You commit hell of a lot of evil atrocities, refuse to apologise and WHAT? DEMAND RESPECT??!!

KRRRAAAA… PPHUI~!!!!!

Anyway, I will attempt to invent another nickname. It has to be a term that does not insult the memory of Manzanar and the 442nd. It can’t be too sensitve and unoffensive or it wouldn’t be any fun - some stereotypes are less harmful than others. It also cannot sound too awkward and contrived. Any suggestions?

what’s the fucking difference?

If the North Koreans have to apologize, why not make the Japs apologize for their atrocities/crimes during WWII?

1.
Used in reference to a Japanese citizen, this is definitely a derogatory term, and as the Marmot’s post illustrates, usually used in a hostile and/or disparaging fashion. As John states above, this is due to its wartime use. Although it is heard less often, the word “Nip” to me is not any more or less derogatory.

2.
Used in reference to an American of Japanese ancestry, it is especially offensive.
Why? Well for me, this is because I grew up hearing my relatives talk about the war and having to sell all of their land and possessions before being hauled off to “relocation centers” in hellholes like Manzanar, Crystal City, or Tule Lake. In spite of this a lot of the menfolk volunteered for service and many fought in the 442 Regimental Combat Team which became the most decorated unit in US military history. In Italy, in 1945, my grandfather’s best friend jumped on a grenade to save his buddies, and succeeded at the cost of his own life (he was later awarded the Medal of Honor). These brave soldiers came back to civilian life - in many cases only to be greeted with open hate and discrimination in their hometowns. “Dirty Japs,” “Kill the Japs,” “No Japs Allowed” - you can clearly see the (intentional?) lack of distinction between enemies of their country and true patriots. These are the roots of the reason why “Jap” is such a despised term.

3.
Used as an adjective, it is sometimes less offensive or completely innocent in some cases IMHO. If I heard motorcycle enthusiasts comparing “Harleys” and “Jap bikes”, I wouldn’t bat an eye because the intended meaning is “domestically manufactured bikes” and “all the rest (that count).” Also, “Japanese” is an awfully long adjective sometimes. I think that “Jap” just fits into a sentence better sometimes in all truth.
The problem is that many people perceive my use of the word “Jap” as being OK because I am the one who should be offended (because of my ancestry and appearance), whereas they might call a gringo who used the term “racist”. There are always people who want to be offended.

4. Japanese people do not refer to themselves as “Jap” or “Nip” because the ones who can speak English know the negative wartime connotations and this would override any temptation to use it affectionately or in jest, I think. Japanese- Americans don’t either. We are not Japanese, so it wouldn’t make sense. We do refer to ourselves as “Buddhaheads” (or at least the older generation does)- but that’s another story.

In summation, “Jap” is derogatory in reference to a person and possibly not as an adjective, but people will jump on you for it anyway. My advice is to tread lightly. As with any sensitive terminology, the difference is in your tone.

As far as its use outside of official circles is concerned, I’ve always considered it an offensive term (I don’t use it on this blog, that’s for sure), although I admit I’m not an authority on political correctness. Perhaps if Justin Yoshida is reading this he can give us a ruling on the word.

But it is just an abbreviation and not as bad-sounding as “Nip”. Calling someone a “Brit” is not particularly derogatory and can even be seen as a sign of affection and familiarity, rather than formality. It reminds me that a decade ago some people, like Michael Crichton in his book “Rising Sun,” tried to promote the notion that the word “Gaijin” was derogatory and a signal of Japanese racism. This was ridiculous as it is extremely common and it’s just an abbreviation for “Gaikokujin”. The best translation is that it’s like saying “foreigner” instead of “person from another country”.

Getting touchy about what you’re called is a sign of real insecurity. I personally love terms like “gringo” and “yank” and often refer to my fellow countrymen that way. My latino friends refer to themselves as wetbacks and cholos in jest. If terms like “Kiwi” “Ozzie” etc. are stylish and cute, why not “Jap”?