You guys must be brits or aussies. I'm a yankee. I know some yanks that work through Hawaii Aviation and IASCO. No problems. What contract company do you guys work for?
Where the #ell were you guys living anyway...off the runway at Narita? Tokyo is an awesome city. The women, food, nightlife...is better than anyplace in the world. Japan knows how to party and they like to hang out with foreigners.
As far as racism issues, the Japanese who are Gen-X and younger tend to be more open and worldly...never encountered any racism what so ever. I think many westerners are nervous because for once in their lives, they are the minority. You want to see racism at it's finest, try comming over here to the States.
Again, I'm sorry your contract experience was a negative one.
BUT DONT GENERALIZE ABOUT THE WHOLE COUNTRY. There are many that have found Japan to be an inviting place to live.