Japan right-wing leader's remarks on foreigners may be hate speech

Naoki Hyakuta, leader of the minor right-wing opposition Conservative Party of Japan, made remarks on Saturday that could be construed as hate speech, criticizing foreign workers during a national election campaign.Foreign workers "disrespect Japanese culture, ignore the rules, assault Japanese people, and steal their belongings," Hyakuta, a former novelist, said in a stump speech ahead of the July 20 House of Councillors election.He emphasized his opposition to the burial customs practiced by some foreigners, saying that cremation is the norm in Japan. "If you come to Japan, it's only natu…READ FULL ARTICLE