Chanpon

Last year in Japan I saw some light-hearted TV news footage of a seal frolicking in a local concrete channel. Passers-by were happy to see him, the presence of Tama Chan was cause for community celebration. A few schoolchildren petitioned the Yokoahama city government to give the seal residency status, which the city council granted earlier this year.

Now, long-suffering foreigners, including Korean and Chinese residents of Japan who have been denied citizenship and residency status ask for Equality Among Mammals in Japan. If a seal can have residency in Japan, why can't they?

They ask: "How is it that this mammal, a foreign individual without a proper visa and without a fixed mailing address, without paying taxes, with no Japanese speaking ability, and without even making a request, can be given official recognition as a resident here in Japan, when this is denied to so many humans who are clearly deserving of the status?" They have a sense of humor: showing up to present their petitions in seal outfits. A provocative way to get at some painful long-standing issues �i日本語).
(From Plastic.com: In Japan, Koreans Still Can't Get A Seal Of Approval)