ABSTRACT
There is a seemingly implacable enmity between the Japanese and the Koreans which is based upon sound and long Korean experience of their treatment by the Japanese. It remains an important feature of Japanese political and social life, because of the proximity of the countries and their need for mutual accord because of their membership of the economic ‘Pacific rim’, and because some 676,000 Koreans live in Japan today. During the period 1905 to 1945, Japan achieved its historic ambition to colonise Korea, and since this is the period under discussion, it is appropriate to analyse this pivotal relationship in some detail.
