Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Japan Police Apologise to Indian Traveller Over Racist 7-Eleven Incident
A man from India named Anant was visiting Japan.
On his last day there, he went into a 7-Eleven shop.
He asked a worker to heat up his food, and the worker said yes.
But then the store owner got angry and shouted at him.
She said unkind things about where he came from and called the police.
Anant recorded what was happening so he could prove his side of the story.
The police came, looked at the video, and said Anant did nothing wrong.
They told the store owner she was wrong and apologised to Anant.
He shared his story on Instagram, and the video became very popular.
Some people said we should wait to hear other sides of the story before deciding what happened.
Indian traveller Anant alleged racism and harassment at a 7-Eleven store in Japan after asking staff to reheat his food.
The store owner shouted at him, made racist reactions, and called police after learning he was from India.
Police reviewed footage Anant recorded and concluded he had done nothing wrong.
Police scolded the store owner and let Anant go with respect and an apology.
His Instagram video went viral, sparking debate, with some urging caution since only his account has been shared.
- Who
- Anant, an Indian traveller; a 7-Eleven store owner; a Nepali employee; and Japan Police officers.
- What
- An alleged racist incident at a 7-Eleven store that ended with police apologising to the traveller after clearing him of wrongdoing.
- When
- On Anant's last day in Shizuka/Shizuoka, Japan (exact date not stated).
- Where
- A 7-Eleven store in Shizuka, Japan (per one report) or Shizuoka Prefecture (per another report).
- Why
- The store owner reacted with racist behaviour and called police after Anant asked staff to reheat his food and said he was from India.
Support for traveller and police
Caution over one-sided account
Reacting to the viral video
Support for traveller and police
Many social media users commended the police for reportedly handling the situation well and supported the traveller.
Caution over one-sided account
Others urged people not to jump to conclusions, noting that only the traveller's version of events has been shared publicly.
Helping the Nepali employee
Support for traveller and police
Several users urged Anant to locate the Nepali employee and offer him support.
Caution over one-sided account
Anant said police and the store owner would not allow him to talk to the employee, and he did not know why they were rude to him.
- Traveller
- Anant, an Indian national
- Location
- Shizuka (one report) / Shizuoka Prefecture (another report), Japan
- Establishment
- 7-Eleven convenience store
- Trigger
- Request to reheat food
- Staff member
- Nepali employee who agreed to reheat the food
- Police response
- Reviewed footage, scolded the store owner, apologised to Anant
- Platform
- Outcome
- Anant released with respect and apology; video went viral
