Benjamin Fulford Takes On The Yakuza

[Cyka UchuuJin]

xenomorph beat me to it. there is nothing sad or bitter about his thinking. i have foreign friends who have been here 20 years and one who is even now a citizen. even his KIDS tell their friends that their dad is 'a foreigner'. he's not a gaikokujin any more because he's got the passport, but he will NEVER be japanese, not even if he went off to the plastic surgeon and had his features altered.

there might be some (to use your word) japanese who accept that they live among naturalised japanese citizens and/or residents who are not ethnically japanese, but you will never find a japanese person who will call a 'round eye' a japanese. hell, they won't even call koreans (or chinese, or any other asian race that is born and/or raised here) japanese. even my half danish, half japanese friend gets called 'half danish guy' instead of japanese, and he looks and sounds much more japanese than danish! while you might have a piece of paper that says you are a citizen or resident, that doesn't alter your ethnic make up. myself am a russian, who lives part of the year in kenya. i have pieces of paper that say i am a bonefide permanent resident of kenya. my cousin is as black as night. i speak fluent swahili and a few of the tribal dialects. but my blonde hair and blue eyes is NEVER going to be accepted as an african. on a less extreme measure, my friend immigrated to england. she's also russian and now has english citizenship. she looks and sounds like she could have been in england her whole life, yet if you listen close enough, you can hear the slight accent, which will automatically make someone say 'oh, you're russian'. we are who we are. if you can't accept that you're always going to be a foreigner outside of your homeland, then just give up and go home.

this benjamin character may have a good understanding of japanese culture (although his running around protesting things certainly goes against the japanese culture of keeping quiet), and he may have a permanent residence card, but the fact is, he is white, he is not japanese. end of. how often do you hear of japanese people taking a one man stand against the yakuza? or any other cause, for that matter. you don't. you'll get a few of them banding together for some kind of fashionable cause, or the political vans you see driving around, those aren't one man (or one woman if you want to be PC here) shows either.

as for japan being liberal? liberal about what exactly? freedom of career choices? your social class already determines what school and job you're going to spend 40 years in. acceptance of those who go a different route and become car mechanics? ask anyone what they think of manual labourers. how about public affection? how open minded and liberal are they in that one? how about physical appearance? how liberal are they in that one? how many hostesses/hookers/av stars run home to tell their liberal parents what they've chosen as a job? wanna be a punk rocker? sure, if you confine yourself to amemura or harajuku only and wear the socially accepted apparel from the right shops. japanese about as liberal as they are unique...just like the girls who go out and colour their hair the same mousey brown to look 'different', just like everyone else.

don't get me wrong, i love japan for all it's great culture and twisted morals and fantastic organisation. but i don't for even a second think that i'll ever be considered 'one of them' and i'm reminded of it daily in every way possible. even at the conveni just now, with my bento, she asked if i wanted ohashi and when i answered in japanese that i did, she still put a fork into the bag.

obviously you're one of those FGs that avert their eyes when they see another foreigner in hope that they don't notice you because you're so 'japanese'.

I simply said `Japan is one of the most liberal countries` I did not say anything about it being a prime or ideal place to practice rational dialogue or anything along those lines. However it is most definitely one of the safest even with the large Yakuza influence. If you think I am nuts for believing Japan is one of the most liberal counties in the world, please enlighten me in telling me some which are the most liberal.



That is a very sad way of thinking and you sound very bitter. I think some Japanese people will look at us and think `Hey, look at that GAIJIN` but you can’t say that all Japanese people feel the same way.

Firstly if you are a permanent resident, you are no longer a foreigner as a matter of fact. Also if you renounce your previous nationality and obtain a Japanese passport you are a Japanese citizen by law, and you are able to vote and also get involved in government activities, maybe even run for mayor.
I do agree with what you are saying to a certain extent. I think some Japanese people are prejudice and would judge you by the way you look, but that has no affect on your nationality. It’s just the way some people might think.

Nowadays there is a lot more acceptance especially in the rural parts of Japan and the vast majority of people. I have spoken to a lot of Japanese people and obviously they can see by my facial features that I am not Japanese, but treat me as they would any other Japanese person. I am not sure what bad experiences you might had had but not everybody is as judgmental as you might think.　

[DrP]

I want to get a permit to protest, too -- where do I apply. I'm thinking about a 11ton dumptruck with loudspeakers, jello swimpool and racequeens in the back ought to grab attention. Do about 100 trips around the Aka-Pri yelling something unintelligible in Swahili. That would make me feel good..

As for the Yaks actually doing anything --- hell, I'd be alot more afraid of the otakus in Akiba these days. Why do you think the yaks hired all the nigerians to do their dirty work for them??

[Guest]

Cyka UchuuJin、

xenomorph beat me to it. there is nothing sad or bitter about his thinking. i have foreign friends who have been here 20 years and one who is even now a citizen. even his KIDS tell their friends that their dad is 'a foreigner'. he's not a gaikokujin any more because he's got the passport, but he will NEVER be japanese, not even if he went off to the plastic surgeon and had his features altered.

I do understand what you are saying here, but surely this is the mothers and fathers fault for not brining up their children properly and explaining to them that their father is not a foreigner and that he is in fact Japanese. The family should explain to the children that their father was bourn in X country but has chosen to live in Japan and become a Japanese citizen. Then their children will tell their friends this and it will pass on and help inform some of the small minded people out there. Children don’]there might be some (to use your word) japanese who accept that they live among naturalised japanese citizens and/or residents who are not ethnically japanese, but you will never find a japanese person who will call a 'round eye' a japanese. hell, they won't even call koreans (or chinese, or any other asian race that is born and/or raised here) japanese. even my half danish, half japanese friend gets called 'half danish guy' instead of japanese, and he looks and sounds much more japanese than danish! while you might have a piece of paper that says you are a citizen or resident, that doesn't alter your ethnic make up.[/QUOTE]

I know plenty of people who wouldn’t have a problem in the slightest in calling a Japanese citizen `Japanese` even if they are 10ft tall, have blond hair and black skin. Then again, I might know some who would find it hard to believe, not to accept because I believe anybody can accept it if you have a Japanese passport. Many Japanese people might find it interesting if not amazing that somebody has chosen to become a member of the Japanese society, it might also be unheard of in their area.

I can’t argue about your experience in Kenya, as I do not know a lot about the African culture. Many African people believe to tribes, even if they work in offices they still have a great loyalty to their fellow tribesmen so I can totally understand that it would be hard for you to be recognised as an African in that society, unless you were fully initiated into a tribe and you lived their indefinitely.

myself am a russian, who lives part of the year in kenya. i have pieces of paper that say i am a bonefide permanent resident of kenya. my cousin is as black as night. i speak fluent swahili and a few of the tribal dialects. but my blonde hair and blue eyes is NEVER going to be accepted as an african. on a less extreme measure, my friend immigrated to england. she's also russian and now has english citizenship. she looks and sounds like she could have been in england her whole life, yet if you listen close enough, you can hear the slight accent, which will automatically make someone say 'oh, you're russian'. we are who we are. if you can't accept that you're always going to be a foreigner outside of your homeland, then just give up and go home.

I know a bit more about the culture in England, and I think your friend might be a little misled. When they ask her `Are you Russian` they are clearly showing an interest in her and where she might have came from. In most peoples eyes she is a British Citizen I can guarantee you that. In some cities in the UK such as Birmingham the population of British Citizens who have originated from India is over 50% and of course they are treated the same as British citizen because they are British citizens. Although, I’]this benjamin character may have a good understanding of japanese culture (although his running around protesting things certainly goes against the japanese culture of keeping quiet), and he may have a permanent residence card, but the fact is, he is white, he is not japanese. end of. how often do you hear of japanese people taking a one man stand against the yakuza? or any other cause, for that matter. you don't. you'll get a few of them banding together for some kind of fashionable cause, or the political vans you see driving around, those aren't one man (or one woman if you want to be PC here) shows either.[/QUOTE]

Well to name one, do you know about Yukihisa Fujita who bravely brought to the attention of the Japanese Parliament, that 911 was a false flag operation and that the Japanese Government should organise a criminal investigation about who caused the attacks on America as there is no proof it was Al Qaeda. Mr Fujita has of course had many dead threats, his e-mail accounts have been frozen and the American government are trying their best to keep him silent as the last thing they want is an unbiased investigation.

as for japan being liberal? liberal about what exactly? freedom of career choices? your social class already determines what school and job you're going to spend 40 years in. acceptance of those who go a different route and become car mechanics? ask anyone what they think of manual labourers. how about public affection? how open minded and liberal are they in that one? how about physical appearance? how liberal are they in that one? how many hostesses/hookers/av stars run home to tell their liberal parents what they've chosen as a job? wanna be a punk rocker? sure, if you confine yourself to amemura or harajuku only and wear the socially accepted apparel from the right shops. japanese about as liberal as they are unique...just like the girls who go out and colour their hair the same mousey brown to look 'different', just like everyone else.

A liberal country is free from prejudice, the opposite for aristocracies. A liberal country is befitting one who enjoys liberty and who is not a slave to the system. There are many outlandish parts of the Japanese culture, but I would rather live in a free society than a deprived one.

don't get me wrong, i love japan for all it's great culture and twisted morals and fantastic organisation. but i don't for even a second think that i'll ever be considered 'one of them' and i'm reminded of it daily in every way possible. even at the conveni just now, with my bento, she asked if i wanted ohashi and when i answered in japanese that i did, she still put a fork into the bag.

Yes, that has happened to me a few times before, some members of staff put a fork in the bag without asking you, so you say `そ]obviously you're one of those FGs that avert their eyes when they see another foreigner in hope that they don't notice you because you're so 'japanese'.[/QUOTE]


No, I’m not actually. I have met quite a few people who admitted they wear thick glasses to blend in, but I am happy being myself.

[Gilligan]

I do understand what you are saying here, but surely this is the mothers and fathers fault for not brining up their children properly and explaining to them that their father is not a foreigner and that he is in fact Japanese. The family should explain to the children that their father was bourn in X country but has chosen to live in Japan and become a Japanese citizen. Then their children will tell their friends this and it will pass on and help inform some of the small minded people out there. Children don’t label people themselves, their parents do. A good parent would not put their own bias and prejudices first. For example, some children are taught to stay away from Indians or don’t play with the black children, this all helps to divide the society. The parents brought their children up properly, a lot of interracial problems wouldn’t occur.

I know plenty of people who wouldn’t have a problem in the slightest in calling a Japanese citizen `Japanese` even if they are 10ft tall, have blond hair and black skin. Then again, I might know some who would find it hard to believe, not to accept because I believe anybody can accept it if you have a Japanese passport. Many Japanese people might find it interesting if not amazing that somebody has chosen to become a member of the Japanese society, it might also be unheard of in their area.

...

I know a bit more about the culture in England, and I think your friend might be a little misled. When they ask her `Are you Russian` they are clearly showing an interest in her and where she might have came from. In most peoples eyes she is a British Citizen I can guarantee you that. In some cities in the UK such as Birmingham the population of British Citizens who have originated from India is over 50% and of course they are treated the same as British citizen because they are British citizens. Although, I’m not saying that there aren’t any problems. Only 5% of Japanese population is not Japanese when in a city like Birmingham over 50% are from Indian descent sometimes there is a lot of racial heat and rioting.

Well to name one, do you know about Yukihisa Fujita who bravely brought to the attention of the Japanese Parliament, that 911 was a false flag operation and that the Japanese Government should organise a criminal investigation about who caused the attacks on America as there is no proof it was Al Qaeda. Mr Fujita has of course had many dead threats, his e-mail accounts have been frozen and the American government are trying their best to keep him silent as the last thing they want is an unbiased investigation.

A liberal country is free from prejudice, the opposite for aristocracies. A liberal country is befitting one who enjoys liberty and who is not a slave to the system. There are many outlandish parts of the Japanese culture, but I would rather live in a free society than a deprived one.

Yes, that has happened to me a few times before, some members of staff put a fork in the bag without asking you, so you say `そのままいいです` or `箸をください` and they will remember for next time. As I said before, their upbringing has a lot to do with it. By the way, have you ever tried to eat a bento with those plastic forks before? It is so difficult, I always use chopsticks although I don’t like using the ones from the Conbin because they are all from China and the wood is dyed white so it is more like Japanese wood and not brown. That is why they taste funny.

Reading this, I initially was wondering whether or not you were trying to be serious or trying to be satirical. Then you made that one point I highlighted and it all became obvious.

Take heart, though, and remember: just because you're paranoid DOESN'T mean they AREN'T out to get you.

[kusai Jijii]

[Cyka UchuuJin]

Cyka UchuuJin、



I do understand what you are saying here, but surely this is the mothers and fathers fault for not brining up their children properly and explaining to them that their father is not a foreigner and that he is in fact Japanese. The family should explain to the children that their father was bourn in X country but has chosen to live in Japan and become a Japanese citizen. Then their children will tell their friends this and it will pass on and help inform some of the small minded people out there. Children don’t label people themselves, their parents do. A good parent would not put their own bias and prejudices first. For example, some children are taught to stay away from Indians or don’t play with the black children, this all helps to divide the society. The parents brought their children up properly, a lot of interracial problems wouldn’t occur.



I know plenty of people who wouldn’t have a problem in the slightest in calling a Japanese citizen `Japanese` even if they are 10ft tall, have blond hair and black skin. Then again, I might know some who would find it hard to believe, not to accept because I believe anybody can accept it if you have a Japanese passport. Many Japanese people might find it interesting if not amazing that somebody has chosen to become a member of the Japanese society, it might also be unheard of in their area.

I can’t argue about your experience in Kenya, as I do not know a lot about the African culture. Many African people believe to tribes, even if they work in offices they still have a great loyalty to their fellow tribesmen so I can totally understand that it would be hard for you to be recognised as an African in that society, unless you were fully initiated into a tribe and you lived their indefinitely.



I know a bit more about the culture in England, and I think your friend might be a little misled. When they ask her `Are you Russian` they are clearly showing an interest in her and where she might have came from. In most peoples eyes she is a British Citizen I can guarantee you that. In some cities in the UK such as Birmingham the population of British Citizens who have originated from India is over 50% and of course they are treated the same as British citizen because they are British citizens. Although, I’m not saying that there aren’t any problems. Only 5% of Japanese population is not Japanese when in a city like Birmingham over 50% are from Indian descent sometimes there is a lot of racial heat and rioting.



Well to name one, do you know about Yukihisa Fujita who bravely brought to the attention of the Japanese Parliament, that 911 was a false flag operation and that the Japanese Government should organise a criminal investigation about who caused the attacks on America as there is no proof it was Al Qaeda. Mr Fujita has of course had many dead threats, his e-mail accounts have been frozen and the American government are trying their best to keep him silent as the last thing they want is an unbiased investigation.



A liberal country is free from prejudice, the opposite for aristocracies. A liberal country is befitting one who enjoys liberty and who is not a slave to the system. There are many outlandish parts of the Japanese culture, but I would rather live in a free society than a deprived one.



Yes, that has happened to me a few times before, some members of staff put a fork in the bag without asking you, so you say `そのままいいです` or `箸をください` and they will remember for next time. As I said before, their upbringing has a lot to do with it. By the way, have you ever tried to eat a bento with those plastic forks before? It is so difficult, I always use chopsticks although I don’t like using the ones from the Conbin because they are all from China and the wood is dyed white so it is more like Japanese wood and not brown. That is why they taste funny.




No, I’m not actually. I have met quite a few people who admitted they wear thick glasses to blend in, but I am happy being myself.

i don't have the time, nor the interest in going through and doing all the quoting, but you've made it clear that you are seriously deluded and i question where you are from as well. regardless, your hypocrisies are just mind numbing.

quickly though...
-my mate (rightfully so) doesn't want his kids calling him japanese, as he's not. if anything, he's a 'british immigrant to japan'. he's a great parent, and wants his kids to understand that interracial/international marriages are ok.
-for the last time, changing one's passport is possible. changing their ethnicity is not. a white person (or african, or indian, or korean, or icelandian, or french, etc etc) will never be japanese. a japanese will never be white (or african, or indian, or korean, or icelandian, or french, etc etc)
-obviously you've not spent much time in england, most of the time the only british citizens who treat indians and pakistanis like british citizens are other indians who are also british citizens.
-to quote you...'A liberal country is free from prejudice...'. mate, you've just made my point for me. japan is one of the most prejudiced and racist countries in the world. the finger printing system at immigration, in place to 'take precautions against terrorism' (as far as i'm aware, the only real terrorist attack that's happened here in the last 15 years is the aum cult guy in the tokyo metro...an act committed by a japanese), and that minister who was quoted saying that he became sweaty and uncomfortable in the presence of foreigners, proves it. along with the soaplands/hostess bars/nightclubs/members clubs that prohibit foreigners. if this were any other country, there'd be lawsuits all over the place for discrimination.
-great, one guy stood up for himself about some crackpot conspiracy 9/11 theory and this incredibly liberal and 'free' society froze his email and america wants to keep him quiet. big fucking deal, how many of his homies have stood up to defend him and carry on the good fight in his name? none? i thought so. because if they did, they'd be fired from their jobs and publicly shamed in the same way as if they groped a girl on the subway.

one quote of yours that i just can't sign off without commenting on though...

'I always use chopsticks although I don’t like using the ones from the Conbin because they are all from China and the wood is dyed white so it is more like Japanese wood and not brown. That is why they taste funny.'

so goods from china are bad and therefore inferior. how very liberal and non-prejudicial of you.
personally i don't give a fuck what colour my chopsticks are as long as they get the job done.

Cyka UJ, over and out.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

[Guest]

[CrankyBastard]

Well, this is what I think the words in question mean, feel free to correct me

Foreigner – 外人/外国人 (Politically correct version)
外(Outside) 人(Person)

One who is from outside a particular group or community; an outsider

Permanent resident – 永住権
永(Forever) 住(Reside/dwell) 権(Rights/permission)

One who has been given permission to permanently reside in Japan.　:ninja3:

That's right you've got it , an outsider who is not an insider but who is inside Japan and has permission to permanently reside inside Japan not from the outside.

[Gilligan]

Well, this is what I think the words in question mean, feel free to correct me

Foreigner – 外人/外国人 (Politically correct version)
外(Outside) 人(Person)

One who is from outside a particular group or community; an outsider

Permanent resident – 永住権
永(Forever) 住(Reside/dwell) 権(Rights/permission)

One who has been given permission to permanently reside in Japan.　:ninja3:

Good point. If you weren't an outside person (外人) it would not be necessary for them to give you PERMISSION to forever reside or dwell here. So by your definition, a permanent resident MUST at the same time be a gaijin.

Thanks for clearing that up.

(Dang CB you beat me to it)

[Cyka UchuuJin]

That's right you've got it , an outsider who is not an insider but who is inside Japan and has permission to permanently reside inside Japan not from the outside.

and that, ladies and gentlemen, is what i believe they call checkmate.

[Guest]

[Takechanpoo]

[baka tono]

Which is an abbreviation of 外国酒人

[Guest]

[quote="Gilligan"]Good point. If you weren't an outside person (外]
Not quite, are you guys serious?





One is considered a GAIJIN before they apply for Permanent Resident status. Even though they might have resided in Japan for 50 years, by law they are still classed as a Gaijin unless they go to the next step.



After obtaining the Permanent Resident status they are no longer a GAIJIN (How can they be a foreigner if they are now a PR) as their status has changed (Not their nationality). Also you can not lose this status unless you leave Japan and do not return within the time of your re-entry permit.


Arudou Debito, a personal hero of mine.

The next step would be to renounce your *nationality if you so desire and become a Japanese Citizen.
* Not always the case, as some counties allow you to have dual nationality or thought the loopholes of the system i.e. hold two passports. Some Americans hold on to their American passport as did the infamous Arudou Debito did.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

Not quite, are you guys serious?





One is considered a GAIJIN before they apply for Permanent Resident status. Even though they might have resided in Japan for 50 years, by law they are still classed as a Gaijin unless they go to the next step.



After obtaining the Permanent Resident status they are no longer a GAIJIN (How can they be a foreigner if they are now a PR) as their status has changed (Not their nationality). Also you can not lose this status unless you leave Japan and do not return within the time of your re-entry permit.


Arudou Debito, a personal hero of mine.

The next step would be to renounce your *nationality if you so desire and become a Japanese Citizen.
* Not always the case, as some counties allow you to have dual nationality or thought the loopholes of the system i.e. hold two passports. Some Americans hold on to their American passport as did the infamous Arudou Debito did.

how can you be a 'permanent resident' if you have to renew your card within 30 days of an expiration date every few years? and as others have said, if as an outsider, you have to get approval from the inside, you're always going to be an outsider, just one with temporary permission from the inside!

give it up, man! you don't have an argument!

[Mulboyne]

[Tengu Kid]

[quote="Takechanpoo"]This is a persecution complex by foolish gaijin dudes which lack appropriate communications with Japanese. Originally some persecution-complexed gaijin dudes groundlessly thought "外]


Hey Take, I`m leaving Japan soon and going home. Any chance I could kick you in the face before I go?

[omae mona]

One is considered a GAIJIN before they apply for Permanent Resident status. Even though they might have resided in Japan for 50 years, by law they are still classed as a Gaijin unless they go to the next step.

It would be one thing if you're just stating your opinion of what you (or others) think is the correct spirit and meaning of the term "gaijin". But since you are making a false claim that there is a specific legal classification, I'm gonna stop lurking & post the actual law. I can't imagine anything more authoritative than the following excerpt from the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law (or whatever the hell it is called in English). This is basically *the* law from which all other immigration-related rules derive.

http://law.e-gov.go.jp/htmldata/S26/S26SE319.html

第一章　総則
..
（定義）
第二条 　出入国管理及び難民認定法及びこれに基づく命令において、次の各号に掲げる用語の意義は、それぞれ当該各号に定めるところによる。

一 　削除
二 　外国人　日本の国籍を有しない者をいう。

May I humbly offer a translation?

Chapter 1: General Rules

DEFINITIONS
Article 2: In the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law and rules based on it, the terms in the following items correspond with the meaning shown.
1 ) Deleted
2) GAIKOKUJIN: A person who does not hold Japanese citizenship.

(sorry, I'll leave it to the pros to correct my amateur translatering)

So back to your claim..

After obtaining the Permanent Resident status they are no longer a GAIJIN (How can they be a foreigner if they are now a PR) as their status has changed (Not their nationality). Also you can not lose this status unless you leave Japan and do not return within the time of your re-entry permit.

Would you care to restate or clarify? The law seems to quite clearly state that by "gaikokujin" they mean anybody without Japanese citizenship. Applying for permanent resident status (assuming you are talking about the 在留資格 called 永住者) most certainly does not give you Japanese citizenship. In fact, even if an application is approved, the permanent resident still does not have Japanese citizenship. Indeed, a permanent resident is officially, legally labeled with the term gaikokujin. Can't imagine this being much more clear cut.

[Guest]

how can you be a 'permanent resident' if you have to renew your card within 30 days of an expiration date every few years? and as others have said, if as an outsider, you have to get approval from the inside, you're always going to be an outsider, just one with temporary permission from the inside!

give it up, man! you don't have an argument!

Thats not me

[Mulboyne]

Moving back to Benjamin Fulford who is, after all, the reason for this thread, you might think that his protest indicates a hostility to the yakuza. From his writings, however, he seems to get quite doe-eyed about them so his recent action might almost been seen as a public question of "Why are you picking on me?"

Here's what he wrote in a piece on his blog:

...Overall, these guys were tough, but nice. I honestly believe there must be a way to integrate these guys into society. They would probably be cheaper and more efficient than the police in dealing with minor incidents in entertainment districts...

[kusai Jijii]

[Cyka UchuuJin]

[Cyka UchuuJin]

Moving back to Benjamin Fulford who is, after all, the reason for this thread, you might think that his protest indicates a hostility to the yakuza. From his writings, however, he seems to get quite doe-eyed about them so his recent action might almost been seen as a public question of "Why are you picking on me?"

Here's what he wrote in a piece on his blog:

from what i understand, the yakuza do run most of the entertainment districts, no?
you are spot on with the 'doe-eyed' thing though, i've gone through some of his past rantings/protests/blogs and he does seem to have a habit of quickly backing down and backpedaling after his outbursts. maybe he's autistic? retarded? tourette's syndrome perhaps?

not enough attention as a child most likely and has found his place in the world where he can be special and 'seen'.

[xenomorph42]

[xenomorph42]

[nottu]

[xenomorph42]

May I offer another perspective - not right or wrong - just different. I jump in here because, in my opinion, this type of dialogue brings to clarity why FG are so totally fucked. What you are discussing is the difference between an Asian country that has adopted some precepts of democracy and a western country (US) that has the concept of the social contract.
The socal contact is not democracy - it is a specific characteristic of American and later on - European democracies. Japan and other countries do not see the social contract as part of their democratic shema.
So Japan does not recognize you as Japanese - so be it - its their country - they don't owe you that - thats your idea - your cultural baggage. I've lived in Japan over the past 30 years as an outsider, a Gaijin, and would have it no other way. I get treated with respect and dignity - and I think it is so because I don't lay some Western trip on anybody with typical Western authorative horseshit. This is their country and anytime you have a problem with that, there's an express train to Narita.

I agree with you, but my problem is-when some people think "because" they are FG, Japanese will respect them and always accept them as JAPANESE, when essentially, they won't, but like you, they can respect, treat you with dignity and as I once stated, have a good life in Japan, there is no doubt about it, but as long as you know where you stand, it's all good.

A post from Debito today:


Hi Blog. I was told this would happen--people of color (i.e. non-Asians) are getting racially profiled at Hokkaido's airports as they exit baggage claim. (Shin-Chitose and Memanbetsu are confirmed, as also acknowledged by an officer of the Hokkaido Police in the sound recording below).

On Thursday, June 19, 2008, on my way back from Tokyo, I was stopped at 3:12PM by a Mr Ohtomo (Hokkaido Police Badge #522874) at the JAL exit and demanded three times my ID. I recorded the entire exchange as an mp3 sound file (edited down to seven minutes, with no cuts once the police questioning begins). Download it from here:

http://www.debito. org/chitosekeisa tsu080619edit. mp3

It includes the complete exchange in Japanese between Mr Ohtomo and myself, which essentially runs like this:

============ ========= ========= =========
1) Mr Ohtomo identifies himself as a (plainclothes) police officer, and that for the needs of G8 Summit security, he needs to see ID from me as a foreigner.

2) When I tell him I'm I'm a Japanese, he keeps asking whether or not I'm a Permanent Resident and continues the quest for my ID, saying that he asks everyone thusly.

3) When I tell him that I'd been watching them and they hadn't stopped anyone until now, he apologizes and admits that he mistook me for a foreigner (meaning that that was in fact the criterion used). But he still keeps asking for ID.

4) Eventually I tell him my name and job affiliation (after he allows me to read his badge number out loud for the record), and I say I will cooperate if he will ask three Asians for their ID. He goes off and tries, but (it's hard to hear, but I did not cut this section, for the record) the businessman he corners refuses to give his ID. So I say that if he doesn't have to, neither should I. Under the Keisatsukan Shokumu Shikkou Hou, which he acknowledges is binding here.

5) Mr Ohtomo is very apologetic for stopping me, saying that it's only his job, and that these checks will continue until the Summit ends. And that it will probably happen to me again and again, but he doesn't want me to have a bad impression. He also says (this guy's a very gentle, conscientious cop) that he has been told a number of times by people he's stopped that he's being racist in his activities, and feels bad when they say they are getting a bad impression of Japan due to these ID checks (NB: Bravo to those people speaking out!Police are people too and it does have an effect.)

6) The final few minutes of this seven-minute recording is me asking three Australiansin English who were on the same plane whether they got ID checked. They woman said yes, she had been. Thus verifiably no-one else (since they were all Asian) was ID checked by the police from that domestic flight.
Further, as visual proof that the two police offers were only stopping non-Asians, I took these photos with my keitai while still in baggage claim. Easy to spot the cops (Mr Ohtomo is wearing black). And note how they stay in position regardless of other people exiting (photo four)--they were only checking the White people. (see blog)
============ ========= ========= =========

I missed my train, for what it's worth. And I also tried to give this story to a Hokkaido Shinbun reporter I had lined up specially (unfortunately he didn't bite, sigh).

Listen to the music. The refrain is familiar and verifiably so. Links to past incidents and experiences up at this blog entry. Arudou Debito in Sapporo

http://www.debito.org/?p=1752

ENDS

[Takechanpoo]

Moving back to Benjamin Fulford who is, after all, the reason for this thread, you might think that his protest indicates a hostility to the yakuza. From his writings, however, he seems to get quite doe-eyed about them so his recent action might almost been seen as a public question of "Why are you picking on me?"

Here's what he wrote in a piece on his blog:

In my opinion, probably "shadowy" organization asking Koudou-kai to pressure Mr.Fulford is specific Jewish-AngloSaxon axis of evil owning vulture investment banks which have tried smashing insider trading scandal about Risona bank.
To go back, notorious Takenaka aka Jew's dog intentionally told a lie "Risona will go bankrupt." and strangely Jew-Anglo vultures bought Risona greedily when its stock prices slumped and after that suddenly Takenaka said "we invest public money Risona to rescue it". Needless to say, Risona's price rised steeply.
Our Uekusa sensei was trapped false chikan charge because he tried exposing this Risona scandal. And next is Mr. Fulford.

[Cyka UchuuJin]

I agree with you, but my problem is-when some people think "because" they are FG, Japanese will respect them and always accept them as JAPANESE, when essentially, they won't, but like you, they can respect, treat you with dignity and as I once stated, have a good life in Japan, there is no doubt about it, but as long as you know where you stand, it's all good.

A post from Debito today:


Hi Blog. I was told this would happen--people of color (i.e. non-Asians) are getting racially profiled at Hokkaido's airports as they exit baggage claim. (Shin-Chitose and Memanbetsu are confirmed, as also acknowledged by an officer of the Hokkaido Police in the sound recording below).

On Thursday, June 19, 2008, on my way back from Tokyo, I was stopped at 3:12PM by a Mr Ohtomo (Hokkaido Police Badge #522874) at the JAL exit and demanded three times my ID. I recorded the entire exchange as an mp3 sound file (edited down to seven minutes, with no cuts once the police questioning begins). Download it from here:

http://www.debito. org/chitosekeisa tsu080619edit. mp3

It includes the complete exchange in Japanese between Mr Ohtomo and myself, which essentially runs like this:

============ ========= ========= =========
1) Mr Ohtomo identifies himself as a (plainclothes) police officer, and that for the needs of G8 Summit security, he needs to see ID from me as a foreigner.

2) When I tell him I'm I'm a Japanese, he keeps asking whether or not I'm a Permanent Resident and continues the quest for my ID, saying that he asks everyone thusly.

3) When I tell him that I'd been watching them and they hadn't stopped anyone until now, he apologizes and admits that he mistook me for a foreigner (meaning that that was in fact the criterion used). But he still keeps asking for ID.

4) Eventually I tell him my name and job affiliation (after he allows me to read his badge number out loud for the record), and I say I will cooperate if he will ask three Asians for their ID. He goes off and tries, but (it's hard to hear, but I did not cut this section, for the record) the businessman he corners refuses to give his ID. So I say that if he doesn't have to, neither should I. Under the Keisatsukan Shokumu Shikkou Hou, which he acknowledges is binding here.

5) Mr Ohtomo is very apologetic for stopping me, saying that it's only his job, and that these checks will continue until the Summit ends. And that it will probably happen to me again and again, but he doesn't want me to have a bad impression. He also says (this guy's a very gentle, conscientious cop) that he has been told a number of times by people he's stopped that he's being racist in his activities, and feels bad when they say they are getting a bad impression of Japan due to these ID checks (NB: Bravo to those people speaking out!Police are people too and it does have an effect.)

6) The final few minutes of this seven-minute recording is me asking three Australiansin English who were on the same plane whether they got ID checked. They woman said yes, she had been. Thus verifiably no-one else (since they were all Asian) was ID checked by the police from that domestic flight.
Further, as visual proof that the two police offers were only stopping non-Asians, I took these photos with my keitai while still in baggage claim. Easy to spot the cops (Mr Ohtomo is wearing black). And note how they stay in position regardless of other people exiting (photo four)--they were only checking the White people. (see blog)
============ ========= ========= =========

I missed my train, for what it's worth. And I also tried to give this story to a Hokkaido Shinbun reporter I had lined up specially (unfortunately he didn't bite, sigh).

Listen to the music. The refrain is familiar and verifiably so. Links to past incidents and experiences up at this blog entry. Arudou Debito in Sapporo

http://www.debito. org/?p=1752

ENDS

what i've highlighted in xenomorph's quote pretty much sums it up. know who you are and where your place is, respect your hosts but don't necessarily except that respect reciprocated, learn and listen and love and live. that's all any of us can do. and if you don't like it, as was said elsewhere in this thread, there's always an express train to narita (or KIX or any other airport)...no one is forcing you to stay.

i hadn't heard of this debito character until now, but he's exactly the type that makes life for FGs worse here. why start in on accusations of racial profiling? of COURSE racial profiling happens here, not unlike the way it happens in america and many other countries. yes, it's annoying. yes, it's not 'right', but again...if it's such an inconvenience to you morally or timewise, then leave japan. you're only aggravating yourself.

as i highlighted in debito's blog translation, here again is the problem of semantics and the improper use of terminology to describe a person here. he is not 'a japanese'. he is a 'japanese citizen'(if indeed he holds citizenship, otherwise he's a 'permanent resident'. i think i read that he's got an american passport as well, so perhaps he is a 'dual citizen'. regardless, he is NOT 'a japanese').

i'd also like to add that it is not illegal for japanese police to request to see the ID of someone, so his indignation at still being asked for his ID after he said 'i'm a japanese' is just pointless and if he'd just shown the ID instead of getting into a discussion about it, he wouldn't have missed his train.