I am African. I work for an English Language school in Osaka. I work in a school at Tennoji station. I work with several white co-workers and have a great relationship with them and the Japanese staff. However, last week, 2 men told me, "Who are you? What are you doing here?" and "You are a teacher aren't you? You must use the service elevator!" I was shocked. I asked several times who they were but they refused to answer. I later found out they were building security. I spoke to my co-workers and staff and no one had ever been spoken to or approached in this way; except for one other co-worker. He also is of African descent.

My white co-workers and Japanese staff did not respond until my African co-worker and I decided to make a formal complaint. Yet, these same co-workers complain about Japanese racism.

Many people in the forums I have looked over seem to ignore, or have failed to recognize the racism that lumps us together and the racism that divides us. :-(