Are There Any Japanese People With Blue Eyes Or Blond Hair?

Do Japanese People Have Blue Eyes Or Blond Hair?

It’s not common to see people from Japan with naturally blond hair and blue eyes. This is largely due to genetics; people from Asian countries have been known to carry the genes for dark hair and eyes for centuries, and these genes are strong. 

Some people with Japanese heritage may have blond hair or blue eyes if they are only part Japanese, though this is also not a common sight.

This is because blond hair and blue eyes tend not to be very dominant genes. Additionally, a Japanese person with albinism may have blond hair and blue eyes. 

Furthermore, people who hail from northern parts of Japan, or whose ancestors did, may be seen with lighter eyes more often.

These people might also naturally have lighter hair, though blond hair is not seen nearly as much as lighter eyes might be. Some genetic conditions could lead to a Japanese person having light eyes or hair. 

What Is Hafu?

Hafu is a Japanese word that translates to half and is used to describe a person whose ethnicity is half Japanese and half non-Japanese. The word can also be used to describe a person who is mixed race or whose family is made up of multiple ethnicities. 

In Japan, it was not ordinary to see many hafu people for a very long time. Since a hafu person would often have various physical differences, they would often stand out amongst a crowd.

Now, many people in Japan are hafu, as seeing interracial couples is much more frequent than it used to be. 

Since Japan was isolated from much of the world for many years, maintaining tradition and continuing bloodlines were important values in Japan.

These values are still crucial to the Japanese identity, but remaining a racially singular country is no longer a priority. 

The frequency of immigration and emigration to and from Japan also sees more exposure in the country to other cultures, as well as people who are from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities.

Since people from Japan have more opportunities to meet people from other ethnicities, it’s more common for relationships to exist between couples from different backgrounds. 

The Symbolism Of Hair Color In Japanese Culture 

Fans of anime have likely seen a lot of blond hair and blue eyes throughout various character depictions, as well as other hair and eye colors not often associated with Japanese people.

The reason behind these depictions is not to play into stereotypes; rather, anime has assigned its own meanings to these various eye and hair colors. 

That said, not every single anime or other types of Japanese entertainment will assign any meaning at all to blond hair and blue eyes. Additionally, the artists behind those stories may have other, lesser-known reasons for giving those physical traits to their characters. 

What Blond Hair Means In Anime

Blond or yellow hair tends to be an attribute of an important or central character in anime. It’s also pretty common to see female characters with blond or yellow hair, especially if they are central to the storyline.

There are quite a few meanings assigned to blond hair in anime based on the creator’s interpretation of the hair color, as well as the specific character. 

Often, blond hair symbolizes a person who is self-assured and happy, but it can also be a symbol of naivete. It’s also common to see anime villains with blond hair, which symbolizes their robust personalities. 

What Blue Eyes Mean In Anime 

Blue eyes are sometimes used in anime to differentiate characters or to communicate that the particular character is not originally from Japan. Some believe that blue eyes would also be used for characters who were meant to stand out from other characters, possibly because they were superior. 

Blue eyes can also be featured on characters who have had to overcome some kind of adversity in their life.

This could be a motivator for their current storyline and helps to explain the character’s tenacity. The color blue has a lot of positive meaning associated with it in Japanese culture, so blue eyes are often seen as beautiful. 

The Fascination With Blond Hair And Blue Eyes In Japan 

In Japan, blond hair seems to be fascinating to many Japanese people. Perhaps it’s because it is so different from their signature dark hair that they find it beautiful.

Blond hair dye is a hot commodity in the country as well, with many people opting to try out the hair color. 

Blue eyes are an anomaly in Japan, so their beauty is once again appreciated because of their perceived uniqueness. Blue eyes result from certain genetic combinations that are rare for people with Japanese ancestry.

There is less than a one percent chance for a full-blooded Japanese person to be born with blue eyes, meaning it can happen but almost never does. 

Since blue eyes and blond hair are seen more often in everyday life in Japan, it’s not often that someone will stare or ask questions about where you’re from.

However some people in smaller communities or towns might ask, but people are often being polite and complimentary when they ask where you’re from. 

What Is Gyaru?

Gyaru is one of many subcultures that exist within Japan, typically practiced by young Japanese women. It is often compared to California girls or valley girls in that they often have long blond hair, tanned skin, and dress to play up their femininity.

While it’s not a necessary part of the aesthetic, some girls will wear blue contacts as well to lighten their eyes when they dress up. 

The word gyaru translates to gal or girl in English, and this subculture once again showcases another way blond hair – and sometimes, blue eyes – is admired in Japan.

The origins are not necessarily inspired by Western culture, however, the gyaru story was originally of a young girl who began wearing bold makeup and clothing as she became a teenager. 

My fascination with Japan began several years back at a roadside bonsai stand while on vacation. I became more interested in the where and why's more than the trees themselves. My love of Bonsai led me to further research my interest in the gardens where they originated from and the places and people that surrounded those little trees. My curiosity was well rewarded upon visiting Saitama where the National Bonsai Museum was located and Omiya Village the bonsai mecca for lovers of this ancient art form. Exploring many towns and villages and even making my way to Japan's furthest southern prefecture of Okinawa. I hope to share my love of this wonderful and exotic place with all those who want to know more about Japan.