In some areas of Japan, including Kawaguchi and Warabi cities in Saitama Prefecture, the Kurdish community faces increasing discrimination and threats. Hate speech and hate crimes against Kurds are becoming more common, spreading from online spaces into everyday life and even politics. A local group, “With the Kurdish People,” receives frequent hate emails and threats, and their representative warns about the growing intensity of these attacks. Many Kurds, like Yaman, a Kurdish man studying Japanese, face daily challenges due to discrimination and strive to counteract negative stereotypes.
Public figures, including politicians, have contributed to this rhetoric, spreading unfounded claims about Kurds, which has been echoed in political campaigns. Some politicians have been elected using discriminatory messages. This highlights the normalization of hate speech in election rhetoric.
Efforts to address this issue include symposiums discussing the rise of Kurdish discrimination and calls for legal measures against hate speech. Despite some progress, such as court orders limiting hate rallies, Japan lacks comprehensive anti-discrimination laws. Advocates argue for the creation of laws to outlaw hate speech and protect minorities from discrimination.
by MagazineKey4532