How to Distinguish Japanese People from Korean and Chinese People

Can you tell if a person comes from a specific country just by looking at their initial appearance? Perhaps you look at their hair, their face shape, or their clothes, and you can attempt to make a guess at their country of origin before you hear them speak. Before coming to Japan, I had no idea how to distinguish Japanese, Korean, and Chinese people from one another. Whilst studying at university in Japan as an international student, I had more than one experience of mistaking Chinese and Korean people for Japanese people and speaking Japanese to them. Usually, they were from China or Korea, totally new to Japan, and had to correct me.

Of course, wrongly assuming someone’s nationality is not the crime of the century, and most people will understand and politely correct the mistake. But being able to distinguish quickly by noticing just a few small details can help you avoid an awkward situation.

This article will focus on some differences and similarities of these three nationalities, and what to look out for when you meet someone for the first time which could give you an idea of where they come from. This is based on cultural as well as natural characteristics and is from my own personal experience of having many friends from Japan, Korea, and China. Hopefully, you can avoid the same embarrassment that I did, and be able to correctly guess where someone is from – or at least be able to tell whether or not they are Japanese.