Buraku Liberation News, July 1997 issue (N0.97)
1. The BLL approved the new platform at its 54th National Convention.
The Buraku Liberation League (BLL) held its 54th National Convention in Tokyo on May 26 and 27. About 700 representatives from the prefectural federations of the BLL participated. This year's convention marked a historical moment as the League amended its platform and modified its rules for the first time in 13 years to cope with the challenges of a new era.
The convention adopted several resolutions, including the policies for the enactment of the Fundamental Law for Buraku Liberation, the implementation of the Law for the Promotion for Measures of Human Rights Protection, and the National Plan of Action of the UN Decade for Human Rights Education. In addition, there were resolutions calling for a retrial of the Sayama case and strengthening of the solidarity movement for eliminating discrimination in Japan and the rest of the world. It was also decided that youths should be trained to assume the Buraku liberation movement.
It also adopted policies urging the reorientation of general consciousness in Japanese society by questioning popular conceptions regarding family and the concept of filth, and re-examining the family registration system.
The platform was amended for the first time since 1984. The old platform whose historical view was primarily based on class-consciousness was totally amended to stress democracy and human rights.
The new platform stipulates in its preamble that the aim of our league lies in the realization of complete liberation from Buraku discrimination, and that we shall find the way for Buraku liberation in a democratic society where human rights are truly guaranteed; i.e., where it is not necessary for Buraku people to hide their hometowns; people can realize self-fulfillment by themselves; and people can coexist by acknowledging their human rights with each other.
On the other hand, the old platform began with a statement that Burakumin (Buraku people), numbering three million and residing throughout Japan, have been suffering from humiliation, poverty and oppression because of their exploitation in a class society and discrimination based on social class divisions that have been the means of political rule since pre-modern society.
Unlike the old platform, the new one does not explicitly express such ideology.
The BLL first decided to review the new platform at the 51st Convention. At that time the BLL discussed making an amendment reflecting a shift from ideological conflicts to new debates concerning human rights, peace and the environment and the changing circumstances of discriminated-against Buraku communities.
In 1965 the government's Dowa Policy Council characterized Dowa areas (Buraku areas) as impoverished living environments producing a disadvantageous employment structure. After 30 years, Dowa measures that initiated the infrastructure projects, including road construction and housing, have improved the living environment in many Buraku areas, even though there are some areas where the measures have not been implemented. While the differences in living standard between Buraku and non-Buraku areas were big in the past, social strata among Buraku people have diversified due to, among other things, the emergence of youths with higher educational backgrounds who are able to earn higher incomes.
Replacing the historical view based on class struggle, the new platform identified the issue of consciousness of discrimination as one of the main issues to tackle. In May 1996, the Consultative Council on Regional Improvement Measures, organized by the Management and Coordination Agency, offered their opinion to the government that the differentials have been improved to a large extent by completing most of the necessary infrastructure projects. However, the council also noted that deep-rooted discrimination still exists, particularly marriage discrimination.
The BLL pointed out in the Basic Goal of the new platform that Buraku discrimination has been preserved by several undemocratic institutions and discriminatory culture, such as irrational superstitions, social conventions, consciousness of family origin (noble and humble), and the concept of filth. The BLL stated that they would oppose the emperor system as well as the family registration system and that they would strive to eliminate discrimination consciousness existing in society and to raise people's awareness of human rights.