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 Since the living environment of Buraku areas has been improved, we non-Buraku people feel that we are discriminated against. What can you say about this ?
A You would come across a high-class residential area along a quiet street where each house has well-kept gardens. While you might envy the houses and the area, you wouldn't get irritated or angry with the residents. At worst, you might be jealous.
However, you might be jealous, hateful feeling toward nice houses under the special projects for Dowa measures and residents there. Why is this ? You might think Buraku people have been specially treated.
The fact is that Buraku people are not the only ones specially treated. In addition, some specially treated people are hated and others are not. People who are hated are mostly discriminated against, such as Buraku people and the handicapped.
You would be irritated when you feel that you are even partially surpassed by people who you consider to be in a lower position than you are.
It is sad to say, but those who are not well-off sometimes tend to be jealous of the improvement of the living environment in Buraku areas. Although it is said that Japan is today one of the richest countries in the world, we do not actually have such a feeling.
Since the government has reduced the budget for welfare and education, in line with a policy of administrative reform, people feel that they have become poorer. Thus the budget for Dowa projects came to draw people's attention. Those who have are jealous do not join together in order to protect their own life. However, it is not possible to improve the living standard if people are only jealous of each other.
Buraku areas have been neglected by the administration as a result of a centuries-old discrimination, without proper infrastructure projects, including housing. For instance, the administration had not installed even a fireplug in many Buraku areas where the houses had stood close together. In the past people were rendered homeless by big fires.
Dowa measures have been implemented to get rid of such discrimination in the administrative projects. However, the government has not explained well the reason of the Dowa projects to people living outside Buraku areas. As a result, some people feel that they are discriminated against by the administration when they compare themselves to Buraku people.
Implementation of the Dowa measures leads to the improvement of the quality of life of all the people as well as the improvement of Buraku areas that were the most disadvantaged areas in the past. Dowa measures certainly would bring a positive effect to the entire society.
For example, the system of free textbooks for all the children in compulsory public school started as a Dowa measure in response to one of the demands of the Buraku liberation movement and were applied to all pupils. Community halls, parks and playing grounds constructed in Buraku areas benefit not only Buraku people but also non-Buraku people as public facilities.