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(THE ASAHI SHIMBUN) An international debate over accepting refugees is heating up in Japan, with anti- and pro-refugee protesters making their voices heard across the nation.
Outside JR Nagoya Station in Nagoya on Nov. 29, about 30 protesters voiced their opposition to allowing refugees into Japan.
Elsewhere, competing rallies in support of refugees said such a stance simply represents discrimination against foreigners.
In Saitama's Omiya Ward, about 80 people participated in a demonstration held the same day by a citizens group opposing accepting refugees.
The participants marched through the streets while holding up banners proclaiming, “Dead set against accepting immigrants (refugees) to Japan” and other slogans.
Citing the Nov. 13 coordinated attacks in Paris, some participants questioned if terrorists mingled in with refugees, who would take responsibility for letting them in.
Meanwhile, an estimated 200 people, most of whom are city residents who have protested against hate speech targeting ethnic Koreans living in Japan, pitted themselves against the anti-refugee protest held nearby.
They held up banners and placards stating, “Refugees are welcome” and “We do not yield to hatred.”
The protests in the downtown area turned tumultuous for a short time as 400 police officers were deployed to keep the peace.
Similar protests opposing and accepting refugees were also held in Fukuoka's Tenjin district.
While opponents called over a loudspeaker for the halting of accepting more immigrants and refugees into Japan, proponents on the opposite side demanded the halting of discrimination.
In Osaka's Kita Ward, protesters opposing refugees asked if Japan would accept them even if they came from North Korea.
The city residents who support refugees, on the other hand, called for an end to discrimination.
