Photo: Twitter/@Lecoachjp
crime

Japanese restaurant in Paris vandalized with 'coronavirus' graffiti

49 Comments
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24

With the Japanese government announcing newly discovered cases of coronavirus infection within the country several times this month, the whole country is on edge regarding the disease. That’s led to some ugly reactions, such as a Japanese candy shop banning any and all Chinese people from entering the premises, but now panic and fear is manifesting in an ugly way at a Japanese food provider on the opposite side of the globe.

French national and Japanese resident Coach_en_japonais (@Lecoachjp on Twitter) recently posted photos of Yuki, a restaurant on Paris’ Rue de la Michodière. Yuki’s signage proudly touts Japanese cuisine favorites such as sushi, sashimi, and yakitori chicken skewers, but in the photos shared by Coach_en_japonais, vandals have made some crass additions to the restaurant’s exterior design.

“Coronavirus” reads graffiti written over the side windows, with another partly illegible word underneath followed by another iteration of “virus.” Lines of graffiti have also been drawn along the front of the building, and an entire bucket of paint looks to have been thrown against the glass door of the front entrance.

“Asian French, or Japanese, are being targeted for racial discrimination because of the coronavirus!” tweeted Coach_en_japonais. “This time a Japanese restaurant has been graffitied! As a French person, this makes me so sad to see.”

While such vandalism is deplorable regardless of the hateful logic behind it, it’s especially puzzling to see a Japanese restaurant being targeted, since the coronavirus outbreak originated in China, which is also where the vast majority of infections have been confirmed. Some commenters to the thread voiced their theory that though the restaurant serves Japanese food, it may be staffed or owned by people of Chinese descent, but it’s also not a stretch to think if you’re the kind of person who would engage in this kind of hateful behavior, you probably can’t be bothered to know the difference between Japanese and Chinese food, or even cultures.

“The owners might be Chinese,” Coach_en_japonais tweeted in a follow-up, “but regardless, this is absolutely unforgivable.”

Coach_en_japonais’s tweets being in Japanese helped them quickly catch the attention of Japanese Twitter users, many of whom were furious at the vandal’s treatment of their culture. However, Coach_en_japonais, showing compassion for all peoples, was quick to add a reminder that just like two wrongs don’t make a right, two hurtful statements aren’t going to make things better.

“There is something I’d like Japanese commenters to be conscious of. These sorts of responses are also discriminatory:

– ‘Of course that’s what’s going to/should happen, because the restaurant must be run by Chinese or North Korean people!’

– “French people have no class.”

Please think calmly! Thank you.”

Definitely good advice right now.

Source: Twitter/@Lecoachjp via Hachima Kiko

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Kyoto tourist crowds disappearing due to coronavirus outbreak, creating travel crisis/opportunity

-- Japanese candy shop bans all Chinese customers over coronavirus fears

-- Australian tourist in Japan arrested for graffiti around Kamogawa River in Kyoto

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

49 Comments
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I've also heard that now people avoid sitting next to Far East Asian looking peoples in European/Western Trains.... I don't think it's Racism - as this wasn't the norm before, though People are naturally now wary of folks who may be possibly carrying a virus unknowingly.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

 photos of Yuki, a restaurant on Paris’ Rue de la Michodière.

No, photo of restaurant outside Paris in Boulogne Billancourt. Well it's the fake news fair :

For example, the Jewish community left

In 16th century ?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

fillmore2Today  08:47 am JST

While what you say is true to a degree, you will actually find that a lot of the problems are between racial minorities in France. For example, the Jewish community left mainly because of attacks from the North African/Arab communities.

that's too easy way out. Unlike U.S or Britain, France maintain its color blind approach and try to not deal with issues such as civil rights, work or school discrimination trying to maintain status quo of Frenchness.

also France's Vichy government helped Nazis send thousands of French Jews to their death in the concentration camps. To this date, they are among the slowest countries adopting anti-discrimination laws in EU.

Other words, you try to defer the problems between different ethnic groups,but the major problem is with the French government itself, not accepting minorities as true citizens.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I read many articles on this newspaper about how Japanese tourists were treated terribly in France for many years so this is not a surprise to me. They tend to treat other ethnic group poorly within their country .

France has history racism and racist behaviors towards, Jews, Africans, Algerian, and now Asians.

If they continue to stress Frenchness, sooner or later, other minority groups to leave the country similar to the Jewish exodus .

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I didn't know French people are ignorant? A Japanese restaurant run by Chinese people haha,,,

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Open MindedFeb. 20  11:07 pm JST

fillmore2Today  05:26 pm JST

Racism comes from ignorance and stereotyping If you can’t differentiate between China, Japan or Korea these days you are lost cause

I am not sure I understand your point. Can you clarify?

This is my real answer:

what don't you understand? do you like to be called redneck , trailpark trash, crackers, Indian baby killers, WASP. leadfoot, and etc.

Is this clear enough for you? do you understand?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

fillmore2Today  05:26 pm JST

Racism comes from ignorance and stereotyping If you can’t differentiate between China, Japan or Korea these days you are lost cause

I am not sure I understand your point. Can you clarify?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/tamarathiessen/2020/02/11/france-in-grips-of-racism-epidemic-as-coronavirus-fans-anti-asian-hysteria/amp/

what is the article about ? Japanese business is attacked because of the virus phobia. Where did the virus started in China. So for a racist in France , they don’t care where you are from Korea Japan or Taiwan. They group all Asian into one and saying they probably carry the virus because they are Asians.

the link talks about how France in general is racist society and when events such as this happens It brings out the worst in their society

ok this basic Ethic studies 101

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Vandalism should not be given a world stage. I hope the guilty are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

What the hell? How retarded can one get?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

This is disgusting on so many levels. I was actually in Paris, on vacation in France about 16 years ago. And I never would’ve thought that something like that would happen there. I mean if this happened in America, everyone around the world would make the typical jokes about how stupid Americans are. So it’s really such a shame the country like France, which has a lot of intellectuality, can have people do stupid stuff like this too.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

" Your ‘common sense’ isn’t reflected by the vast majority of the UK people I know. "

And I also know lots of UK people who think that Toyota and Panasonic are Chinese (no joke)!

And someone I had in great esteem asked me how could they (Japanese) distinguish in between themselves, given that most of the country was made of Wong and Fong surnames!!!!!

UK people (for the most part) think they're one and the same; initial assumption is that an East Asian will be Chinese. Ossan is right on the money.

We were in the US recently; a guy asked where my girl was from.

Japan? Ah, I know. Japan that province in the south of China!!!

Some mother do ave em.

One cannot make these things up.

That's why I don't blame the Japanese when they also group everyone else into one huge Gaijin bag.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

But but but it's not a Chinese restaurant!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Had it been a Chinese restaurant would it have been acceptable??

Obviously. There are dozens of shops tagged and trashed daily in France, thousands in the world. JT picked that one. Meanwhile in Germany, 9 were killed. It's not important as they are not Nihonjin...

Only people who have knowledge, contact, experience with Asia/Asians would even be aware that differences exist. 

What are the differences ? What for should we care about ?

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

I. The members may NOT be vandals but they inspire vandalism.

I am sure that Front National DID NOT ordered the defacement.
-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I notice the restaurant says Japanois

It says Japonais.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

I do find it strange how everyone is wearing a surgical mask these days due to bio reasons... And how, from my personal experience living in japan, they used to wear that mask even if they were not sick! They actually liked wearing those surgical masks!.. and everyone looked at me as if i was the odd ball not cloaking my face and just being myself.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

fillmore2Today  05:26 pm JST

Racism comes from ignorance and stereotyping If you can’t differentiate between China, Japan or Korea these days you are lost cause

I am not sure I understand your point. Can you clarify?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I am more scared by rampant widespread racism than these kind of stupid - and untolerable - noisy actions.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Very vast. Doubt any "survey" has been carried out but it's common sense. Only people who have knowledge, contact, experience with Asia/Asians would even be aware that differences exist.

I have some sympathy with your point fella. After all, people here who I've known for years still occasionally ask me when I'm going back to America, and when I go back to the UK my neighbour often asks if I have a Chinese wife yet.

I'm just not sure on that 'vast majority' bit, and where you think it starts and ends.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

. . . a poor way of dealing with relations between Japanese . . . . whoever did it is a racist or a xenophobe.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Wrong country of origin. Sounds like the after 911 in the US when some wanted to attack muslims but were so ignorant they attacked Sikhs. Firstly, don't attack anyone. Secondly, at least study about those you disagree with.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Its a mistake to assume the vandal was ignorant, or even a bigot. In fact, sowing bigoted hate and hysteria is often the work of devious people targeting not only a race or nationality, but also targeting the ignorant and people just as devious as themselves. In other words, sometimes people conflate things quite intentionally. Also, vandals hunt for excuses to vandalize. "I love to spray paint random walls" or "I am in desperate need of attention" seem a bit mundane a thing to write for such a person. If they wrote either of those it might not make the news. Humans are complicated and myriad are their mental diseases.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Oh, no. My teacher told me France is one of the advanced countries over the human rights. Even Japanese don’t do such a burutal action absolutely.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Very vast. Doubt any "survey" has been carried out but it's common sense. Only people who have knowledge, contact, experience with Asia/Asians would even be aware that differences exist. So for those unaware, they "all look the same". For most people outside of Asia, any East Asian person is initially assumed to be "Chinese".

Not being able to distinguish them on appearance is not the same as not being aware of the differences between the countries. Your ‘common sense’ isn’t reflected by the vast majority of the UK people I know. That’s obviously not a scientific poll, but it’s better than what you are offering.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

ClippetyClopToday  06:49 pm JST

The vast majority of Europeans have no idea that Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese etc are different.

How vast is that majority? 80%? 90%? Do surveys bear this out? At what geographical point do people suddenly become aware of the differences? The Volga? Vladivostok?

Very vast. Doubt any "survey" has been carried out but it's common sense. Only people who have knowledge, contact, experience with Asia/Asians would even be aware that differences exist. So for those unaware, they "all look the same". For most people outside of Asia, any East Asian person is initially assumed to be "Chinese".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-race_effect

The same of course applies to Caucasians all "looking alike" to other races as well.

5 ( +12 / -7 )

Just goes to show you..... Dumb has no Borders.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

99% of Japanese restaurants in France are not held by Japanese.

Targeting this restaurant might have one if the below reason :

Racism targeting Asians

or

Just some graffitis made by some stupid young people “ just for them to have some kind of fun. or what they believe is fun “ , who do this kind of free vandalism , unfortunately very common in France

I will go for the second reason

@jeancolmar

Being myself a French provincial, I do not see any reason for a provincial to do that in Paris

Can you elaborate?

10 ( +10 / -0 )

I can guess that whoever did this is connected to Front National. I suspect the the perpetrators were provincials. There are a lot of both in Paris. We've had to deals with these sort of people in Paris, my Japanese wife and I. Thus, over the years we have limited ourselves to select restaurants where the people know us. This restaurant happens to be popular. Nearly impossible to get in at lunch time.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Now, this situation depends on level of up-bringing and education , really silly.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Some of the comments on this thread are disturbing.

Had it been a Chinese restaurant would it have been acceptable??

Most japanese restaurants in France are managed by people of South East Asian or Chinese ancestry.

It s true that most people in France (but I think most people outside Asia) cannot tell the difference between a Chinese or Korean or Japanese.

Can you really blame them?

How many Asians can tell the origin between caucasian or even black people?

And how many westerners really can ?

10 ( +10 / -0 )

The vast majority of Europeans have no idea that Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese etc are different.

How vast is that majority? 80%? 90%? Do surveys bear this out? At what geographical point do people suddenly become aware of the differences? The Volga? Vladivostok?

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

According to the MEXT guide Hi Friends!, of course they do.

Good point! Let this also be a lesson to the Japanese themselves why stereotyping is bad thing...

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Did they also vandalize Chinese restaurants in Paris?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Racism comes from ignorance and stereotyping If you can’t differentiate between China, Japan or Korea these days you are lost cause

9 ( +11 / -2 )

All it takes is one dumb ignoramus with a spray-paint can.

I'm sure most people in France aren't as stupid as the guy who painted the graffiti. The fool probably thinks China and Japan are one in the same.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

no country deserves to be treated like this.

Seriously, normally I wouldn't comment on something like this but as result that a particular country started this, then solely it government and officials should accept the responsible and sensible thing to do because it is the right thing to do. There was no reason for any country to be experimenting and trying to make improvements or genetically engineer a known virus to make it better in the name of research. Particular if it involves a military lab which is for other things less peaceful intent. Others may not agree but this is reality and truth, nothing less, nothing more. The country which started this needs to be held accountable and responsible for placing this out in the entire world when the world seeks its business not anything else.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

While it's clearly a stupid act, i don't see the point of mentioning stupid tweeter comments by the journalist.

Like “French people have no class.” = does it help calming down people ?

Media are often the root of those stupid behaviors, both sides !

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

I notice the restaurant says Japanois... so the perps knew exactly what they were targeting.

This is what happens when idiots react to things they don't understand... you give morons an inch and they'll steal a mile.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

liddit31Today 03:59 pm JST

no country deserves to be treated like this.

Since when is a sushi shop "a country"

As stated by the original poster, "“The owners might be Chinese,” Coach_en_japonais tweeted in a follow-up, “but regardless, this is absolutely unforgivable.”

This is not necessarily aimed at any one country. It could just as easily be a rival's handiwork.

gary

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

Kinda reminds me of the time a Chinese restaurant was destroyed by Congolese fans after a controversial football match refereed by Yuichi Nishimura at the 2010 World Cup.

If there's one thing coronavirus has shown is that stupidity and ignorance has no borders.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

Dimwits.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

Well many people can't tell Chinese and Japanese apart, just as I can't tell the difference between a Brit and a Slav, or an Italian and a Lebanese so we're all the same that way. However taking action on this is a different thing altogether.

Either way, it seems there's only a thin line holding back actions like these which are just beneath the surface of these societies.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

You have many a day such stupid vandalism actions happening especially in Paris, where Asians are targeted wherever they come from because they behave and are lawful.

It may for instance just be a lesns to deter clients to go to that restaurznt and go to the one opposite which serves another type of food. Or some students playing a game.

Nothing really about Coronavirus...since they are literzlly hundreds of such restaurants in that area mentioning sushis as main dish.

"Paris est une poubelle".

10 ( +12 / -2 )

While such vandalism is deplorable regardless of the hateful logic behind it, it’s especially puzzling to see a Japanese restaurant being targeted, since the coronavirus outbreak originated in China, 

What is puzzling ? Is that some extraordinary news that most people don't make the difference between chinese and japanese ? My japanese friends leaving in France get their fare share of "nihao" and "chinese??" on near daily basis. (I'd argue that I used to get my fare share of "halo" here).

I mean, do you expect people that degrade building for fun, to be able to understand that asia is not one big giant country full of Chinese ?

15 ( +18 / -3 )

Vandalization of this shop achieves little except my contempt for the perpetrators...

27 ( +27 / -0 )

no country deserves to be treated like this.

21 ( +23 / -2 )

But Japan does not have the Corona virus problem! The independent nation of Cruise Ship does!

-10 ( +15 / -25 )

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