ABSTRACT
Of all groups which have protested against language demeaning to their members, the most active and successful – if we take ‘successful’ to mean effective in preventing recurrences – has been the BLL (Buraku Kaihd Ddmei). Indeed, Burakumin support and experience have contributed to campaigns for recognition of the rights of other groups in the postwar period. The BLL includes other human rights issues in its brief in addition to those solely Burakuminrelated and has been vocal in its support of other minority groups. Its publications comment on issues of concern to other groups (see Tomonaga 2002b, for example, for a BLL protest against threats and harassment of Koreans living in Japan in the wake of the 2002 return of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea) and take part in their meetings (e.g. see KaihD Shimbun 2002 for a report of a women activists’ conference). This stems not only from concern with the general human rights situation in Japan but also from the fact that Burakumin are themselves likely to be members of other minority groups: Burakumin women, for example, or Burakumin with disabilities. Many ethnic Korean residents live in Buraku areas where they are accepted as fellow victims of discrimination (Fukuoka and Tsujiyama 1992) as do people with disabilities. The BLL has received messages of appreciation from Ainu groups and from South African black groups, announcing their intention to emulate the BLL (personal interview with BLL member 1998).
