ええ、何？

“外人” (gaijin) vs “外国人” (gaikokujin) vs “内人” (naijin)

The term gaining traction in Japan lately is “外人” (gaijin) for tourists, and more formally, “外国人” (gaikokujin) for foreign residents. The latter refers to people living in Japan with a valid residence status for more than three months, excluding temporary visitors. While “gaijin” literally means “outsider,” it’s often used casually, even for residents, though it carries a blunt tone and isn’t ideal in respectful or official contexts.

Recent policy updates reflect Japan’s push toward an “orderly multicultural society,” with immigration rules shifting to emphasize integration and residency. Personally, I agree with the focus on integration and especially when it involves learning the language and understanding the culture.

That said, learning and understanding are two very different things. For example, someone might pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test at the N1 level, yet still struggle to hold a natural conversation. Fluency isn’t just about grammar, it’s about context, nuance, and lived experience.

Of course, interpretation varies. Some people intuitively grasp what “learning” and “understanding” entail, while others define them differently. I’ll leave it there and let the thought simmer.

The term “外人” (gaijin)

While I personally don’t take issue with the term, it’s important to understand how Japanese language works, it’s deeply contextual and often shaped by emotion, tone, and social nuance. Does that make sense? Even if the word seems harmless on the surface, it’s often better to avoid it out of respect for how others might feel. So just keep in mind, especially if it is not native language.

For example, saying “chotto matte” instead of “chotto matte kudasai” might earn you an evil eye, even if both are spoken gently. That tiny omission can shift the tone from polite to curt, depending on the listener and setting. It’s a reminder that in Japanese it’s not just what you say, but how, when, and to whom.

The term “内人” (naijin)

A juicy linguistic twist on “outsider” is its natural opposite “insider.” That’s where the term “内人” (naijin) comes in. It’s a loose, playful construction: “内” (nai)** means “inside,” and “人” (jin) means “person.” While it’s not an official term like “外国人” (gaikokujin), it stands in contrast to “外人” (gaijin) and has been popping up in informal circles more lately, especially on social media.

It’s sometimes used to describe foreign residents who are integrated into Japanese society and living, working, and contributing. In other words, part of the inside.

Not quite in the dictionary, but definitely in the dialogue.