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Buraku Problem Basic

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What is Buraku Problem?

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Buraku Problem Basic

Buraku Liberation Movement

On March 3, 1922, the National Levelers Association was founded with the declaration stating, “Let there be warmth in society, let there be light in humanity.” This began the independent movement that aimed to eliminate Buraku discrimination. The National Levelers Association bravely denounced the extensive discriminatory practices that were present in all spheres of society, including the military. With the plunge of Japan into the Asia-Pacific War, the liberation movement was severely suppressed and obliged to support the war. This was greatly regretted by the movement.

Japan caused major damage to neighboring countries and was damaged itself by the dropping of atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which led to the defeat of Japan in August 1945. In February 1946, immediately after Japan’s defeat, the Buraku liberation movement was reorganized under the name of the National Committee for Buraku Liberation. It staged the campaign for the inclusion of a provision stipulating the elimination of discrimination in the new constitution. While Japan achieved the rapid economic recovery after the war, it never took any administrative measures to combat Buraku discrimination, leaving Buraku people in extremely poor conditions. In the 50’s, the Buraku liberation movement launched a campaign demanding the improvement of these conditions in many areas around the nation. This nationwide campaign slowly became a mass-movement.

In August 1955 the Committee changed its name to the Buraku Liberation League and organized a national movement calling for the establishment of state policies for the improvement of Buraku. A victory was achieved in August 1965 with the report of the Cabinet Dowa Council, which clearly stated, “An immediate solution of Dowa problem is both the responsibility of the State and a challenge for the people.” This was followed by the enactment of the Law on Special Measures for Dowa Projects in July 1969. This law mainly aimed at improving the living environment of Buraku.

By the end of March 2002, a series of projects had been implemented under the Law on Special Measures, resulting in the limited improvement of Buraku living environments. However, there are many Buraku districts that have not been subject to projects under the Law on Special Measures. Furthermore, even in districts where projects have been conducted, there are distinct gaps between them and their surrounding communities in areas such as education and employment. Discrimination is still deeply rooted in the minds of many people, and this is especially apparent in cases of marriage between Buraku and non-Buraku youth. Discrimination related incidents and scandals regularly occur in recruitment and marital engagement, as well as in local communities, workplaces and schools. In recent years, malicious discriminatory information has been increasingly disseminated on the Internet.

Buraku discrimination is also connected to all other forms of discrimination including that against Korean residents, migrant workers, Ainu people, women and people with disabilities. With the progress of globalization, Buraku discrimination finds some relevance with discrimination in other parts of the world. The Buraku liberation movement therefore started a national campaign calling for the enactment of a Fundamental Law for Buraku Liberation, and formed the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) in January 1988 to strengthen the struggle for the elimination of discrimination suffered by people both within Japan and around the world.

Buraku liberation movement continues its efforts with aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination, including that against Buraku people, and to build an international community where human rights are fully established and peace prevails.