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Japanese society is ethnically and linguistically very pure with 99% of
the population speaking Japanese. The other 1% consists of an immigrant
population of primarily Koreans, Chinese and Loochoos, as well as the tiny
indigenous minority of the Ainu on Hokkaido. The government of Japan, as an
official policy, does not acknowledge full citizenship of many foreigners
who have lived in Japan for many decades and generations.
Typically, only
children born in Japan and to married parents both holding Japanese
citizenship are considered 'naturally Japanese' and are entered into the
family's "Koseki" (a Japanese family tree spanning generations). Japanese
citizenship can be obtained for children born outside Japan to Japanese
parents via a Japanese consulate office. Racism, prejudice and other forms
of intolerance are also normal facts of life for gaijin and non-100%
Japanese alike (Okinawans, Ainu, Korean-Japanese). Racism is not an openly
acknowledged problem in Japanese society despite its daily occurrence in
life and in popular media.
Many people, especially those in younger generations, are opposed to
religions because of historical reason and development of science. Prior to
World War II people were required to believe in Shintoism and prohibited to
believe any other religion. Many others are neutral on religions and use
various religions in their life. One may visit a Shinto shrine on New Year's
day for the year's success and before school entrance exam to pray to pass.
The same person may have a wedding at a Christian church and have funeral at
a Buddhist temple. A number of new religions established after or slightly
before World War II are also influential. |
