Hate speech bringing unwanted focus on Japan's Kurdish community

The Japanese are sort of OK with immigrants from East Asia, like Vietnam and China, as long as their numbers remain small or are granted only short-term visas. But they're not OK with those from the Middle East and Africa, especially refugees with familiy members with no intention of leaving.

Remember the Iranians in the 90s? Didn't think so. They became very numerous, and then one day, it seems, they all disappeared. A police roundup did the trick. There was no public or media outcry, either, like you'd get in a Western country.

According to the Saitama prefectural police, arrests by foreign nationality in 2023 showed Vietnamese people made up the largest contingent at 417 people, followed by Chinese individuals at 234.

This arrest should in detail, every arrest is different from one to another. Most Vietnamesse they likely being arrested because overstay not because violent crime.

Every time the term is "hate speech" is thrown around, it somehow always ends up meaning "opinions we don’t like" rather than actual threats or incitement to violence. It starts with silencing criticism of immigration policies, then suddenly questioning any social issue is labeled "bigotry," and before you know it, calling for border security or even acknowledging cultural differences is branded as "hate."

Just look at Europe where pointing out rising crime rates gets you investigated, and politicians openly push for "reeducation" of dissenters.

The moment you let an extremely vague, weaponized term like "hate speech" dictate what can and can't be said, you hand over control of free expression to the most fragile, ideologically driven activists who will move the goalposts the second it suits them.

"There are people today who post hate to gain approval from society and stir up engagement. Some media outlets, perhaps to improve their sales, are creating an image of Kurds as bad people," the 43-year-old said in an interview at a restaurant in northern Tokyo.

Colak says the issue of online hatred toward Kurds is a symptom of a wider societal ill in Japan.

"The government must craft legislation that eliminates discrimination and disinformation. It's not a foreigners issue, it's an issue for the Japanese people as a whole. I want to see a change from Japanese society and its government," he said.

Mr. Kolak is quite right.

It's not just the Kurds. Sadly the internet has become a cesspool of anonymous haters, and all too many sites have given up trying to weed out the most vicious posters. Japanese Wikipedia is virtually unmonitored and provides an ideal venue if you want to slander somebody. When the targets of its slanders protest they are virtually ignored. I know several foreign journalists who gave up writing because posts by "netto uyo" right wingers virtually made it impossible for them to gain access to people for interviews.

Many of the Kurds came here for economic reasons, looking for better jobs and opportunities. Those asylum seekers had enough money to pay for the flight from Turkey to Japan. And they actually did commit the “alleged”crimes including rape and robbery. Negative reaction from the residents is only too natural.

It's unfortunate, but those of us who just want to live peacefully with everyone around are going to have to start standing up and speaking out against anyone who spouts hate towards others. It goes partly against our nature because we are in general, more calm about differences that may exist between others and ourselves. But we can't afford to let nationalist, hate-mongering groups lead us to division and war. Our fight must be against them wherever they are from.

The article clearly states that the majority of crime committed by foreigners in Japan and in relation to the Kurds is only a fraction.

The Kurds are positively contributing to society, not least by doing those jobs which the Japanese do not want to do.

It’s time for the Japanese to

address their prejudices head on….

"The government must craft legislation that eliminates discrimination and disinformation. It's not a foreigners issue, it's an issue for the Japanese people as a whole. I want to see a change from Japanese society and its government.”

A news story about online disinformation and animus towards one group brings out the posters with disinformation and animus about the same group and others.

For them, the stranger is an enemy, to be feared.

maxjapank, kurisupisu, GuruMick

excllent posts. Agree 100%

I personally don't think there is much to discuss about this. As article says, there is only a friction of crimes attributed to them but yet Japanese going nuts about them. We know the reason. There has been a growing anti foreigner sentiment happening in Japan last few years. But they cowardly go after the weakest since there is no one to defend the Kurds.

They say, judge a country base don how they treat the most vulnerable.

And they also say, trust your eyes when someone show you who they are.

I think this is a good case is very applicable to Japan. This whole drama is more about the Japanese, not Kurds. Reading how they treat Kurds was the turning point about my perspective towards Japan.

Sad Indeed, what Japan needs to do is to DEPORT any trouble maker regardless, it is the only way to deal with any situations like these.

No Jail time, No appeals, NOTHING.

If they follow the laws and morals of Japan, I have no problem with them. But if they are bringing religious fanaticism with them, I'd keep a camera recording whenever they are around too.

Their coach, Metin, is a charismatic 51-year-old who fled to Japan two years ago. Formerly a professional footballer in Turkey, he later became deputy mayor of his hometown, only to be found guilty of using the Kurdish language in a public setting.

Imagine being imprisoned for using any particular language in public. This is the kind of discrimination faced by Kurds wherever they live. The Turks in particular have been engaged in a borderline genocide of the Kurds since the founding of the modern Turkish republic by Mustafa Kemal.

If they follow the laws and morals of Japan, I have no problem with them. But if they are bringing religious fanaticism with them, I'd keep a camera recording whenever they are around too.

A full frontal display of ignorance. The Kurds are about the last group in the Middle East to harbor religious fanaticism. They have long been the object of persecution by both Sunni and Shiite fanatics for being perceived by both groups as heretics to be killed. Their regional government in Iraq is thoroughly secular. Their women go bare headed and often serve as military officers leading both male and female soldiers in combat.

Dumping 3,000 people from a different culture, religion and lifestyle into a small, conservative town in Saitama is a stupid idea. The same thing is happening with Afghanis in Chiba. Understandably the locals are not impressed.

A better question is why does Japan have a Kurdish community? Are they really compatible with Japanese cultural norms, and are they really willing to integrate?

I am impressed how MAGA can worship a POTUS who is a convicted felon with a stream of other Court cases pending , a bankrupt who doesnt pay employees etc...

BUT if anyone enters the US without the correct paperwork...its off to detention immediately.

Like a cult .

There has been a growing anti foreigner sentiment happening in Japan last few years. But they cowardly go after the weakest since there is no one to defend the Kurds.

They say, judge a country base don how they treat the most vulnerable.

And they also say, trust your eyes when someone show you who they are.

I think this is a good case is very applicable to Japan. This whole drama is more about the Japanese, not Kurds. Reading how they treat Kurds was the turning point about my perspective towards Japan.

THIS!!!!

A full frontal display of ignorance. The Kurds are about the last group in the Middle East to harbor religious fanaticism. They have long been the object of persecution by both Sunni and Shiite fanatics for being perceived by both groups as heretics to be killed. Their regional government in Iraq is thoroughly secular. Their women go bare headed and often serve as military officers leading both male and female soldiers in combat.

Not to mention they were on the front lines fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Sad Indeed, what Japan needs to do is to DEPORT any trouble maker regardless, it is the only way to deal with any situations like these.

No Jail time, No appeals, NOTHING.

I'm sorry to say the trouble making Japanese nationals can't be deported.

I'm sorry to say the trouble making Japanese nationals can't be deported.

Hear! Hear!

Remember the Iranians in the 90s? Didn't think so. They became very numerous, and then one day, it seems, they all disappeared. A police roundup did the trick. There was no public or media outcry, either, like you'd get in a Western country.

You make it sound like they were kicked out because they were numerous.

It's because they had numerous drug-dealers.

The article is very good and shows that prejudice is still an ongoing thing especially in this country.

Such sentiments are dictated by ignorance.

Several well known members of the Saitama Kurds are associated with the PKK which is considered a terrorist association by most countries. The Turkish government recognized two Kurdish cultural associations in Japan as "terrorist funding" operations. On the other hand, you could say that is hardly surprising considering Turkish/Kurd relations but the point remains... Why do the Japanese people in Warabi need to be involved?

I'm curious as to why the Kurds seem to be singled out for criticism here. Are they not fitting in as well as the Vietnamese, Brazillians, Peruvians or other ethnicities?

Wikipedia describes very well the history of Kurd immigration and an overview of the troubles and recent spate of hate speech:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurds_in_Japan

You make it sound like they were kicked out because they were numerous.

It's because they had numerous drug-dealers.

Back in the 90's Iran and Japan had a mutual "open visa" system. This came to an end so most of the Iranians had to leave.

It's about time Japan added criminal penalties to the Hate Speech Act of 2016. Tying it to specific acts of defamation, insults and other crimes makes prosecution difficult so much of it is just ignored.

Why are foreign communities with no cultural connection to Japan like the Kurd community growing in the country ?

That is the real issue in genzral, with making Japan change without its citizens being consulted.

Proof here is they call that place Warabistan.

To the Kurds here to show they blend into society and not ask for changes.

To the Japanese government to keep them safe.

I hate to say it as a Kurd myself who has been here for many years, there are more and more mischievous fake refugees sneaking in here due to Japan's loop hole being exploited. These are the ones you see in the news for rape and thefts and they are indeed increasing. Here in Saitama I haven't seen any of these camera pointing people in the article. 99% of the Japanese I come across daily are great people and respectful of us.

A better question is why does Japan have a Kurdish community? Are they really compatible with Japanese cultural norms, and are they really willing to integrate?

I wouldn't really call this questions better, or even good, but just in case you still want answers:

Why: Flee from Turkey, hope for a better life in Japan.

Compatible: Yes

Integrate: Yes

Hate speech bringing unwanted focus on Japan's Kurdish community.

Just look at the title.

Is it "hate speech" or the actions of the Kurdish community in Saitama?

Yes, there is hate speech from a few but there is also considerable problems caused by the Kurds in their new home.

Warabi is a small town, whose idea was it to put 3000 Kurds there?

gaijinkurd

Today 04:43 pm JST

I hate to say it as a Kurd myself who has been here for many years, there are more and more mischievous fake refugees sneaking in here due to Japan's loop hole being exploited. These are the ones you see in the news for rape and thefts and they are indeed increasing. Here in Saitama I haven't seen any of these camera pointing people in the article. 99% of the Japanese I come across daily are great people and respectful of us.

-3( +3 / -6 )

Odd that a representative of the people being discussed here goes to the trouble of sharing is insight on the topic gets voted down for his effort.

Japanese society itself have no bad impression about Kurds historically. But, somehow Japanese far-rights suddenly begun to spread hate or falsehood or xenophobic harassments against Kurds through social media.

A full frontal display of ignorance.

Nonsense.

The Kurds are about the last group in the Middle East to harbor religious fanaticism.

Great! Then there will be no problem.