Foreigners in Japan becoming target of discrimination due to virus

Foreigners in Japan becoming target of discrimination due to virus

No need to use the word "becoming".

As well as "due to virus".

There's racism and hatred for you. And such ignorance due to coronavirus is hardly unique to Japan despite what some will say.

Global story, not a local story

So its almost all north Kyushu where a dozen or so foreign students were reported to have corona? And mostly directed against (apparently all) students of the university, even Japanese? With some hate mail for Yokohama China town? And Gunma Brazilians tossed into the article for....I don't even why. That's it?

I think I will wait until a cop batons the hell out of a foreigner screaming "Foreign Corona spreader!" before I start claiming Japan has a discrimination problem worthy of note. But maybe that's just me?

Such prejudice against foreigners is seen to be the result of an excessive fear of infection and ignorance among those who lack opportunities to communicate with the international communities with which they reside.

No! Such prejudice has always been there. The virus is just a convenient excuse to promote it.

Since Japan has no public agency addressing discrimination, nor does it any dedicated anti discrimination laws then foreigners in Japan have to learn to be, at the best, 2nd class citizens.

Don't let words offend you. Stop being a victim. This is not a big issue in Japan.

Of course there are anecdotal cases and they are the ones that get reported on.

For every terrible interaction with a Japanese citizen you can find dozens of wonderful ones.

The problem is that some foreigners walk around with a chip on their shoulder and they assume everyone is xenophobic. They only find what they focus on.

@Objective: There are many of us who do not have a chip on our shoulder. The Japanese government disallowed foreign residents, even those with Japanese spouses, families, and children to re enter the country. The new rules make it nearly impossible to conform.

In this case it seems the government is sending a message that foreigners are more likely to spread the virus than Japanese. Consequently this trickles down and people believe this.

I like Japan, have a business here, and have been here for more than 2 decades. The fact that a few 30 year old men said this does not mean all Japanese are racist, bigots, or xenophobic. On the other hand it sheds light on issues that foreign residents confront.

I do no think what these men said reflects the feeling of all Japanese people (not even most) but on the other hand I believe what they said fully reflects the feelings of the Japanese Government (again not the people) towards foreigners.

To all foreigners: Don't not defend yourself. Just suck it up and walk away. Trust me when I say that you will not be seen as a victim of a hate crime. You'll be seen as a criminal against your attacker. Just walk away.

On balance, the city of Beppu in Oita is still one of successful cases in integrating locals and foreign residents (mainly students). Of course there exist intercultural issues and problems as well.

Perhaps the Indian student should have suddenly suffered a severe coughing fit in their direction. That should have seen them off!

What's new?

Just once in my life I want to find one of those shops that deny entrance to foreigners, so I can walk in and tell them where they can shove it.

But alas, I have never seen one (Osaka here) and have my doubts that they actually exist.

They're making foreigners jump through hoops to re-enter the country if they leave for any reason while Japanese can come and go as they please. What's up with that?

The base of discrimination starts from bad education and a narrow mind.

He attempted to object, but the men told him, "We're social distancing. Get lost," so in the end he could do nothing.

It is a shame they were social distancing from intelligence.

I'm against discrimination due to virus that isn't only in Japan. The whole world is having this problem. Living in Fukuoka where cases are decreasing very fast, most of the people use mask when approaching others, in transport and tiny places like elevators or escalators. Some people of "I don't care" using mask I can see old people I don' know why, some young guys to talk on smartphone and some with mask not really covered. But the most I can see without masks are foreigners, some saying it has no meaning, others saying it's against the human right. Those actions also are trigger to be discriminated, too!

Let's not forget that the first news reports of racist discrimination and harassment started against Chinese, and anyone who looked Asian in Europe, then United States then Australia. As with those cases, any discrimination towards "gaijin" in Japan because of Coronavirus-Fear is stupid and emanates from stupid people. But that's because discrimination itself emanates from stupid people. This story is totally unsurprising since people of various countries have been showing discrimination towards people of their own country who reside in high infection case areas. Japan has reported discrimination towards even health care workers. Frankly, I think such pathetic people don't deserve medical treatment if they ever needed it.

To tie this in to the J-govt policy towards foreigners is wrong. The angry gaijins, and it is understandable, are over reaching. The immigration policy that locked out long term residents of Japan from re-entry was absolutely stupid and the government deserves every criticism. In fact the responsible people who instituted it ought to be publically hung out to dry. But to suggest that some 30 year old morons' actions are based on the government's position is ridiculous. Such 30 year old probably have no idea of the government's position on anything. Were they even wearing masks at the time?

As some posters have pointed out, if you believe that you are surrounded by discrimination, you will see it everywhere even where it doesn't exist.

Some businesses in Yokohama's Chinatown near Tokyo also reported receiving hate mail in March blaming Chinese people for the coronavirus outbreak, with messages such as "Get the hell out of Japan."

That doesn’t help things, even though it’s true, the cat is out of the bag.

Personally I have not seen or heard of a single instance where I am and all our neighbours converse and interact with us the same as they did pre-virus even after I flew back in for the second time since the start of the pandemic and shortly before entry became difficult. In my experiences you can tell very quickly those Japanese who are interested in foreigners and those who are not. It also hinges on how I as a foreigner behave. I am always polite regardless and have learnt not to use certain foreign courtesies with people I do not know as they can be misinterpreted or unwanted. I mood myself to the Japanese system because I am in Japan and respect its their country.

Mood = mould in the previous comment.

"Shitty foreigner, corona." That's probably the extent of their English education.

“Shitty foreigner, corona “

I’d like to know how they said it in the original Japanese.

I got thrown out of a chain store chemist yesterday (London UK) by not wearing a mask (I genuinely forgot). I walked in (mask in bag) and was accosted by an aggressive clerk.. and after her telling me I was scum.. I went: 'You've just lost £10' and walked out). I've complained to the chain and the company are looking into it (and seem to be on my side) but my point is: everyone in th UK is 'grassing' (UK word for telling on everyone else) on everyone else now. So, while it's easy to blame the foreigners in Japan, you KNOW the Japanese are also grassing on every other Japanese as well. Bottom line: they're gonna get it just as bad as you! :)

This is the only thing some Japanese, have too do with their miserable life, why foreigners,live their lives by their own rules in Japanese

Because some foreigners dont wear masks

It's called Failure to Communicate.

Such prejudice against foreigners is seen to be the result of an excessive fear of infection and ignorance among those who lack opportunities to communicate with the international communities with which they reside.

No, the reason is because there are few laws, and if there are, they are not acted upon to defend minorities here!

“Every day, I see multiple Japanese people not wearing masks on the three trains I ride to get to work.”

Brave of them.

The problem is that some foreigners walk around with a chip on their shoulder and they assume everyone is xenophobic. They only find what they focus on.

So true. There are instances of racism in Japan against foreigners, but its an exception, not the rule. The problem is that in 2020, being a victim is almost a badge of honor.

But how lucky we are where a single "Shitty foreigner, corona." anecdote is a lead story on Japan Today, Japan Times and other news sites. Ill get up in arms when patterns start to emerge.

Three dullard dimwits loitering around JR Beppu Station, barely a brain cell between them, hardly constitutes wholesale discrimination.

However, it is concerning.

These wandering brain dead, COVID-19 affects, seemingly warranting to ignore the dribbling philistine, functionally illiterate few, require the judiciary to make an example of.

As 80% of serious cases are the elderly Japanese, maybe these bigots should discriminate against this grouping. Oh wait, they probably are this group.

Not long after the outbreak stared in Wuhan, I saw a photo online in which a giant banner outside a shop in a city near Wuhan that said" People from Wuhan are all ticking time bombs".

Before the Japan border was shut, a flight from Japan to Shanghai was delayed because chinese from Shanghai refused to fly with those from Wuhan.

A few months ago, here at JP wrote a little quote from someone who was displaced by the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The man said he was discriminated by those living in the cities who accursed him of spreading radiation. He said now he wanted those people living in cities to stop spreading covid-19 to the countryside.

People are discrimining their own follow countryman. If this pandemic happened in the past I bet the Chinatowns in many countries would get burned down.

This should include Japanese from areas of high population ex. Kanto Osaka, especially Tokyo who travel to places outside of Kanto or Osaka. I read a stroy during Obon in Aomori that a business ower put up a sign for people who come from Kanto to go home. It does worry some business owners and towns people where I live but its not foreigners its Japanese from high populated areas. This is not only discrimination towards foreigners which probably get a lot due to being in Kanto or any high populated area but also includes Japanese from high populated areas of Japan too.

To all foreigners: Don't not defend yourself. Just suck it up and walk away. Trust me when I say that you will not be seen as a victim of a hate crime. You'll be seen as a criminal against your attacker. Just walk away (since1981).

The above advice is wise and useful.

Discrimination is a universal phenomenon and that it exists even from within the same local community. In case one has to deal with this issue from colleagues or classmates, the best he or she can do is to change the hostile attitudes through his/her sincerity, understanding, and good behaviours.

Not the best story for sure & yeah we all experience levels of discrimination in Japan here & there. At least the violent type is very rare but a lot of discrimination is extremely common place here.

Those that affected me the most 30yrs when I washed up here were accommodation & credit cards, this is still a problem for many still sadly, although admittedly its better now.

And lets be honest Japanese discriminate against each other all the time as well, even with accommodation, think elderly or the young...... The biggies are age & gender discrimination, these are rampant in Japan! Also some primitive thinking at city halls with respect to family registers, undocumented children etc

Japan should start dealing better with these basic ones for starters!

I cannot understand why Kyodo issued this article only in English and has not informed Japanese of it.

“And extremely selfish and ignorant of them.”

In the absence of conclusive evidence, very discerning of them. I only endure the beastly devices on trains for cultural reasons only, so as not to upset the locals.

And of course further foreign discrimination

On the other hand if your a Japanese that looks foreign like I am...you can defend yourself, and it’s a good opportunity to make fools of fools.

I live in Kobe close to a popular hill climb trek to a temple (hundreds of drones everyday walking up there to pray to Tojo or whomever...)

Anyway to a person whenever the Japanese see me (anglo saxon male) they cover their mouth if not already masked

Not all are like that though. Those I am sure are just a small percentage of the uneducated ones.

"It hasn't happened to me / I've never seen this therefore it doesn't happen."

Yes, it does - you just haven't personally seen it. An argument from personal ignorance is not a valid argument.

"It's not so bad. At least they don't beat you."

You seem to think that discrimination is okay, as long as it doesn't become physical. You need to understand that discrimination itself is a form of violence, and has the same effect on people. Physical harm and mental harm are both harm.

"It happens in other places, too."

Yes, and it's equally wrong, isn't it.

"You see racism everywhere/you have a victim mentality"

Racism is a real thing. It exists in every nation on earth, so why would you imagine that Japan is an exception?

Also, when someone often experiences discrimination, it's not a surprise that they would begin to expect it to happen. That isn't to say they are "looking for it"; it's to say that they are not surprised when it happens.

When discrimination does not happen, we are overjoyed and it can make our day. And when it does happen, it can color your mood for several hours. That means we give everyone the benefit of the doubt first - because who wants to walk around all day feeling awful because they've experienced discrimination?

No one wants that. No one is looking for discrimination. Discrimination is a real thing and people quite justified in being upset by it.

If someone you know is upset when they experience discrimination, and you are not, then you need to learn to have empathy .

I haven't heard or felt anything at all during this pandemic towards me personally, but I did hear a lot of negative comments about the Chinese for sure. When a pandemic hit you will always have the majority blame the minority. Go to China and look how Africans are being discriminated against and hundreds were kicked out. Fear, hate, ignorance and racism is a huge motivating factor when it comes to pandemics and hysteria.

I think I will wait until a cop batons the hell out of a foreigner screaming "Foreign Corona spreader!" before I start claiming Japan has a discrimination problem worthy of note. But maybe that's just me?

How about educating people to be fair to everyone before we get to American levels of stupidity?

Plenty of other palces in Japan happy to have international students. BUT discriminatioin is part of the Japanese phsyche. My mate from Miyage dcouldn't get service at a shop in Iwate cause he wasn't a known local in July this year. He is Japanese and a doctor. driving a very late model BMW He laughed it off but will never go back to or recommend that rest area.

Part of coming to Japan is having thick enough skin to shake that shite off I think.

I’ve always worked on the principle that the majority of Japanese people are not cut out to deal with foreigners. The majority of these people aren’t bad, and the racist garbage who will directly insult foreigners are a small minority of this group. If I’d been brought up in Japan, I’m not sure how I would feel towards outsiders.

There are some Japanese people who are worth spending your time with.

Spend time with them.

I’m sorry for foreigners in japan have become being subject to racism remarks.

There are some people & some restaurants that have bad manners,no masks or taking only a few measures for a disinfectant.

It does anything to do with nationality. Taking after yourself for protecting is important anyway

I have not been targeted because Im a gaijin but I expect this to happen. Those of us who really live in Japan know how to deal with it...you just mask, glove up and wipe down more than the Japanese do...that way they think your majeme hito. He use the drink machine...time for me to wipe..so everybody can see Im worried about his germs....just some pre emptive logic..nothing difficult.

I’ve always worked on the principle that the majority of Japanese people are not cut out to deal with foreigners. The majority of these people aren’t bad, and the racist garbage who will directly insult foreigners are a small minority of this group. If I’d been brought up in Japan, I’m not sure how I would feel towards outsiders.

There are some Japanese people who are worth spending your time with.

Spend time with them.

Usually I don't agree with you on anything, but on this one, I couldn't agree more.

If I were that student, I would have told my assailant to keep his mouth shut or I would give his wife something to hang her towels from

thats exactly what they want, because they know you will be arrested, possible deportation.

They dont care about you, your feeling, your reaction, some get a rise out of that. They care about what others (Japanese) think.

And there is your leverage.

From an article in February 2020.

Since the coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, China, the world has seen a rise in xenophobia, with reports of discrimination including race-based harassment in schools, tourist spots and foreign communities in Japan prompting authorities and educators to take action

Yes, it does - you just haven't personally seen it. An argument from personal ignorance is not a valid argument.

Thats very true, but Im way past that. If somebody says Japan is a paradise and they love it, I dont argue, I keep it moving. I think the first step in dealing with a problem, is acknowledging it exist. I dont 2nd guess myself anymore, so when a deny person is met, I find it more interesting than uncomfortable to listen to their cognitive dissonance and I will agree, while acting like a Japanese and thinking something different. Then I go do something positive for myself. Ive just developed this new higher dimension of thought and reasoning, and I can thank Japan for that, they helped me step outside of myself and realize life isnt a fairy tale.

Three isolated cases do not constitute a representative pattern. If there had been a nation-wide survey of foreigners in Japan about their experience of corona-related discrimination, I would have seen a serious problem. But there has been none, so the evidence is purely anecdotal.

Just ignore such comments and go ahead and enjoy our lives.

Put their picture (or video) and a recording on social media along with your story. Be careful not to violate and privacy laws. Avoid direct confrontation as you will end up as the bad guy.

I’m not that surprised.... every other day has a cluster at a “Philippine “ pub!

"Local governments should treat foreign residents in the same way as Japanese residents, and make their guidelines and other policies clear," said Menju.

Yes, perhaps if the federal government treated foreign residents in the same way as Japanese residents (with regard to re-entering Japan), local governments might follow suit.

If I were that student, I would have told my assailant to keep his mouth shut or I would give his wife something to hang her towels from.

or

Just ignore such comments and go ahead and enjoy our lives.

This is a tough one. I’ve been here 20 years and I’m still not sure how to deal with the real obnoxious types. They have been few and far between but I’ve regretted ignoring them and confronting them. I got into a heated slanging match in Shimbashi with a bigot saying the most disgusting things about Chinese people. I don’t think I changed any minds by doing this.

No law against racism applied, racism allowed. This is Japan.

But few Japanese are so it remains under the carpet as usual.

“Shitty foreigner, corona “

I’d like to know how they said it in the original Japanese.

Probably: kuso gaijin, corona-yarou

20 plus years of living in my adopted home and I have had many many more positive experiences than negative ones.

On the rare occasion that I run into discrimination, I take the higher road, because I know that in those instances my that if I had reacted in a retaliatory manner than I would be no better than those discriminatory individuals. I refuse to stoop to their level of ignorance. I show politness in my actions and words hoping maybe in some small way I can show them the error of their ways. And, yes, I am aware some people will never change their way of thinking. But at least I can show them kindness.

On the rare occasion that I run into discrimination, I take the higher road, because I know that in those instances my that if I had reacted in a retaliatory manner than I would be no better than those discriminatory individuals. I refuse to stoop to their level of ignorance

I don’t think pointing out ignorance is stooping to the level of ignorance, but I agree that you aren’t going to change too many minds by confronting it.

Language students (such as myself) are still not allowed to enter the country. Most of us plan to stay longer than a year, so quarantine would not be a problem. Yet we still get treated like tourists while Japan starts to even allow fully packed cinemas.

It is no wonder, when some citizens start treating foreigners like they are responsible for Covid infections. Because the government is validating this behaviour with travel restrictions that only sees foreigners as a risk, while Japanese are allowed to leave and enter the country freely.

Japanese people are allowed to enter most of our countries and yet we se no reciprocal treatment from the Japanese government. Maybe Japan should be banned from our countries too, until it finally stops this highly selfish behaviour.

The international APU students, for the most part, aren’t exchange students. They’re matriculated foreign students who do their full 4 year degree there. It’s not the best school but I guess it’s better than what they have in in India or Bangladesh.

I don’t see the racism around me. Could be because country folk don’t get upset so much. Who knows.

Corona or not corona, it is amazing how most foreigners in Japan love to play the victim card, instead of being grateful to be able to be in this beautiful country! Being of foreign origin has opened me many doors in this country, never have I ever been discriminated about it, on the contrary most people are genuinely curious about my culture. If you know the lingo and respect local customs being a foreigner here can actually be advantageous.

There is outright racism, and then there's fear-based ignorance.

This pandemic is causing a lot of stress and fatigue.

People are getting tired of the whole lack of control they feel

and want to blame something / someone...

The guilty here are not racist as much as they ignorant,

and just plain tired of this situation.

Maybe they ought to know that everyone is doing their best,

all residents of Japan are enduring as best they can.

Either this virus will die out, or a vaccine will be found.

Until then we all have to live together, so make the best of it.

None of us are perfect.

Is that it ? Did they get beat up, spat on, or sprayed with bug killer ? Maybe they are lucky they are not Asian in the west.

I was in an online meeting with over 50 other foreigners 2 weeks ago. This story was brought to our attention and we were asked who among us had been targeted for similar abuse. The answer? No-one. A much smaller sample size than Fukuoka Now's, but 0% compared to their 20% makes me think that this story is complete nonsense and created by someone who wishes to stir up trouble. I have encountered absolutely nothing like the 'racism' described here and I don't know anyone who has. I can't stand it when garbage articles like this try and tar Japanese people like this.

And extremely selfish and ignorant of them.

I applaud every single one of them for having the guts to stand up to these dumb regulations. I haven't worn a mask since day one of this scamdemic, and will continue not to, and guess what? I've had zero problems from anyone. I've also yet to hear about anyone I know, nor see anyone, who's had this fake disease. It's really rather remarkable for a pandemic, don't you think?

I don’t think pointing out ignorance is stooping to the level of ignorance, but I agree that you aren’t going to change too many minds by confronting it.

Youve already lost if you fight, and try to speak Japanese. Ive experienced tons of nasty experiences in Japan, could be for several reasons. I own the experiences and dont care if somebody else has never had them. Ive met others who had it worse than me. It doesnt bother me much any more but I know it exist so I just concentrate on myself, which I should of started long ago. Its a waste of time trying to be accepted in Japan; there are more grand things in life besides Japan. I am blessed to have been born and raised outside of Japan and experience life in a individualistic society, the good and the bad.

Not getting spat on yet, thankfully, but the stares got more hostile.

According to a May survey of around 400 foreigners living in Fukuoka Prefecture by monthly multilingual magazine Fukuoka Now

This whole article is based on a survey conducted in MAY! It's September now. A lot has changed since then, people aren't nearly as edgy about this Covid 'disease' now.

That's almost nothing in comparison to what’s going amongst the natives alone. Ijime in schools , at workplaces etc. and the high rates of mental distortion and suicides give you a hint how very extraordinary good you still have it here as a foreigner.

@Jimizo

I’ve been here 20 years and I’m still not sure how to deal with the real obnoxious types. 

In my 30+ years here my encounters with blatant racists number precisely 3 times.

In my opinion, blatant expressions of racism here are not as prevalent as some say.

The Japanese are thankfully usually too polite to express such poor attitudes even if they privately think them. And the times they do are so rare it's not worth bothering about.

If you are a foreigner here and are not discriminated against then you are missing out.

Damn, discrimination happens to everyone in all walks of life, everywhere in the world for one reason or another, dealing with it sets you apart from the drones and morons who want to make a big issue out of it.

I have children in this country 25 years old, who have been dealing with it since birth because they were half, they grew up handling it and are better and stronger for it, screw the haters they are the ones missing out.

God please help us all.

Meanwhile Japanese were crying incessantly about how unfair the world was when they were getting sideways looks while news of the Diamond Princess and Japan's inept handling of it were at their peak. Or how, when a Japanese restaurant in the US was vandalized over corona, they would say, "It's so unfair and racist!" and I would say, "Yeah, they shouldn't target restaurants or shops owned by Asians," and they would say, "We're not Chinese!" Sigh... But hey, Olympics coming soon... let's show them that welcoming spirit!

'I got thrown out of a chain store chemist yesterday (London UK) by not wearing a mask (I genuinely forgot). I walked in (mask in bag) and was accosted by an aggressive clerk'

In Britain some people with Asian features were physically attacked. In Japan, it is only verbal abuse. The current political climate in Britain does not help. With Brexit people have become more racist and the word 'foreigner' is a pretext for hate crime or violence. I lived in Britain for a few years and experienced it firsthand. I now live in civilised continental Europe.

Direct your comments towards the CCP - they "Engineered this virus!"

Parking our bikes outside a restaurant this weekend. Restaurant staff see us and rush to the front door with hand sanitizer. She even said “Sorry!”

Since this has happened before, I’ve now check to see if this treatment is given to other customers.

It never is. The other customers just walk in. They don’t see the hand sanitizer. Nothing is said to them.

It’s getting old.

Pandemics can bring out the worst in people who can bear but little reality because as the late, great Frank Zappa reminds us: "You can be scared when it gets too real..."

Here Is my little tip, ignore it actually embrace it. If other people want to get away from you that is fine it just means less chance for you to catch Covid-19, I carry around with me my own hand sanitiser and my own alcohol wipes to wipe down chairs etc I also wear a mask and a face shield (I don't care if I look weird as I don't have to look at it) I also don't trust the Japanese Government to have tested enough and I regard every body as the same in the idea that you all already have it.

I lived in Britain for a few years and experienced it firsthand. I now live in civilised continental Europe.

Hah. That was funny. Continental Europe - no racism. Sure.

I believe Abe is indirectly responsible for much of this discrimination. It was Abe who barred the return of resident non-Japanese earlier this year, stranding thousands from their homes in Japan. In this way he helped to fan the fires of xenophobia.

In the majority of cases, Japanese get the coronavirus from diseased Japanese.

Haven't had any more problems than usual.

Sure discrimination exists in Japan anyone saying otherwise is not being honest.

But then it exists just about everywhere.

With certain groups and even county leaders going the extra step calling covid-19 the China virus Asians from all backgrounds have been having a hard time in many Western countries

too bad there aren't any laws against discrimination. Bylaw officers would have a field day

I don’t know. I feel I am the one who is always unwillingly discriminating Japanese in their own country. I can freely ignore multitude of funny but rather restrictive cultural customs and bother everyone with my odd behavior, and I don’t feel any pressure about it since I am just a foreigner, so have a good day.

Direct your comments towards the CCP - they "Engineered this virus!"

No direct your comments to the people that write stuff like the above and that use China virus instead of Covid.

You are the ones spreading false information, conspiracies, and are the reason Asians in the west are having problems and why foreigners in Japan mostly Asian ones are having more problems than usual.

@sf2k

There are laws against racial discrimination in North America but with the constant spreading of rumours, conspiracy theories, and use of China Virus, law enforcement and the courts cannot even process them in a timely manner.

Just look here, those that go on about China and China Virus, they are part of the problem.

Most cannot tell the difference between one Asian and another until they speak then most cannot tell the difference between one Asian languages and another.

This is not to say Asians all look alike most just looking at someone cannot tell a caucasian is from Europe, North America, South America, Australia, NZ, etc...

So by pushing the it is all due to China and the Chinese, they are by default pushing it is all Asians.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, there have been increasing reports that foreigners living in areas with prominent international communities in Japan are being subject to discrimination and hateful remarks.

"Shitty foreigner, corona." A 22-year-old Indian student at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University was targeted by such a verbal attack while walking around JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture in mid-August.

The comment came from three Japanese men apparently in their 30s.

Although the student's university, also located in Beppu, southwestern Japan, had reported from Aug 8 that a dozen or so exchange students had tested positive for the virus, he was not one of them. He attempted to object, but the men told him, "We're social distancing. Get lost," so in the end he could do nothing.

Such prejudice against foreigners is seen to be the result of an excessive fear of infection and ignorance among those who lack opportunities to communicate with the international communities with which they reside.

Why are some people so sensitive to racial discrimination in Japan.? It happens. And it must be addressed much more frequently and boisterously.

This article clearly exempfies this how Japaese society is.  The good, bad and the ugly.

Yet,the article points out only one example-much ado about (a lack of facts) nothing...

Yeah, try being a black male in a rural part of Japan before or during this pandemic! Well kept, non-smoker, non-drinker, EXTREMELY educated, well spoken (Japanese & English). People would see me and rush to put on their masks. At Uniqlo, they have someone at the door to assure that you have on a mask and they spray your hands with hand sanitizer. She sprayed my hands as I walked in, but also sprayed my right forearm VERY nervously. This was not on accident at all. A kid on my son's kindergarten bus said his dad told him to stay away from my son because his dad (me) is black with corona all over my body! (Implying that my skin is rotting with this virus and has changed its colour)

But we are "beginning" to be subjected to discrimination "due to this virus"! Riiiiiiiiight!

"Shitty foreigner, corona." A 22-year-old Indian student at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University was targeted by such a verbal attack while walking around JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture in mid-August.

The comment came from three Japanese men apparently in their 30s.

Yeah..........and I see at least 2 dozen Japanese salarymen grabbing each other and being BFF every night going home from work. Many, not wearing masks. And generally no women within 50 feet of their vicinity. The three men in question were probably within kissing distance of each other as well.

I have lived in Japan nearly 22 years. Have experienced many levels of unintentional discrimination.

I have yet to experience any negative discrimination since the outbreak of this Virus. But like Alexandre T. Ishii. I as well frequent Fukuoka/Saga in reside in the this part of Kyushu. There have been good numbers here on recovery. I have heard feed back from some of my military friends there have been some comments about the virus coming from bases which has some merit from those incoming from the states. And mild street walking discrimination.

If I were to experience discrimination or harassment due the virus. I can assure you as N-1 level Japanese speaker. The person doing the discrimination might get a snappy retort in the direction of.

Looking to blame someone?

Excuse me but blame China for not disclosing how dangerous and careless the virus truly is for the world. And that the Chinese government was for weeks trying bury this and blame the US Army early on as an Army exercise and US bio weapon. We all know a certain Chinese official who has a history of attacking the United States online has lent a voice to a conspiracy theory that blames American soldiers for bringing COVID-19 to China, though the science does not support that narrative right?

Then smile and walk away.

Just walk away. Some battle are just not worth the energy fighting.

@Sir Bentley 28

I feel bad that you experienced such barbaric behavior. Thats a bit more than a micro agression, thats like damage level insults.

So much for the "I have lived in Japan blah blah years blah...never once experienced any discrimination" crowd. white privilege comes in all forms...lol

Wonder what a certain tennis player would do if she experienced the same thing...her silence on the topic seems suspect to me. Lots of props from the privileged crowd here though.

Whats interesting is watching Japanese reaction to the same behavior. I run away from some japanese who pee in public, spit, cough or are just weirdos. Their reaction to my action is sometimes shock. They have no issue doing to us though.

Just once in my life I want to find one of those shops that deny entrance to foreigners, so I can walk in and tell them where they can shove it.

Says a person who sounds like a white, entitled person. Nobody goes to a place JUST to be discriminated against JUST so they can assert themselves. Many foreigners go to places hoping for a wonderful experience, be it at a restaurant, a bar, a store or anywhere without expecting the X arms followed by "Gaijin NO!". You can't imagine how that makes me personally feel! I can't speak for everyone else, but I can be sure it breaks them sown a bit inside. Especially if you're not white. I am aware that white people also get turned away for being foreigners, but not so much as non whites. As some other commenters said "Its in your best favor to just walk away!"

there are some lovely Japanese, but it takes effort to get past the wall. Those who have lived abroad tend to be more easier to be around. Some of them really see foreigners as a non human I think, Ive experienced it and Im white. Its a bizarre thing, no matter what you do, they see you as inferior. Ive met foreigners who have been raised in Japan, and tell me they never had any trouble at all, so sometimes I feel Im missing something. I know the subdued and submissive act/role, but it feels unnatural for me, and when Im my real self, I either get lots of unwanted attention (soft racism) or trouble. I think thats indicative of a culture that isnt ready to accept outsiders as they are. Who knows.

JT still running this old chestnut?

I spent hours on the train yesterday in Kansai and was I wasn’t accosted even once-unbelievable!

I lived in Japan nearly 36 years. I experienced many levels of unintentional discrimination.

During the AIDS crisis in the 90's, no Japanese person would sit or stand by me on the train.

@dctokyo

It’s changed a lot since you have been here!

A girl getting off the train, dropped her purse yesterday and didn’t notice!

I quickly leapt up with a big ‘sumimasen’ and picked it up, she turned around and took her purse from my outstretched hand.

That would have never happened back in the nineties-Japan is making real progress....

I recently faced a bit of direct racism related to this Pandemic. And as others have said here, it's best to not react as you're likely the one to get into trouble.