TOKYO (AP) — A civil lawsuit accusing Japanese police of racial profiling opened Monday with emotional testimony from plaintiffs who said they were constantly stopped and questioned without good reason.
The case, filed in January by three residents of Japan with overseas ancestry, including an American, claims their treatment constitutes discrimination and violates their human rights.
Japan does not have any anti-discrimination law, nor any laws or guidelines aimed at preventing racial profiling, but the government and the police deny they discriminate and say they are just doing their jobs. They have yet to outline the specifics of their arguments, expected in the next session of court in July. A verdict is expected in about a year.
“We are relaying our feelings, our experiences and our views,” said plaintiff Syed Zain, a Japanese citizen of Pakistani descent, speaking to reporters after appearing in Tokyo District Court.
Zain said he has been treated like a criminal, despite having lived in Japan for two decades, having attended Japanese schools as a child, and being fluent in the language. He wants to be recognized as a Japanese person and to help make Japan a better place, he said.
He and his two fellow-plaintiffs are suing the national government and police, as well as the prefectural police of Tokyo and Aichi prefectures.
The case, which could prove a landmark for Japan, has drawn widespread support and attention in a nation reputed for friendly “community policing” and a relatively low crime rate.
It also highlights how a culture that prides itself on its insularity is grappling with the recent influx of people from abroad. The number of non-citizens living in Japan reached a record high recently, with more than 3.2 million people.
The lawsuit demands 3 million yen (about $20,000) in punitive damages per plaintiff as compensation for “unconstitutional and illegal” treatment, plus 300,000 yen (about $2,000) per plaintiff in attorneys' fees.
Motoki Taniguchi, one of the plaintiffs' lawyers, said police frequently stop or question individuals based on race, skin color or ethnic origin, rather than objective evidence.
A 2022 Tokyo Bar Association survey of more than 2,000 people of foreign ancestry living in Japan found that 62.9% of respondents had been questioned by the police in the previous five years. Some said that police had made comments about “suspicious” hairstyles or clothing.
Recent government data show no difference in the crime rate between Japanese and foreigners.
Maurice Shelton, the American plaintiff, said he has been stopped by police about 17 times during his 10 years living in Japan, although he is permanent resident and has Japanese family.
“As a Black American coming here ... knowing that I had to deal with the same fights and battles is quite disappointing," he said. "But I think the potential of Japanese society to rise to the occasion is very high. And I didn’t come here to be disappointed."
Yuri Kageyama is on X: https://twitter.com/yurikageyama
Motoki Taniguchi, second left in front, one of the lawyers, Maurice Shelton, front center, a plaintiff and Syed Zain, second right in front, a plaintiff arrive in front of the Tokyo District Courthouse in Tokyo as the plaintiffs enter for the opening session Monday, April 15, 2024. A civil lawsuit accusing Japanese police of racial profiling opened Monday with emotional testimony from plaintiffs who said they were constantly stopped and questioned without good reason. (AP Photo/Yuri Kageyama)
PHOENIX (AP) — Christian Walker homered twice, including a two-run drive in the 10th inning that gave the Arizona Diamondbacks a bee-delayed 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.
A bee swarm atop the netting behind home plate caused a delay of nearly two hours as players and fans waited for a beekeeper to remove the colony. Players tried to keep busy in the indoor batting cage and clubhouse to kill time while they waited for the bees to be removed.
“It was weird, but props to the guys for shutting it down and then getting it back on and being ready to play," Walker said.
The activity in the game didn't pick up until late.
Gabriel Moreno hit a tying single for Arizona in the eighth, but Los Angeles reliever Nabil Crismatt (1-1) worked a perfect ninth to send it to extra innings.
The Dodgers loaded the bases against Scott McGough (1-3) in the 10th, and Will Smith drove in Gavin Lux with a sacrifice fly for a one-run lead.
Walker at first was going to go up looking to try to move the automatic runner from second to third, but Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told him to end the game instead. Walker wasted no more time buzzing around, launching Crismatt's third pitch of the 10th into the left-field seats to set off a wild celebration at Chase Field.
“That was a little bit of edge that I needed, otherwise maybe trying to use the middle of the field, move a runner to third base right there,” Walker said. “I think that a little bit of freedom and forgiveness helped me.”
The Diamondbacks opted to switch gears after the long wait, sending out left-hander Brandon Hughes instead of scheduled starter Jordan Montgomery, who had gone through his full warmup before the delay was announced.
Los Angeles stuck with Landon Knack and he gave up a solo homer to Walker in the fourth — the only run the right-hander allowed on three hits in five innings.
The Dodgers loaded the bases against Justin Martinez in the fifth and tied the game on Joe Mantiply's wild pitch. A balk by Mantiply scored Smith from third to make it 2-1 in the sixth.
But the Diamondbacks rallied late, earning a much-needed win on a bizarre night at the ballpark.
“One of my buddies texted me a Google screenshot of honeybees and how they’re a sign of good luck from ancient times,” Hughes said after making his first career start in his Arizona debut. “And it was actually like a little bit deeper, how they use teamwork and cooperation. I mean, that was a a full team win right there.”
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: RHP Walker Buehler (elbow) allowed a run and seven hits in five innings during a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Diamondbacks: LHP Kyle Nelson was transferred to the 60-day injured list and will have surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. Arizona selected Hughes' contract from Triple-A Reno to take Nelson's spot and optioned LHP Tommy Henry to the minors after Monday night's game.
UP NEXT
Arizona RHP Zac Gallen (3-2, 3.38 ERA) is cleared to pitch in Wednesday's series finale after leaving his last start with right hamstring soreness. He'll face RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-1, 3.54), making his sixth start since signing with the Dodgers out of Japan.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Diamondbacks Christian Walker runs after hitting his two run walk-off home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 10th inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Bee keeper Matt Hilton throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Phoenix. Hilton removed a swarm of bees on the net behind home plate that delayed the start of the game. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani follows through on a base hit against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of an MLB baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
A swarm of bees gather on the net behind home plate delaying the start of a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
A bee keeper removes a swarm of bees gathered on the net behind home plate delaying the start of a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker (53) celebrates his two run walk-off home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 10th inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker (53) celebrates his two run walk-off home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 10th inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
