Regarding the Aug. 26 article "Tourist's 10-day detention rapped": The Metro Police are asking the same question of foreigners who intend to use the Tokyo Immigration Bureau's parking lot. Police will ask if you have a knife and search your vehicle for knives and other dangerous weapons perhaps known only to the police.

In today's Japan, foreigners are "kawaiso (pathetic)." It is as if it is a crime to be a "foreigner." It is ironic, as the authorities apparently think that internationalization means obeying the rules of the host country no matter how inimical they are. The rights of foreigners are being abused daily, and the earlier they are looked into, the better it will be for promoting friendship and internationalization.

kwame wusu