Interesting article (“Japan’s Outcasts Still Wait for Society’s Embrace”) by Norimitsu Onishi in the NYTimes today on buraku in modern Japanese society, a high ranking politician named Hiromu Nonaka who is of buraku descen, and a racist comment allegedly made two years ago by current prime minister Taro Aso.
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Coincidentally, this happens to be a new topic of interest to me. I’ve recently started thinking of writing a series of stories (possibly a novel?) involving a burakumin main character. I’ve been doing a lot of Interweb-based research, but do any of you out there know of any other books, articles, etc. (either in Japanese or in English) that might provide some more detailed insights into the lives of the burakumin?
One JET alum shared the following:
“I dont have any article in mind yet, but I used to live in Ogaki city and I worked in Yoro which is next to Ogaki and home to many buraku. They were considered “outcasts” and couldnt get jobs so they specialized in tanning to make leather and all parts of the cow. They have created a popular beef brand called Yoro Beef and if you look on the internet, Yoro town is home to Yoro Falls and other claims to fame of Yoro. Perhaps some info on Burkumin.”