Three foreign-born individuals residing in Japan have initiated legal action against the country’s authorities, alleging racial profiling and seeking redress for the distress caused by repeated police questioning based on their appearances.
One of the plaintiffs, Syed Zain, expressed frustration, stating, “There’s a very strong image that ‘foreigner’ equals ‘criminal’.”
The lawsuit, aiming to declare racial profiling illegal, demands 3 million yen ($20,250; £15,740) in damages for each plaintiff, marking the first such legal challenge in Japan.
The UN defines racial profiling as law enforcement relying on generalizations based on race, skin color, descent, or origin rather than objective evidence.
Zain, a Pakistan-born Japanese citizen, emphasized his deep ties to Japan, having lived there for two decades and being fluent in Japanese.
He recounted numerous encounters with police stops, questioning, and searches, urging a reevaluation of police practices.
Another plaintiff, identified only as Matthew, of Indian descent and a permanent resident, revealed enduring approximately 70 police interrogations since arriving in Japan in 2002, leading to social withdrawal and isolation.
He explained, “I feel like every time I finish work, I’m hiding in my house.”
The third plaintiff, Maurice, an African-American permanent resident, highlighted being questioned by both law enforcement and civilians, emphasizing the need for systemic change.
The lawsuit targets the National Police Agency, the Tokyo metropolitan government, and the Aichi prefectural government, filed at the Tokyo District Court.
This legal action follows renewed discussions on Japanese identity, notably sparked by the crowning of a Ukrainian-born model as Miss Japan, igniting debates over diversity and appearance standards.
Additionally, concerns over racial profiling gained attention following warnings from the US Embassy in Tokyo regarding suspected incidents, underscoring the broader significance of the plaintiffs’ case.
Source-BBC
