Starting from 1993 in Otaru, Hokkaido, and now running unchecked throughout Japan, signs saying 'Japanese Only' have gone up, making an unspoken undercurrent of fear of the outsider into clear, present, and brazen exclusionism - following the best traditions of segregation and apartheid.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Since 1993, ‘Japanese Only’ signs have proliferated, creating overt exclusion reminiscent of segregation and apartheid.
- In plain terms
- These signs openly exclude outsiders, echoing segregation.
- What can you take from it?
- Challenge public displays of exclusion.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do such signs affect community cohesion?
- What legal avenues exist to contest them?
Another view
Not all signs may be officially sanctioned; context matters.
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