Japan is one of the world's most advanced countries in terms of economy, education and technology. Work hard and unyielding spirit is a hallmark of the Japanese nation, so famous for its high levels of workaholism. All it's worth seeing how the condition of the country and the people who developed and prosperous as it is now.But do you know if in Japan there is a remaining problem of discrimination and ingrained in society, even to this day? Although now is not flashy but the distinction, especially in marriages and jobs are still there, especially outside of the Kansai region.
The history of Eta
The Eta in Japanese feudal society were a people who occupy the lowest strata in society. Even those deemed unfit caste occupies an existing one.
The work of Eta is everything related to animal slaughter and death matters. Slaughterer of animals, undertakers, executioners, leather tanning is a public work of the Eta.
Because in Buddhism and Shinto (in Japan) their work included in the work that disgusting / low. The point is the work like slaughtering animals, the executioner should be avoided, because it will berkakibat less good for ourselves.
Eta literally means "those dirty / disgusting" (Filthy mass, Abundance of filth). It is associated with their work earlier. Because of the Eta should not be living together with "normal people" and should stay in the area wasted.
Discrimination Against The Eta
Should not coexist with other castes, so stay in the area of waste.
Works just as noted above, the affairs of death, the executioner, slaughtered animals, tanning leather. Positive, these professions a monopoly of the Eta to many who became wealthy from here.
Not entitled to have the fields. Positive, because the tax based on ownership of agricultural land (rice) then the tax-free Eta.
No right to worship in public temples. Only in the temples provided specially for them.
Naming in Buddhism (in Japanese) often with the word beast, humble, humble, servant, and other insulting expressions in kanji.
When the front of the caste must be polite and humble. In 1869 even said the Eta value is 1 / 7 the public in Japan.
Caste people should not marry.
The Exiles In addition to Eta
1. The Hinin (not human)Hinin definition, as well as their social status and the typical work varies from time to time, but usually including former prisoners and homeless people who worked as town guards, street cleaners or entertainers
2. The Kawaramono (dry, the river)Some exiles also called kawaramono (dry, the rivers) because they lived along the banks of the river that could not be converted into rice paddies.
3. The Burakumin (people in small settlements)Burakumin are Japanese term for people who are descendants of outcasts, especially Eta, Hinin and Kawaramono. Burakumin literally means "The people in small settlements" where this refers to the settlement of the Eta separate from other caste in feudal society.
Burakumin this term de jure (legal) there until the abolition of the caste system in 1871 as the spirit of equality in the Meiji Restoration Era (beginning 1869), but until now the de facto discrimination against the Burakumin are still there.
Discrimination against the Burakumin are still valid today although subtle:
In the list of citizens written kyu-eta (eta former), then replaced shin-heimin (new residents) and the last in 1900-an tokushu-buraku (special residential). Now it is not used anymore.
Discrimination in employment. Although the current descendants of burakumin can work anywhere, but the high positions which they could not sit.
Discrimination in marriage. The most tolerant is the Kansai region (except Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo. And in Hiroshima). Conservative families do not allow their children married with the descendants of burakumin. Hire the services of the investigation the origin is common in Japan, although it now is illegal. In the Kansai currently 60% -80% burakumin descent married to a non-burakumin. In the 1960's only 10%.
But in Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo and Hiroshima, the stigma is still there. Burakumin are considered the mother of poverty, unemployment and crime.
Yakuza members, 60% were Burakumin according to the confession of a former member of the intelligence japanese Mitsuhiro Sugnuma. Member of the Yamaguchi-gumi (the largest Yakuza) 70% are Burakumin, according to David E. Kaplan and Alec Dubro in his book, Yakuza: The Explosive Account of Japan's Criminal Underworld (Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.., 1986.
Cause Burakumin discrimination which is still used is the Japanese family registry (koseki). Japanese law requires all Japanese households to report the birth, recognition of fathers, adoption, disruption of the adoption, death, marriage and divorce of Japanese citizens to their local authority, which compiles these records include all Japanese citizens in their jurisdiction.
Marriage, adoption and recognition of the father into law effective only if the event is recorded in the koseki. Birth and death became legally effective because it happened, but the incident must be filed by family members.
Well in this Koseki listed also the origin of citizens to the old feudal society. So that everyone can be traced from the lineage of what caste is. Japanese law now prohibits people other than the owner and the government to access this data.
In 1975, had circulated a list of books Tokushu Buraku Chimei Soukan (Comprehensive List of Buraku Area Names) and sold for between 5,000 to 50,000 yen. Generally, buyers are conservative families and companies. Reportedly, including large companies such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Daihatsu. It is now banned.
Because the investigation through Kouseki and Book Tokushu had been banned, now family and old-fashioned company that still secretly hiring the services of the investigation the origin (although this is also an illegal activity) is too expensive in order to avoid choosing a buraku family law or corporate officers.