In English, people from Japan, or people of Japanese heritage, are called "Japanese". Calling them by the shorter form is considered racist because that is how they were referred to by Europeans and Americans during World War II, and it was not in an endearing way. (This is similar to how Asian people used to be referred to as "Oriental" but are no longer.)
In English, people from Italy, or people of Italian heritage, are called "Italian". There is no "Ital" short form.
maybe also don't refer to her as a jap.
Yeah I thought that too - sounds a bit racist to me.
Yes, it is racist to refer to a Japanese person in that way.
that is new to me! Is it because of the abbreviation or is it in the Japanese word itself? I am Italian. Would it be ital the corresponding adjective?