racism Archives - Unseen Japan

Collage of author Yu Miri in glasses beside her book covers, including the English edition of Tokyo Ueno Station

Award-Winning Author Yu Miri Harassed Online After Criticizing Japanese Government

Yu Miri is one of Japan's most celebrated authors. Yet some feel that, due to her background, she has no right to…

Japan's National Diet building in Tokyo, seen from the front gate on a clear day

Hundreds Rally at Japan’s Diet Against Anti-Foreigner Politics

The rallies are a response to both anti-foreign sentiment and specific policies, such as changes to the business manager visa.

INSIDER

[Insider] Japan Invented MSG. Why Do Even Some Japanese Call It “Poison”?

MSG has been pilloried for decades in the United States. But Japan's "additive-free" movement has also labeled glutamate's most prominent supporter a…

A convenience-store clerk in a blue apron scans a receipt at the cash register

RACE IN JAPAN

A Nepali Combini Clerk Foiled a Scam in Japan, Even as Politicians Cast Foreigners as Threat

A 24-year-old Nepali convenience-store clerk in Kobe sensed an elderly customer was being scammed and stepped in.

Butter and Hooked by Yuzuki Asako; translated by Polly Barton

INSIDER

[Insider] A Famous Japanese Novelist Dumps Her Publisher After Discriminatory Column

Yuzuki Asako's former publisher has a history of running inflammatory columns. The latest was the last straw for the author.

A picture of part of the exhibit that denies the indigenous status of the Ainu

HISTORY

Sapporo Lets “Ainu Aren’t Indigenous” Panel Exhibit Run – Again – Despite Opposition

The city of Sapporo cleared a display that denies the legal status of the Ainu - and that appears to violate anti-discrimination…

Shibuya Scramble with an image of fire bursting from the bottom

INSIDER

[Insider] Shibuya, Burning: How Japan’s Right Exploits the Information Void to Foster Hate

A Japanese nationalist started a fire in Shibuya Crossing and then fled the scene. Japan's right wing blamed the attack on...foreigners?

Suspicious man in hoodie on Japanese city street

LIVING IN JAPAN

Immigrant Crime in Japan Is Dropping as Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric Soars

Right-wingers in Japan claim that the country is becoming more unsafe due to immigrants. The data doesn't back that up.