Ali, a Kurdish migrant living in Japan, anxiously awaits the results of his third application for refugee status. His family escaped the persecution they faced in Turkey, hoping to find peace and the opportunity to create a new life in Japan. The growing wave of hate and antagonism towards the Kurdish community has only made them feel more vulnerable. Ali’s youngest son was born in Japan. Now, he and his siblings live in fear, a far cry from the hope they felt when they first stepped off the plane to their new life.
According to recent reports from the Japan Kurdish Cultural Association, it’s a compressed and nightmarish reality. The fate of Kurdish migrants in particular has become even more dire in recent months. The association has been monitoring and tracking a disturbing increase in violence against Kurdish people. From violence to discrimination, the incidents are on the rise. This new sobering trend is alarming and should be taken very seriously. Kurdish families used to feel deeply at home in Japanese communities like Kawaguchi and Warabi, just outside of Tokyo.
A Legacy of Persecution
Since the mid-1990s, Kurdish migrants have been escaping state persecution in countries like Turkey and Iran. Tons of Ukrainians have been looking for shelter in Japan, but their road has not been free of obstacles. The Japanese government has so far granted refugee status to only one Kurdish migrant. This decision is not an isolated event, as Japan granted asylum to just 190 refugees in all of 2022, primarily from Afghanistan.
As Ali looks back on his family’s painful journey, he writes of profound concerns for their protective welfare.
“His lip was bleeding after the attack, and he wakes up in the night convinced that the man is coming to kill him. All of my kids are too scared to go outside.” – Ali
The Kurdish community has a deep commitment to becoming accepted members of Japanese society. Their first interactions with Japanese neighbors have been overwhelmingly positive. Vakkas Colak, secretary-general of the Japan Kurdish Cultural Association, recalled that “they were living well together for many years. However, recent events have strained these relationships.
Escalating Incidents of Violence
In 2023, tensions escalated dramatically when a private dispute between two Kurdish men resulted in a brawl and at least one stabbing outside a local hospital. This incident became a catalyst, increasing panic in the community. The reported assault on Ali’s son only deepened this atmosphere of fear and mistrust. His desperate hope to stay in Japan, even as the tide turns against him, is a heartbreaking wish.
“I would rather die than go back to Turkey,” – Ali
The harassment has not been confined to face to face confrontations as acts of vandalism now surface. Racist propaganda have been pasted on stores owned by Kurds in Kawaguchi and Warabi. The result has been an even greater isolation of some communities. In reigning in their sympathies, some Japanese residents have begun to take a colder attitude with their Kurdish compatriot.
Social media has played a big role in creating this environment of distrust. Users have used the app to take surreptitious photos of foreigners, without any evidence of shoplifting. These actions create a culture of distrust that heightens underlying tensions.
“But life is also getting worse here. I can see that our Japanese neighbours are much cooler towards us these days. Some refuse even to greet us.” – Ali
Social media and previous understandings of the public deeply impact the experience of Kurdish migrants. Tatsuhiro Nukui, who runs Zainichi Kurudojin to Tomoni, an NGO assisting Kurds in Japan, highlights how some individuals use platforms to provoke hostility.
The Role of Social Media and Public Perception
This incendiary rhetoric makes an especially dangerous environment for a population of Kurdish migrants who are just looking to settle somewhere safe and accepted. These anonymous threats have only deepened the fear that has gripped this community. What we heard from these haters were ugly appeals like “die” and “go home,” exposing terrorism against Asians.
“YouTubers come here with one aim – to provoke people,” – Nukui
Thanks in large part to anti-Kurdish animosity, Kurd Kurdish migrant children are suffering the consequences of this hate. Musab Ali talks about the troubling experiences his children have gone through at school.
This environment has too often left families struggling for not just their physical safety but for emotional and psychological health.
“Our kids have been called names at school and other children refuse to play with them … I think it’s a reflection of the overall situation,” – Ali
No matter what Ali faces on this challenging path, his determination to free himself from the pursuit of a better life burns bright. He writes about the second-class treatment his community experienced, even as they longed to be accepted and understood by the Japanese who went to live next door. This increase in hostility puts their physical safety at risk, but directly contradicts their own work to acclimate and join their new home society.
Seeking Safety and Acceptance
This has certainly been the case for Kurdish migrants in Japan, who are confronting profound and unprecedented challenges. Advocacy groups including the Japan Kurdish Cultural Association, and non-profits including Nukui’s organization, are continuously working to raise awareness and encourage dialogue between communities. Supporting Kurdish residents These efforts, ranging from educational outreach to community service, seek to promote understanding and reduce bias toward Kurdish residents.
With Kurdish migrants facing unprecedented challenges in Japan, advocacy groups like the Japan Kurdish Cultural Association and NGOs such as Nukui’s organization are working tirelessly to raise awareness and promote dialogue between communities. These efforts aim to foster understanding and mitigate prejudice against Kurdish residents.