While being a Hafu is often seen as something desirable in Japan, it is true that some Hafus are largely regarded as non-Japanese in Japan due to their non-Japanese appearance and blood line. The Japanese society is obsessed with collectivism and conformity. While on the legal level, nationality defines who belongs and does not belong to a nation, on a social level, people of mixed heritage are often subjected to ethnic and racial hurdles.

People always ask the question – where are you from? This is often a tricky question for Hafus for they were born to parents from different cultures and raised in certain places. Their ethnic identity is of a complex, ever-changing and negotiated nature. A Hafu or any mixed-race person may indeed feel they belong to one, two or even more categories. A Japanese-British Hafu may feel both Japanese and British, which could be an as a result of greater cultural experience and confidence in oneself. Yet, another Japanese-Italian Hafu may feel almost totally Japanese without much embracement of the other heritage and vice versa. Racial make up is not everything yet we know that it affects many of Hafus - how their sense of identity is affected by their racial and cultural background.

In reality identity assertion varies depending on individual circumstances. Those who look somewhat Japanese may pass themselves off as Japanese. On the other hand, those who cannot pass as members of the Japanese and who choose to embrace their non-Japanese heritage can either have a negative discriminatory impact or, on the contrary, provide an advantageous platform for their success. Some may even choose their identity to suit their needs in different circumstances, becoming Japanese when it's advantageous or passing as a foreigner if that brings advantages. There are various factors that affect the Hafu sense of belongingness and identity assertion; relationship to family and friends, education, where and how they were raised, personal characteristics, and very importantly the ways in which they have been projected by the surrounded society which is often based on physical qualities.