Podcast Script

Is there pervasive Racism or Xenophobia in Japan?

This is an interview with Prof. Yuriko Moto, a colleague at Osaka Jogakuin College who has worked at United Nations University and lectures on international human rights law at Meiji University in Tokyo. Based on the following working definitions, we will discuss whether prejudice, discrimination, racism and xenophobia are systemic problems or not in Japan for different types of minorities and foreigners.

Prejudice

An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.
A preconceived preference or idea. The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions. Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular group, race, or religion. Detriment or injury caused to a person by the preconceived, unfavorable conviction of another or others.

Discrimination

Treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit; partiality or prejudice: racial discrimination; discrimination against foreigners.

Racism

The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

Xenophobia

Unduly fearful or contemptuous of that which is foreign, especially of strangers or foreign peoples.

Source (although the original source of the definitions is not identified):
7/12/2005 [Excerpted] From: Jason Testar
Subject: NBR'S JAPAN FORUM (POL) Japan racism 'deep and profound'
[Posters were debating the veracity of the UN Rapporteur's conclusions]
http://www.nbr.org/foraui/Message.aspx?LID=5&MID=18373

Web page by Steve McCarty, Professor, Osaka Jogakuin College, Japan;
President, World Association for Online Education. Updated on July 25, 2005.

Go/return to the Japancasting podcast blog.
Go/return to Steve McCarty's Online Library | in Japanese
(an Asian Studies WWW Virtual Library 4-star site).