A Japanese patriot: Lee Soo Im
There's a great article on-line about Lee Soo Im:
Koreans' struggle casts fresh light on Japanese immigration debate
Here are few select quotes:
Links: Lee's classes:
Great page with a list of publications by Lee Soo Im, and information on the classes she teaches. Makes sure to check it out after you read the article! Directory Database of Research and Development Activities: Lee Soo Im Who's who: Lee Soo Im (in Japanese)
A third-generation ethnic Korean, Lee was born in 1953 in Osaka Prefecture. Like hundreds of thousands of their compatriots, Lee's grandparents emigrated to Japan in 1921 after losing their farmlands following Japan's colonization of Korea in 1910.So due to the colonization they lost what they had but were given a chance to work in Japan.
Her maternal grandfather had a job in Tokyo, but never returned after the massive 1923 Kanto Earthquake. Through various contacts, the family learned that he was among about 6,000 Koreans killed by vigilantes acting on rumors that Koreans were planning a riot.How tragic. Information on the massacre of 6000 Koreans can be found here: The Great Kanto Earthquake Massacre Behind the Accounts of the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923
For a few years after 1945, Koreans in Japan were still considered Japanese citizens. But their citizenship was revoked abruptly in 1952 as Japan regained independence that year.So while Japan was still under the occupation, Koreans were able to maintain their citizenship? Clearly given the time frame the Korean War must have complicated the entire situation.
While Japan's ratification of the 1982 refugee recognition treaty, which barred nationality-based discrimination, improved the situation to some extent, unspoken discrimination in jobs, bank loans, housing and marriages persisted.What exactly does this mean? So by applying this treaty, gaikokusekijin were able to get more rights for themselves? Did this apply strictly those with a special residence status? If so, why?
Back in Japan, Lee decided to apply for Japanese citizenship to safeguard her family's visa status. But the immigration office was not convinced that she would become the ''head of a family'' under Japan's quintessentially paternal family registry system. ''They didn't even give me an application form,'' Lee said. . . Regaining her confidence, Lee went back to the immigration office in 1999 to apply for citizenship. The office was initially reluctant, but gave in after she threatened legal action, Lee said.Wow. She told them to give her citizenship or face legal action. Incredible. Way to go!
Lee became a Japanese citizen in 2002. Unlike most Koreans who naturalize, however, she decided to retain her Korean name, a decision questioned by an official in the process.Good for her!
Lee, who recently co-edited ''Japan's Diversity Dilemmas: Ethnicity, Citizenship, and Education'' to highlight issues surrounding the country's immigrant population, says there are no such thing as pure Japanese. A homogenous Japan is a myth built upon foreigners forced to live ''invisibly,'' she says.Right on! I have the book above in PDF format, but am ashamed to say I haven't had a chance to read it yet. Looking forward to it now!
While the Japanese perception toward Koreans got a lift in recent years thanks largely to the Korean pop culture, there is a backlash by nationalists, in addition to a move to reinstate patriotic education, a trend she is particularly concerned about. Lee forecasts that the Japanese attitude toward immigrants will not change unless the situation ''really hits the bottom.'' But she believes Japan can no longer expect foreigners to choose between assimilation and exclusion under the forces of globalization. ''I love Japan and fighting against the system is my way of showing patriotism to my country,'' Lee said.Let's put that in block letters: "I LOVE JAPAN AND FIGHTING AGAINST THE SYSTEM IS MY WAY OF SHOWING PATRIOTISM TO MY COUNTRY." -- Lee Soo Im Make sure to read the entire article!
Links: Lee's classes:
Great page with a list of publications by Lee Soo Im, and information on the classes she teaches. Makes sure to check it out after you read the article! Directory Database of Research and Development Activities: Lee Soo Im Who's who: Lee Soo Im (in Japanese)
Opinions expressed in comment section are the opinions of the author only. Because of a spam problem comments are currently off.
In many coutries where
In many coutries where immigrants were once welcomed with open arms, and multi-culturism was encouraged, "assimilation" is now getting a fresh look.
Even in Canada, where the politicians would have us believe multi-culturism is a "Canadian value" the idea that all new immigrants should assimilate is taking hold.
Although, I don't support exclusion, and I don't agree with the way ethnic Koreans have been treated in Japan, I tend to think everyone would be better off if they simply melted into society.
Regards,
First, I have not read
First, I have not read anything this Lee Soo Im has written, so I cannot go into any specific discussion about anything except what you have quoted.
First, it is unlikely that her family ever owned the lands they were living on. The Japanese brought in modern (western) concepts of land ownership, and the feudal title holders in Korea that actually held the land under a kind of social contract with the peasants living on the land found themselves free of the social obligations and became regular capitalists under the reforms introduced by the Japan. This combined with increasing mechanization meant that cast numbers of people left the land and moved to cities. The breaking of feudal social contracts and mechanization causing displacement is a process that took place in every developed country. You ancestors and mind went through it too. It is not a sob story or something you need to feel sympathy for.
Second, I wonder in what manner foreigners are "forced" to live invisibly. Is that not a choice? What specific penalties does Japanese society or the Japanese government apply to those foreigners that do not live "invisibly"?
Third, the thing about "marriage discrimination" is ridiculous. A vast number of foreigners have trouble even getting a date with a Japanese, much less getting to the marriage stage. In any event, marriage is a personal affair, and marriage refusal might be put down to racial prejudice by the person rejected, but there is nothing that can be done about that.
Fouth, I wonder if Lee discusses Korean attitudes towards Japanese people, and how Korean antagonism contributes to friction with the rest of Japanese society. There is the racism taught in Chosen Soren schools, the subversive ideology, the ethnic Koreans living in Japan that assisted the North Koreans in kidnapping Japanese to North Korea, providing material support to the regime in North Korea contrary to Japanese law, and the large number of Koreans in Japan that cleave to Korean racial nationalism.
Fifth, Lee's experience with trying to get Japanese citizenship is contrary to everything I have heard from Zainichi Koreans themselves. They tell me it is a relatively simple process. www.han.org also has information about this, with former Zainichi Koreans detailing the ease in which they became citizens. The Japanese government statistics also show that almost 100% of Zainichi Korean applicants for citizenship are indeed granted citizenship. I think that Lee was just unlucky to encounter an arrogant public servant. I do so often in my own country.
Constant Korean claims of Japanese oppression does not help, especially when you consider the substance of the complaints. Like the idea by not allowing non-citizens to vote, Japanese people are "discriminating" against Koreans.
If Lee wants to talk about Japanese attitudes and discrimination then she should also talk about how Korean behavior contributes to such attitudes.
Matt, I think you made some
Matt, I think you made some extremely good and valid points.
Regards,
Matt at Occidentalism, This
Matt at Occidentalism,
This is just a partial response. I really want to look into this stuff in more detail, so hope I can respond more fully in the future.
1. The issue of invisible foreigners is something that needs to be addressed. It's my understanding that Koreans who become Japanese are Japanese for census purposes. My two sons are Japanese for census purposes. This might sound great as if everyone gets included, but then politicians turn around and use this to argue Japan is a homogenous country. They then say because Japan is homogenous, certain policies are justified.
There are, in fact, distinct ethnic groups that are not recognized within the Japanese population. There are no statistics on this that I am aware of, but that is precisely the problem, there should be.
Another issue is those who hide their identity. Koreans who want to avoid discrimination not only become Japanese, but change their names and try to hide their identity. That's a shame, and society should not make them feel this is necessary. There are a number of important figures who have Korean heritage in Japan, who actively avoid advertising this heritage.
2. The marriage problem should not be so quickly dismissed. It needs to be spoken about and argued against. We need more and more opinion makers to argue it's okay to marry someone who is Korean or who has a "burakumin" heritage. There are many real cases, where desired marriages were broken off because they were deemed to be problematic. This is again a shame, and getting people to speak out against this practice is a good thing.
3. As far as the hostility fostered in some Korean schools or cultural cliques, I'd be willing to wager quite a lot that Lee Soo Im has been very vocal against this. Having said that it's very important to study how such animosity arose in the first place, and how it has managed to continue. In general, Lee Soo Im is a good example for people who feel so hostile. She's assimilated on her OWN standards. For too long, Koreans felt becoming Japanese equaled assimilation and the loss of identity. Lee Soo Im seems to suggest, being a Japanese national doesn't equate losing your identity. Is that not something good? It sets a good example, not only for zainichi Koreans but for Japanese nationals as well.
4. As far as Koreans obtaining Japanese nationality, my understanding is that things have become much better. But obviously that didn't happen painlessly and automatically. How do we know, Lee Soo Im was one of those who helped contribute to making the situation better? Moreover, why should someone born in a country and raised there and functioning there as adults be required to *ask* to be recognized as nationals? I think this odious practice needs to be carefully examined.
My personal take on this is anyone born and raised in Japan should be nationals whether they like it or not, and be treated accordingly. Of course, I suppose I might be the only person who thinks this.
5. In general, discrimination can be practiced silently and without the ability of the discriminated to find recourse. If a company chooses one candidate over another who happened to have Korean heritage, whose to say this had anything to do with race? I'm pretty sure though, if I have time to look around, I can furnish some documentation to show that Koreans have been heavily discriminated against in terms of getting jobs and so on. I'm sure your aware of the practice that zainichi Koreans and Chinese cannot take on many government related jobs. I know that this has included teaching in the past, not sure if it still does. There have been changes, so I'm not sure what the current situation is, but I doubt it's good.
I hope to post more background information on zainichi Koreans on this blog in the future. I think it's an important subject.
-- Matt D.
Matt, 1. Invisible
Matt,
1. Invisible foreigners is something that needs to be addressed. It’s my understanding that Koreans who become Japanese, are Japanese for census purposes. My two sons are Japanese for census purposes. This might sound great as if everyone gets included, but then politicians turn around and use this to argue Japan is a homogenous country. They then say because Japan is homogenous, certain policies are justified.
There are in fact, distinct ethnic groups that are not recognized within the Japanese population. There are no statistics on this that I am aware of, but that is precisely the problem, there should be.
People with Japanese citizenship are Japanese. They can self-style a specific ethnicity or group of ethnicities if they choose to do so. They can base this on their location or former nationality, or racial background. Koreans that take up Japanese citzenship are naturalized Japanese, and have the same rights accorded to them as all other Japanese. I do not know what "certain policies" you are speaking of, but I am sure that Japan does not have any racial policies. As you say, the Japanese government does not collect these racial statistics and so cannot enact "certain policies" that discriminate against Japanese people, regardless of their background. I still cannot understand terming foreigners in Japan "invisible".
Another issue is those who hide their identity. Koreans who want to avoid discrimination not only become Japanese, but change their names and try to hide their identity. That’s a shame, and society should not make them feel this is necessary. There are a number of important figures who have Korean heritage in Japan, who actively avoid advertising this heritage.
Hiding or revealing ones identity is a personal issue for which there could be a great many reasons. I suppose that it would be impossible to hide your foreign appearance for a day, Matt, but if you could, would you try it? For Koreans choosing to use a Japanese name, it could be a fear of discrimination (the question is how objective this fear is), the desire to pass as Japanese or to facilitate joining the mainstream, or to avoid unwanted attention. Different groups of Koreans have different levels of adopting Japanese names. Koreans associated with the DPRK adopt Japanese names less frequently than those associated with the ROK. This is no doubt due to the attitudes of the respective "Korean" communities rather than the discrimination of Japanese society. By any estimate there would be greater discrimination towards DPRK associated Koreans than ROK associated Koreans, yet DPRK Koreans adopt names less frequently than ROK Koreans. This is because of the anti-assimilationist pressure in the DPRK associated Korean community in Japan. Chinese living in Japan are even less likely to use an alias than both Korean groups.
Japanese law allows foreigners to register an alias that they can use for daily use, if they so choose. No one is forced to adopt and alias and if they do they don't have to choose a Japanese alias.
Some Koreans will choose Japanese readings of their Korean names. If a Korean in Japan chooses to use a mainstream sounding name then it could be the process of name assimilation. The process of adopting mainstream names is found in every country, and comes from the free will of those adopting them.
2. The marriage problem should not be so quickly dismissed. It needs to be spoken about and argued against. We need more and more opinion makers to argue it’s okay to marry someone who is Korean or who has a “burakumin” heritage. There are many real cases, where desired marriages were broken off because they were deemed to be problematic. This is again a shame, and getting people to speak out against this practice is a good thing.
Marriage is a personal thing. Anyone who is legally entitled to marry is allowed to marry. People are free to marry even if the parents disagree. Marriage discrimination of "burakumin" has been declining for years, so why not let the issue die a natural death? This is not a problem that needs more attention, but less attention because most people do not even know how to identify a "burakumin". As for Koreans, endogamous marriage with Japanese is now well past 50%, I believe. In any case, this is not a legal issue. Nor is this an issue that one can categorically criticize Japanese people or Japanese society for, as that in itself would be a discriminatory act.
3. As far as the hostility fostered in some Korean schools or cultural cliques, I’d be willing to wager quite a lot that Lee Soo Im has been very vocal against this. Having said that it’s very important to study how such animosity arose in the first place, and how it has managed to continue. In general, Lee Soo Im is a good example for people who feel so hostile. She’s assimilated on her OWN standards. For too long, Koreans felt becoming Japanese equaled assimilation and the loss of identity. Lee Soo Im seems to suggest, being a Japanese national doesn’t equate losing your identity. Is that not something good? It sets a good example, not only for zainichi Koreans but for Japanese nationals as well.
If she has criticisms for Koreans, I would like to see it.
Naturalized Japanese of Korean descent are free to choose their behaviors as they like to do. I disagree with your values judgment ("good") that "losing" their "Korean" identity is necessarily a bad thing, as that is an explicit criticism ("bad") of those Naturalized Japanese of Korean descent that choose to assimilate.
4. As far as Koreans obtaining Japanese nationality, my understanding is that things have become much better. But obviously that didn’t happen painlessly and automatically. How do we know, Lee Soo Im was one of those who helped contribute to making the situation better? Moreover, why should someone born in a country and raised there and functioning there as adults be required to *ask* for to be recognized as nationals? I think this odious practice needs to be carefully examined.
Japan follows Jus Sanguinis policies towards citizenship. There is nothing unusual about this as many countries do the same thing, including Korea. Koreans that want their children to have citizenship need only become citizens. Forcing Japanese citizenship on Zainichi Koreans would mean doing something to them that a great many Zainichi Koreans do not want. I do not think it is an "odious practice" at all.
My personal take on this is anyone born and raised in Japan should be nationals whether they like it or not, and be treated accordingly. Of course, I suppose I might be the only person who thinks this.
Then you are a proponent of Jus Soli. That is fine but it does not mean that Jus Sanguinis is a racist or discriminatory policy.
5. In general, discrimination can be practiced silently and without the ability of the discriminated to find recourse. If a company chooses one candidate over another who happened to have Korean heritage, whose to say this had anything to do with race? I’m pretty sure though, if I have time to look around, I can furnish some documentation to show that Koreans have been heavily discriminated against in terms of getting jobs and so on.
When it happens, it is unfortunate. However, measuring discrimination "practiced silently" is almost impossible to do. Perhaps a good idea would be to poll the Japanese around you and ask them if they would throw away the resume of a Zainichi Korean that applied for a job.
I’m sure your aware of the practice that zainichi Koreans and Chinese cannot take on many government related jobs. I know that this has included teaching in the past, not sure if it still does. There have been changes, so I’m not sure what the current situation is, but I doubt it’s good.
There are some executive level public service jobs that are not available to non-citizens. However, Japanese citizens of Korean and Chinese descent are free to apply for those jobs. Zainichi Koreans and Chinese wanting executive level public service jobs should consider taking up Japanese citizenship, rather than expect a high level position in the public service of a foreign government. In any event, this policy is completely unrelated to that unreasonable employment discrimination.
Matt at Occidentalism, Life
Matt at Occidentalism,
Life would be boring if all one got were agreement. I will try to take each of these issues up in the future and deal with them. I'm concerned that until EITHER of us starts citing sources, we may just be spinning our wheels abit. So let me dig around and see what I can find. Once I do so, if you can produce criticism in the form of counter-facts, it will indeed be appreciated. Thank you for following this blog.
I'll also keep an eye on your site to see what you post related to the zainichi Korean topic. Any links you send here will be appreciated.
By the way, what do YOU think about Jus Sanguinis? Are you taking a potentially relativist stance here and saying it suits some countries but not others? Are you willing to take the position that it suits Japan best?
What's important to me here is what individuals think about these issues.
Best,
Matt D.
Hi Matt, I think that Japan
Hi Matt,
I think that Japan would need a good reason to adopt Jus Soli. Adopting Jus Soli would mean that people would get on the plane when they are ready to give birth to make their children Japanese, as many people are doing in the US at the moment, bringing stress to society and social welfare programs. I do not think that would be a good thing.
I also think Japan should not encourage large scale increases in immigrants until it has sorted out existing racial conflicts (as they exist) in Japan.
Jus Sanguinis therefore wins out by default.
Matt at O., Thanks for being
Matt at O.,
Thanks for being so straight forward in your opinion. I intend to review this issue in more detail, but I'm forced to ask two more questions based on your reply.
1. Are you subscribing to some type of theory that "culturally advanced" societies should apply Jus Soli, while those not ready for it (some how less advanced) shouldn't? Would this be a mischaracterization of your view? If you've written something about this at Occidentalism or elsewhere and furnish a link, I'll try to read it carefully.
2. Also, certainly you don't think this is an all or nothing decision, right? I think an extreme form of Jus Sanguini would lead to obviously irrational results. Some third generation Californian might end up with more rights than a zainichi person born and raised in Japan. It'd make no sense.
So there's got to be come kind of middle ground here.
I mean, I think it's understandable if a country doesn't want to grant nationality to babies born to tourists or illegal aliens. Note, I don't agree, but I can see how plausible the argument is.
What I really favor are fairly permissive naturalization procedures. Procedures that don't reflect some type of irrational commitment to a nation, but instead reflect inherent human rights.
Just for the record, America is both Jus Soli and Jus Sanguini to an extent. My two sons have dual nationalities. They are American because of Jus Sanguini not because of Jus Soli.
Best,
Matt D.
Hi Matt, I don't think I
Hi Matt,
I don't think I have ever written about this subject before as honestly it is not one I know that much about. Let me try to respond to you anyway -
1. Yes and no. I find what is happening in the European Union quite remarkable. Until not along ago you would find many Europeans holding prejudiced attitudes towards each other but now that seems almost totally gone. People can live anywhere in the EU, work anywhere, and for the most part do so without being discriminated against. Whatever the problems with the political system of the EU, the change in attitudes is amazing. But there is a caveat. Europe has been less successful in integrating some immigrants into mainstream society. That being said, I don't think that really has any baring on jus soli or jus sanguinis.
2. Zainichi Koreans already have more rights than a Californian. They have the special permanent residency visa, and special right that they and some Chinese have. For example, if the Californian commits a serious crime he would be thrown out of the country, while a Zainichi Korean would not (although I think the legal provisions for it exist).
Matt, it may be a fact that Japan is intolerant on some levels. Remember there are people out there that are discriminated against just for having died hair or being 目付きが悪い, something a lot of people cannot control.
A lot of nations require commitment to the nation of its immigrants, and when immigrants refuse to commit it is often because they have a commitment to another. There are few things more damaging to community relations than that.
Matt at O, Thanks as always
Matt at O,
Thanks as always for the thoughtful comments. I've been reading up on this topic and am learning fast I have a lot of misconceptions. I will post a blog entry on this, hopefully soon.
I read carefully what you wrote above and your other comments as well and am thinking about them.
Best,
Matt D
In many countries where
In many countries where immigrants were once welcomed with open arms, and multi-culturism was encouraged, “assimilation” is now getting a fresh look.
Even in Canada, where the politicians would have us believe multi-culturism is a “Canadian value” the idea that all new immigrants should assimilate is taking hold.
Although, I don’t support exclusion, and I don’t agree with the way ethnic Koreans have been treated in Japan, I tend to think everyone would be better off if they simply melted into society.
I responded to these comments here.
-- Matt D.