Abstract
When we examine the inter-ethnic relationship between Japanese and Koreans in Japan, "Buraku issues" are an important aspect. Before World War II many Koreans had migrated to Japan, and many of them lived in or around Buraku areas. This meant that Koreans and Buraku-people have come to live, work and learn together in the same communities. In this paper, I examine the relationship between these two groups chronologically. In the discriminative structure of Japanese society, Koreans and Buraku-people have been put in a peripheral position, and they have faced competitive situations against each other. This has led to some of them holding prejudice and antagonism against the other group. However, it is also true that they have developed face-to-face relationships in their daily life. To examine the relationship they have developed during their hard life is a key when considering the formation of an inter-ethnic relationship. To compare two minority groups also brings forth some important findings. Comparing the discriminative barriers and their understanding and reaction to them helps to understand not only the nature of each minority group, but also the nature of the discriminative structure of Japanese society.
