Steve McGowan, an African-American resident of Kyoto, sued an eyeglass shop in Daito City, Osaka Prefecture, for refusing him entry in 2004 on the basis of the color of his skin.
It should have been a slam-dunk case.
The owner shooed McGowan away from his store, G. style, physically if not verbally. As reported previously by the Community Page, he was caught on tape admitting he barred McGowan from entry. He made it clear in court that he has a "thing" about black people, justifying it as merely part of his personality.