BT Info

ZURUI, Black Tokyo Webmaster and Site Owner

I never knew that my afro would come in handy in the Land of the Rising Sun. I hope that my blog, discussion forum and podcasts will provide you with insightful Afromentary on ura-Nippon (behind-the-scenes Japan). If you are looking for the textbook version on Japan, you will not find it here! 

I speak Japanese and Korean and have a little over 27-years of experience in Asia. I have resided and worked in Japan for about 16-years for the U.S. government (U.S. Marine Corps and DOD Civilian) and in the Japanese private and public sectors. My travels in Asia include: Japan, Korea, China, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines for work and relaxation.

Currently, I work as an educator at an undergraduate institution and provide consulting services to individuals and businesses interested in doing business with Japan. I am also in the process of completing my Master of Arts – National Security Affairs (Far East Asia) which aids in the research for my books.

Black Tokyo presents information and discussions on Japan from the Afro perspective! Since my educational, linguistic and military experience has proven very useful to me as a Black American living and working in Asia, I decided to create a medium to not only share my experiences but to also present the experiences and achievements of other Blacks in Japan.

There is still work to be done in improving the intercultural relationship between Blacks and the Japanese. At times our image in Japan is not the most positive due to our cultural (and other) mistakes and the use of the Black Other in Japan as a tool, scapegoat, or invisible entity in Japanese media, politics, business, and in other circles. This is something that must be examined, discussed, and corrected. Hopefully, Black Tokyo will aid in that process. 

Please be sure to download a RSS feed to keep up-to-date on what is happening on Black Tokyo. BT’ers can also follow Black Tokyo via Twitter and join the Black Tokyo social network site (Google Friend Connect) with one click using your Google, Yahoo, AIM or OpenID account. Click the “Join this site” button found on the BT Friend Connect widget located at the top of the center column.

For those on Facebook, be sure to join the Black Tokyo Facebook Chapter.

For those on Facebook, be sure to join the Black Tokyo Facebook Chapter.

Thank you for visiting and for your continued interest in commentary on the Land of the Rising Sun and other parts of Asia from an Afro perspective!

Click here to view my France 24 Observer profile.

Zurui, Black Tokyo Webmaster and Site Owner

Note: Black Tokyo (BT) was created to provide a voice and a network for Blacks living in Japan. BT will address false information presented in the media, stereotypes, and other issues about Blacks in Japan. This site does not seek to bash Japan or its inhabitants. All content written by the site owner, Zurui, is based on his personal and professional experience and research. Zurui’s opinions DO NOT represent the views of any branch of the US Government, the government of Japan, public or private companies, any political party or public/private organization. BT receives no public funding. BT may periodically sell merchandise purchased with the personal funds of the site owner to fund BT-related events or to manufacture additional BT-themed items. Black Tokyo and BT 9638010 are the registered trademark properties of the site owner.

Additionally, content received from contributing writers or via links to other websites/blogs (see Common Creative for additional information) may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Zurui or BT.

However, in order to provide fair and balanced reporting and to present the other side of a story, there may be posts that run counter to personal or public opinion. Remember, Black Tokyo’s main purpose is to provide the BT’er with information and encourage discussion on Japan from an Afro perspective! 

Please feel free to email me your questions or concerns at: webmaster[at mark]blacktokyo.com!

Common Creative: English & Japanese