-Abstract-
On
Racism in Japan:
Why One may be Hopeful for the Future
Speaker: Arudou Debito, Hokkaido Information University
This paper discusses the phenomenon of racism in Japan,
and how Japan's version is subtler than those found in other societies. This
subtlety has both positive and negative consequences: Negatively, it deprives
the issue of the power of social shock, alleviating pressure to eliminate racism
through clear and expedite legislation. Positively, because the Japanese variant
is grounded less in an inexorable hatred per se, it will be comparatively easier
to persuade people of racism's evils, particularly since Japanese paradigms conflating
race and nationality increasingly affect multinational and genetically-diverse
Japanese citizens. Nevertheless, it will take some time to convince the government
that anti-discrimination laws are necessary, and the government must counteract
a fear and hatred of foreigners currently being generated by domestic law enforcement.
After activists lay the groundwork, by stressing the humanity of foreigners and
the benefits of immigrants to an aging Japanese society, it is entirely conceivable
that Japan will create said policy to protect all of its residents, regardless
of nationality and appearance, against racial discrimination.