Found this article today about an African guy who will likely be deported from Japan. What’s his crime? Staying in Japan without a proper visa or banging an 18-year-old Japanese girl?

Guinean man’s future hangs on Valentine’s Day immigration ruling

The future of a Guinean clothing store manager on trial for violating immigration laws is hanging on a Valentine’s Day ruling that could result in his deportation and prevent him from marrying the 18-year-old Japanese high school girl he is engaged to.

The manager, Conde Fode, 36, pleaded guilty to the charges against him when his trial opened in the Sapporo District Court on Tuesday. Prosecutors have demanded that he be sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

Conde is engaged to an 18-year-old, third-year high school student whom he planned to marry this summer. However, if he receives a prison sentence of one year or more, he will be deported and refused re-entry into the country.

Conde arrived in Japan in October 2001 at the invitation of his 33-year-old half-brother, who operated a clothing store, in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture. His visa expired in January 2002, but he continued to reside illegally in Japan, the court heard. He took over the clothing store at the end of 2003, after his brother opened a sister store in Sapporo.

While he was in Takasaki, he met the high school girl, and began living with her in the spring of 2005 after receiving permission from her parents. However, in November last year, Conde’s brother was arrested in connection with his business, and it later emerged that Conde was living illegally in Japan.

Conde and the high school girl submitted marriage registration papers in January this year, but they were not accepted because confirmation of Conde’s nationality did not arrive in time. If their marriage is recognized, there is a possibility that Conde could receive a special residence permit.

In Tuesday’s hearing, the 18-year-old girl said Conde had helped to get her life on track.

“I used to spend all my time staying out at night, but it was Conde who helped me to properly attend school and find a job,” she said.

Conde added that if he returned to his country, he would never be able to see the girl again.

Usually rulings on immigration law violations are handed down immediately, but the court delayed the ruling until Feb. 14, because of special factors, including the submission of marriage papers. (Mainichi)

I don’t know what is more shocking; that an 18-year-old Japanese girl fell for a 36 year old African immigrant, or that her parents actually consented to her marrying the guy. From the sounds of his “clothing store” job, he must have been one of the many African guys who owns/operates a Hip Hop clothing store in Japan. These African businessmen have realized that they can get pretty far in Japan by dressing and acting like black Americans from the hood. They stand outside their clothing shops trying to look menacing while hip hop loudly plays from the inside. Sadly, the Japanese totally fall for it. Appearances are everything in Japan, and if an African guy is wearing hip hop clothing, he must be from Brooklyn and know many rappers(in the mind of the Japanese, who spend ridiculous amounts of money on hip hop fashions). I think some of the Japanese shoppers actually believe that oversize jeans featuring Mickey Mouse stiches on the back are top American gansta fashion.