In Japan, the disdain for foreigners is spelled out

[Steve Bildermann]

MONBETSU, Japan The bespectacled Western native braced himself for confrontation when he walked into Joy, a restaurant with a reputation here for not serving foreigners. Offering food and drink on an all-you-can-consume system, Joy's managers faced a universal challenge in this port on the Sea of Okhotsk: how to deal with Russian sailors? But rather than translate the restaurant rules into Russian, the manager took a path favored here, posting a large sign in Russian: "no Japanese, no service."

Herald Tribune

In elections last autumn, one prefectural governor only grudgingly apologized after calling foreigners "sneaky thieves."

On a recent weekend, exclusionary signs were targets for a trio of activists for foreigners' rights in Japan: David Aldwinckle, born in America but now a Japanese citizen who goes by the name of Arudou Debito; Olaf Karthaus, a German chemistry professor, and James Eriksson, a Canadian English teacher.

The amazing crusading Arudou Debito

[Cubed]

This is years old isn't it? I remember the Aldwinkle case going to court in 2000/2001 and having the ruling in his favour.

Interesting thing is why the Herald Tribune is trawling it up again ...

[Steve Bildermann]

The case is still going on. There are several appeals in process. That's why I posted it.

There are some interesting points being brought out in the appeal.