply saying, be honest. If there's an unattractive mole, then aknowledge it. Get it removed or learn to live with it. But don't pretend like it's not there. Remember, you want to work in Japan. Japan is a very judging society when it comes to image, and they are very tough. Just keep that in mind. Now, I don't know you or how you look like, so I don't know if you're telling the truth, but I can say this, if you think there's something wrong, ask a friend. Try to stray from asking family, for they usually give you positive comments even about a negative thing. Even if you think you're perfect, still, ask, for they may tell you otherwise. It will help if you tell them to judge you according to what they truly think, not according to what would make you feel better about yourself of hurt your feelings. Tell them to be honest, and to tell you if there's something wrong. Remember, if you cannot take critisism, then that industry is not for you, because there will be plenty of times where you will be critisised about SOMETHING. Whether it's miniscule or major, there's always something that you need to improve on. And this is true for anything in life, from any industry. There's always room to get better.

Also remember the whole age thing. It's not only Japan, but every country has that whole age-group thing. It's like, up to a certain age, you're acceptable for modeling, and past that age, you will be retired, whether you like it or not. Think Tyra Banks. She was a supermodel, but once she started to get into her 30s, they retired her. Now, that doesn't mean that she's not pretty or she's useless, but it's just that the model agencies need to keep their "inventory" fresh with new, young girls. Also, when you're younger, you're more likely to do what they tell you. When you get older, you tend to stick to what you believe in, and that conflicts with business. Being a model is a short-term career, but it could be the only career you need should you be a successful, commercial model. Although it can be a career that can make your lifetime, it is rare that a person can become a model that sucessful. Same goes with any other type of "entertainment" job. But don't let that discourage you. Pursue it anyways.

Finally, my last piece of advice I'd like to share, is something I got off of a Joel Osteen sermon (I'm not religious, but that guy shares a lot of good information about life). I caught it near the end, but I got the whole message. It was about abundance, and he used the terms "Skinny Goat" and "Fatted Cat". What it basically means, is that someone with a "Skinny Goat" mentality, is someone who likes to make just enough to get by. These are the people that just make it by, and often, are alright with it. But the thing is that they dream and don't work to achieve it. A "Fatted Cat" is a person who is rather successful in life, and has abundance. Basically, they're the ones that work to achieve their high-set goals, and they are rewarded handsomly. You need to have a "Fatted Cat" mentality. You need to not accept anything less than what you think is great. Don't settle for "alright". Strive for "excellence". Don't be "average" or "acceptable". Be "extraordinary". I know it's cliche, but you need to believe in your ablility to carry out the job. But also, keep in mind, there may be times where you will be asked to do something that you don't agree with. You have to ask yourself, "Am I willing to bend backwards for my career?" Remember, you can't have everything in life. You need to give up certain things to gain others. You just have to know where your malleable point is, and where you put your foot down and say "no".

Think about all of this. Have a full, open mind to everything. Do lots and lots of research. I know Google is not the best place, because I don't use it often for my research in my industry, but give it a shot. You might get something sooner or later. If you have visa or legal questions, ask your local embassy. Try to look into different modeling agencies in Japan open to foreigners. Don't be discouraged just because it says "foreigner" and (you think) the secret meaning is "caucasian". Remember, to the law of Japan, you're a foreigner too, so give it a shot. They just might choose you over then just because you're Japanese. Remember to learn Japanese too. Too many wannabe models (as well as musicians and many other wannabe "artists") are expecting to make a breakthrough in Japan without learning Japanese. Not only is that bullshit, but it's very disrespectful to Japan and it's people if you expect them to be ok with you speaking English only. Learn their lingo! How would you like it if some foreigner came into your country, expecting you to be alright with them not learning your language? I bet you wouldn't like that. So why would they?

Hope it helps,
Reita

PS: Try to ask your nearby modeling agencies if they have branches in Japan. I think that the John Robert Powers agency has a branch in Japan, I'm not sure though. Give it a look.
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