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Yep. And they damn well know it to.

Every mosque in Japan is watched very closely and I would not be surprised if every sermon at those mosques or meeting halls is taped, translated and carefully analyzed.

If there are any islamofascists here in Japan, and I would be surprised if there wasn’t, they are keeping very quiet and doing everything they can NOT to attract attention.

This is Japan, and no matter how many foreigners there are in Tokyo (just a handful compared to most other places) they are all watched. Even white middle-aged business types like you and me. Not to say there is a cop or spy trailing us. But we stand out and are always noticed where ever we go.

And yes, there is the racist aspect of Japanese culture as well. Japanese as a whole do NOT like foreigners. Americans are tolerated because we won the war, Chinese and Koreans are actively disliked, but as far as Arabs and other races? Active loathing comes closest.

That, and post 9-11, fear and distrust.

There are strong elements in the National Police that would purely love a limited terrorist attack here just so they COULD round up every brown face and ship them all out.

Let Amnesty International squawk. Let the Europeans protest to their hearts content. It wouldn’t bother the Japanese a single bit.