Member-only story
Why Is Kawaguchi’s Kurdish Community Under Fire?
The Kurdish community in Kawaguchi faces growing hostility, blamed by locals for neighborhood unrest. But how do they see it?
By Francesca Annio
Japan’s doors are opening wider than ever, as the country grapples with its aging population and seeks fresh energy from abroad. Foreigners come here for work, study, or to join family — each with their own story.
However, another group arrives under very different circumstances: refugees escaping hardship and danger, hoping for safety and a fresh start. While Japan may seem like a safe haven, the reality is often far more complicated. For Kurdish residents in Kawaguchi, that uncertainty has recently turned into living in fear.
Rising suspicion
Clashes between locals and Kurdish communities in Kawaguchi have been brewing for years, deepening mistrust on both sides.
A 2024 survey by Kawaguchi underscores the rising tension. Nearly half of residents now say they feel unsafe, a sharp increase from 31.8% in 2023 to 49%. “Poor public safety” topped the list of concerns about the city.
