Session Name: The Zainichi Population in Japan: Its Origins and its Present State
1 - Postwar Koreans in Japan and the Creation of a Diaspora in the Zainichi Korean Population: Repatriation Troubles
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
16:15 – 18:00 (GMT+7)
Presentation Abstract At the time of Japan’s surrender, there were between 2—2.5 million Koreans living in Japan. Most, if not all, were believed to be interested in repatriating to their homeland. However, an estimated 600—700 thousand Koreans forewent returning to remain in Japan. Among these were a large number of Koreans who had successfully repatriated, but illegally snuck back into Japan during these postwar years. These people formed the zainichi Korean minority population. They were not wanted by the Japanese, who advised forced repatriation against the U.S.’s voluntary plan, and their lifestyle arrangements (such as housing and job possibilities) were dim. Other reasons why they did not return included the following: the dangers involved with repatriation, ideological concerns, the uncertainly of restarting their lives in Korea, and the restrictions placed upon them by United States administrators. While occupation officials devised plans to encourage members of this population to return, unreasonable elements in their plans convinced the U.S. authorities to leave things as they were until the Japanese could deal with this problem after they had regained sovereignty. This presentation will explore deeper the above causes that convinced this people that remaining in Japan would be a better option than returning to Korea, either to the north or the south.
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