Hugo Erawan
His dad is Indonesian, and went to university in France, where he met a French girl - his mother. Hugo was born in France then moved back to Bandung when he was a young child. Growing up, he encountered “reverse racism” where people treated him better because he’s French, but kept him at arm’s length.
In high school, he got interested in Japan, joined the Japan culture group, started studying the language, then moved to Japan for a few years at age 22, to Sendai. Difficult but rewarding. Got a PhD in solar cell tech.
Japanese people often won’t reach out to you because they don’t want to bother you, and he noticed himself acting that same way when there. It amplifies lonliness.
Japan has a different racism where all non-Japanese races are treated about the same, because from the Japanese point of view you’re either Japanese or not-Japanese, that’s all.
Now teaches Japanese in Indonesia, but is moving back to Japan in August 2026, to stay for 2-3 years.
We talked a lot about being inbetween cultures, racism, and marriage/dating. Also the Courage to be Disliked.