A video featuring Nikhil Tripathi, an Indian living in Japan, has gone viral, sparking a global conversation about racism in the country. In the video, Tripathi is interviewed by a Japanese vlogger who asks about his experience living in Japan as an Indian. While Tripathi initially discusses food challenges faced by Indian expats, his response soon shifts to touching on instances of racism he has encountered.
Tripathi explains that many Indian expatriates in Japan avoid pork and beef due to religious and dietary restrictions, with some being strict vegetarians. He mentions that because of this, many Indians in Japan are forced to cook their meals, with simple dishes like kappa maki (cucumber rolls) often being their go-to when dining out.
However, it is the issue of racism that Tripathi delves into more deeply. Over the past two years, he has faced discrimination in various forms, including random confrontations with strangers. One particularly disturbing incident occurred on a train, where a group of high school girls laughed loudly in his vicinity. Though Tripathi wasn’t interacting with them, one of the girls suddenly told him to “shut up.” Instead of ignoring it, Tripathi confronted her, asking, “Oh, are you being racist right now?”
The video, which was posted on the Instagram page Riki With Japan Mates, has been viewed over 600,000 times, resonating with many viewers who have shared similar experiences. One user commented, “Got the same experience, bumped hard into my shoulders at least three times, and being yelled at in the street by a racist word.” Another shared, “Let’s be honest, racism is everywhere.”
The video also sparked discussions about dating challenges for Indians in Japan. One commenter noted, “There is so much racism when you’re dating as an Indian. It’s insane. Not every Indian is a nighttime low-paid 7/11 worker. Heck, the workers are not even Indian but Bangladeshis. Japan still treats Indians as low-paid labour.”
Tripathi’s candid sharing comes in the wake of other racial discrimination incidents globally, including a recent case in the UK involving an Indian-origin woman subjected to racial abuse while traveling. Both incidents highlight the ongoing struggle against racism and the need for global conversations on equality and acceptance.
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