Let #17: Japan Flashcards
1
Q
Whta is Monoethnic Japan? and what are the 3 perceptions? Is this true or false?
A
- a dominant perception among some nations that the japanese are homogenous in their national demographic and ethnic composition and characteristics
- 3 perceptions are:
- they act the same
- speak the same language
- share the same culture
- this is false!!!
2
Q
What is japan actually like? what are the 3 types of groups?
A
- Japan is composed of a number of racial/ethnic populations and there exists significant differences b/w the majority and minority groups
1. ethnic japanese= majority
2. domestic/indigenous minority groups: Ainu, Burakumin, Okinawans
3. Foreigners who include- Old timers: chinese who ancestors immigrated to japan many generations ago and zainihci koreans
- New comers include: southeast asian, chinese, filipinos, americans and nikkeijin
3
Q
Who are the Ainu/Utari?
A
- Indigenous/ethnic minority group that were victims of forced assimilation and lost their land, language and culture in the early 18th century
4
Q
Who are the Okinawans?
A
- They are of the non-indigenous category
- they were taken over by japanese empire in the late 19th century
- Japanese government policies (ex: education) influenced okinawans to be assimilated into the dominant japanese culture
5
Q
Who are the Burakumin?
A
- Non-indigenous category
- created by a caste system in an ancient Japan as part of buddhist and shinto religious based practices
- similar to the dalits in india
- relegated to polluting jobs (butchers, leather workers) as they were supposedly descendants of a lesser human race
6
Q
Who are Old foreigners?
A
- Chinese people living for centuries
- koreans who were brought to japan in the late 19th century as forced labor in farmlands
- Zainichi koreans have never been fully accepted into japanese society and they tried to assimilate into the dominant japanese society while retaining their cultural identity
- Zainichi koreans are excluded from many government positions and face informal barriers in corporate careers
7
Q
Who are the new foreigners?
A
- chinese people immigrated into japan seeking work in the 20th century
- south americans: form brazil and peru
- Labour shortage led japan to bring undocumented work from iran, pakistan and china
- But later the immigration control and refugee act in 1990 forced these people to leave japan
8
Q
What is Japanesness (Nihonjiron)?
A
Nihonjinron includes:
- Homogenity: japanese are homogenous and unique people
- Blood: Japanese “Blood” is essential for mutual communication and mutual understanding
- Cultural competence: Foreigners are incapable of fully understanding japanese culture or mastering the language
- Social participation: The sociocultural territoriality of japan should be defended, and foreigners must be excluded in the areas of marriage, employment, teaching, and political/artistic leadership