Old But Not Surprising

Article about foreigners treatment in Japanese courts. The photographed absurd re-enactments should be familiar to anyone who has had to deal with police here. The McGowan case, mentioned towards the end of the article, should also be familiar. "He doesn't like _____" (black people, white people, foreigners) is an acceptable explanation of why you aren't allowed access to a store or restaurant or bar or shop or onsen, and there is no Japanese law to prevent this. I am sure Ed will remember the absurd run-around we were given at a particular bar in Miyazaki where we were actually friends with the staff and customers but where the owner-who advertised it as a "R&B/Black Music Bar" wouldn't allow foreigners...sometimes. When we would complain we were given the explanation, "Well, you have to understand, he just doesn't like foreigners." If I went to a bar where the owner, "Just didn't like Japanese people." I would be ashamed. And so it goes.