In a groundbreaking move, three foreign-born residents in Japan—hailing from India, Pakistan, and the United States—have taken legal action against the Japanese government, alleging racial profiling. The trio filed their lawsuit in the Tokyo National Court and addressed the media alongside their legal representatives. They contend that repeated police questioning based on their appearance and ethnicity constitutes a violation of the constitution.The claim seeks three million yen (approximately $20,355) in compensation per person from the national government, the Tokyo metropolitan government, and the Aichi prefectural government.The heart of their claim lies in denouncing racial profiling as a form of discrimination rooted in race, nationality, and color. They argue that a prevalent stereotype linking foreigner with criminal has led to their unwarranted targeting by law enforcement.Personal Narratives: The Plaintiffs ExperiencesSyed Zains Struggle: One of the plaintiffs, Syed Zain, a Pakistan-born Japanese citizen with two decades of residency, emphasizes the stereotype associating foreigners with criminality. Despite his fluency in Japanese and cooperation with the police for public safety, he recounts being subjected to questioning more than ten times, leading to doubts about the intentions behind these repeated encounters.Matthews Tale: Another plaintiff, identified as Matthew, of Indian heritage and a permanent resident of Japan for over two decades, shares his distress. He describes being repeatedly stopped and questioned on the streets, revealing a fear that has confined him to his home, highlighting the psychological toll of such experiences.American-born Plaintiffs Perspective: The third plaintiff, an American-born resident, echoes the sentiments of the others. His goal is to raise awareness among the Japanese population about the prevalence of racial profiling. Even in the face of potential legal defeat, he emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue for the sake of future generations.This lawsuit marks a historic moment in Japan, being the first of its kind. The move challenges the status quo and confronts a pervasive issue that has long been a silent struggle for many foreign-born residents.The United Nations defines racial profiling as the reliance on generalizations based on race, skin color, descent, or national origin by law enforcement, rather than objective evidence or individual behavior. Despite Japans low percentage of foreign-born residents—only 2.3% of the population—the lawsuit draws attention to a global concern about racial profiling.
