Worried about being accepted in Japan (appearance-wise)?

[Gentlementoothbrush818]

(Hi, I'm using my cousin's Y!A account with her permission)

I'm going to Japan this summer for a short 4 week exchange program. I'm worried about whether or not I'll be accepted in Japan - I'm scared that maybe I am too fat or too ugly to be accepted and that I will only be made fun of behind my back (I'm quite paranoid about things like this).

I'm quite chubby at 57/58 kg *it fluctuates* and with a height of 165 cm. I wish to be somewhere between 49-52 kg but it's hard for me to lose weight. I have a body measurement of (Bust:Waist:Hip ratio in inches) 31:24:35 so I'm pear-shaped (extremely small waist, but with big thighs and butt sadly). I went to Uniqlo once and I fit their size S clothes, but I could only fit their pants/skirts in the biggest size available for women. I'm afraid that I'll end up too fat to fit any of the cute clothes in Tokyo. Am I fat by Japanese standards?

Also what are the Japanese standard of beauty? Would I be considered pretty or ugly there? Would people treat me differently (e.g. more harshly) if I were considered to be ugly? Would people still accept me even if I'm not pretty?

This is my appearance for reference:
https://31.media.tumblr.com/74ab9a7faf3e...o2_500.jpg
http://static.tumblr.com/z2takqt/lswn2l532/dpyt.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/h...9210_n.jpg


Thank you!
@Jay R: Yes, that is me in the photos. I apologize for being so neurotic, it's just that I'm really shy and quiet so I've always been the target of name-calling and bullying in my school.

[Jay R]

It appears that you have mistakenly inserted photos of someone other than yourself. I was expecting to see quite the plumpie, but all I saw was a pretty girl with a model's figure. If that is you in the photos, I'm embarrassed for you for being so neurotic.

[Martin]

You have nothing to worry about, most girls would love to have your figure.

[RealAnswers]

Uh I don't see anything wrong with those photos. That is NOT chubby, fat, or big by Japanese standards.

[Never-Again]

Too fat or ugly? Hardly. You'll do just fine. In fact with Japan's horridly muggy summers and you walking around a lot, you'll almost certainly drop more pounds anyways. And you certainly don't stand out at all - it's not like you are blond and stand out like a sore thumb.
Relax and you will do fine.
If you want improve your experience, then learn as much language as you can. There are some free sites on line at:
http://www.learnjapanesefree.com
http://www.123japanese.com
http://www.japanesepod101.com

And learn about Japanese etiquette at:
http://www.thejapanfaq.com/FAQ-Manners.html

[Amy]

Hi I stumbled across your question and thought maybe I could help you a bit because I'm Japanese.And also my hight is almost the same as yours(164.5cm) and am pear-shaped too.

First of all,you really don't have to worry anything about your looks or appearance.Anything AT ALL.
You are neither too fat nor too ugly.On the contrary,you look very pretty.So you can stop being paranoid now.You will be welcomed and accepted and definetely many Japanese boys will get a crush on you



And as for clothes sizing,Uniqlo's clothes are tend to be made rather on the small side so if you had to go a size up or two,it doesn't mean you are too fat.It's just that their clothes run small,no worry.
And one more thing to keep in mind.As our hight is taller than the average of Japanese women,when you fit mini-skirts or dresses,they could be too short for you even if you try the biggest size like Large.It often happens to me at least.But you will have no problems with tops like shirts or jackets,things like that.And generally,clothing prices in Japan is a little bit more expensive than in the states,you may need a little more budget than when you go shopping in the states.It depends on where you shop though.

I'm not so sure about our standard of the beauty because you see it's like said there's no accounting for tastes.But I'm sure people think of you very pretty and beautiful as I said first.At least they will never think you are ugly or that sort of stupid thing.I know it will be hard for you to meet people for the first time when you are shy,especially when you are in a foreign country.It's okay if you can't be 'social' from the first moment.Just try to keep a smile on your face.No matter where you go,people can't take it wrong. I think all you need now is a little bit of self-esteem.Don't forget,you are a very pretty girl.

I hope this helps and more than that you will enjoy Japan and have a lot of fun!

[swelwynemma]

I don't need to know what you look like to know that you'll be just fine!
You may occasionally get stares, but most of those will be out of curiosity.

I'm 5"0 and very overweight, but managed to find a top that fitted me just fine in a resale shop! I don't remember being singled out specifically because of my shape or size, tbh

Whatever the standards for beauty wherever you are, there's no accounting for taste.

I'm sorry about people not believing it was you in the photos, and am glad you've gor some other brilliant answers.

Now get out to Japan AND HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS YOU CAN! Ganbatte ne!

[Michiyo]

Nothing to worry about!
Enjoy your stay in Japan

[San]

Don't worry everything is ok,ive been in japan all my life and people don't care what you look like

[Madame M]

Oh, geez. Listen, you handle that sort of people just like you should be handling them in your home country -- you should realize what shallow idiots they are to be judging a book by its cover. And, you should take comfort in your real achievements.

Don't have any real achievements? Well, go get some. Much cheaper than plastic surgery, and better for your heart and soul, especially in the long run.