Books & Covers

                 Man loses racial suit against shop

In a case that human rights lawyers and activists worry could condone racial discrimination against foreigners by Japanese businesses, the Osaka District Court rejected a lawsuit Monday that was filed by a black American man who was denied entry to a store apparently due to his color.

Steve McGowan, 41, a resident of Kyoto Prefecture, filed the 1.5 million yen suit after he was denied entry in September 2004 to a store in Osaka Prefecture that sells eyeglasses. He claimed the owner shouted at him to leave and told him he hated black people.

But presiding Judge Yoshifumi Saga ruled that, while it was inappropriate for McGowan to have been asked to leave, there was no evidence the store owner had made discriminating remarks against blacks and said it was questionable whether McGowan had understood what the owner had said.

                           Racism is a universal malady.

.

Man loses racial discrimination suit against shop

By ERIC JOHNSTON

OSAKA -- In a case that human rights lawyers and activists worry could condone racial discrimination against foreigners by Japanese businesses, the Osaka District Court rejected a lawsuit Monday that was filed by a black American man who was denied entry to a store apparently due to his color.

Steve McGowan, 41, a resident of Kyoto Prefecture, filed the 1.5 million yen suit after he was denied entry in September 2004 to a store in Osaka Prefecture that sells eyeglasses. He claimed the owner shouted at him to leave and told him he hated black people.

But presiding Judge Yoshifumi Saga ruled that, while it was inappropriate for McGowan to have been asked to leave, there was no evidence the store owner had made discriminating remarks against blacks and said it was questionable whether McGowan had understood what the owner had said.

The court noted that the plaintiff claimed he was told to get out and not to touch the door or show window, but added that neither the plaintiff nor his friend were in the shop at the time, so there was no reason they would have been told to "get out."

"There are doubts about the plaintiff's Japanese ability. . . . and the defendant himself has said he recognizes he has limited freedom in Japanese," the court said. "Therefore, testimony from the plaintiff about what the defendant said can't be trusted."

In a news conference immediately following the ruling, a visibly shocked McGowan warned that a dangerous precedent was being set.

"Today I felt as if I was not in Japan, but in the Alabama of the 1950s. I've been made to feel less than human, like an animal," said McGowan, choking back tears. "This case was not just about me. With this ruling, the judge has given store owners the right to discriminate based on color."

Masao Niwa, a human rights attorney and lead lawyer for McGowan's legal team, expressed disbelief that the court failed to address the most basic issue of all.

"Nowhere does the ruling attempt to answer the question of why he was refused," Niwa said. "This decision is extremely unfair."

That question was also on the minds of rights activists who warned the ruling was tantamount to condoning "commercial apartheid" against foreigners.

"The judge missed the point," Sapporo-based activist Debito Arudou said after the ruling. "The issue is not, 'Did Steve understand properly why he was being refused?' The issue is, 'Why did the shop refuse Steve entry?' "

"Now public-space shops can act like private clubs, refusing anyone they don't like, especially foreigners," Arudou said. "Shops can just claim, 'There was a misunderstanding -- because of his Japanese abilities.' "

McGowan said he will decide whether to appeal in a few days.   Link

Comments

[Phoenix]

Didn't you say the Japanese are the worst racists on the planet?

[Steel]

Indeed, yes I did.

Anyone who has knowledge of that culture would say the same.

I felt uncomfortable about even posting this.

For all the advances Japan has made in all realms - it remains one of the most closed societies in the modern world.

Heh, and to think my dream over 30 years ago was to live and work there.

I'm glad I didn't get to do that, but I sure do miss the sushi.

Reminds me of a funny mental image I've had since the rise of Wahabism.

Imagine a poster with a Japanese man adorned with a bandana of green holding a samurai sword and the caption would read ...

THE WORLD WILL KNOW OUR WRATH! and underneath the image Wasabism RULES

...wasabi

[Phoenix]

Not to the racist degree of Japan, but darn, there is something to be said for closing off your society. Whoever wrote, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..." couldn't have imagined........

Okay. So much for dumb thinking....back to our global society and fine Japanese cars.

[mdmhvonpa]

Only American Republican Crypto-Facist Christians are racist. Or so Radio America told me.

[Phoenix]

'Crypto-Facist Christian'........ that has a nice ring of doo-doo to it.

[theHtbrastenD]

There are satiate a dedicated hosting alarm
waterfront pension is capable of doing that for you.
If you are late on pledges, you village riping slapped with penalties.

[Drirwayduri]

Bourne is totaly worth cash then Rush Hour 3! I think 3rd part rearly as interesting as the first! But this was great!

[ñ÷ñ éùøàìé]

comment4, http://www.sex6090.com/ - ñøèé ñ÷ñ, oiyw, <a href="http://www.sex6090.com/">ñ÷ñ</a>, 0555, http://www.sex6090.com/ ñ÷ñ, ryhm45o.