Tachibana Takashi, leader of the political group ‘NHK Party,’ caused a stir during a street speech in Kakogawa City, Hyogo Prefecture, for stating that black people and Muslims are “Scary when seen in front of train stations.”
Tachibana, who is also a candidate in the Hyogo constituency for the Upper House election, stated: “It’s frightening when Black individuals or so-called people of Islamic background gather in front of train stations.”
The NHK leader began his remarks by saying, “Six years ago, I was afraid of fee collectors for (public broadcaster) NHK. But lately, I find foreigners more frightening, adding as a preface: “You might not feel as much fear with white people,” and “Some might call this discriminatory.”
He further claimed, “If we deny welfare benefits to foreigners, they will undoubtedly attack us,” expanding on his argument about “public safety decline” by asserting: “A ‘Japanese-first’ sentiment is emerging among the public.”
“I never used to hold such exclusionary views myself, but my stance has hardened considerably,” Tachibana concluded.
While supporters of the LDP, who are currently looking to bring more foreigners into Japan, criticized Tachibana for his “xenophobic” remarks, others backed him, given how Kawai Yusuke was recently attacked by Kurds.
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