An Indian travel content creator experienced alleged racial discrimination at a 7-Eleven convenience store in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Sharing his experience on social media, creator Anant M revealed that a routine request to heat up purchased food escalated unexpectedly after the store owner inquired about his nationality. Upon learning that he was from India, the owner reportedly began shouting, displayed racist behavior, and summoned law enforcement under false claims of misconduct. However, responding Japanese police officers resolved the situation fairly by clearing the traveler of all suspicions and reprimanding the store owner instead.
Dispute Triggered Over a Simple Request
The incident took place during the final day of Anant M's trip to Shizuoka. According to the content creator, he had picked up food items inside the 7-Eleven store and asked the counter staff to microwave them. While the employee initially agreed, the store owner stepped in and shifted the tone of the interaction. She asked Anant about his home country, and upon learning his Indian nationality, she launched into a loud verbal tirade accompanied by discriminatory behavior. Accusing him of improper conduct, she immediately called the local police.
Recording Video for Self-Defense
Recognizing the risks of facing false accusations in a foreign country, Anant promptly began recording the entire interaction on his smartphone. He noted that having visual documentation was crucial to protect himself should any formal complaint be raised against him. Within a few minutes of the call, local police officers arrived at the convenience store.
Police Review and Official Apology
The attending officers handled the situation systematically by hearing accounts from both sides and meticulously reviewing the video footage recorded by Anant. After examining the evidence, the police confirmed that the Indian traveler had committed no wrongdoing whatsoever. The officers treated Anant with complete respect, apologized for the distress caused on his final day in Shizuoka, and issued a firm reprimand to the store owner for escalating an unnecessary dispute.
Surging Indian Tourist Footfall in Japan
This incident comes at a time when Japan is experiencing a major boom in Indian tourism. Figures released by the Japan National Tourism Organization indicate that over 300,000 Indian tourists visited Japan in 2025. This marked an increase of approximately 35 percent compared to the visitor totals recorded in 2024.
Growing Indian Diaspora and Safety Concerns
Beyond temporary visitors, the resident Indian population in Japan has also seen steady growth. Data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan reveals that over 58,000 Indian nationals were residing in the country as of December 2025. Given Japan's global reputation for safety, cleanliness, advanced technology, and hospitality, reports of such discriminatory encounters have sparked widespread discussions across social platforms.
