Senior Japanese diplomat faces racist attack in US: Report

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) – A Japanese diplomat, Yuzo Yoshioka, faced a racist attack in the US last month, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.

Citing Japan’s Foreign Ministry, the broadcaster reported that Yuzo, 62, head of the consular office of Japan in Portland, was pushed to the ground by a woman while walking alone on June 17. The woman was said to be homeless.

The diplomat sustained a head injury after hitting the pavement. He was taken to the hospital for treatment and was discharged the same day.

The diplomat told a police officer that the attacker pushed him down "unprovoked.”

According to media reports, the alleged attacker, a 23-year-old individual, is facing charges of felony, bias crime, and assault on the diplomat.

The attacker is also accused of assaulting a 76-year-old man of Asian descent in August 2022. However, the Japanese ministry refrained from disclosing any further information about the suspect due to the ongoing investigation.