Buraku Problem Q&A
Many journalists, researchers and students from abroad come to visit us at the BLHRRI. Although they come from different parts of the world, they come to us to learn more about Buraku problems and ask for much information. Among the many questions asked us, we picked out those most frequently asked in these occasions, and will try to answer them as a new series of"Q&A"in this news letter. We hope this will be a help in understanding Buraku problems.
Q Everyone denies discrimination of the job and every company says that they don't discriminate. True?
A In 1975, a publication entitled "Buraku list",giving all information on discriminated-against-Buraku communities, was discovered being covertly on sale. The biggest buyers of the List were private companies, including many of the leading big companies of Japan. If they had no notion to discriminate, no one would have tried to make quick money in publishing such an "evil-minded"List.
Japan is far from free of such discrimination even after the discovery of the Buraku List. Discrimination still stay here. Discrimination keeps Burakumin out of the better income jobs and forces them to work at less stable jobs, even through they fully qualify for position. The unemployment rate among Burakumin workers is considerably higher than the non-Burakumin rate, making it harder to get by.
Many of them are compelled to work at temporary jobs or as day laborers. In most of the job environments where these people are working, dangerous and hard working conditions lead to higher accident and sick rates. Higher unemployment rate and sick rates eventually lead to an extremely high relief rate compared with the non-Burakumin community. Measures especially provided in Buraku Areas brought about better housing. Still, not all Burakumin families are provided with improved housing programs. Quite a few Brakumin families still suffer difficulties in their life.
Discrimination, however, is not always limited to these visible or perceivable aspects. A covert but strong discriminating mentality among many non-Burakumin citizens, as it is still prevalent, may come forward and show apparent discrimination. And this is what scares many Burakumin. They are not scared without reasons. They are scared because discrimination still is here and now in the mentality of people.
The evidence is in many of those increasing graffiti with broad remarks found in schools, train stations, public toilets and bridges ; discriminatory statements, too, are still frequent. Those more recent graffiti, however, are little different in encouraging and inciting other people to follow suit indiscrimination. They are more intentional, more persistent, more blunt and more challenging against all those movements to abolish discrimination.
Discrimination, however is not only limited to verbal offenses. Below the harsh words which are disclosed, lies the biggest part of an iceberg.