What is Buraku Discrimination ?

What is Buraku ?

Buraku is a Japanese word referring to village or hamlet.　The word began to　acquire a new connotation after the administration in Meiji era (1868 -1912) started to use "Tokushu Buraku" (special hamlet) in reference to　former outcaste communities. The intention was to negatively distinguish　former outcaste communities from other areas.
At present the word 'Buraku' is usually referred to as communities where　discriminated-against Buraku people reside. On the other hand, the term　''Tokushu Buraku' has been figuratively used from time to time in　distinguishing a different society from a so-called ordinary society as well　as in describing Buraku areas, resulting in fostering discrimination against　Buraku people.

Origin of the Discrimination

Buraku people or Burakumin (min refers to people) are the largest　discriminated-against population in Japan. They are not a racial or a　national minority, but a caste-like minority among the ethnic Japanese.
They are generally recognized as descendants of outcaste populations in the　feudal days. Outcastes were assigned such social functions as slaughtering　animals and executing criminals, and the general public perceived these　functions as 'polluting acts' under Buddhist and Shintoist beliefs.
When the social status system was established in the 17th century (early Edo　era) in the form of three classes (warrior, peasant, townsfolk), those　outcastes, origin of the present Buraku people, were placed at the bottom of　the society as Eta (extreme filth) and Hinin (non-human) classes.
In 1871, the Meiji government promulgated the 'Emancipation Edict',　declaring the abolition of the lowest social rank. Nevertheless, this has　never gone further than a simple statement, without any effective measures.

Buraku Liberation Movement

Confronting the continued discrimination, the National Levelers Association　was founded by Buraku people in 1922 to unite and fight against daily　occurrences of discrimination. As Japan, however, moved toward militarism　and took sides in World WarⅡ, the association was suppressed and stopped　halfway.
After the war, Buraku liberation movements were reunited in 1946 under the　name of the National Committee for Buraku Liberation, which later evolved　into the Buraku Liberation League (BLL), the present name.
The Committee started to demand responsible local authorities to improve　living environments of Buraku areas which were extremely poor as a result of　the negligence of the government services. This struggle developed into a　movement demanding a national policy on Buraku problems.
As a result, the Cabinet Dowa Policy Council clearly stated that the　solution of the Buraku problem was a State responsibility, in their　recommendation of 1965.
The Committee and subsequently the BLL successfully facilitated the national　government to consecutively enact laws to improve the living environment of　Buraku areas.

Reality of Buraku Discrimination Today

According to a 1993 government survey, there were about 1.2million Buraku　people at 4442 Buraku communities nationwide. These figures, however, only　represent those areas classified as Dowa districts. (Dowa districts refer to　Buraku areas in terms of government policy administration). Actual figures　are estimated to as many as 6000 Buraku communities with over 3 million　population.
Although living standard of Buraku people became higher compared to the　past, there are still gap between Buraku people and non-Buraku people. In　addition, there are many incidents of discrimination, particularly in　marriage and employment as well as discriminatory remarks and inquiries made　by non-Buraku people, including public officials.

Fundamental Law for Buraku Liberation

In such a background, the BLL have led a national campaign seeking for the　enactment of the Fundamental Law for Buraku Liberation by presenting its　draft bill since 1985. The bill stipulates the obligations of the government　and citizens in order to completely and immediately solve Buraku　discrimination. It urges the government to take legal measures for the　promotion of human rights education, the regulation on Buraku　discrimination, the relief system for the victims of the discrimination as　well as the legal measures for Dowa projects. The campaign has been joined by various organizations from labor, business, religious, academic, local　governments and other sectors.
In response to the campaign, the government enacted in December 1996 the Law　for the Measures for Promotion of Human Rights Protection. It stipulates　that the government shall establish the Council for Promoting Human Rights　Protection, that is required to conclude a policy recommendation for the　measures of human rights education and awareness-raising within 2 years, and　for the relief measures for the victims of human rights violations within 5　years.
In addition, the government decided in February 1997 on the 5-year extension　of the Law Regarding the Special Fiscal Measures of the Government for　Regional Improvement Projects, which would expire in March 1997.
Thus the campaign is step by step pushing forward to the enactment of the　Fundamental Law for Buraku Liberation.

International Solidarity

In 1988 the BLL, BLRI and other organizations concertedly founded the　International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), a non-governmental human rights organization devoted to prompting　the rights of persons subject to racism and/or discrimination. IMADR is in　consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

　

Supplementary Report to the Fourth Periodic Report by the Government of Japan

 

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