For Korean residents in Japan, choosing one nationality is very difficult. The representative of Japan for soccer, Lee Tadanari, is one of them. In the Asian Cup final of soccer, he decided the winning goal. He became famous suddenly in Japan. Lee’s last name is Korean, but Tadanari is a Japanese first name. This expresses that he want to be both of Korean and Japanese. His blog was written this. “I am Korean and Japanese.”

The professor of Osaka City University, Boku, said “40’s to 50’s of the second Korean resident in Japan was assimilated reluctantly and 10,000 they came to Japan every year.” On the other hand, 20’s to 30’s of the Korean resident in Japan often use Korean name and value Native language. It is thought that Japanese government accepted a lot of Korean resident in Japan as a backdrop. A difference is found by the idea in them old generation and young generation. Old generation of Korean resident in Japan chooses a nationality either in South Korean or North Korean. On the other hand, young generation of Korean resident in Japan values both of Korean and Japan and they have an identity of people resident in Japan.

Management of Korean Residents Union in Japan said “It is wrong prediction that all Korean residents in Japan become to Japanese in the future. They will keep about 300,000 people at least”. Boku said “Korean government should accept dual nationality for Korean resident in Japan.” Then we can protect Korean resident in Japan who important property which connects both countries. South Korea government said “to implement policy valued a race than a nationality is very important moreover Japanese government should enrich Korean education for Korean resident in Japan.”

If Korean government Korean eliminates resident in Japan who choose a nationality of Japan, they cannot accept young generation who has identity of Korean resident in Japan.

What do you think?

by Sunao Tanaka