Voices | BLACK EYE Sep 7, 2020

Naomi Osaka is the role model that Japan needs right now

The tennis champ's power lies in her ability to bring the discussion about Black Lives Matter to the country she represents, Japan.

Our Lives | BLACK EYE Jun 10, 2020

'No justice, no peace': The sentiment that resonates in America, Japan and all over the world

The mainstream Japanese media continues to mess up on issues of race. It's time for a new generation of talking heads.

Our Lives | BLACK EYE Jan 23, 2020

Hoping for a Japanese society in which all of its members can shine

Black Eye columnist Baye McNeil opens the new year with an email from a reader that illustrates the importance of language in dealing with multiracial individuals.

Our Lives | BLACK EYE Dec 16, 2019

The push for change in the 2010s: The first step is recognizing the problem

Japanese companies have been waking up to the idea that offending some of their customers might be bad for business.

Our Lives | BLACK EYE Nov 3, 2019

Despite what you see online, strive to be 'anti-yappari'

A video of an altercation in a Starbucks involving a black man, Japanese staff and a non-Japanese bystander will likely further nasty stereotypes.

Our Lives | BLACK EYE Sep 30, 2019

Say bad thing, read boilerplate apology: Japan, we can do better

A joke about her skin hasn't bothered Naomi Osaka, but there are broader ramifications from such kind of comedy.

Our Lives | BLACK EYE May 15, 2019

A tale of two ads (and two different sets of eyes)

Since many Japanese people don't have the opportunity to interact with black people in their daily lives, how the community is represented in the national media is important.

Our Lives | BLACK EYE Feb 20, 2019

The onus is still on us to be black history

A few years back, I wrote a piece for Black History Month in which I challenged people of African descent living here in Japan to "be black history." I implored them not to necessarily dwell on the past but to: "Dwell on the ...

DEEP DIVE Jan 30, 2019

Episode 6: What a week for Naomi Osaka

This week on Deep Dive, Oscar Boyd is joined by Baye McNeil and Joel Tansey to discuss Naomi Osaka's rise to the top and a recent case of whitewashing.

Our Lives | BLACK EYE Jan 19, 2019

Someone lost their noodle making this new Nissin ad featuring Naomi Osaka

This month, cup noodle maker Nissin served up its animated "Hungry to win" ad campaign, drawn by "Prince of Tennis" artist Takeshi Konomi and featuring actual tennis prince Kei Nishikori and our newest bona fide global star, Naomi Osaka. I'd been anticipating Osaka's appearance since ...