Gaijin Hanzai Magazine – what’s wrong with it?

If you were under the impression that all Japanese are infatuated with America, or westerners in general, then this article at Debito.org will change your mind.

It’s all about a shocking magazine called “Gaijin Hanzai Ura Fairu 2007”. The book is filled with anti-foreigner stories where everyone from the Chinese to Americans are out to rob, rape and beat Japanese people.

The complete magazine has been scanned and can be viewed HERE.

WHY THIS BOOK IS MYSTERIOUS

1) It is unclear who published it, and how it got so much shelf space in national chains. The name given, “Joey H. Washington”, is clearly a pseudonym, and books by law are apparently not allowed to be published anonymously like this. But in this current media culture, where outlets like 2-Channel can say whatever they like to a huge audience (even if it’s not true and it maliciously hurts people) with impunity.

2) There is no advertising whatsoever in the magazine. This is extremely odd because the book is printed often in full color on very fine quality paper, and runs for 130 pages. A friend who worked in the trade estimated this would run about a quarter-million dollars US for a nationwide press run. Yet it sells for 657 yen–a steal. Who is behind this? Smells like a rich and powerful patron…

3) They editors apparently thought nobody would notice. Foreigners, particularly those most often targeted for exposure, don’t read Japanese, of course. Wrong. And that’s why the reaction has been so interesting overseas. More on that in a sec.

4) This book is very well researched. The photos are incredible. It’s hard to believe that this came about without police cooperation. In fact, I don’t believe it. There is information in it that only the police are generally privy to (such as passport photos of suspects)! Another great method for the police to increase budgetary outlay–by inspiring fear in the public…?

CLICK HERE to read the full article -though I warn you, it contains some foul language and may really hurt your impression of Japan.

Keep in mind that this is no more representative of Japan than a KKK rally is representative of the United States. I truly don’t believe that the majority of Japanese people feel this way, but it is certainly shocking to see a book like this being sold in major outlets.