Japanese national called Corona in Indian mall; another emotionally harassed in restaurant
Japanese Consulate-General said that though there were no reports of assault, but Japanese needed to be careful while going out at public places.
NEW DELHI: In an unfortunate turn of events reported in the silicon valley of India Bengaluru recently, a couple of Japanese nationals were subjected to harassment and discriminatory behavior, and called ‘Corona.’
In yet another similar incident, an Indian employee intentionally wore a mask in a restaurant when a Japanese person sat down on a table next to the former.
These incidents were reported to the Consulate-General of Japan in Bengaluru that has issued an advisory to Japanese nationals in India asking them to be careful while going out at the public places.
While addressing Japanese nationals and other short-term travelers from Japan to India, the Consulate-General of Japan in Bengaluru has stated in its advisory, “Please be aware, there have been cases where a Japanese person was called “Corona” by an Indian passerby in a shopping mall. And at a restaurant, an Indian employee intentionally wore a mask when the Japanese person sat down.”
The Japanese Consulate-General further stated, “To date, we have not received any reports of assault, but please be careful when you go out.”
The Japanese Consulate-General attributed this uncalled for behavior by the Indians to the fact that the number of people infected with the new coronavirus is increasing in India.
However, while referring to the latest events, the Consulate-General of Japan maintained that it is unknown whether the other party recognized this side as a Japanese person, and it was not intended for only Japanese people.
“However, if a person (Japanese) is assaulted or discriminated against, we ask you to ensure your safety and report any damage to the police station or police officer and contact the hotel,” it said.
The South Indian city Bengaluru, which is home for over 400 Japanese companies, has so far reported four positive cases coronavirus, also called COVID-19. The victims include a 40-year old techie, his wife, and his teenage daughter. The techie had returned from the USA.
Also read: Indian states jostle hard to attract Japanese, Korean, Chinese investment
Apart from taking precautions like washing hands frequently with alcohol-based hand disinfectant or soap and running water before touching eyes, nose, mouth, etc., and wearing masks, the Consulate-General of Japan in Bengaluru has asked Japanese residents in India to avoid meeting unspecified number of people in a closed room as much as possible and refrain from going out if they are unwell.
The total number of patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in India touched 61 on Tuesday, with no deaths reported so far.
In Japan, the number of patients tested positive so far reached 581, and 10 deaths were reported.
China has reported 80,761 confirmed cases of COVID-19 patients and 3136 deaths, followed by 10,149 coronavirus positive cases and 631 deaths in Italy. South Korea has reported 7513 cases of established coronavirus patients and 58 deaths.
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