As for Michael Hassett's Nov. 20 Zeit Gist article: While I agree that Japan has a long way to go before it will be a friendly environment for foreign residents, I am frustrated at this additional, one-sided, "Japan as abuser, foreigner as victim" diatribe.
First of all, the article makes no mention of similar activities in other countries (for instance, the fingerprinting of foreign visitors to the United States).
Nor does it mention (although it can be inferred) that the cameras, ticket wickets, etc. are also capturing the lives of Japanese citizens as well. When considering that Japan is a recovering fascist nation that was allowed to keep its bureaucracy intact by the U.S., this is not so surprising.
Having lived in Japan for two years, I know that foreigners often receive a large amount of attention relative to their numbers, but police abuse is most certainly not limited to foreigners. In relation to this, I received no visit from the local police during any of my time in Japan (2004-2006).
I do think the police, and the people in general in Japan, treat foreigners with more suspicion than is warranted. I myself was carded while on my way to work in Tokyo, picked from a sea of Japanese faces presumably because I stood out. However, I have also witnessed more offensive behavior in Japan by foreigners than by Japanese. From a human nature standpoint, it is understandable why people would attach negative attitudes to groups when they see people unlike themselves acting inappropriately.
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