TOKYO/KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian English teacher living in Yokohama has gone viral in Japan after sharing photos of a hate-filled message taped to his front door and car, sparking both outrage and an outpouring of support amid growing concern over anti-foreigner sentiment in the country.
Written in Japanese and signed “Yokohama City Conservative Faction”, the flier read: “To foreigners, please leave Japan. You are not welcome here. Japan doesn’t need immigrants. Japanese taxes are not paid for you. Go back to your country.”
The teacher, who identifies himself as Banden Tong, posted photos of the note on social media on Monday, saying he found it after returning home from work. His post, written entirely in Japanese, has since drawn thousands of reactions and more than 800 mostly supportive comments.
One user, who identified herself as a Japanese woman with close ties to Malaysian exchange students, wrote: “As a fellow Japanese, I apologise ... Not all foreigners are bad people. Judging people as a group is a sign of spiritual poverty.”
Another commented: “I’m ashamed as a Japanese person. Please don’t let this drive you away – I hope you’ll continue to live in Japan.”
In his post, Tong expressed both pain and affection. “So, conservatives, are you satisfied now? Because you’ve really hurt me deeply,” he wrote. “I’m from Malaysia, and ever since I was young, I’ve always admired Japan. My parents also love Japanese culture, so I grew up that way.”
Tong said he had worked hard to achieve his dream of living in Japan. “Last year, my dream came true. I bought a house and a car in Yokohama, and I work as an English teacher. Every day I spend time happily with my students.”
He said he reported the incident to police, who told him they would investigate and increase patrols in his neighbourhood.
The episode has touched a nerve in Japan, where debates over foreign labour, immigration and national identity have intensified as the population shrinks and rapidly ages.
Although foreigners account for less than three per cent of the population, the government has gradually expanded work visa schemes to plug labour shortages in sectors such as construction and elderly care.
At the same time, anti-immigrant sentiment has become more politically visible. The far-right Sanseito party, which ran on a nationalist “Japanese First” platform, made unexpected gains in July’s Upper House election, expanding its presence from a single seat to 14.
Analysts said the result reflected growing public unease over demographic change and a turn towards hardline rhetoric once confined to the fringes.
Japan’s Ministry of Justice said in October it would pursue the country’s first nationwide survey of online hate speech against foreign residents and visitors, with work slated to start next year, following a surge in harassment targeting Southeast Asian, Chinese and Kurdish residents.
In Tong’s social media profile, he describes himself as 24 years old, a former Malaysian now living in Japan, a Buddhist, and someone who “loves Japan and Japanese people”.
“I have never once thought of invading Japan, committing crimes, causing trouble, or having any kind of dangerous intentions,” he wrote. “I just want to live in the country I love and contribute as a normal person who loves Japan.”
He added: “To Japanese people who hate all foreigners, I only want to say this – not all foreigners are bad people. Please.” -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
