(1) Introduction
Despite a repeated call for a survey to grasp actual condition of Dowa district, the central government has not conducted such a survey since 1993. On the other hand, some local governments carried out surveys on Buraku
During the years of 2000 and 2001, several local governments conducted surveys into the actual conditions of Buraku. The results of these surveys have now been made public. The local governments that conducted the surveys include Osaka Prefecture (May 2000), Tottori Prefecture (July 2000), Tokushima Prefecture (September 2000), Kagawa Prefecture (November 2000) and Chiba Prefecture (April 2001). This paper summarizes distinguishing features of the actual current conditions of Buraku discrimination based on the results of these surveys.
(2) Housing Environment
1) Improvement has been seen in housing, roads and water supply/sewage systems in Buraku in which Dowa Measures Projects have been implemented. At the time that the “Law on Special Measures for Dowa Projects” was enacted, these areas still suffered from deteriorated ghetto-like living conditions, with small rooms accommodating up to six family members, no roads to allow the entry of fire engines, and the existence of common wells and lavatories. Through the implementation of the Dowa Measures Projects, these conditions have been much improved.
2) On the other hand, the Buraku districts that have not yet been designated as Dowa districts and those that have not yet seen the implementation of Dowa Measures Projects are lagging far behind. For example, “N” Buraku community in Hyogo Prefecture still suffers from decayed housing and other such conditions of deterioration, and has a cemetery located in the village. Even in the districts where projects have been implemented, public housing that was constructed or renovated under projects 30 years ago is already facing obsolescence and failure to meet present construction standards. These kinds of problems are being experienced by twenty to thirty percent of housing facilities constructed in the districts where projects have been implemented. Because of this, the tendency for people to leave their Buraku to find non-Buraku housing is becoming more prevalent amongst both young people and those who earn higher levels of incomes. Furthermore, some districts still have unimproved water supply and sewage systems.
3) Many Buraku districts are currently in need housing renovation. Safety and availability to various age and income groups should be stressed in any such renovation project. This can be done through a number of different approaches such as introduction of fixed-term-lease of land.
(3) Population and Household Composition
1) Buraku districts are facing a trend of depopulation. This can be attributed to the lowering Japanese birth rate as well as the outflow of the youth and certain income level groups from their respective Buraku. Rural Buraku districts suffer constant outflow of young people as there are no jobs available to them. However, there is also an influx of non Buraku people into Buraku districts. Many of the people moving into Buraku districts are elderly people or low-income earners.
2) The proportion of elderly households within Buraku, especially in cases where elderly are living alone, is increasing. Also, many households are single-parent families. In Osaka Prefecture, for example, elderly households account for 16.1% of all households in Buraku districts (prefectural average: 11.3%), while single-mother families account for 2.4% (prefectural average: 1.4%) and single-father families account for 0.7% (prefectural average: 0.2%). In Kagawa Prefecture, elderly households account for 26.9% (prefectural average: 14.6%), while single-mother families account for 4.5% (prefectural average: 0.9%) and single-farther families account for 1.3% (prefectural average: 0.3%). In Tokushima Prefecture, elderly households where elderly people live alone account for 13.7% (prefectural average: 8.1%), while single-mother families account for 2.8% (prefectural average: 1.4%) and single-father families account for 0.7% (prefectural average: 0.2%). In Chiba Prefecture, elderly households where elderly live alone account for 4.3% (prefectural average: 2.6%), while single-mother families account for 2.2% (prefectural average 1.8%).
(4) Livelihood
1) Along with Japan’s deteriorating economic conditions, Buraku districts are witnessing a lower proportion of households paying “income rate” inhabitant tax and more households receiving welfare aid and being exempted from inhabitant tax payment. For example, in Kagawa Prefecture, households receiving welfare aid account for 26.8% (compared to 28.3% in the 1993 survey), households being exempted from inhabitant tax account for 26.1% (22.3% in the 1993 survey), households paying “per capita rate” inhabitant tax account for 11.7% (13.2% in the 1993 survey), and those paying “income rate” inhabitant tax account for 30.6% (35.9% in the 1993 survey). In Chiba Prefecture, those households receiving welfare aid and being exempted from inhabitant tax account for 30.4% (25.7% in the 1996 survey), those households paying “per capita rate” inhabitant tax only account for 12.1% (15.4% in the 1996 survey), and those households paying “income rate” inhabitant tax account for 57.5% (58.9% in the 1996 survey).
2) Due to the increase of unstable forms of employment among Buraku people and the fall in credibility of the national pension system, the proportion of people who do not subscribe to the pension scheme is rising in Buraku districts. It is 26.2% in Osaka (20.4% in the 1990 survey), 47.8% in Kagawa, 37.0% in Tokushima (33.8% in the 1993 survey) and 34.2% in Tottori.
3) Since April 2000, the Nursing Care Insurance System has been implemented. However, it has not effectively penetrated into the Buraku community. In Osaka, for example, 45.4% of elderly people in Buraku districts have not yet applied for the provision of nursing care service under the new system, despite the fact that they need care or support. This is attributable to several reasons including the complexity of the procedures of the nursing care insurance system, the financial burden that the charge may impose on the user, dependency on the care provided by family members, and uncomfortable experiences in receiving welfare service in the past.
(5) Employment
1) As the Japanese economy is getting worse, the problem of unemployment is spreading not only throughout the middle-aged, but also young people. In Buraku Communities of Osaka Prefecture, the unemployment rate is as high as 9.7% among males (prefectural average: 6.6%), 8.2% among females (prefectural average: 5.6%). It is at 15.0% among young men aged between 20 and 24 (prefectural average: 9.9%), and 16.9% among young women aged between 20 and 24 (prefectural average: 8.9%).
2) Meanwhile, the proportion of people in permanent employment has been decreasing, and that of people in part-time employment has been on the increase. In Buraku communities of Kagawa Prefecture, the permanent employment rate is 54.6% (55.2% in the 1993 survey) while that of part time workers is 17.4% (12.4% in the 1993 survey). In Buraku communities of Tokushima Prefecture, the permanent employment rate is 56.3% (58.2% in the 1993 survey), and the part-time employment rate is 11.4% (7.6% in the 1993 survey).
(6) Industry
1) Employment in Buraku districts is generally concentrated in the construction industry, as is indicated by the surveys; 22.9% in Kagawa Prefecture (prefectural average: 10.4%); 21.9% in Tokushima Prefecture (prefectural average: 12.1%); 30.7% in Tottori Prefecture; and 13.3% in Chiba Prefecture. With the continuing decline in public demand for construction and the stagnation of leading construction companies, the construction sector in Buraku districts faces a very difficult situation. Since construction companies in Buraku mainly consist of subcontractors and sub-subcontractors, a decline in businesses immediately results in bankruptcies and personnel cutbacks. Elderly people and women are especially affected by this trend.
2) The emergence of the BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) scandal has hit the farming, butchering, meat-packing and rendering businesses, resulting in bankruptcy and unemployment. The BSE scandal was basically caused by a failure of the administration (the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries). The Government has announced measures to compensate the negative impact caused by the suspension of production and shipment of meat products through purchase of the affected products. However, the slow implementation of these measures has caused difficulties for those affected the problem.
3) Meanwhile, people in several Buraku districts including Osaka and Kochi have set up companies and NPOs in their respective districts to engage in welfare services, educational activities and community development. These companies and NPOs have created jobs for the people living there.
(7) Education
1) Around the time when the “Law on Special Measures for Dowa Projects” was enacted, the percentage of Buraku children entering high schools was half that of the national average. Today, it is closer to the national average with a gap of around 4 or 5 points. This improvement can be attributed to the implementation of the special scholarship funds. However, due to the fact that the drop-out rate for Buraku high school student is two to three times that of national average, the enrollment percentage for Buraku students drops to 10 points behind the national average at the time of graduation. Under the prolonged economic depression, the special scholarship program has been discontinued. If no adequate measures are implemented to substitute for the discontinued program, it is very likely that enrollment rate of Buraku children into high school and college will drop again. The scholarship program for high school students has been successfully integrated into the general measures, but they are still in need of improvement.
2) Meanwhile, it has been revealed that some of those who dropped out of their schools strongly wish to reenter the education system once again. The survey in Osaka revealed that 30% of those Buraku people who left school early wish to study again for the benefit of their careers or for self-achievement. This trend is especially prevalent among people who are now in their thirties, more than half of who now want to resume their study. Opportunities should be provided in order to meet their willingness to resume their study.
(8) The Digital Divide
There are very clear gaps between Buraku people and non-Buraku people in the use of personal computers and the Internet. The survey in Osaka indicates that the ownership of personal computers in Buraku districts remains at 22.3%, while the national average marks 38.6%, leaving Buraku far behind. In addition, the use of the Internet among people in Buraku districts remains at 14.4%, which is half the national average of 28.9%. Although it is true that Buraku districts generally have less young people and more aged people, appropriate steps should be taken to solve the digital divide through such methods as providing computer training courses for Buraku people.
(9) Use of Community Centers (Rimpo-kan)
1) There are about 1,000 Rimpo-kan located in Buraku districts throughout the country. These play an important role in promoting Buraku liberation and community development. It is worth noting that some Buraku communities have renovated Rimpo-kan to provide day-care service for the elderly in their communities.
2) Some Rimpo-kan have begun educational activities by disseminating information about human rights education or organizing seminars, not only for people in their communities, but also for people in neighboring communities. A number of Rimpo-kan are keen to promote mutual understanding and friendship with people in neighboring communities.
3) Furthermore, there are examples of Rimpo-kan changing their name to “Human Rights Culture Center” or “Human Rights Community Development Center”.
4) The fact that Rimpo-kan operational funds are insufficient for implementing new programs presents a problem. There is concern that some Rimpo-kan are going to cut personnel and operational budgets and realign their facilities for other purposes that have no connection with the elimination of Buraku discrimination nor establishment of human rights.
(10) Experiences of Discrimination and Responses to Discrimination
1) Thanks to numerous people’s efforts, the numbers of marriages between Buraku people and non-Buraku people have been increasing. However, there are still significant numbers of people who experience discrimination at the time of their marriage. There are also many marriage plans being obstructed by Buraku discrimination. The survey in Osaka reveals that 20% of Buraku/non-Buraku couples ?experienced some form of discrimination at the time of their marriage. Also, half of the Buraku people, whose attempts to marry non-Buraku people failed, believe that Buraku discrimination contributed to the situation.
2) Many non-Buraku parents oppose marriage when their children wish to marry Buraku men/women. The survey in Tokushima indicates that 43.2% of non-Buraku parents would respect their children’s decisions to marry Buraku men/women (31.3% as of the 1993 survey), while 43.4% of them would respect their children’s decisions if they are determined strongly enough not to give up in the face of opposition (52.2% as of the 1993 survey). In addition to this, 8.3% answered that they would not allow such a marriage if any other family member showed opposition (10.2% as of the 1993 survey), and 5.2% answered that they would never allow such a marriage (7.3% as of the 1993 survey). These results represent an achievement of some positive change, but the reality is still severe.
3) The attitudes of single non-Buraku people towards marriage with Buraku people are still strongly governed by prejudice. The survey in Tokushima shows that 29.9% would not change their minds once they decide to marry Buraku men/women (29.1% as of the 1993 survey), 24.6% would marry after they have successfully acquired consent from their parents (14.2% as of the 1993 survey), 13.3% would not marry Buraku men/women if opposition arose from any of their family members (22.0% as of the 1993 survey), and 5.2% would never marry Buraku men/women (2.4% as of the 1993 survey).
4) About one in three Buraku people answered that they experienced discrimination against them at the time of love affairs, marriage, employment, and in their workplaces and neighborhood, etc. In the survey in Osaka, 28.1% of respondents answered that they experienced discrimination at the time of marriage (24.7%), in their workplaces (16.5%) and at school (16.3%). In the survey in Kagawa, 43.8% answered that they experienced discrimination at the time of marriage (27.5%), in neighboring communities (20.7%), at school (15.7%), at their workplace (15.7%), and at the time of employment (13.2%). In the survey in Tokushima, 32.4% answered that they experienced discrimination at the time of marriage (27.1%), at their workplace (21.3%), in neighboring communities (21.3%), at school (11.2%), and at the time of employment (9.8%). In the survey in Tottori, 41.7% answered that they experienced discrimination at the time of marriage (25.5%), at their workplace (25.3%), in their neighboring communities (22.8%), at school (14%) and at the time of employment (5.5%).
5) In addition, between a quarter and a third of their experiences of discrimination occurred in the last five years. Specifically, 28.9% in Osaka, 24.7% in Kagawa, 27.9% in Tokushima, and 19.7% in Tottori.
6) When discrimination was practiced against them, nearly half of the people surveyed endured the discrimination in silence. Few people brought their cases to the Human Rights Section or Human Rights Commissioner in the local Ministry of Justice office for consultation. Also, few people visited local branches of the BLL or other human rights organizations for consultation. In Osaka, 38.5% kept silent, 1.2% went to the local authorities, and 7.7% consulted with human rights organizations. In Kagawa, 54.4% kept silent, 0.9% went to the Ministry of Justice or Human Rights Commissioners for consultation, 3.4% went to their respective municipal governments for consultation, and 2.1% went to human rights organizations for consultation. In Tokushima, 51.8% kept silent, 1.0% went to the Ministry of Justice or Human Rights Commissioners, 2.0% went to their respective municipal governments for consultation, and 2.9% went to human rights organizations for consultation. In Tottori, 44.3% kept silent, 0.7% went to the Ministry of Justice or Human Rights Commissioners for consultation, 2.2% went to their respective municipal governments for consultation, and 2.8% went to human rights organizations for consultation. In Chiba, 34% kept silent, 1% went to the administrative offices, and 14% went to human rights organizations for consultation.
(11) Discriminatory Scandals
1) Personal investigation at the time of marriage has never stopped. For example, in December 2000, it was discovered that a private investigative office in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, made a handout for advertisement stating that they would make personal investigations into family background or the disease history of a person’s family at the time of marriage or on other occasions. On November 15, 2001, BLL Okayama received a letter from one person complaining about discrimination practiced against her in her broken marriage engagement with a non-Buraku man. His parents used a private investigative agency to search into her family background and, upon discovering the details of it, changed their attitude towards their son’s engagement. They even called her at her workplace to harass her, which eventually drove her into resignation. The investigative agency charged a lot of money to the son’s parents for the investigation, stating, “We are the only agency in Okayama who conducts this kind of personal investigation”.
2) Discriminatory graffiti, anonymous letters with discriminatory messages, discriminatory phone calls, and distribution of discriminatory information on the Internet are also continuing. For example, during the period from February to May 2001, postcards were sent to BLL Hyogo, BLL Niigata and BLL Tochigi containing discriminatory words such as “dirty Dowa animal”, identifying the sender themselves with their name and address. The BLL investigated and identified a person with the same name at the same address. However, the act was conducted unbeknown to the identified person. Furthermore, the person in question was subject to a number of different forms of harassment. A similar scandal happened in Okayama on November 2, 2001. A post card was sent to BLL Okayama carrying discriminatory messages such as “You are a group of new ordinary people Dowa (extreme filth and non human). You son-of-a-bitch!” The sender used the name and address of an actual person who had also been continuously harassed with similar post cards. In Tokyo on October 27, 2001, a postman found graffiti written on two posts stating, “Eta” and “Tokyo Chuo Eta Idiot!”.
3) Dissemination of discriminatory information on the Internet, amongst other things, includes Buraku lists showing the location of Buraku districts, groundless statements identifying certain celebrities as Buraku people or Korean residents, and discriminatory agitation calling for “extermination of all Buraku people”. The “Declaration” and “Programme of Action” adopted by the WCAR in Durban last year expressed concern over the increasing use of the Internet for incitement to discrimination, and called for legal regulations.
4) Despite repeated advice from human rights organizations and local authorities, some people continue their wrongful, obviously discriminatory actions. For instance, in Kishiwada City, Osaka Prefecture, a man has continued, since 1993, to post signboards around his house that display discriminatory remarks against Buraku. In spite of repeated advice and persuasion by the local authorities, he continues to act in ignorance.
5) There have recently been several court cases in Mie, Kumamoto, Tokyo, Chiba and Hiroshima prefectures that ended with judgments recognizing unreasonable discriminatory acts against Buraku people. On January 12, 2001, the Tokyo District Court found a university student guilty for his continued blackmailing with discriminatory messages. He was sentenced to one and a half years imprisonment with four years probation. Referring to the implication of Buraku discrimination, the sentence clearly stated: “In addition, immeasurable mental pain has been caused not only in the victim but also in his (her) family members and other concerned people. The offense could motivate others to commit the same discriminatory acts against Buraku, so the impact it has had on society cannot be ignored”. Towards the end of November 2001, a Buraku woman won a total victory in a court case filed against her by her former husband and his parents. The couple married despite strong opposition raised by their relatives. The woman devotedly took care of her husband’s parents, but their deeply rooted prejudice against Buraku and her husband’s change of mind brought her before court. They filed suits against her, one after another, for divorce, eviction from their house and damages. After a nine-year-struggle she finally won all of these cases. In September 2000, it was discovered that a newsletter supporting a town councilman in Omigawa-cho, Chiba Prefecture, contained an article encouraging Buraku discrimination. On January 31, 2002, a civil case brought by the officer of BLL Chiba was concluded and the defendant was ordered to make a formal apology in their newsletter and to pay damages to the plaintiff.
(12) Survey of People’s Attitudes
1) It has been demonstrated through attitude surveys in several prefectures that people still have incorrect perceptions of the Buraku problem. Some of these perceptions can be expressed by the phase “don’t wake a sleeping baby” and others by ideas/concepts the “Buraku dispersion idea” or the “blaming on Buraku idea”. Regarding the attitude survey question about strategies to solve Dowa problem in Tokushima Prefecture, 36.6% of all respondents answered, “just leave it alone and it will eventually vanish” (37.8% in the 1993 survey), while 24.1% answered, “Buraku should be dissolved because if Buraku people are integrated into communities then nobody will be able to tell who they are and Buraku discrimination will disappear” (24.1% in the 1993 survey). In the survey conducted in Tottori Prefecture, 17.6% of respondents answered, “just leave it alone, and it will eventually vanish” (21.3% in the 1993 survey). In the attitude survey conducted in Osaka Prefecture, 18.9% of respondents considered the idea of “just leave it alone, and it will eventually vanish” to be very essential, and 18.0% considered the idea to be fairly essential (36.9% combined). Regarding the statement, “Dowa areas should make efforts to improve themselves so that they won’t be discriminated against any more”, 21.8% of respondents considered it to be very essential, while 26.8% of them considered it fairly essential (48.6% combined).
2) The tendency towards nervousness regarding family social standing or social appearance at the time of marriage is still strong. In the survey in Tokushima, 10.0% of respondents answered that it is natural to be nervous about the social standing of the partner’s family (8.7% in the 1993 survey), 19.8% answered that “it is not reasonable, but my personal objection will not help change the tendency” (20.3% in the 1993 survey), and 65.5% answered that it is wrong (70.2% in the 1993 survey).
3) People are strongly jealous about many of the achievements attained through Dowa projects. In the survey in Tottori Prefecture, 32.5% of respondents answered, “it is not appropriate to conduct special measures only in Dowa areas” (32.3% in the 1993 survey). In the survey in Osaka, 49.9% of respondents agreed that the statement, “special measures have been only implemented in Dowa areas”, is discriminatory against people in Dowa areas.
4) Ordinances for the promotion and protection of human rights and international human rights standards are not yet widely recognized by the public. Within the Buraku community, on the other hand, past campaigns to support these ordinances and standards have helped achieve wider recognition. In the attitude survey in Osaka, regarding the question about their recognition of the Human Rights Ordinance issued by the Osaka Prefectural Government, 3.0% of respondents answered that they knew about it very well (5.5% among Buraku people), and 27.5% answered that they only recognized the name (33.5% among Buraku people). For the similar question about the Ordinance to Regulate Buraku Investigation, 5.6% of respondents answered that they knew about it very well (8.1% among Buraku people), and 28.6% answered that they only recognized the name (31.8% among Buraku people). Regarding the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 7.6% of respondents answered that they knew about them very well (9.4% among Buraku people), and 43.5% answered that they only recognized the names (42.0% among Buraku people). Regarding the UN Decade for Human Rights Education, 2.6% of respondents answered that they knew about it very well (4.4% among Buraku people), and 18.0% answered that they only recognized the name (19.1% among Buraku people).
In the attitude survey in Tokushima Prefecture, regarding the question about the Ordinance to Regulate Buraku Investigation issued by the Tokushima Prefectural Government, 4.0% of respondents answered that they knew about it very well (10.4% among Buraku people), 13.2% answered that they knew about it partially (19.3% among Buraku people), and 26.2% of them answered that they only knew the fact that it has been issued (24.3% among Buraku people). As for the International Covenants, 13.4% of respondents answered that they knew about them (18.0% among Buraku people), while 26.7% answered that they knew about the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (41.9% among Buraku people) and 11.7% answered that they knew about the UN Decade for Human Rights Education (20.4% among Buraku people).
5) Almost 30 to 50% of respondents have never attended any seminars or lectures on the Dowa or human rights issues, though these seminars have been organized in different areas and at different levels for quite some time. In the attitude survey in Tokushima, 21.0% of respondents answered that they have attended such seminars several times (40.9% among Buraku people), 27.3% answered that they have attended a few times (23.9% among Buraku people), and 47.1% answered that they have never attended (24.4% among Buraku people). In the attitude survey in Tottori, 19.4% of respondents answered that they have attended such seminars “more than ten times” (14.1% in the 1993 survey), 14.1% answered “five to nine times” (12.4% in the 1993 survey), 32.7% answered “one to four times” (32.7% in the 1993 survey), and 32.4% answered “never”. In the attitude survey in Osaka, 27.3% of respondents answered that they never received Dowa education regardless of its forms including school curricula. (24.1% among Buraku people).
6) While Dowa and human rights education are expected to play a more important role in the future, there are some criticisms about the ways to introduce them. In the attitude survey in Tokushima, regarding the question about Dowa education, 38.3% of respondents answered that it should be given at all schools (44.9% among Buraku people), 9.5% answered that it should be given at all schools, but that the current approach to promote it in schools is controversial (15.1% among Buraku), and 13.4% answered that it would be better not to do it (11.6% among Buraku people). Regarding the question about the future of Dowa education, 45.2% of respondents answered that it should be taught as part of human rights education (28.6% among Buraku people), 17.6% answered that other human rights issues should also be taken up (33.4% among Buraku people), and 3.0% answered that special focus should be given to the Dowa issue (12.1% among Buraku people). In the attitude survey in Osaka, regarding the question about Dowa education, 51.0% of those respondents who have received it answered that they found it worthwhile, 26.1% answered that the contents should be improved, and 7.2% answered that they would rather not have received it.
7) Education about the Dowa and human rights issues is bringing about a change in people’s attitudes. Regarding the question about personal investigation into the backgrounds of future husbands/wives of people’s children in the attitude survey in Tottori, it was not supported by 60.9% of those who attended seminars on Dowa issue more than ten times, 49.1% of those who attended such seminars five to nine times, 44.3% of those who attended such seminars one to four times, and 40.2% of those who never attended such seminars. Similarly, regarding the question about their willingness to be involved in activities to combat Buraku discrimination, 71.6% of those who attended such seminars more than ten times answered that they were willing, while willingness was admitted by 54.8% of those who attended such seminars five to nine times, 41.7% of those who attended such seminars one to four times, and 34.6% of those who have never attended such seminars.
8) Mutual understanding between Buraku people and non-Buraku people will significantly contribute towards the elimination of Buraku discrimination. In the attitude survey in Osaka, regarding the question about important factors that could contribute to the solution of the Dowa problem, 34.6% of respondents considered the approach “to promote mutual understanding between people in Dowa areas and people in the vicinity of Dowa areas and to work together in their community development” very important (38.5% among Buraku people) and 30.3% considered it relatively important (26.3% among Buraku people), amounting to 64.9% (64.8% among Buraku people) when combined.
9) Human rights problems and other forms of discrimination besides Buraku discrimination are gaining more attention. In the attitude survey in Tottori, regarding the question about what people specifically want to know about the Dowa or human rights issues, 19.3% of respondents wanted to know about the manifestation and phenomena of Buraku discrimination, 17.8% wanted to know about the current policies and programs of the central and local administrations towards solving the Dowa problem, and 17.0% wanted to know about the history of the Dowa problem. Besides the Buraku issue, 26.2% of respondents showed an interest in the issue of privacy, 25.5% in human rights of people with disabilities, 22.6% in women’s rights, 21.4% in children’s rights, 21.2% in human rights of the elderly, 15.1% in human rights of ailing people, 12.1% in human rights principles enshrined in Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments, and 8.9% in human rights of foreign residents and immigrants.
(13) Buraku Women
Recently, the problem of “multiple discrimination” has been gaining more attention at the UN and other levels. It is a fact that Buraku women face very difficult conditions in terms of literacy, education and employment. In the survey to identify the actual conditions of Buraku in Osaka, 13.0% of women answered that they had difficulty in reading (7.4% among men), while 16.8% of women answered that they had difficulty in writing (11.5% among men). Regarding educational background, 6.4% of women never received school education (3.1% among men), 49.7% of women completed primary-level education (49.4% among men), 32.3% of women completed intermediate-level education (31.0% among men), 9.5% of women completed junior-college or vocational school (6.0% among men), and 4.0% of women completed college (6.3% among men). Regarding forms of payment for their employment, 50.8% of working women are paid salaries (64.6% among men), 11.3% of women are paid salaries based on daily wages (17.8% among men), 4.8% of women are paid daily wages (8.4% among men), and 30.3% of women are paid hourly wages (5.6% among men).
(14) Promotion of Surveys to Identify Actual Conditions
Dowa projects have been implemented for more than 33 years since 1969, when the Law on Special Measures for Dowa Projects was enforced. These projects have resulted in the improvement, to some extent, of Buraku housing. However, in the midst of the ongoing economic depression, forced implementation of structural reform programs under the Koizumi administration and the termination of the “special measures”, without substituting it with other general policies, has been causing a drastic change in conditions of Buraku. There is a need for continued pressure on every local government so that they will immediately conduct surveys to identify the actual conditions of Buraku in order to deal with these changes. It is also important to call for the national government to conduct a new survey, as so such survey has not been carried out since 1993.
