I want to make a comic but don't know if it's accepted

[jane88618]

i want to make a comic called

the last black samurai

its conterversial

where a child from a japanese family is born and his skin is black
so the parents throw the baby in the ocean
and he floats across the ocean and is raised by a black family in america
and goes back to japan to reclaim his name as the samurai of japan
but the japanese people never accept him and keep blaming him for
crimes he didnt commit and has to live as a hermit
working to bring justice to the people of japan

but as you can imagine i dont want to offend people
( I was going to make the comic the black chinese revolutionary and
found out the hard way china does not want a black chinese revolution)

tell me what you think

and remember I love you and only want success and friendship

New photo · Wednesday, Apr 22

 

[Achilles 1-1]

i want to make a comic called

the last black samurai

its conterversial

where a child from a japanese family is born and his skin is black
so the parents throw the baby in the ocean
and he floats across the ocean and is raised by a black family in america
and goes back to japan to reclaim his name as the samurai of japan
but the japanese people never accept him and keep blaming him for
crimes he didnt commit and has to live as a hermit
working to bring justice to the people of japan

but as you can imagine i dont want to offend people
( I was going to make the comic the black chinese revolutionary and
found out the hard way china does not want a black chinese revolution)

tell me what you think

and remember I love you and only want success and friendship

New photo · Wednesday, Apr 22

Let me tell you, a little while ago, this game called "Assassin's Creed: Shadows: was released. It was set in Japan. One of the main characters was a Black Samurai. He was not accepted well, and consequently, Ubisoft was accused of being woke, and needlessly including DEI in their games. The Japanese did not like the black Samurai. They felt his inclusion undermined the main characters story, since she was native Japanese. They went so far as to call him a "Fake Samurai". Further, the entire premise, two Asian people having a black child is scientifically impossible, since Samurais were around in a time when Japan did not have any contact with outsiders, therefore making it scientifically impossible for the child to be born black. Further, it is very likely that the Japanese will be very offended by that. If you want to make it, go for it. But you have been warned.

 

[nice gaijin]

Let me tell you, a little while ago, this game called "Assassin's Creed: Shadows: was released. It was set in Japan. One of the main characters was a Black Samurai. He was not accepted well, and consequently, Ubisoft was accused of being woke, and needlessly including DEI in their games. The Japanese did not like the black Samurai. They felt his inclusion undermined the main characters story, since she was native Japanese. They went so far as to call him a "Fake Samurai". Further, the entire premise, two Asian people having a black child is scientifically impossible, since Samurais were around in a time when Japan did not have any contact with outsiders, therefore making it scientifically impossible for the child to be born black. Further, it is very likely that the Japanese will be very offended by that. If you want to make it, go for it. But you have been warned.

seems like random idiots on twitter are driving your impression over what constitutes a "controversy," looks to me like a shadow of gamergate. Some people are just addicted to outrage.

@jane88618 There will always be critics no matter what you do; the comment above mine is talking about a character that is actually based on a historical figure. You are free to make whatever art you want. Your storyline is far-fetched, and you might some day look back and cringe (as we all hopefully do when we look back at our past work), but the world's longest pieces of written works are fan fictions... so like, literally nothing matters... just do what you want and what amuses yourself while you can as long as it doesn't cause unnecessary harm.

Here's some perspective:

 

[mdchachi]

Yasuke was a real person. See more info here.
In your situation, it's a purely fictional scenario so you would probably not see as much resistance.
Well, not at least until it's made into a popular movie or video game.

As for as what's scientifically possible or not, that doesn't really matter. That's the beauty of fiction. You can make up the reason if you care to elaborate. Perhaps your protagonist has Jomon (Ainu) heritage who had darker features than the Yayoi, the lighter skinned Asians that came from Korea and dominate now. And the alleles for this recessive gene somehow got activated by the toxic ashfall from a volcano (Mt Fuji, Kumamoto etc), producing unexpectedly deep melanin expression akin to Southeast Asian tones.

 

[jane88618]

seems like random idiots on twitter are driving your impression over what constitutes a "controversy," looks to me like a shadow of gamergate. Some people are just addicted to outrage.

@jane88618 There will always be critics no matter what you do; the comment above mine is talking about a character that is actually based on a historical figure. You are free to make whatever art you want. Your storyline is far-fetched, and you might some day look back and cringe (as we all hopefully do when we look back at our past work), but the world's longest pieces of written works are fan fictions... so like, literally nothing matters... just do what you want and what amuses yourself while you can as long as it doesn't cause unnecessary harm.

Here's some perspective:

Your gaming and I appreciate you
Im still thinking about jt

 

[jane88618]

Yasuke was a real person. See more info here.
In your situation, it's a purely fictional scenario so you would probably not see as much resistance.
Well, not at least until it's made into a popular movie or video game.

As for as what's scientifically possible or not, that doesn't really matter. That's the beauty of fiction. You can make up the reason if you care to elaborate. Perhaps your protagonist has Jomon (Ainu) heritage who had darker features than the Yayoi, the lighter skinned Asians that came from Korea and dominate now. And the alleles for this recessive gene somehow got activated by the toxic ashfall from a volcano (Mt Fuji, Kumamoto etc), producing unexpectedly deep melanin expression akin to Southeast Asian tones.

Thank you
I appreciate your words

 

[Achilles 1-1]

@mdchachi @nice gaijin

Yasuke was a real person, but even then, his inclusion in Shadows was not very well accepted at all. I personally recommend you just don't add a black Samurai. Even the real Yasuke was not treated like a real Samurai by his enemies, and therefore was not allowed to commit seppuku when he was captured.

The Fight Over a Black Samurai in Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Published 2024)

The video game franchise long emphasized its historical accuracy in settings such as Athens, Florence and London. Then details of its first foray to Japan were attacked online.

www.nytimes.com

Assassin's Creed Shadow Sparks Controversy Over Black Samurai

Yasuke was a samurai, believed to have been of African origin. But his presence in the game sparked a debate among fans.

time.com

 

[nice gaijin]

@mdchachi @nice gaijin

Yasuke was a real person, but even then, his inclusion in Shadows was not very well accepted at all. I personally recommend you just don't add a black Samurai. Even the real Yasuke was not treated like a real Samurai by his enemies, and therefore was not allowed to commit seppuku when he was captured.

The Fight Over a Black Samurai in Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Published 2024)

The video game franchise long emphasized its historical accuracy in settings such as Athens, Florence and London. Then details of its first foray to Japan were attacked online.

www.nytimes.com

Assassin's Creed Shadow Sparks Controversy Over Black Samurai

Yasuke was a samurai, believed to have been of African origin. But his presence in the game sparked a debate among fans.

time.com

I won't try to argue that no one cares, since you seem to.

Unfortunately, it's such a common occurrence that we do have a word for people who care about the race of a fictional character...

 

[Achilles 1-1]

I won't try to argue that no one cares, since you seem to.

Unfortunately, it's such a common occurrence that we do have a word for people who care about the race of a fictional character...

I really don't care. He wanted to know how it might be accepted, I gave him an answer. Stop getting the idea that I'm doing something wrong when other people here give help about people wanting to go into Japanese Porn.

 

[mdchachi]

I really don't care. He wanted to know how it might be accepted, I gave him an answer. Stop getting the idea that I'm doing something wrong when other people here give help about people wanting to go into Japanese Porn.

You gave an answer based the fact that a few people objected to a character in a video game.

Perhaps just as relevant to this thread would be the original children's book about this guy, which not only didn't get any backlash, it won awards.

The fact is, if they write this book and it causes controversy that would likely increase visibility and sales. So there's no real downside.

 

[NANGI]

Mina-san Konnichiwa!

There seems to be a major misunderstanding, so I'd like to correct it.

The reason why the game's YASUKE was criticized in Japan is that, despite being a historical figure, he was depicted in a way that was completely different from historical fact.

The problem isn't the skin color, but is spreading a false version of Japanese history. If the game company had used a fictional character as the protagonist, there would have been no problem. That's because it wouldn't have been related to Japanese history.

It is not the general Japanese public who are expressing their opinions on this issue, but rather Japanese historians. In fact, most Japanese people don't know who YASUKE is, and precisely because they don't know, they don't criticize the game company.

For example, in the manga "NARUTO-ナルト" that I know, there are ninjas with dark skin. Of course, nobody would care if a black person were a ninja . It's a fictional story, after all. Furthermore, turtles can even become ninjas. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Of course, the ninja turtles was also very popular in Japan.

From reddit.com

Japanese people don't care about the skin color of ninjas or samurai. They don't even care if they're human. However, they are concerned about the dissemination of inaccurate information about Japan as if it were accurate.

Furthermore, racial discrimination against black people does not exist in Japan. Therefore, having dark skin is not particularly considered a problem. The only discrimination that exists in Japan is discrimination against foreigners.

NANGI

 

[mdchachi]

Furthermore, racial discrimination against black people does not exist in Japan. Therefore, having dark skin is not particularly considered a problem. The only discrimination that exists in Japan is discrimination against foreigners.

That's not true. Japan for Black Lives - 人種差別について学び、考える。｜まずは差別の現状を知ること。そして共感し、学び、声を上げ、世の中を良くする。

 

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa mdchachi-san!

You've forgotten that black people are also "foreigners."

NANGI

 

[mdchachi]

Konnichiwa mdchachi-san!

You've forgotten that black people are also "foreigners."

NANGI

Yes of course. Even in Japan, though, there is a ranking of foreigners based on skin color. Black people get worse discrimination than white. And, even worse, it's not just foreigners, Japanese people of mixed race get profiled and hassled because they look foreign.

 

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa mdchachi-san!

Yes, your opinion is spot on! Japanese people discriminate against not only mixed-race but also person who have returned from overseas, treating them as foreigners. Even if they were pure Japanese...

Ultimately, the targets of Japanese discrimination depend on whether or not they share the same values and behaviors as themselves.

If black people feel they are more likely to be discriminated against than white people in Japan, it may be because Western stereotypes about black people are influencing Japanese people.

The Japanese are good at incorporating other cultures into their own, even if those cultures are bad...

I've strayed from the main topic, but in fiction, there's absolutely no problem with depicting a black samurai. The story would gain more realism if it could depict the suffering of Japanese person who, despite being Japanese, is not accepted in Japan simply because he/she have returned from overseas.

NANGI

 

[Lothor]

Konnichiwa mdchachi-san!

Yes, your opinion is spot on! Japanese people discriminate against not only mixed-race but also person who have returned from overseas, treating them as foreigners. Even if they were pure Japanese...

Ultimately, the targets of Japanese discrimination depend on whether or not they share the same values and behaviors as themselves.

If black people feel they are more likely to be discriminated against than white people in Japan, it may be because Western stereotypes about black people are influencing Japanese people.

The Japanese are good at incorporating other cultures into their own, even if those cultures are bad...

I've strayed from the main topic, but in fiction, there's absolutely no problem with depicting a black samurai. The story would gain more realism if it could depict the suffering of Japanese person who, despite being Japanese, is not accepted in Japan simply because he/she have returned from overseas.

NANGI

Where did you get the idea that 'Furthermore, racial discrimination against Black people does not exist in Japan'?

You may be keen to return to the subject of comics, but I'd like to call you out on that.

I'd suggest talking to some Black people in Japan and learning about their experiences of being stopped by the police a lot more often than people with lighter skin. There is a highly regarded Japan Times column called 'Black Eye' by Baye McNeil, a Black resident in Japan, on the experiences of living in Japan as a Black person. Although he is positive about some aspects of Japan, I expect he would laugh in your face if you suggested to him that there was no discrimination against Black people in Japan.

And one more comment you made: 'Ultimately, the targets of Japanese discrimination depend on whether or not they share the same values and behaviors as themselves.'

I'm wondering if you've ever lived abroad, experienced discrimination, or even talked to people who have been discriminated against. Much discrimination is institutional – implemented by governments and other organisations. It's not only about the values and behaviours that individuals hold.

 

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Lothor-san!

I said ...

"Furthermore, racial discrimination against black people does not exist in Japan. Therefore, having dark skin is not particularly considered a problem. The only discrimination that exists in Japan is discrimination against foreigners."

What I want to emphasize most is that people are discriminated against not because of the color of their skin, but because they are foreigners(Please understand the entire text without taking any parts out of context.).

In your opinion, it seems that only Black people are discriminated against in Japan, while Asians, white people, Hispanics, Muslims, etc., are not.

I feel that many foreigners are equally discriminated against, regardless of their skin color or religion. Am I wrong? Or is it just Black people who are treated worse than other foreigners in Japan?


I have very few foreign friends in my personal life. The only ones I knew were a white person and a Hispanic person a long time ago. We weren't particularly close, but my Hispanic acquaintance seemed to want my help.

Unfortunately, our relationship wasn't close enough for me to intrude on his private life, so I wasn't able to help him. It's easy to imagine that, as a foreigner, he must have faced many difficulties living in Japan.

He was a second (or third) Japanese Hispanic, but I think that doesn't mean his struggles were easier than those of Black people.

I found an article about police questioning of people with "foreign roots." The article stated that foreigners of all nationalities, regardless of whether they are Black or not, are being questioned by the police.

「外国にルーツ」への職質 過去５年で６割 弁護士会調査

The percentage of people stopped and questioned by police based on their ethnic origins was 84% in Central and South America, 83% in Africa, and 76% in the Middle East.

In all cases, the percentages were high, and it didn't seem like only people of African descent were experiencing discrimination. Personally, I still feel that foreigners are discriminated against regardless of their skin color black or not.


Incidentally, I also get stopped by the police quite often, even though I'm neither Black nor a criminal. Could it be that not only foreigners but also Japanese people are being discriminated against?

NANGI

 

[thomas]

Incidentally, I also get stopped by the police quite often, even though I'm neither Black nor a criminal. Could it be that not only foreigners but also Japanese people are being discriminated against?

@NANGI -san, just out of curiosity, are you being stopped as a pedestrian, a cyclist, or a motorist? What reasons do they give for stopping you? I've been cycling in Japan for over 20 years and have never been stopped or questioned by the police [knock on wood].

 

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa thomas-san!

I get stopped and questioned by the police when I'm riding my bicycle or driving my car. In terms of frequency, I get stopped by the police about once every two years.

thomas-san, have you never been stopped and questioned by the police? Are you invisible man? Or are you a nice guy who everyone would consider a gentleman? I thought that all foreigners were discriminated against, but I might need to change my perspective.

Let's talk about myself.

I get stopped and questioned by the police when I'm riding my bicycle or driving my car.

I was able to prove that my bicycle was mine because it was registered to prevent theft. I also have a driver's license, my car is properly maintained (registered), and I always obey the speed limit, so I was released without any trouble.

However, on one occasion, I was questioned in detail about my occupation, where I was going next, and so on. It's very inconvenient, but I cooperated with the police as a civic duty.

I have absolutely no idea what criteria police officers use to select who they stop and question. But I have only witnessed once before the moment a police officer decides who to stop and question. I once saw a police officer in a patrol car riding past me while I was riding my bicycle, saying, "Let's question that high school student."

A police car approached a high school student riding a bicycle, stopped him, and two officers began questioning him. The student appeared to be on his way home from school, wearing his uniform, carrying a bag, and his bicycle looked brand new and shiny.

I had absolutely no idea why that high school student had to be stopped and questioned by the police. I can understand, though I don't agree with, why foreigners are stopped and questioned simply because they look different from Japanese people.

However, I cannot understand or agree with the idea of high school students being stopped and questioned by the police on their way home from school for no reason.


So, what could be the reason for me being stopped by the police? I understand that I am an eccentric person who thinks differently from the average Japanese person. However, I don't think anyone would realize I'm eccentric just from my appearance...

NANGI

 

[thomas]

thomas-san, have you never been stopped and questioned by the police? Are you invisible man? Or are you a nice guy who everyone would consider a gentleman? I thought that all foreigners were discriminated against, but I might need to change my perspective.

Like Robert Musil's man without qualities, I appear to be one too. Not worth the hassle.

Perhaps the main reason is that I always ride a road bicycle, wear a helmet and follow the road traffic regulations 90% of the time. Make that 95% as of 1 April 2026. Let's face it: most (pedalled) traffic perpetrators are on a mamacharri or a 電動キックボード. I support the new legislation because of what I experience on my daily commutes. It's also a question of attitude. Should I ever be stopped, I'll be glad to cooperate.

 

[Lothor]

Konnichiwa mdchachi-san!

I said ...

"Furthermore, racial discrimination against black people does not exist in Japan. Therefore, having dark skin is not particularly considered a problem. The only discrimination that exists in Japan is discrimination against foreigners."

What I want to emphasize most is that people are discriminated against not because of the color of their skin, but because they are foreigners(Please understand the entire text without taking any parts out of context.).

In your opinion, it seems that only Black people are discriminated against in Japan, while Asians, white people, Hispanics, Muslims, etc., are not.

I feel that many foreigners are equally discriminated against, regardless of their skin color or religion. Am I wrong? Or is it just Black people who are treated worse than other foreigners in Japan?


I have very few foreign friends in my personal life. The only ones I knew were a white person and a Hispanic person a long time ago. We weren't particularly close, but my Hispanic acquaintance seemed to want my help.

Unfortunately, our relationship wasn't close enough for me to intrude on his private life, so I wasn't able to help him. It's easy to imagine that, as a foreigner, he must have faced many difficulties living in Japan.

He was a second (or third) Japanese Hispanic, but I think that doesn't mean his struggles were easier than those of Black people.

I found an article about police questioning of people with "foreign roots." The article stated that foreigners of all nationalities, regardless of whether they are Black or not, are being questioned by the police.

「外国にルーツ」への職質 過去５年で６割 弁護士会調査

The percentage of people stopped and questioned by police based on their ethnic origins was 84% in Central and South America, 83% in Africa, and 76% in the Middle East.

In all cases, the percentages were high, and it didn't seem like only people of African descent were experiencing discrimination. Personally, I still feel that foreigners are discriminated against regardless of their skin color black or not.


Incidentally, I also get stopped by the police quite often, even though I'm neither Black nor a criminal. Could it be that not only foreigners but also Japanese people are being discriminated against?

NANGI

Hi Nangi-san,

You appear to be replying to me, rather than mdchachi, in this post, so I'll reply to it.

If I over-reacted in my post, I'm sorry. This is a very sensitive area for foreigners at the moment. We are being used as a scapegoat by politicians, framed as a problem by the media, and in the recent election a large number of people voted for a political party (Sanseito) that would not allow us to claim state benefits that we have paid for over many years of living in Japan. There clearly is a problem with discrimination in Japan, and many long-term foreign residents feel uncomfortable living here now, so anything by a Japanese person that appears to minimise the problem, even though that is not what you were doing, can be read badly.

Anyway, on to your specific points. First, I'd like to thank you for actually reading about the issue of discrimination against foreigners. I really do appreciate that.

About racism against Black people in particular. I'd agree that all foreigners are discriminated against, though there is definitely a hierarchy with whites receiving the fewest problems. I honestly don't know where Blacks are – I've read one book by a long-term Black resident in Japan who feels quite comfortable here (though he had real problems when he went on holiday in South Korea). Other Black people report getting stopped and even searched a lot.

However, I'd disagree that there's no colour-based discrimination in Japan. There's probably colour discrimination in all countries (in the mainly Black country I lived in, people were discriminated against for either being 'too dark' or albino). In Japan, pale skin is considered prestigious, judging from the models that appear in fashion magazines and the extreme effort that some people make to avoid the sun, so I don't believe that Japan is colour-blind and does not discriminate against foreigners based on colour.

While we are having an informal poll on being stopped by the police, I'll add my statistics. I've been stopped three or four times in 22 years. Each time I was on a bicycle. The police were polite (and in one case apologetic). Sometimes they were only interested in the bike. Sometimes I was asked to show my foreign residence card, which they shouldn't have done because they had already checked that the bicycle was registered in my name.

 

[NANGI]

Konnichiwa Lothor-san! And Mina-san!

Wow, I made a mistake with the name and made a terrible mistake. I'm so sorry. And thank you for replying(I have corrected the mistake.)

This isn't a response to your previous post, but I'd like to ask for your advice if you don't mind. It might be a really silly question, but please don't laugh and tell me.

Are Black people discriminated against because of the color of their skin? Or is discrimination an extension of the history of friction between Africans (and people of African descent) and white people?

I know that Black people face discrimination in America, and in other country as well. However, I thought that it wasn't because of the color of their skin, but rather an extension of the history of hardship that Black people have endured.

For example, in Japan, there are a few people who think that having dark skin is cool.

When I was a child, tanned skin was considered a sign of good health. Therefore, after summer vacation ended, the friend with the most tanned and darkest skin was the class hero.

Also, when I was young, I had a friend who was a "ガングロギャル:ganguro gal." Her hands and face were completely black, but I thought it suited her very well and looked great.

In recent years, tanning has been said to be a cause of skin cancer, and it has become fashionable to avoid darkening the skin. However, bodybuilders and others still try their best to darken their skin.

For Japanese people, who don't feel any aversion to dark skin, I've always thought that prejudice and discrimination against Black people stem not from their skin color, but from the history of hardship they have endured. Is this incorrect?

Could it be that having dark skin itself is considered a religious taboo or something similar in the West? Is having dark skin inherently a crime? Some Japanese people think that having dark skin is attractive, but is this a minority view globally?

Am I being unreasonable for even separating racial discrimination against Black people from skin color?

I used to think that discrimination was caused by mutual ignorance, and that people could get along regardless of skin color through mutual understanding, but am I wrong?

My argument might sound completely meaningless. But I hope someone will show me a new path while I'm confused.

NANGI

postscript

Three or four times in 22 years! That seems like a lot of times to be stopped and questioned by the police. It's true that some foreigners who come to Japan commit crimes, but I want Japanese people to know that they represent only a small fraction of foreigners.

Furthermore, I am concerned that unnecessary questioning of foreigners will give Japanese people the wrong impression that "foreigners are questioned because they are suspicious."

 

[Lothor]

Konnichiwa Lothor-san! And Mina-san!

Wow, I made a mistake with the name and made a terrible mistake. I'm so sorry. And thank you for replying(I have corrected the mistake.)

This isn't a response to your previous post, but I'd like to ask for your advice if you don't mind. It might be a really silly question, but please don't laugh and tell me.

Are Black people discriminated against because of the color of their skin? Or is discrimination an extension of the history of friction between Africans (and people of African descent) and white people?

I know that Black people face discrimination in America, and in other country as well. However, I thought that it wasn't because of the color of their skin, but rather an extension of the history of hardship that Black people have endured.

For example, in Japan, there are a few people who think that having dark skin is cool.

When I was a child, tanned skin was considered a sign of good health. Therefore, after summer vacation ended, the friend with the most tanned and darkest skin was the class hero.

Also, when I was young, I had a friend who was a "ガングロギャル:ganguro gal." Her hands and face were completely black, but I thought it suited her very well and looked great.

In recent years, tanning has been said to be a cause of skin cancer, and it has become fashionable to avoid darkening the skin. However, bodybuilders and others still try their best to darken their skin.

For Japanese people, who don't feel any aversion to dark skin, I've always thought that prejudice and discrimination against Black people stem not from their skin color, but from the history of hardship they have endured. Is this incorrect?

Could it be that having dark skin itself is considered a religious taboo or something similar in the West? Is having dark skin inherently a crime? Some Japanese people think that having dark skin is attractive, but is this a minority view globally?

Am I being unreasonable for even separating racial discrimination against Black people from skin color?

I used to think that discrimination was caused by mutual ignorance, and that people could get along regardless of skin color through mutual understanding, but am I wrong?

My argument might sound completely meaningless. But I hope someone will show me a new path while I'm confused.

NANGI

All very good, thought-provoking questions!

I honestly don't know the origin of racism based on skin colour, but I feel I understand how such views are propagated, and that is from older people to younger people through predominant social values.

Something that often comes to mind is bringing my Black girlfriend to the UK for a few weeks when I lived and worked in Namibia. She was relaxed about meeting my parents for the first time, but she was worried about meeting my mother's dog (a Border Collie who absolutely loved people). In her experience, white people's dogs attacked Black people. Most burglaries in Namibia are committed by Black people, so I'm not casting aspersions about the racism of the dogs' white owners, but it's obvious that the dogs picked up the perceptions of their owners. And if dogs can do this, children are even more likely to pick up on adult views of people of different races. Young children also tend not to see colour as a defining feature of other children – my best (and in fact only!) friend when I was about four was a dark-skinned Egyptian boy who only spoke Arabic, but we seemed to communicate just fine!

I'd also hesitate to say that it's an inevitable result of history. I was in Namibia less than 10 years after the country became independent, after fighting a civil war against its apartheid South African colonisers, who did some quite horrible things in the country. I received almost no hostility, despite this recent history and despite whites being about 0.1% of the population where I lived. The worst I experienced was behaviour based on the perception that white = rich.

I know that I've not fully answered your questions. However, I'm looking forward to reading other people's views, and thanks for asking them.

 

[salyavin]

@NANGI -san, just out of curiosity, are you being stopped as a pedestrian, a cyclist, or a motorist? What reasons do they give for stopping you? I've been cycling in Japan for over 20 years and have never been stopped or questioned by the police [knock on wood].

Even I have been visa checked albeit after midnight doing a conbini run, impressive you never have.

 

[thomas]

Even I have been visa checked albeit after midnight doing a conbini run, impressive you never have.

I don't do nocturnal combini runs!

I believe that road cyclists (lycra-clad and behelmeted) are rarely on the cops' radar unless they severely misbehave.