Outsiders in Disasters: Racism, Rumours, and Fiction in Post-3.11 Japan

Abstract The 3.11 triple disasters occurred at a moment of increased anti-immigrant sentiment in Japan exemplified by the activities of the Zaitokukai, a particularly anti-Korean right-wing group. This xenophobic sentiment provided fertile ground for the spread of malicious racialized rumours blaming foreigners for an array of crimes in the aftermath of the disaster. This article considers the mechanisms through which post-disaster narratives, including rumours, can work to either reaffirm the boundaries or create an empathetic bridge. In addition to the rumours, the article explores Japan Sinks 2020 (Nihon chinbotsu 2020), an anime series about a multi-ethnic family encountering a major disaster, and Kawakami Hiromi’s ‘Gods 2011’ (‘Kamisama 2011’, available in translation as ‘God Bless You 2011’). These texts in a variety of media participate in what Michael Omi and Howard Winant (2015) term ‘racial projects’. Some portray foreigners as criminals and the others encourage a more welcoming attitude.