Misinformation Sparks Violence: Attacks on Pakistani Community in Ebetsu, Hokkaido
Overview of the Incidents
In November 2024, a series of disturbing incidents occurred in Ebetsu City, Hokkaido. Used car dealerships operated by Pakistani residents became targets of repeated attacks, including rocket fireworks being shot at businesses and men wielding baseball bats and knives in acts of intimidation. Security camera footage captured Japanese men arriving in multiple vehicles and systematically firing rocket fireworks at the shops.
These were not isolated incidents. According to victims, such attacks continued over several months. The affected Pakistani business owners filed police reports and submitted security camera footage as evidence.
Background: Illegal Construction and Spread of Misinformation
The attacks stem from a complex situation that began in September 2024, when the Ebetsu City Council addressed illegal construction in designated agricultural zones. The city confirmed 76 illegal structures, including a mosque (Islamic prayer facility) built by Pakistani residents.
However, a crucial fact often gets overlooked: of those 76 illegal structures, only 20% or less were related to foreigners, including Pakistanis. The vast majority were built by Japanese citizens.
Despite this reality, misinformation spread online claiming that "all illegal buildings were constructed by Pakistanis." The situation deteriorated further when YouTubers visited the area and posted videos containing factual inaccuracies, fueling anti-Pakistani sentiment.
Provocative Videos by Content Creators
Multiple YouTubers visited mosques and workplaces, posting videos claiming they were "told to leave because they weren't Japanese," "taken to the mosque and surrounded by Pakistanis," or "chased by Pakistani men."
However, investigative journalism revealed many of these claims to be false or misleading.
One YouTuber admitted during interviews that he had asked to see inside the mosque, saying "I'm interested in Islam. May I look inside?" The Pakistani residents kindly agreed to show him around. Yet his video claimed he was "taken to the mosque" against his will. When confronted, he admitted: "I was scared, so I made up reasons."
In another case, a YouTuber trespassed on private property and filmed without permission. When Pakistani workers called the police, the YouTuber fled. Pakistani residents then pursued the vehicle to record its license plate for the police report. The subsequent video, however, portrayed this as "being chased by Pakistanis."
Pakistani residents explain: "We simply asked them not to film without permission, but it was twisted into claims that we told Japanese people to leave."
The Pakistani Community in Ebetsu
Ebetsu City currently has approximately 200-240 Pakistani residents, representing a seven-fold increase over the past decade. They comprise over 20% of the city's foreign resident population.
Most are engaged in used car dismantling and export businesses. Ebetsu's strategic location near major automobile auction venues makes it ideal for the used car trade, attracting Pakistani entrepreneurs.
Critically, these residents hold proper work visas and salvage dealer licenses, operating entirely within legal frameworks. Many have lived in Japan for over a decade, establishing deep roots in the community.
Efforts Toward Community Integration
Before these attacks, the Pakistani community actively worked to integrate into local society. Many diligently studied Japanese, enrolled their children in local schools where they made friends, and participated in community events.
One Pakistani resident expressed: "We want to eliminate the perception that we're scary or unapproachable. We want to make it easy for anyone to talk to us." Indeed, until last year, community members willingly participated in local media interviews and organized cultural exchange events.
The recent wave of misleading videos and physical attacks has dramatically changed this situation. Many Pakistani residents now refuse media interviews, fearing that their words will be taken out of context, spread online, and invite further harassment and violence.
Expert Warnings
Professor Takashi Miyairi of Hokkai Gakuen University, an expert on foreign workers and multicultural coexistence, warns of dangerous consequences:
"When people are attacked with fireworks and explosives, distrust toward the broader community grows. If Pakistanis become isolated and withdraw inward, that's the most dangerous outcome. If they can live without any interest in Japanese customs and lifestyle, minor encounters could escalate into conflicts. Daily mutual interaction and points of contact are most crucial."
Future Challenges
This case starkly illustrates how misinformation can cause real-world harm. What began as legitimate concerns about illegal construction became distorted through factual manipulation and ethnic generalization, ultimately escalating into violence.
As Japan faces declining birth rates and an aging population, foreign workers will continue to increase. Ebetsu's mayor acknowledges: "National policy means foreign residents will keep growing in number. We need to create an environment where everyone can live together safely and peacefully."
Misguided righteousness and baseless anxiety fueled these xenophobic attacks. Distorted, cherry-picked information has cast a dark shadow over community coexistence.
What we need is not emotional reactions, but calm judgment based on facts and genuine efforts toward mutual understanding with people from different cultural backgrounds.
Reactions in Japan
It's terrifying that YouTubers distorted facts in their videos, and people who believed them resorted to violence. This really highlights the importance of media literacy.
It's clearly unfair that the fact that most illegal buildings were built by Japanese people was hidden, and only Pakistanis were made to look like the bad guys.
Shooting rocket fireworks at people is completely criminal. Those who commit such violent acts should be severely punished.
Illegal construction is a problem, but attacking an entire ethnic group is a completely separate issue. Legal violations should be addressed through legal procedures, not vigilante justice.
It's terrible that false rumors about 'illegal immigrants' are spreading when Pakistani people have proper visas and are working legally.
People who were trying to integrate into the community are being attacked and isolated due to misinformation. This hinders multicultural coexistence.
It's really problematic that YouTubers create inflammatory videos just to get views. Platforms should take action against this.
I understand that local residents feel anxious when foreigners suddenly increase. But violence is absolutely unacceptable. We need dialogue and mutual understanding.
If the administration had addressed the illegal construction issue earlier, the situation might not have escalated this far. I think there were problems with the city's response too.
It's heartbreaking to hear about children making friends at school and studying Japanese hard. For the next generation's sake, we should seek ways to coexist.
Japan needs foreign workers due to labor shortages, but the acceptance system is not ready at all. The national and local governments bear heavy responsibility.
We must not confuse illegal construction issues with racist attacks. The former is an administrative matter, the latter is a crime.
Media reporting also needs to be careful, or it will be clipped and used to spread more misinformation. It's a difficult issue.
Honestly, I don't know how I would react if foreigners suddenly increased in my area. But I believe violence is absolutely unacceptable.
It's wrong to attack people who are contributing to the Japanese economy through the used car business for baseless reasons.
We need to develop the habit of checking multiple sources instead of taking social media information at face value. This incident is a lesson.
People who wield 'righteousness' to commit violence are the scariest. True justice should be based on law.
It's unfortunate that the local Pakistani community's efforts to hold events and interact have been ruined.
I think this issue is a microcosm of the challenges all of Japan faces. We need to think about solutions now.
The police should arrest the perpetrators more quickly. Shooting rocket fireworks is clearly criminal, so why are they being left alone?
This is clearly a hate crime. In any country with rule of law, the perpetrators should be arrested immediately. Japan's police response is too slow.
As a Pakistani, my heart breaks hearing this news. People doing legitimate business are being attacked because of misinformation.
Social media algorithms are facilitating the spread of such misinformation. Platforms should be held accountable.
Japan doesn't seem ready to accept immigrants. Institutional support for social integration is needed.
YouTubers are lying for views and causing real violence. Platforms should demonetize them.
Linking illegal construction to a specific ethnicity is typical racist scapegoating. This is a phenomenon seen worldwide.
Other Asian countries have similar issues. Foreign workers are needed, but integration into local communities is difficult. It's not just Japan's problem.
This case demonstrates the importance of media literacy education. People need to develop the ability to critically evaluate information sources.
From Germany's experience struggling with immigrant integration, dialogue and exchange programs at the local level are essential.
As someone from South Asia, it's really painful to face such discrimination. They're just trying to work and support their families.
France has similar tensions. What's important is equal application of the law and respect for cultural diversity.
Ignorance and prejudice about Islam are exacerbating this issue. Education about religion and culture is needed.
From Poland's perspective, Japan seems completely unprepared for immigration issues. But there's not much time left.
From the experience of the Japanese-Brazilian community, early mutual understanding and acceptance are key to long-term coexistence.
As a Japanese person living abroad, I'm ashamed. We're also living as foreigners in other countries, yet this happens.
Australia has struggled with multiculturalism too. There's no perfect solution, but continuing dialogue is important.
There are lessons to learn from Sweden's immigration policy failures. Not just accepting, but integration programs are needed.
Sad news from a Pakistani perspective. I thought Japan was a safe country that respected the law.
Canada's multiculturalism model isn't perfect, but at least there's institutional support and legal protection. Japan needs that too.
Singapore maintains a multi-ethnic society through strict law enforcement. Japan should also enforce equality under the law.