Immigration Japanese influencers cashing in on anti-immigration stance

[thomas]

In the race for clicks and attention, some social media influencers in Japan have spread false or misleading claims that later spilt into real-world trouble, with foreign residents often becoming targets. Influencers apparently see the topic as an easy way to attract views and income.

The "Pakistani hideout."

In 2025, several YouTube videos focused on Pakistani residents in Ebetsu, a city next to Sapporo in Hokkaido. One clip showed a gravel lot surrounded by iron sheets and filled with cars. The person filming pointed at a building and called it an "illegal structure". Text on the screen described the site as a "Pakistani hideout". Another video claimed Pakistanis had been illegally dismantling vehicles at so-called "yards" for years. The poster said the city had identified 76 illegal structures. The video was viewed more than 300,000 times. Ebetsu city confirmed there were 76 illegal structures in fiscal 2025. But city records reportedly showed most of the properties belonged to Japanese residents, not Pakistanis. The online criticism continued, and things worsened offline as well. One night in October, rocket-type fireworks were fired into a business run by a Pakistani resident. Since February, unexplained fires have also broken out at another Pakistani-owned business and at a Muslim place of worship. A 23-year-old Pakistani man living in the city said people were frightened and wondering who might be targeted next. Later, the creator behind the "Pakistani hideout" video suddenly deleted all posts related to Pakistanis.

In February, posts on X began backing Ibaraki Prefecture's new reward system for reporting the illegal employment of foreigners. The Asahi Shimbun interviewed an "exposure-type" influencer with tens of thousands of followers who posts about crimes and controversies based on tips and outside information.

The influencer, who once mainly posted about hobbies, said news-related content spread quickly online. X also pays users based on view counts, and the person said the platform can bring in around 600,000 yen a month on top of a regular office job. Asked why they posted anti-foreigner messages such as "Get out of Japan", the influencer reportedly said it was simply a way to gain followers.

More here:

SOCIAL ‘JUSTICE’: Influencers in Japan banking on anti-foreigner views for cash | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[mdchachi]

It's a sick society we live in. We have even sicker individuals in the U.S.

Fundraiser for racist streamer 'Chud the Builder,' raises over $130k

The fundraiser was set up by Dalton Eatherly in November, but donations have surged since he was arrested for attempted murder.

www.newsweek.com

A fundraiser for racist streamer Dalton Eatherly, who goes by the name "Chud the Builder," has raised more than $130,000 following his arrest on an attempted murder charge.

Eatherly, 28, is known for racist confrontations, rage-bait content, public altercations, and using racial slurs and derogatory language. He has previously engaged in behavior in Nashville where he has used racial slurs against Black residents while challenging them to fight back.

"Sometimes I've used the N-word in what I thought was edgy, harmless humor. I know it's controversial, but it's my right to speak freely," he wrote in the fundraiser description.

 

[nice gaijin]

I just saw this heartbreaking testimony from a man who had been living and working legally in Japan for 30 years, starting a business, raising a family, learning Japanese and being a model member of the community, only to have the rug pulled out from under him by this racist crap.

Things don't get better on their own.

Worked hard for 30 years: Indian eatery owner ordered to leave Japan, breaks down

An Indian restaurant owner in Japan has been ordered to leave the country after authorities rejected his business manager visa renewal, forcing him to shut down a restaurant he has operated for 18 years.

www.indiatoday.in

 

[thomas]

His video went viral last week. His children were born in Japan and basically only speak Japanese. All because of this.

There's a petition on Change.org, but it didn't take off.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/4769/

 

[johnnyG]

'Influencers' here might try this, for kicks: US homeland security put out alert on comedian who created parody ICE tip website

The subject of the alert, known as a "Bolo", is Ben Palmer, a Nashville-based standup comedian and prankster who created a parody anti-immigration tip website. His revealing videos of calls with members of the public who thought they were reporting immigrants to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have garnered millions of views on TikTok and YouTube.

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

I just saw this heartbreaking testimony from a man who had been living and working legally in Japan for 30 years, starting a business, raising a family, learning Japanese and being a model member of the community, only to have the rug pulled out from under him by this racist crap.

Things don't get better on their own.

Worked hard for 30 years: Indian eatery owner ordered to leave Japan, breaks down

An Indian restaurant owner in Japan has been ordered to leave the country after authorities rejected his business manager visa renewal, forcing him to shut down a restaurant he has operated for 18 years.

www.indiatoday.in

Japanese immigration authorities reportedly denied the visa because they were not satisfied that the applicant met the requirements for a Business Manager visa. Their concerns focused on the business's actual management structure and whether the applicant was genuinely operating the company rather than merely serving as a nominal owner. A visa denial does not necessarily mean fraud was proven, but it indicates that immigration officials were not convinced that the legal requirements had been met.

I am also self-employed, so every year I file a tax return and report my business income and financial situation to the tax office, where I pay the required taxes. It is usually straightforward to verify a business's activities by obtaining a tax payment certificate from the tax authorities.

If the immigration authorities were unable to confirm the actual business operations of this person, could it be that he was unable to provide a tax payment certificate or other documentation proving his tax records and business activities?

 

[salyavin]

In 30 years I wonder why he did not get permanent residency. It was easier in the past like recently we have the 5 year visa requirement and higher price and discussion on adding a languge requiremebt.

 

[JayJJ]

Japanese immigration authorities reportedly denied the visa because they were not satisfied that the applicant met the requirements for a Business Manager visa. Their concerns focused on the business's actual management structure and whether the applicant was genuinely operating the company rather than merely serving as a nominal owner. A visa denial does not necessarily mean fraud was proven, but it indicates that immigration officials were not convinced that the legal requirements had been met.

I am also self-employed, so every year I file a tax return and report my business income and financial situation to the tax office, where I pay the required taxes. It is usually straightforward to verify a business's activities by obtaining a tax payment certificate from the tax authorities.

If the immigration authorities were unable to confirm the actual business operations of this person, could it be that he was unable to provide a tax payment certificate or other documentation proving his tax records and business activities?

There are other ways to make money. I play games and make money from it. I just go to Jammin' Jars Slot UKThe Hottest Slot Game Features and choose only games with high ratings. This way I can easily get extra money and live in peace.

Possibly, but immigration reviews more than tax records. They may also assess management involvement, operational evidence, contracts, clients, and business substance!