Koreans in Japan : their influence on Korean-Japanese relations.

Abstract : Since the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910, many Koreans migrated to Japan seeking a livelihood. The majority of these emigrants were in the lowest economic status of Japanese society. After World War II, of the 2.5 million Koreans in Japan, the majority were repatriated to their homeland, leaving approximately 600,000 Korean residents. The Koreans in Japan are divided factionally, each group separately favoring either South or North Korea. This, in turn, creates political differences and animosities. The South Korea-Japan Treaty of 1965 granted permanent resident status to Korean residents. However, inconsistencies in the Japanese government's treatment of Korean residents causes Koreans many disadvantages. Despite the phenomenal growth in the Japanese economy, the economic situation of Korean residents in Japan has not improved much since the South Korea-Japan Treaty of 1965. From the sociological aspect, a degree of assimilation has taken place among Korean youths, but it remains to be seen whether such assimilation is desirable. (Author)