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Japan Forward
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Kyoto Lodging Exposed for Discriminating Against Israeli Guest
The line between private policy and discrimination is under scrutiny after Kyoto lodgings made discriminatory demands of prospective Israeli guests. It emerged on May 8 that an Israeli tourist was asked to sign a declaration denying involvement in war crimes at a lodging facility in Kyoto, according to information obtained from those involved. The Embassy of Israel in Japan lodged a formal protest with the Governor of Kyoto Prefecture and the Mayor of Kyoto City, denouncing the incident as "discriminatory." In a separate case, another Kyoto hotel reportedly refused to accommodate an Israeli tourist. The Israeli embassy is urging Japanese authorities to investigate the incidents. It is also calling for measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Sources say that in April, a tourist presented his Israeli passport when checking in at a lodging in Kyoto. He was then asked to sign a written statement declaring he had "never been involved in war crimes." At the time, he was serving as a reservist in Israel's Navy. The declaration included a denial of involvement in attacks on civilians, including women and children. One line read, "I pledge to continue complying with international law and humanitarian law and to never engage in war crimes in any form." Initially, the visitor refused to sign, saying he did not want to be involved in political matters. However, since he had never been involved in any war crimes and did not want to cause trouble, he ultimately agreed to sign. After learning of the incident, Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen submitted a written request to Kyoto Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki and Kyoto City Mayor Koji Matsui, urging them to investigate the facts and take preventive measures. In response, Kyoto City held a meeting with the lodging on April 24. Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto. (©Jason Halayko) In response to a Sankei Shimbun inquiry, the lodging representative emphasized, "There was absolutely no intent to exclude or discriminate based solely on nationality." As for the reason behind requesting the signature, they made the excuse that it was due to "significant fear and concern about individuals deemed to have been involved in war crimes." Reportedly, the lodging applies the declaration to people from 10 countries and regions. Those include Israel, Russia, and Palestine, which have been involved with military or paramilitary operations in the past 10 years. While the facility has no plans to change its policy, it expressed willingness to comply with any guidance from Kyoto City. There was also another case involving Israeli tourists visiting Kyoto in June 2024. In that case, a hotel refused a booking on the grounds that the guest was affiliated with the Israeli military. Kyoto City issued administrative guidance to the hotel operator, stating that refusal of accommodation based on nationality or occupation is not permitted under Japan's Hotel Business Act. In an interview with The Sankei Shimbun , Ambassador Cohen reiterated that requiring the declaration was discriminatory and unacceptable. He strongly urged appropriate action on this problem by the Japanese authorities. Author: Mizuki Okada, The Sankei Shimbun
Japan Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Israeli tourist asked to sign war crime declaration at Kyoto guesthouse
An Israeli tourist was asked to sign a document stating that he had not committed war crimes when he checked in at a Kyoto guesthouse in April, prompting the Israeli ambassador to Japan to lodge a protest against the Kyoto governor for discrimination. According to a letter sent by the ambassador and obtained by The Japan Times, when the tourist checked in at the Wind Villa guesthouse in the city of Kyoto, he was given the document to sign after presenting his passport to the manager. The letter stated that the tourist was told that only Israeli and Russian nationals are asked to sign the form. 'This discriminatory act, based solely on nationality, caused the guest significant emotional distress,' Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen said in the April 22 letter to Kyoto Gov. Takatoshi Nishiwaki, which also stated that it violated the hotel business law. 'We trust that you will take the necessary steps to help ensure that such cases do not occur again and that Kyoto remains a welcoming destination for all visitors,' the letter stated. The Wind Villa guesthouse said in an open letter to Cohen on X that it requires all guests who it identifies as 'potentially having been involved in war crimes' to sign the document. 'We truly wish for you to understand: staying in the same place as someone who may have committed war crimes causes significant psychological stress for other guests and staff, especially in small hotels like ours where many spaces are shared,' the letter read. The guesthouse's letter said individuals subject to such requests include those from Burundi, Central Africa, Ethiopia, Israel, Mali, Myanmar, Palestine, Russia, Syria and Sudan who have served in military or paramilitary organizations in the past 10 years. A document at the Wind Villa guesthouse asking foreign tourists of certain nationalities to confirm they were not involved in war crimes | The Israeli Embassy in Tokyo According to Israeli news outlet Ynet, the tourist served as a combat medic in the Navy reserves during his military service in the Israel Defense Force. Those who state they are not involved in the military will not be asked to sign the document, Wind Villa said, adding that the purpose was to ensure a safe stay for other guests and not due to discrimination. 'I have a duty as the facility manager to make every reasonable effort to ensure that all guests can enjoy a safe and comfortable stay. Even in cases where guests can refuse to sign the pledge, we do not deny them accommodation,' the guesthouse said. After Kyoto Prefecture became aware of the incident, it instructed the Kyoto city government, which was in charge of such matters, to investigate. The city subsequently determined that the guesthouse was not in violation of the hotel business law, which stipulates that hotel operators should not turn down reservations 'without good reason,' because guests were allowed to stay even if they did not sign the paper, a city official said. However, the city told the guesthouse that it was 'inappropriate' to make the request. Last year, an Israeli national was denied accommodation at a different hotel in Kyoto on the grounds of his nationality, causing the city to issue a verbal warning.
Malay Mail
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
In Japan, Israeli tourist asked to sign war crimes form in Kyoto guesthouse
KYOTO, May 1 — An Israeli tourist was asked to sign a declaration denying involvement in war crimes when checking into a guesthouse in Kyoto earlier this month, prompting a formal protest from Israel's ambassador to Japan. According to a report in The Japan Times, a letter from the Israeli ambassador — obtained by the publication — stated that the tourist received the document from the manager of Wind Villa guesthouse after presenting his passport, and was informed that the requirement applied only to Israeli and Russian nationals. Israeli Ambassador Gilad Cohen condemned the act as discriminatory and emotionally distressing, urging Kyoto Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki to ensure such incidents do not happen again. 'This discriminatory act, based solely on nationality, caused the guest significant emotional distress,' Cohen wrote, arguing the request breached Japan's hotel business law. In response, the guesthouse issued an open letter on X, saying the declaration is required from individuals they identify as 'potentially having been involved in war crimes,' based on their nationality and recent military or paramilitary service. The guesthouse insisted the practice is meant to protect other guests from psychological stress and is not discriminatory, adding that accommodation is not denied to those who refuse to sign. Countries cited by the guesthouse include Israel, Russia, Palestine, Syria, Myanmar, and others, with the policy specifically targeting those who served in the past 10 years. The Israeli tourist, identified by Ynet as a Navy reservist who served as a combat medic, was told that those without military backgrounds are not asked to sign the document. The guesthouse insisted the practice is meant to protect other guests from psychological stress and is not discriminatory, adding that accommodation is not denied to those who refuse to sign. Kyoto Prefecture instructed the city government to investigate the matter, which concluded that the guesthouse had not violated hotel regulations since guests were allowed to stay without signing the document. Nonetheless, the city deemed the practice 'inappropriate' and advised the guesthouse accordingly. This is not the first such incident; in a separate case last year, another Israeli tourist was denied lodging at a Kyoto hotel based on nationality, resulting in a verbal warning from the city.
Tokyo Weekender
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Tokyo Weekender
Israeli Tourist Required To Sign War Crimes Declaration at Kyoto Guesthouse
An Israeli tourist got a shock this week while checking in at a hotel in Kyoto. A former combat medic in the Navy reserves, he was asked to sign a declaration denying involvement in war crimes during his military service. The incident occurred at Guesthouse Wind Villa in the city's Higashiyama district on Saturday. According to the visitor, he was handed the form after presenting his passport at reception. He was then told he wouldn't be able to check in if he didn't sign the declaration. He initially refused but eventually relented when the hotel employee informed him that all guests from Israel and Russia were required to sign it. 'It's ridiculous and absurd,' he said . 'I told him we don't kill women and children. Why would we do that?' 'In the end, I decided to sign it because I have nothing to hide. The statement is true — I did not commit any war crimes, and Israeli soldiers do not commit war crimes. I signed because I didn't want to create problems, and because this form means nothing.' List of Contents: Hotel Manager Defends War Crimes Declaration Document Israeli Tourist Refused Accommodation at Kyoto Hotel in 2024 Related Posts Hotel Manager Defends War Crimes Declaration Document In response, the hotel manager said , 'I don't think it is ridiculous. It is mandatory to serve in the army in your country. Since Israel launched a military operation in Gaza in October 2023, we do not know who may have been involved, as young Israelis are required to serve in the army. We cannot distinguish between our guests. In any case, we believe we have the right to ensure who we are hosting in our hotel. This step was also intended to guarantee our safety.' Unsurprisingly, Gilad Cohen, the Israeli ambassador to Japan, saw things differently. He penned a strongly worded letter to Kyoto Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki. 'This discriminatory act, based solely on nationality, caused the guest significant emotional distress and discomfort,' he wrote. 'We view this incident as extremely serious and unacceptable. It constitutes a blatant violation of Japan's Hotel Business Law and the values of equality and non-discrimination that we believe are shared by our two nations. Particularly concerning is the fact that this does not appear to be an isolated case.' Israeli Tourist Refused Accommodation at Kyoto Hotel in 2024 In June of last year, an employee at Hotel Material, also in Kyoto's Higashiyama ward, refused accommodation to an Israeli man, citing his possible involvement in the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The hotel was instructed by the city that it had violated a law that prohibits facilities from refusing to accommodate visitors except under special circumstances. At a press conference, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa described the hotel's actions as 'unacceptable.' She added, 'We hope all visitors to Japan will be able to engage in various activities in Japan feeling secure.' The employee involved was fired. Related Posts Japan One of Four Nations To Reject Russia's Resolution for Gaza Ceasefire US and Other Western Ambassadors To Skip Nagasaki Peace Ceremony Due to Israel Snub Japanese Company Itochu To Cut Ties with Israeli Weapons Firm
Roya News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Japanese hotel requests "Israeli" guests to confirm no involvement in war crimes
A hotel in Kyoto, Japan, has caused a stir after it asked an "Israeli" tourist to sign a declaration denying involvement in war crimes during his military service. The tourist, who was staying at the Wind Villa Hotel, was presented with a form that required him to affirm he had not committed war crimes, including attacks on civilians, the killing of surrendering individuals, or sexual violence. The form also asked the guest to deny involvement in torture, forced displacement, or looting. According to "Israeli" news outlet Yedioth Ahronoth, the hotel employee explained that the policy applied to both "Israeli" and Russian guests, but the tourist initially refused to sign, citing a desire to "stay out of politics." However, he eventually agreed to sign the declaration, saying he had "nothing to hide" and that he did not want to cause any issues. He described the document as ultimately "meaningless" to him. The declaration reportedly reads: "Pledge of Non-Involvement in War Crimes. I hereby pledge the following: I have never been involved in any war crimes that violate international law and humanitarian law. I have never committed war crimes, including but not limited to: Attacks on civilians (children, women, etc.); killing or mistreating those who have surrendered or been taken as prisoners of war; torture or inhumane treatment; sexual violence, forced displacement, or looting; any other acts that fall under Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). I have never planned, ordered, aided, abetted, or incited war crimes, nor have I participated in such acts. I pledge to continue complying with international law and humanitarian law and to never engage in war crimes in any form." After the incident, the tourist reached out to the "Israeli" Ambassador to Japan, Gilad Cohen, who sent a letter to Kyoto's Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki, calling the request a "discriminatory act based solely on nationality." Following this, the governor confirmed that an official investigation had been launched into the hotel's conduct. Despite the backlash, the hotel's management defended its actions. The manager explained that with "Israel's" compulsory military service, it was impossible to know whether young "Israelis" had been involved in the ongoing aggression on Gaza. "We do not know who may have been involved," the manager told Yedioth Ahronoth. "We believe we have the right to know who we are hosting. This step was also intended to guarantee our safety." The move comes amid growing global concern over "Israel's" actions in Gaza, where over 61,700 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 18,000 children and 12,000 women. Last year, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) deemed it plausible that "Israel's" actions in Gaza could constitute genocide. Additionally, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
