Yes, I get you.
It is regulation rather than just public perception that is different in Japan..

The Japanese government says that people whose family have been here 500 or 1,000, 2,000 or whatever years are Japanese and anyone else is not..

They only opened the doors again to foreigners 140 years ago, didn't they.. it is sort of like we are still on probation

I must say it doesn't bother me, though.
It is their country so I accept their rules.
It is still my favorite country to live in!