These types of characters do happen a bit too often in media though, and have spread some negative stereotypes about black people that will be hard to undo.
Like Barret of Final Fantasy VII, it's not racist perhaps in and of itself, but it could be seen as part of a larger trend that is negative for black people.
Speaking of calling racism where there is none,
http://www.gameology.org/essays/the_orientalist_perspective_cultural_imperialism_in_gaming
According to this, if you like ninjas there's a good chance you're partaking in imperialism.
You know, I do agree that in a globalist world, British culture does get a little bit of privilege. And that Japan has had a history of imperializing Asia. But the point they're taking it is simply ridiculous demonization of innocent things. As if the West is enslaving Japan and Japan is enslaving Asia or something. I'm getting flashbacks to Code Geass. It's utterly ridiculous and why I cringe everytime I hear statements like "cultural imperialism". Because I've run into far too many experiences with the term being used to mean "the West sucks".
Honestly, the West and Japan aren't as bad and don't cause near as many problems as some people say we do.