Have you encountered discrimination or prejudices in Japan ?

[Maciamo]

I have encountered much of what has been mentioned here, but I fully expect it, and I have from the beginning. I mean, being a foreigner in Japan makes me a minority from the start. Being a minority ANYWHERE puts you in a disadvantage.

I didn't expect it, because I have lived in such countries as Spain or Italy where I was almost as clearly a foreigner as in Japan, and was never treated much differently from the locals (actually yes, in Madrid they tried to cheat me several times on the restaurant bill thinking I was just an unwary tourist - but they have learnt not to mess with me on that).

I can't really complain about not being taken seriously by the Japanese, as it is usually the reverse that happens. I am fed up of their lack of interest and knowledge for serious subjects, and they usually listen to me as if I was an expert (maybe because most of these discussions happen while I am in the position of teacher ). Difficult to have a level-field conversation in which there is a real exchange of opinions (not just polite nodding and "eeeh !"), except with the rare true intellectuals.

At stores, I sometimes find that the clerks won't talk directly to me even if I ask a question, like Maciamo. I hate that.

Still happened to me 10min ago. I was with my wife and paid for her stuff. The guy at the combini hesitated giving the change back to me or to my wife and was looking at her for tips, as if he had no idea that if the banknote came out of the wallet that came out of my pocket, the change had to return to me too ! It's almost always like that in combinis !

Maybe I expect discrimination too much, but I was SHOCKED (in a good way), when I first went to a capsle hotel in Hiroshima and some guy started talking to me out of the blue about his laundry he was doing. I mean, he was talking to me completely naturally. Actually, I had(have) it stuck in my mind that capsle hotels are very anti-foreigners, but I've had better experiences there in general than at regular hotels.

This mostly happened to me when the guy could speak English and addressed me in English as if I looked like an English-speaker. Sometimes I just want to talk to them back in French or any other language to make them think a bit, but I usually just reply in Japanese because I know the conversation won't go very far in English.

[Mikawa Ossan]

I didn't expect it, because I have lived in such countries as Spain or Italy where I was almost as clearly a foreigner as in Japan, and was never treated much differently from the locals

I came from the USA originally, and as you well know, they have many issues with minorities there. I have always thought of it as a cruel but unyielding fact that minorities face many obstacles that a non-minority has a hard time understanding.
Interestingly enough, I have a Japanese friend who moved to Italy, but finally moved back to Japan because, as she said, "No matter how long I lived there, they never accepted me as one of them." I don't know exactly what she meant, but I assumed it was exactly what this thread is discussing here.

I am fed up of their lack of interest and knowledge for serious subjects.

I know many people who like to talk about serious subjects, but I should clarify. When I talk to co-workers, I never have this problem. When I talk to fellow volunteer members, I do. It really depends on who I'm talking too.

This mostly happened to me when the guy could speak English and addressed me in English as if I looked like an English-speaker.

But you see, the guy spoke to me in JAPANESE without skipping a beat. That's what was so shocking! I was really flattered, actually. It was like the guy didn't even notice I was a foreigner!

On a slightly different note, has a Japanese person ever come up to you at say the train station and asked you for help buying the right ticket? It happened to me once by a little old lady. I don't think she could see so well...

[PopCulturePooka]

I heard that foreigners got banned from a few BLDY's around the Atsugi, Hon Atsugi and MAchida area (Odakyu line) because one group one time drank to much on the cheap ALL YOU CAN DRINK spirits bar.

[MeAndroo]

I heard that foreigners got banned from a few BLDY's around the Atsugi, Hon Atsugi and MAchida area (Odakyu line) because one group one time drank to much on the cheap ALL YOU CAN DRINK spirits bar.

Now that would be an outright travesty. BLDY had two outposts at Takadanobaba, the nearest major stop on my way to Waseda, and I definitely used my frequent customer card to the fullest.

[pipokun]

I know it is a bit irrelevant to say something about other countries, at least, in this thread. But I also think it would be boring if everybody here says something like “Racism Everywhere”.

[bshepherd]

I lived there for 1.5 years or so and yes I experienced discrimination when I first arrived, not because I was a 'foreigner' but because I had a small tattoo of the sun on my arm. I learned that many Japanese people have an aversion to tattoos (as well as the sun!), so it must have threatened them. I was banned from both the local onsen ( actually kicked out when they saw the tattoo) and from a swimming pool.
I spent the rest of my stay working and painting (thank god I brought my computer), also trying to find either a clean beach to sit on or a quiet place to walk where I could listen to the birds. Never really found any of these as they didn't really exist where I was living. Other than that, I was almost stopped by the police on my bicycle once for racing through a light as it was changing (fair enough!) and was also sexually harassed several times by Japanese men who got the urge to masturbate when they saw me. Never really figured out why they insisted on doing that in public. I wasn't sure if they're just sexually repressed or if they did it because I was a foreigner.
After these experiences I tended to avoid people as much as possible, and got out of the country as soon as I could, however I met some really lovely people there and learned a lot about the culture, primarily from my students.

[Kara_Nari]

Hey Lexico, I can speak enough Japanese to get by in everyday stuff. The fact that the Japanese staff were speaking to me in Japanese was fine, but the Korean staff? We hadnt actually left the port yet. For some stupid reason they think it would be nice to sit around and do nothing for 3 hours before they go.
I have no problem being spoken to in the national language of the country I am in. I think its a little rude that some people dont at least make an effort if they are planning to stay for more than a mere holiday. Even in saying that, as I was lining up at customs on the Japanese side, I was impressed to hear many Koreans brushing up on their greetings and such like.
Now I dont know if its just because I have only been here for a short time, but Japanese still speak to me in Japanese, and if I get a bit lost in the conversation, they apologise and tell me they thought I was japanese. How that is so, I dont actually know.
Went to a hostess bar the other night, brought along an American guy, and we had no problems, granted possibly because my friend worked there, but still, I was the first gaijin woman to ever enter the place. Novelty? Pass...
As for the long term stuff, im sure that if I was to return to Japan long term I would encounter problems regardless of my looks and language capability. Even if I was to go to Australia, I would have problems getting a house etc, purely for the fact that I wasnt born in that country. Maybe slightly more lenient, but problems occur everywhere, just in slightly different degrees.
I had no problems moving into the place that im staying in now in Korea. Im the only woman there,havent felt intimidated, and I havent once been discriminated against, infact I have been given gifts from the manager, and have made friends with some of the guys because they feel sorry for me being by myself in Korea. Still, its not an apartment, its just student accomodation, and im not a student either... but yeah if I was to move into an apartment mabye there would be some anomosity.
In regards to the being asked for directions, I have had that already in my few days in Japan, many times in Korea. I feel stupid because I dont know my way around enough to help, but I am always given a warm response.
My boyfriend on the other hand who IS korean, doesnt get such a warm receiving from Koreans.
So that brings me to the conclusion that is is dependant on the particular person. I dont think it matters on your sex, your looks or your language ability, but on your character at a first glance.
Discrimination everywhere happens, it sucks, but if you want to make a go of it in another country, you have to be prepared for it.
Like Mike Cash said, he works the exactly the same as his fellow Japanese co workers, and doesnt get any sh#t for it. You need to adapt to make it the best possible experience for you as an individual.

[Maciamo]

So that brings me to the conclusion that is is dependant on the particular person. I dont think it matters on your sex, your looks or your language ability, but on your character at a first glance.

Interesting theory. But I guess it varies with the local population. For example, when I was in Germany, I was asked the way "all the time". In Belgium a few times. In Japan, never. If I am with my wife, they address my wife and completely ignore me. So she has to ask me, but when I explain some people faint not to hear or understand, so my wife has to repeat the exact same words to them. This does not just happen for directions, but anything ! today again at the restaurant, when I asked the waitress to be moved to a non-smoking area, she looked at my wife, who had to repeat what I said to be sure. Yet, if I explain something in Japanese to some students, they understand immediately, because they know I speak Japanese and are not taken aback when I start speaking it.

I find this strange, because whenever a foreigner asks me something in my home country (or anywhere else), whatever their looks and the language they use, I have never been particularily surprised, and never to freeze like the Japanese do. I wonder if they have this disposition to freeze in the genes, like some animal freeze and feign to be dead when they see a predator.

[Kara_Nari]

Right, I understand your meaning for that exactly. I have encountered that in New Zealand too, when with my boyfriend who is Korean, and I will offer to help a lost looking Japanese person, they will look to him for help, and he will have to explain that I am the one who is speaking to them and he has no idea what they are saying. That happened on more than one occasion.
In Korea I have spoken in Korean, but they assume that I am still speaking english because they SEE me as a foreigner and its not until I speak english that they realise I was indeed speaking Korean. AARRRGGHH so frustrating.
I think the worst place I have been for foreigner extortion is Thailand. The mark up is phenomenal.
I thought it was happening the other night at one of the all you can drink bars. My mistake, it was actually cheaper for me coz I was a woman. heh, yeah I felt pretty stupid. NOT because I was a foreigner.
I can imagine your frustration is stronger because you have had to deal with it for a lot longer, and you have residency. Im sure if I had been here for as long as you, it would bother me to a much higher degree.
One other thing I had heard about was that foreigners with tattoos are sometimes not allowed admission to places. Is this true? I went to the public baths today, and didnt seem to have any problem. I am always a little uncomfortable because one of my tattoos is in Kanji, which can be read in Korea and China too. Luckily I havent as yet been denied entry.

[Maciamo]

I think the worst place I have been for foreigner extortion is Thailand. The mark up is phenomenal.

I remember how I heard Thai people refer to Westerners all the time as "farang" (the equivalent of "gaijin", except that it originally means "French", as they were the first Westerners to interact with them). At least in Japan, it is mostly children that exclaim "gaijin ! gaijin !" when seeing a foreigner in the street (although adults use the word all the time in conversations between themselves), but in Thailand, whereever you go, you can't enter a place without hearing people around you muttering "farang" and giggling.

One other thing I had heard about was that foreigners with tattoos are sometimes not allowed admission to places. Is this true? I went to the public baths today, and didnt seem to have any problem. I am always a little uncomfortable because one of my tattoos is in Kanji, which can be read in Korea and China too. Luckily I havent as yet been denied entry.

I heard about that too. It not only for foreigners though. It is mostly to prevent yakuza or other dubious people (recognised by having a tatoo, as in Japan almost only yakuza do). My sister has a small one (also a kanji) on the shoulder but didn't have any problem anywhere in Japan. I guess that women are less suspicious too, and a "spiritual kanji" as hers won't raise an eyebrow.

[Mikawa Ossan]

One other thing I had heard about was that foreigners with tattoos are sometimes not allowed admission to places. Is this true? I went to the public baths today, and didnt seem to have any problem. I am always a little uncomfortable because one of my tattoos is in Kanji, which can be read in Korea and China too. Luckily I havent as yet been denied entry.

Yes, this is true, but being a foreigner and having a tattoo here are two different issues. Many baths/onsen/hotsprings, etc. try to refuse people with tattooes regardless of nationality. Tatooes are associated with the yakuza, and therefore frowned upon.

[Kara_Nari]

Yeah, I had heard that, but even nowadays more and more japanese are getting tattoos. I have a japanese friend who has a HUGE tattoo on his back, and of course people automatically assume he is associated with Yakuza... until they look closer, but of course people wont, because they dont want him to think they're staring. Why he got it, im not sure...
Well I sure would have been a stinky dinner guest hadnt I gone to the public baths haha, thanks for your views on that too, much appreciated.
Yeah the whole FARANG thing was a bit tedious, which I spoke enough Thai... they were probably thinking OOOHH farang, more money.
When I travelled around with Thai friends, I got a better idea though. Even some tourist places will have Farang price and Thai price. The cost was significantly different. Havent come across such extortion anywhere else as yet.
I guess they were too busy here in Japan looking at my tan line, to care about a couple of tattoos hehe..

[Mikawa Ossan]

Even some tourist places will have Farang price and Thai price. The cost was significantly different. Havent come across such extortion anywhere else as yet.
I guess they were too busy here in Japan looking at my tan line, to care about a couple of tattoos hehe..

Sri Lanka has the double rate thing, too. Even at (especially at?) government owned (I think) historical and religious sights. But I'll be honest. I didn't really mind. I know that I have much more money than the average Sri Lankan living in Sri Lanka does. I think of it as a kind of progressive tax.

This is off topic, but what bothered me about Sri Lanka were the "Foreigner Only" bars in Columbo. An establishment where citizens born and raised in the country of operation are not allowed to enter?!? Turning back the hands of time to unfair treaties and colonialism...just outrageous!!!!

[Kara_Nari]

Hmm, yeah good point.
Hhaha I guess I was just miffed that I didnt have more money than most of the Thais haha.
For the tourist sights, especially the temples etc, I had no problem to pay extra, but for those stupid tuk tuks... I could get to the other end of the country for what they wanted me to pay at times. Perseverance and patience is the key.
Thats scary about the foreigner only bars! Lots of the guesthouses I stayed at wouldnt allow Thais to enter, unless they left their card at the front desk. Others just outright said no.

[Maciamo]

Little summary of the votes so far :

Among those who have looked for long-stay housing by themselves in Japan, 9 were refused accommodation at least once because they were foreigners. 2 didn't.
=> 82% discriminated for apartments

Out of 14 people who have lookked for short-stay accommodation (hotel, guesthouse...) only 2 were refused entry because they were foreigners.
=> 14% discriminated for hotels

Out of 16 people who have been to nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, onsen, etc. 4 were refused entry because they were foreigners.
=> 25% discriminated for entertainment places

Among 16 people who voted, 9 have had discrimination problems with the police.
=> 56% discriminated by police

Among those who voted, so far all (only 2 !) the females who have worked for a Japanese company have experienced sexual discrimination for salary or promotion.
=> 100% sexual discrimination

From the current results (although very succint), we can say that foreigners in Japan are very likely to encounter discrimination for long-term accommodation or sexual discrimination at work. They are fairly likely to be annoyed bu the police, but only partially likely to have problems with entertainment places, and even less with short-term accommodation, although it will happen to some people.

[Mikawa Ossan]

Well, since this is a thread about our experiences, let's share!

Among those who have looked for long-stay housing by themselves in Japan, 9 were refused accommodation at least once because they were foreigners. 2 didn't.
=> 82% discriminated for apartments

I am one of these nine. The fudosan was very nice and apologetic, and the guy found there then found me my current apartment quite speedily. That was 3 years ago. This is unrelated, but what I find more difficult is finding someone to co-sign the lease.

Out of 16 people who have been to nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, onsen, etc. 4 were refused entry because they were foreigners.
=> 25% discriminated for entertainment places

I am one of these 4 as well. I was refused entry to every fuzoku in Takamatsu City. (I had to try, if only once.) In retrospect, I'm glad I was refused service.

Among 16 people who voted, 9 have had discrimination problems with the police.
=> 56% discriminated by police

Once again, I am one of the nine. I was in Shinjuku outside a Royal Host waiting for a friend to get out of work. It was like 10:30 at night, I believe, and I had been waiting in the same spot for at least 30 minutes. The police officer came and asked me for my gaijin card, which I promptly handed over to him. He studied it for a moment and then confirmed that I was student (I was at the time.) Then he started talking to me very friendly about college and explaining why he had asked for my card. He was a nice guy, but he was a little suspicious he said, because he had passed by about 30 minutes earlier and he saw me in the same place doing basically nothing. I thought this was perfectly understandable.

Another time, I was in Shinjuku Station outside the JR ticket gate, and I was tired, so I decided to sit down. Shortly thereafter a station police officer came and told me that I couldn't sit there. I could stand all I want, but I couldn't sit. Apparently they were trying to keep the homeless from setting up shop, so to speak, in the station.

From the current results (although very succint), we can say that foreigners in Japan are very likely to encounter discrimination for long-term accommodation or sexual discrimination at work. They are fairly likely to be annoyed bu the police, but only partially likely to have problems with entertainment places, and even less with short-term accommodation, although it will happen to some people.

Yes, we run into into problems, but we are the minority in this country. I know you have a different outlook, but I just expect this from time to time. I find that the more accepting you are, the more other people accept you.

[Yamatoblue]

Wow, this is such an interesting topic.
I've wanted to go to Japan since I was in high school, but after going to arudo debito's site and researching racism in Japan, I think I'd just want to go there for vacation.
When it comes to racism, and such, I think there is racism in the USA as well. Maybe it's not racism, but it's a kind of undertone...for example, a Japanese classmate who came to the US as a ryuugakusei told me that she is kind of disappointed and wouldn't want to live here. She said she's disappointed because she wants to have some American friends and the only ones who will be her friends are mormons who want to convert her to Christianity (God Forbid), which she is not interested in. She said that she talked to her other Japanese friends who have become Christians (God forbid) and they got American friends by going to church and converting (God Forbid).
So when people don't want to associate with you, I think that is a kind of racism as well. Yes, I see there is a lot of Japanese racism and sort of stereotyped and prejudices.
I was at the Kinokuniya Bookstore here in Seattle and asked for the famous Japanese novel,"Yukiguni,"雪国 mind you I didn't say "Snow Country." Anyway, they directed me to the English version which I did not want...sigh...
Maciamo: Yes, lynching against Muslims happens here in the US. But I, as a muslim, have encountered very little hostility since 9/11 and maybe that's just me. Yes, this country has a more than atrocious track record when it comes to dealing with Muslims and people in the Muslim world, but I really think that when it comes to blatant racism and such against muslims or anyone else, Canada and the US can't be beat. People are more open towards people of other cultures,etc. I'll give you an example: I started working at this company recently and told them that I need to pray 5 times a day and that it would take only a few minutes. So they got me an empty office room and I can leave any time I want, and I got time off for Ramadan. That's pretty great, isn't it? I doubt I could have something like this in Japan, where I'd be looked at strangely just because I know more japanese than just "konnichiwa" and "arigato."

[Ma Cherie]

Wow, this is such an interesting topic.
I've wanted to go to Japan since I was in high school, but after going to arudo debito's site and researching racism in Japan, I think I'd just want to go there for vacation.
When it comes to racism, and such, I think there is racism in the USA as well. Maybe it's not racism, but it's a kind of undertone...for example, a Japanese classmate who came to the US as a ryuugakusei told me that she is kind of disappointed and wouldn't want to live here. She said she's disappointed because she wants to have some American friends and the only ones who will be her friends are mormons who want to convert her to Christianity (God Forbid), which she is not interested in. She said that she talked to her other Japanese friends who have become Christians (God forbid) and they got American friends by going to church and converting (God Forbid).
So when people don't want to associate with you, I think that is a kind of racism as well. Yes, I see there is a lot of Japanese racism and sort of stereotyped and prejudices.
I was at the Kinokuniya Bookstore here in Seattle and asked for the famous Japanese novel,"Yukiguni,"雪国 mind you I didn't say "Snow Country." Anyway, they directed me to the English version which I did not want...sigh...
Maciamo: Yes, lynching against Muslims happens here in the US. But I, as a muslim, have encountered very little hostility since 9/11 and maybe that's just me. Yes, this country has a more than atrocious track record when it comes to dealing with Muslims and people in the Muslim world, but I really think that when it comes to blatant racism and such against muslims or anyone else, Canada and the US can't be beat. People are more open towards people of other cultures,etc. I'll give you an example: I started working at this company recently and told them that I need to pray 5 times a day and that it would take only a few minutes. So they got me an empty office room and I can leave any time I want, and I got time off for Ramadan. That's pretty great, isn't it? I doubt I could have something like this in Japan, where I'd be looked at strangely just because I know more japanese than just "konnichiwa" and "arigato."

You "think" there's racism here? Darling of course there's racism here in the US. And as far as muslims being lynched, I don't think that's quite true, I know there's been attacks on muslims, but I don't know about lynchings What makes you believe that racism in the US and Canada are much more worse than anywhere else? Just out of curiousity

Well, I could say that it's a good thing that you being a muslim your customs are being respected.

[Yamatoblue]

Well, you're right there have not been any lynchings on muslims in the States, but that's not the case for muslims in Russia. After the Beslan school shootings, there were quite a few retaliatory acts...I remember reading about one muslim woman who was killed and someone wrote "terrorist" on her back and threw her body in a desolate place.
There have been mosque attacks in the US, but I really think people here and in Canada are much more tolerant. Yes, there are obvious divisions (people who are hispanic live in hispanic neighborhoods and many dont want to interact with non-hispanics), but I mean it's just plain illegal to be racist here and in Canada.
The reason I say other countries are worse is because it's true. I grew up in Germany and can remember kids calling me the n-word (my skin is as white as any German's, but I have brown hair and eyes), and having their moms ignore me or act uneasy when they see me (a 7year old kid!!). One time, I even went to this German kid's house and talked to his racist mother who was instilling these values.
I think Europe (and Japan, it seems like) are very racist places-in France, if you're north African they refuse you entry in many places, England's pretty good like the US and Canada. They are just much more open countries.
Ma Cherie, which countries would you say are the most racially tolerant in the world?
I would love to go to Japan someday, but now..Im not so sure if I'll be able to handle all the gaijin discrimination.

[Ma Cherie]

I don't think there is a country that's is actually racially tolerant. I mean the US for example still has the Klu Klux Klan who hates anyone that isn't white. I also heard similar stories about the one where you pointed out that Africans in France are discriminated against. I've also read somewhere that the lower class in France, some of them are north African immigrants I really don't know how true this is. Maybe it's a matter of how countries deal with racial issues. Like will countries admit that they have racial issues or what kinds of problems do foreigners face, things like that.

It doesn't seem like Japanese society is ready to deal with most of the issues of foreigners. Hanging "No Foreigners" signs in onsens and such places, I would think something like that should be illegal.

But you know, Yamatoblue? I think you may have a wonderful experience if you visit Japan.

[Mike Cash]

I don't think there is a country that's is actually racially tolerant. I mean the US for example still has the Klu Klux Klan who hates anyone that isn't white.

Let's not forget that the US also still has the Nation of Islam, which does a very good job of giving the impression they aren't too fond of anyone who is white.

[Jack]

kkk dont just hate non-white folk, they hate all that dont agree with them.

[Maciamo]

I have just had my bicycle registration checked by the police for the 8th time.

I was riding around my nearest metro station as everyday (that's where all the shops and restaurants are). I passed in front of the Koban (police box) at 5pm in the middle of the crowd. There were dozens of other people riding bicycles. One police officer saw me coming and got out of the Koban hurriedly toward me making a sign - but I was too fast and he couldn't stop me. I passed again 30min later in the other direction to go back home. This time, he was waiting and stopped me with another cop. He then asked (I was a bit nervous so my Japanese was a bit strange) :

Police officer : ちょっとすみません。 ("excuse me")
Me : はい。何ですか？("yes, what is it ?")
Police officer : 日本語わかりますか？("do you understand Japanese ?"
Me : はい。("yes")
Police officer : この� たりの方ですか？("are you a local resident ?"
Me : はい。("yes")
Police officer : お住まいはどこですか。 ("where do you live ?")
Me : 「。。」です。 (in ...)
Police officer : � � 、SAKURA HOUSE*ですか？(ah, are you from Sakura House* ?)
Me : いいえ、違います？("no, not at all")
Police officer : 登録をチェックさせてもいいですか？ ("would you let me check your registration")
Me : なぜですか？("why is that ?")
Police officer : 最近窃盗が多いんですよ。� なたの自転車ですか？("recently there has been a lot of thefts. Is that your bicycle ?")
Me : はい。 ("yes")
Police officer : 登録をチェックさせてもいいですか？("would you let me check your registration ?")
Me : なぜですか？私は泥棒だと思いますか？("why is that ? do yo think I am a thief ?")
Police officer : いいえ、いええ！誰でもご協力を頼みます。("no, no. We ask the cooperation of anybody.")
Me : では、なぜ� の人かこの人ではないんですか？("so, why don't you check this or that person ?" [pointing at other bicycles that had stopped at the traffic light 10m away])
Police officer : は� ぁ。。はい、その人も。誰でもチェックします。(" err.. yes, this person too. we can check anybody")
Police officer 2 : 顔で泥棒かどうか良くわからないよね。("we cannot be sure whether someone is a thief just by looking at their face...")
Me :　30分前もう私を止めようとしました。 (30min ago you already tried to stop me")
Police officer : はい、そうです。声をかけようと思ったけど。 ("yes, that's right. I thought of calling after you, but...")
Me : それは、私は欧米人だからですか？("Is that because I am a Westerner ?")
Police officer : いいえ。日本人も止めます。("No, we also stop Japanese people")
Police officer 2 : � なたの自転車のかご壊れてますので。。。盗まれた自転車の中で壊れた自転車多いんですよ。("your bike's basket is broken... many of the stolen bicyles are broken")
Me : もう4年前から使ってますからね。でも、私はちゃんと 鍵をつけてますね。
("I have been using it for 4 years already. But I have the key as you can see")
Police officer : そうですね。すみません。一回チェックをするだけ。 ("that's right. Sorry, I'll just check once [the registration]"
...
etc.

I finally let them check the registration. They apologised and told me that if my bicycle is ever stolen, I should report it to the Koban by giving them the registration number (a way of excusing themselves, as they understood that I was not bvery please by their behaviour).

*Sakura House is a "Gaijin House" with branches all over Tokyo. The police officer visibly didn't know his district well, as the neighbourhood I mentioned was not the same as the nearby Sakura House, although not far away.

It seems pretty clear that they stopped me because I was a foreigner. The cop didn't even deny that he already tried to stop me the first time. I find it amazing that I pass there everyday, on the same bike with its broken basket, I have stopped in front of them with my wife, both on our bikes; she has asked the police officers something a few times with me, and they still find it necesaary to check me. That's actually the first time I have been checked at a Koban. 6 of the other 7 times, it was one or two cops with a red stick on the main road. Once, it was a police car that stopped me around noon when I was riding on the road (with the cars, not on the pavement).

That's the first time I asked them to justify themselves and asked if they stopped me because I was a Westerner. Before, my approach was "the fatest it is done, the fastest I can go". But 8 times, that's really enough - especially 6x in my own neighbourhood ! Funny that not a single of my Japanese relatives, friends or acquaintances I asked has been checked in their whole life (in the same neighbourhood) ! They can claim that they stop other people too at the Koban, but in 50 months in Japan I haven't seen a single person have their bicycle checked at the Koban in my area.

[pipokun]

Just 8 times? it is much fewer times than i imagined.

today i also get checked, though i felt sense of guilty after a glass of wine at lunch.

[epigene]

It seems pretty clear that they stopped me because I was a foreigner.

I don't think so...

You've said you live in the shitamachi area. If you see one of those 犯罪マップ, a map showing the crime rates in the various parts of Tokyo, the shitamachi crime rate is very high (red=top level). I have a Japanese American friend living in shitamachi, and she said that there most of the houses in her neighborhood had been burglarized because of the narrow streets, the very same quality that makes the shitamachi quaint and nice. Her boys (100% Japanese blood) are routinely stopped by police when they ride their bikes--because they're young and dressed like rockers...

As for my family, we live close to Seijo (which is an exclusive neighborhood with movie stars and other rich people as residents), and the crime rate there is also high (including the well-publicized killing of an entire family on Dec. 31, 2000--not sure about the date). And my husband (100% Japanese) was routinely stopped by the same cop! That's because he takes the same routes all the time on his bike and he likes to see the beautiful flowers in other people's gardens. The cop always tells him it's his job... My husband was so pissed he showered him with all the most sophisticated Japanese vocabulary and expressions he could muster (to get the message across that he is dealing with a well-educated professional). He apologized and went away with his tail between his legs.

He's still getting stopped by cops (new ones probably assigned to the job the other guy used to have...)
I'm not stopped because I'm an obasan--the obvious target of purse snatchers... (I almost got my purse snatched twice by Japanese youngsters, but I noticed them first and stared at them.)

FYI: 犯罪発生マップ (Tokyo crime rate map)