ABSTRACT
The Korean community in Japan is deeply divided: politically, economically, socially, and culturally. One aspect of the cultural division is the degree of assimilation into Japanese society. It is difficult to say much about the highly assimilated groups because these are not the sort of people who speak out, write books and pamphlets, join activist groups, demand rights, or are anxious to be interviewed. Perhaps Yumi Lee’s parents are in some ways more typical Korean Japanese. Although discriminated against in her youth, Yumi Lee’s mother harbors no ill feelings towards the Japanese and is cool towards her daughter’s activism on behalf of the Korean community. Towards the Japanese she is thankful for small mercies. A symbolic but meaningful improvement would be made if the Korean community in Japan were described as Korean Japanese. Only when the Koreans are accepted as Japanese as a special type of Japanese, will the path be cleared for a resolution of this problem.
