ABSTRACT
Since World War II, Japan has had a vague belief that it is a homogeneous country without any racial or ethnic conflicts. Most Japanese do not recognize the existence of minorities within their country; even the political leaders succumb to this prevailing belief. As a result of such a mentality, minorities living within Japan have been virtually ignored. Many Japanese today may be confused about their identity. This chapter discusses race, ethnicity, and the formation of a national identity in the making of Japan.
