STEREOTYPES OF JAPANESE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HELD BY FILIPINO STUDENTS IN UP DILIMAN

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigated the stereotypes of Japanese international students held by Filipino counterparts in University of the Philippines Diliman (Quezon city, Manila, Philippines). To begin with, 32 Filipino students from University of the Philippines Diliman were asked to list traits describing a typical Japanese student, generating 29 frequent descriptors. Next, 10 Filipino participants reported the likelihood of each trait's trueness through an online survey, and later on indicated the reasons for their choices by telling their experiences. The analysis process reveals 29 frequent traits of Japanese international students. It can be seen that some of the results reflect previous literature concerning stereotypes of Asians generally (e.g.: Smart/clever, hardworking/diligent, and not good at English), whereas, others are more unique (e.g.: Cute/lovely, individualistic/independent, and youthful/young-looking). Stereotypes ranged from highly true (e.g.: Polite/well-mannered and persistent/determined) to highly untrue (e.g.: Fake/two-faced). Results are discussed with respect to prior literature on stereotypes of Asian Americans in the U.S.A and Japanese people in the Philippines, from which implications for communication between Filipinos and Japanese students are drawn.