Prophet of the Way wrote:

> Debito should take a better look at things and try to see
> racist practices in the wider perspective.  For example,
> 50 km south of Otaru is the town of Niseko which thrives
> on the policy of "gaijin welcome".

Just guessing, but I wouldn't mind betting "gaijin" means 
European/American in this context and they'd soon lose that slogan if 
busloads of Brazilians started taking their weekend breaks there.

Frankly, the preferential treatment foreigners sometimes get can be 
almost as galling as the negative stuff. My pet hate is people who elbow 
their way past their fellow countrymen when getting off the train, then 
offer a deferential "Excuse me" (in English, which for all they know I 
might not even speak) as they skirt round me. Strikes me as the height 
of hypocrisy!

John