ABSTRACT

Written by an internationally recognized specialist on Buraku studies, this book casts new light on majority-minority relations and the struggle for Buraku liberation. Ian Neary focuses on the Burakumin activist, left-wing politician, family company manager and arguably the most important Buraku leader of the twentieth century: Matsumoto Jiichiro.

Based on primary material reflecting recent research, each chapter locates Matsumoto Jiichiro’s experience within the broader developments in Japan's social, political and economic history and illuminates dimensions of its social history during the twentieth century that are frequently left unconsidered.

As an examination of Buraku history this book will appeal to scholars and students of Japanese political and economic history, ethnic and racial studies, socialism, social thought and social movements.

chapter |4 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|26 pages

The Early Years

chapter 2|34 pages

Matsumoto and the Suiheisha

chapter 3|22 pages

From Prison to the Diet

chapter 5|12 pages

Matsumoto and the War in the Pacific

chapter 6|35 pages

Matsumoto and Occupied Japan

chapter 7|57 pages

Matsumoto in the 1950s

chapter 8|19 pages

His Last Years – the 1960s