SHIRAISHI-Kazuko comments

So many comments on this one...

For those who keep mentioning how much worse it is elsewhere, sure compared to other countries Japan might be much better for some. But we wouldn't dismiss gun violence in the US, by saying it's worse in another country....

IMO Japan, even with it's lack of enforced antidiscrimination laws, is usually very comfortable for most people. The Apartment problem is usually overcome by going through your employer, but also understandably terrible for those struggling to find a place to learn that the landlord doesn't accept foreigners.

It would be less offensive, if the landlord/relator were less obvious as to why someone was turned down. And in my opinion although racist, it stems from fear of damage/noise/loss of income etc. I suspect that many foreign landlords prefer Japanese tenants as well.

It might take some thick skin, and ingenuity, but I think most people can have a good life in Japan, it is a wonderful country overall.

I do hope that the problems outlined in the article are addresses and corrected in time. I might be biased as I've spent half my life in Japan and consider it home.

My best advice is to spend as little time thinking about the problems as you can, unless you are part of the body that is addressing it directly.

It's possible but it's also more likely that nothing at all like that happened because nowhere in the article is that stated or implied. The cops in Japan are way more prejudiced in my opinion, and I have decades of dealing with cops in both countries. One or two incidents that make world headlines should not obscure the fact that police in the U.S. have a really tough job and many lose their lives on the job. I have had one or two negative experiences with cops but I don't think the police are all bad and anyone calling for them to be defunded is severely misguided. What needs to be done in many places is an overhaul of tactics and training, then you try to root out the bad apples and bad procedures. There and tens of thousands more crooked people than crooked cops so who's going to police them? I lived in the worst area of NYC during the worst decades and the people who were terrorizing the neighborhood weren't wearing police uniforms, but gang patches. Police put their lives on the line every day to protect citizens and keep the peace, and, sure there are bad ones but that is the case in every line of work. For every George Floyd incident there are literally thousands of others that go smoothly that you won't hear about at all. Police lives matter, black lives matter, all lives matter.

New York never truly slept. Even in the hush before dawn, the city thrummed with a restless energy - distant shouts, the rumble of a garbage truck, the sharp toot of a taxi seeking an elusive fare. Officer Malone leaned against his cruiser, the radio crackling with static and half-heard dispatches. He sighed, the weight of his badge heavy on his chest.

A battered sedan rattled past, music blaring, and Malone winced. Another noise complaint, he guessed. Another night mediating the symphony of the city. A symphony where, more often than not, the right tune could make any problem disappear. He glanced at the sleek skyscraper across the road, its windows gleaming coldly.

The wail of a siren pierced the air, a crescendo in the urban chorus. Malone squinted, trying to trace its path. An ambulance, maybe. Or perhaps just another reminder - those with the loudest claxons, the most insistent wail, often called the shots in this city. His city, with its own peculiar brand of justice.

girl_in_tokyoNov. 3  02:40 pm JST

Yes, we are just hating on Japan for no reason at all. It has nothing to do with this being completely sexist and treating women like objects.

Of course your personal response to this article is not the entirety of what I was commenting on, but rather on a selection of comments over the years.

Many industries around the world objectify people, of course the entertainment industry being one of the most obvious examples. With all of the maid cafe's, idols, scantily clad cheer leaders at sporting events, etc in Japan, this is hardly a shock.

In western culture, most of it is kept under wraps, but places like hooters and the like are in operation. My point is that the objectification of people is a global issue, so the perspective should be as such.

Forgive me if this is presumptuous, but I wonder how those offended by the agency in this article feel about real estate "concierges" such as Colony Reeves, of Netflix's show Selling Tampa.

It would serve many of us well to think carefully about what we read, before hastily making decisive comments.

This is good for those who prefer dealing with a woman. I could see many young women being more comfortable using this service than dealing with a male agent. There are plenty of young beautiful real estate agents in western countries who do very well at their jobs. And there are lot's of agencies known for their beautiful female agents, so this is nothing new. It is too bad that so many readers of this site, like to hate on all things Japan.

It is not everyday that the leader of the free world graces a nation in this way! What an honor for all who bore witness to the legitimization of Sumo! The nation celebrates today and forever this single act! Japan is reborn!

New types of international services such as Google Fi may be a better choice for use in Japan.

Docomo although has information on their website appearing to treat foreign customers equally, the fine print and internal guidelines and procedures still racially profile foreign permanent residents. For example have a look at the docomo website(In English) about Documents Verifying Identity. It says in bright Red print:

"If a Japanese driver's license or an Individual Number Card (My Number Card) is used as the identification document of the subscriber, an additional document is not required regardless of the payment method."

Then below in fine print it says: *You may be asked to present an additional document regardless of the above.

If you enquire with dodomo by phone they will tell you that if you are a foreign resident their standard procedure is to ask for a copy of a Residence card or Certificate of Alien Registration.

This is clearly racial profiling. Shame on you Docomo.

It's too bad the parlour didn't have better cameras. The quality of the photos are so poor that it is highly unlikely anyone will ever identify him from that alone. Without video you can't really recognize his gait or anything else to identify him. I wish that they would release everything that they have.

It may be true that he is young and that he is bilingual but it is still a shame that he may not have a choice in the matter. All that he knows is Japan, he will have to say goodbye to all of those dear to him. They will miss out on the joy of his presence.

For those who choose to move for a new life it is their choice.

It is human nature to yearn for a sense of belonging in family, community and country. It is unfortunate that the courts didn't demonstrate the value in him.

Sad....

It is bewildering that in this day and age and in an advanced open country that is Japan that someone could be so insensitive.

For those of you who pointed out that foreigners can be bad or specifically US military etc you are just as bad as the person who made the announcement. There are many polite and respectful foreigners and military folks as well.

It isn't uncommon to see non-foreign people drunk on laying on streets and on trains so it isn't a "Foreign problem". Japan has come a long way but still has a long way to catch up with some parts of the world.

Every country has their own issues. One thing that would help is if there were anti discrimination laws with real teeth.

Back to the original topic of the announcement, it was offensive so he received a verbal warning. He should have to attend a sensitivity course. Hopefully he is ashamed and will think more about all of his passengers.

The person who made the enquiry was a Japanese female. There are plenty of cultured, sensitive Japanese too so maybe a time will come when the general population will start to speak up when they see discrimination.

If hundreds or thousands of Japanese enquired about a sign that says Japanese only, or protested when they saw discrimination things would change.

The fact that it made the news is encouraging!

Keep expressing yourself through your Youtube channel. It is the your channel so you have complete control and freedom. It's too bad that you lost income but bad experience is still experience so you can walk away with.

Your YouTube channel is amazing!

Keep it up!!

Some like it raw.

The world is a veil of tears.

Enough is enough. Japan has the right to decide who can enter and who cannot. Given the history, It is doubtful that he was not here to go sightseeing. That may have worked the first time.

Almost anyone who saw the footage of the dolphin hunt was disturbed by what they saw. Such is the nature of slaughtering of animals, just ask those who have come from hunting communities across North America. Hence the walls on slaughterhouses throughout the modern world. The Japanese community of Taiji made many efforts to keep the site from outside eyes.

In North America Indigenous peoples are exempt from hunting and fishing laws that apply to others. There is evidence of hunting in Japan dating between 35000 and 40000 years ago. It is interesting that there is so little tolerance for Japan's cultural practices within it's own borders.

Few animals have been actively fought for in the way that these dolphins and whales have been by the activists and the movie makers. The closest that I can think of maybe be the Canadian seal hunt. Of course vegans worldwide are effectively decreasing demand for meat in turn decreasing the number of animals that live in terrible conditions.

How tolerant would western countries be if foreigners who had a greater fondness for fish aggressively protested their livelihood in the practice of fishing of cod(if there were any left) or flounder. Or Hindu activists broke into beef slaughterhouses in the U.S. ? They would likely be arrested or even killed, should they trespass on the wrong rancher/farmers land.

I agree with the peaceful protest of inhumane treatment of animals but the irrational comments against immigration for deporting someone who obviously shouldn't have expected to be allowed in on a tourist visa, is non constructive.

Furthermore the constant attack on Japanese as a country and a culture by people who probably have little experience of either on issues like events which took place during the war, among other issues is tiresome.

Japanese public opinion and official political positions are very different. The culture is such that it seems that Japan is being taken advantage of. The current generation of government officials cannot behave in the way that is being asked of them by other countries. This was culturally ingrained in them from an early age. Is it more important that the people are sorry or that the government offers a public apology?

I am in no way trying to deny the existence of problems and shortcoming that Japan as well as many countries need to overcome, I am just tired of the Japan bashing all over the internet. Many countries have been guilty of terrible acts over the course of history. Slavery, the holocaust, the genocide of indigenous peoples, the list goes on.

Japan opened its borders much later than western countries and still has a very small percentage of foreign residents. Patience and tolerance along with constructive criticism from Japanese and other countries would be a much better approach to bettering the situation.

P.S. Love Flipper and Rick along with Lassie, Benji and Old Yeller.

The treatment of animals used for food across the globe is the bigger problem.

Take a few minutes and look at both architects previous works. I found both of them on Wikipedia.

It is easy to see that Zaha Hadid is more skilled and experienced. Have a look at the Stadium she designed for 2022 Fifa world cup.

Kuma's works in my opinion are a smaller projects. Recently he has been designing restaurant interiors.

An international court can look at both architects previous works, both of their designs for this stadium and the truth will be very apparent.

Architects around the world will be taking a hard look at this and thinking about Japan. I sincerely hope that Kuma and his confidants are not stealing the Hadid's genius.

45 million yen is roughly 375,000 USD. The article doesn't specify the size of their clinic but it isn't that shocking to gross that much money in a month or two.

If it was in 10,000 notes it would be about 4500 notes. At .1 mm per note the entire amount would be 45 cm high. Of course 3 stacks would be 15 cm or 9 stacks at 5 cm each.

Not everyone puts their money in a bank.

Through history, many countries have committed atrocities, however the complete exclusion from Japanese texts perhaps is the reason that this photographer's work is so important.

Although controversial, it seems to have sparked communication among Japanese on the subject. An opportunity for more Japanese to learn a part of history not taught in their own country.

It is bewildering that this issue among others has not yet been honourably dealt with years ago.

In this day and age, once something like this becomes public the shame alone must be substantial. So long as the general public doesn't share his ill-conceived views on other races. I am sure that he isn't receiving any positive recognition from his school mates, teachers, parents, siblings, neighbours etc...

Sensei258,

Perhaps it's meant for a group rather than an individual. Regardless I intend to wash all 48 pieces down with an ice cold Coca-cola.

DRV FTW!

Clamenza,

If it was boy scouts you might not think much of it.

He has been publicly shamed and will never be allowed to work with children again. If it isn't discovered that he has done worse, I doubt that will serve any time at all. Likely years of probation, therapy and community service.

Scary stuff! A decade behind bars would probably help parents that live in the same community feel safer.

This is one piece of the puzzle.

Why are the comments always worthless drivel. Someone always find an aspect of every story to focus on then bash Japan. I get it for the racism cases etc but come on a jewelry heist? They were white, that's a fact not a personal attack. Why not intelligent posts, constructive conversation, or interesting debate?