Where are you from? When you meet with somebody at first time and introduce yourself to them, how many of you tell your nationality? It may depend on the situation and the person who you are going to introduce yourself. However, is it important to say your nationality to recognize you as you? Then, what kind of information do people need to know about you? Maybe your name, sexuality, ethnic group, religion belief, or place you are born etc. Then, what does “NATIONALITY” means? For me, nationality is something that categorizes people and creates difference between others. Is that really nationality is? What is NATIONALIY?

In Japan, there are three situations that a person can become a Japanese national. First, when either parent is a Japanese national at the time of birth. Secondly, when the father dies before the birth and is a Japanese national at the time of death. Third, when the person is born on Japanese soil and both parents are unknown or stateless. Because Japan determine lineage, parents’ nationality and citizenship are important. In other word, if you born in Japan and grew up in Japan, but neither of your parents are not Japanese, you cannot be Japanese. Also, if you born in other country and you never live in Japan and cannot speak any Japanese, if their parents are Japanese, they are still Japanese. Then, is nationality really important to recognize others?  If their nationality and their homeland don’t match, what is the meaning of nationality?

Zainichi Koreans deal with difficult situation and issue of identity now. In Japan, Zainichi Koreans are discriminated in various ways in society. Not only Zainichi Korean, people born and live in other country, they are confused and struggles to recognize themselves. Then, what is nationality? Why we have to classify people with nationality? Is there any meaning by discriminate people by their nationality? I believe nationality can be important information to recognize them, but it also create stereotypes and discrimination.  Therefore, I believe accepting people as an individual is important than classify by their nationality. Look at that person as an individual. Moreover, if people can choose their nationality from lineage or place they are born by themselves, it will be easier for people to recognize themselves and to be recognized by others. I think looking and condemn a person with their nationality or ethnic group is not polite.

by Ayako Kofuji