Osaka Assault: 'Orange Hat' Incident Ignites Fury on Social Media Over Political Violence and Media Silence

An assault incident that occurred in Osaka City last July is now causing a significant stir on social media. The catalyst was a report that a man, walking near a Sanseito (Political Party for Japanese Kokoro) event venue wearing an 'orange hat,' was assaulted by a group calling themselves 'Shibakitai,' sustaining serious injuries including two broken ribs. The Osaka Prefectural Police are investigating the incident as a case of assault.

According to reports, the victim was allegedly mistaken for a Sanseito supporter because he was wearing an orange hat, which is the party's corporate color. This alleged mistaken identity is said to have led the group to pick a fight with the man and assault him, including pushing him to the ground.

In response to this incident, 'orange hat' became a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter), with many users expressing anger and concern. Condemnations poured in, such as 'It's insane to assault someone just for having different political opinions' and 'A society where violence is rampant is dangerous.' Strong criticisms like 'Shibakitai is nothing but a menace' and 'Get out of Japan' were also seen. Furthermore, many opinions condemning violence itself were submitted, stating, 'Even if he were a Sanseito supporter, assault is never permissible.'

Some voices are also encouraging debate on the political conflicts underlying the incident and the boundary between freedom of expression and violence. Moreover, questions and dissatisfaction regarding the mainstream media's reporting stance have erupted, with many asking, 'Why isn't such a major incident being broadcast on terrestrial TV wide shows?' This has drawn attention to issues of access to information and fair reporting.

Regardless of political claims, acts of violence are never permissible. The progress of the Osaka Prefectural Police investigation and strict handling of the perpetrators are demanded.

The context

To understand this article, non-Japanese readers should be aware of two key groups mentioned:

• Sanseito (参政党): Officially translated as the 'Political Party for Japanese Kokoro,' Sanseito is a relatively new conservative and nationalist political party in Japan. It gained some traction in recent elections and is known for its strong online presence and grassroots activities. Its views are often considered right-leaning, focusing on topics like food safety, traditional values, and skepticism towards globalism, which can be controversial. The 'orange hat' mentioned in the article is associated with their image color.
• Shibakitai (しばき隊): This is a loose anti-racist activist group in Japan. They are known for confronting right-wing nationalists and hate speech groups, particularly those targeting Korean residents in Japan. While they position themselves as anti-hate speech, their tactics have sometimes been described as aggressive and have drawn criticism from various sides.

The incident highlights the growing polarization in Japanese society and the tensions between different political groups and ideologies, often amplified on social media. The criticism of mainstream media for not covering the incident also reflects a broader public concern about media bias and the perceived selective reporting of politically sensitive issues in Japan's major TV 'wide shows' (daytime news-variety programs).