Japanese? American?

What does it mean to be Japanese? What does it mean to be American?

The United States of America is multiracial, multiethnic, and multicultural, compose of a white majority, and a number of minority groups. The distinctions are relatively clear here in the US. There are biological, physical, social, cultural, and other distinctions.

Most people believe that Japan is a homogeneous country. Japan is anything but a homogeneous country. Japan's minorities include Ainus, Okinawans/Ryukyuans, Burakumins (outcasts), Zainichi Koreans, Brazilians of Japanese descent, and much more. The Japanese minority issue stems from Japan's national identity.

Despite public discourse and powerful activism, racism in the US is still a major problem. In Japan, minority issues are largely ignored by the society and the state. They are not taught in schools, discrimination is prevalent, and the government enforce policies that make lives difficult for minorities. How serious is the minority issue in Japan? in the US? How important is national identity? nationality? ethnicity?

What defines Japanese? What defines American?

This is just one of the many things we will be talking about this summer at the 60th JASC......

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This semester I am taking Professor Christopher D. Scott's class titled "Race and Ethnicity in Japan". Professor Scott specializes in Zainichi Koreans (Koreans residing in Japan). He is also very knowledgeable about Japanese history, politics, literature, film, gender issues, and more. I am already looking forward to discussing minority issues in the 60th JASC, and, of course, hearing what the Minority Roundtable will be presenting in the final forum at Boston!

* I don't lead the minority RT, I'm just very interested in the issue! :)