In-Person Panel PS7.3

Transnational Identities of Zainichi Koreans in Postwar Japan: Justice, Education and Representation

Colonial Koreans and Post-“Liberation” Criminal Jurisdiction in Occupied Japan

Joel Matthews

In the immediate aftermath of World War II, the rapidly changing legal landscape in Occupied Japan posed significant challenges for the Japanese authorities. Central to these concerns was the ambiguous legal status of Korean “liberated” former colonials. As Japan emerged from the shackles of war, the lines between what was deemed legal and illicit blurred, particularly in reference to Koreans in Japan. Instances that Japanese police classified as Korean “criminal” activities—such as engagement in the black markets and access to rationed or stockpiled goods—saw heightened scrutiny. These perceived infractions became the basis for rigorous Japanese lobbying efforts aimed at the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers/General Headquarters (SCAP/GHQ). The objective was clear: to secure sanctioned Japanese criminal jurisdiction over Koreans. Drawing extensively from primary documents dated January 1946, this presentation seeks to shed light on the evolving perspectives and objectives of Japanese authorities. It underscores the complexities surrounding the postcolonial jurisdiction and the legal status of Koreans, all while navigating the intricate dynamics of a postwar Japan under occupation.

The Disruptive Beginnings of the Joseon School System in Japan Between 1945-1950 

Susan Menadue-Chun

In 1945, the Korean community in Japan established grass-root language schools to prepare for repatriation and resolve a loss of cultural identity. By 1948 the Korean League was governing some 600 schools with a student cohort of 57900. However, the rapid growth of the system challenged Japan’s homogenous narrative, and the League’s support for the DPRK threatened SCAP’s plans to fortify Japan as a north-east Asian citadel against communism. In October 1947, SCAP relinquished control of the Joseon schools to Japan’s Ministry of Education (MOE) but behind the scenes it advocated to close the schools. The MOE generally favored segregation, moreover the Joseon schools were under prefectural jurisdiction where there was some degree of acceptance for Korean education. But on SCAP’s orders on January 24, 1948, the government issued an official directive to close the Joseon schools and informed Koreans they were obligated to send their children to Japanese schools. This instigated unrest in Korean communities across Japan, and mass protests in Kobe, Osaka and Yamaguchi resulted in martial law. Against SCAP and the Japanese government’s conflicting policies on Koreans, this study focuses on how SCAP and various Japanese bureaus eventually collaborated to politicize and twist ethnic education into a security issue.

The Ghost Platoon: The Zainichi Student Volunteers in the Korean War 

Yuki Minami

Between 1950 to 1953, 642 Zainichi Student Volunteers served in the Korean war, engaging in 14 major battles such as Operation Chromite, Wonsan Operation and Operation of the White Horse.  However, the stories of the Zainichi Student Volunteers have not been documented anywhere because they did not have serial numbers or any record to prove their participation. To overcome these challenges, literary work such as short stories and poetry has been discovered. In my presentation, I will first go over the history and background of the Zainichi Student Volunteers, then introduce the five groups formed by the Zainichi population from the first to second generation, and explain how the volunteers formed the 3.1 combat platoon, later known as the Ghost Platoon, based on their writings during and after the battles. By presenting the literary work from the Volunteers, I will also show some of challenges that they faced on the battlefield such language issues and cultural differences, and how the literary work could be a key to bring the forgotten stories into historical records and bring recognition to the contribution of Zainichi Student Volunteers in Japan and Korea.

Transition in the Representation of Zainichi Koreans in the 1960s – Impact of the Conclusion of the Japan-Korea Treaty 

Jihye Chung

Japan's colonial rule ended with the abandonment of overseas territories for the defeat in World War II. For the Japanese people, the feeling of defeat was so deep that they were hardly aware of the fact that they had abandoned their colonies, much less thought about its meaning. When the repatriation project to North Korea began in 1959, attention focused on the relationship between Japan and North Korea. However, as negotiations progressed in the 1960s to conclude a Japan-Korea treaty, Japanese people began to take an interest in relations with the Republic of Korea (ROK). Ahead of the conclusion of this treaty, there appeared so many films and TV programs which depicted friendship between Japan and South Korea. During this period, some democratic filmmakers who were active in national policy films for wartime mobilization during the war, began working on films related to Korea again. This research will examine the change in the representation of Korea in the 60s and clarify how the relationship between Japan and South Korea and the Cold War influenced culture.