초국가주의를 통해 본 재일한인의 정체성 변용

Abstract

This article examines the identity transformation of Koreans in Japan who are usually called “Zainichi” from the perspective of transnationalism. As of 2012, the population of Zainichi Koreans as registered foreigners is 530,421 accounted by Japanese government. This number is accounted for 26 percent of total foreign registrants in Japan. The present situation of Zainichi community is much more complex and various under the new environment of transnationalism. Each year nearly 6,000 people are naturalized as Japanese. In addition, the number of people called “daburu (double)”or “hahu (half)” who were born between Zainichi and Japanese are increasing. While other foreigners in Japan increase, the population of Zainichi Koreans has been declining every year for reasons such as naturalization or low birth rate. The percentage of total foreign registrants is also getting lower. Zainichi Koreans and their identities can not be understood and interpreted any longer based on nationalism between Korea and Japan. This concept based on a single national mythology acted as a powerful mechanism against the Japanese colonial rule and still remains as the core discourse to dominate Zainichi Korean community. Although the identity of human beings can be affected by a variety of factors such as education, family, region, home town and so on, the self-identity of Zainichi Koreans is easily perceived only based on their national or ethnic identity.