Japanese Colonialism Impact on the Korean Culture

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Summary Statement: The Purpose and the Intent of the Paper

There is no secret that the relationships between Korea and Japan have been quite strained for several decades. Mostly because of the era of colonialism which Korea had to suffer through as it was in the shadow of Japan, with Japanese culture dominating the country and filling every single element of Koreans’ lives, there has been certain discontent between the two countries and a conflict between the two cultures.

Inescapable and pervasive, the dominating ideas wormed their way into the Korean philosophy, lifestyle and culture, shaping all these elements and making them merge with the Japanese traditional values. Learning more about the way in which the Japanese culture influenced the Korean one, along with the typical Korean lifestyle, vision of the world and the Japanese approach to solving social issues, one can possibly see how far the Japanese culture has influenced the Korean one and what results it has had on the development of the country.

Analytical Summaries of the References: In a Few Words

Since in the given paper, the complexity of the relationships between Korea and Japan is going to be reflected and discussed, the articles chosen for the research concern mostly the relations between the countries and the impact that Japan has had on Korea during the occupation regime. While Whittier (2012) offers a general information on the Korean culture for the readers to get the idea of the Korean lifestyle and traditions, the rest of the articles focus on the way the two countries interact and how these relationships have changed over decades.

For instance, Faker (2010) and Ryang (2002) consider the effects that the Japanese culture has had on the Korean one, while Schmidt and Lim deal with the ways in which Korea accepted colonialism and how the country developed the ideas which Koreans received from the Japanese culture.

The specifics of the Korean culture: non-European lifestyle

Whittier, J. (2012). Choosing to collaborate: Yi Kwang-su and the moral subject in colonial Korea. The Journal of Asian Studies, 71(1), 81-102. Web.

The given article considers some of the most complicated issues of the relationships between Korea and Japan. Being constantly influenced by the Japanese ideas, the Japanese style of life and the Japanese traditions, the Korean people could have finally lost their national identity, which miraculously did not happen. However, at present Korea is attempting to establish new relationships with Japan, which raises the question whether it will be ethical for the Korean government to resort to cooperating with Japan. While the relationships can prove useful, there is no doubt that the Korean culture is going to be put under a blast.

Japan apologizes: Bridging the two cultures together even more tightly

Faker, M. (2010). Japan apologizes to South Korea for suffering of colonial era. New York Times. Web.

The given article contributes to the research, helping to understand the way in which the Korean government is going to reestablish the relationships with Japan. Even though the previous experience of the two countries does not seem right and leaves much to be desired, there is still a way to rebuild the political and cultural ties between the states, forgetting about the old-time conflicts and developing a new manner of handling various issues together.

With the help of the given article, one can see clearly that the two countries are going to set aside the arguments and start their communication anew. Rather crucial for Korea, this political step can mean that the Korean culture is going to become more independent from the Japanese one and rather reflect on specific elements of the Japanese culture than accept them without thinking.

Considering the migration issues: from Korea to Japan

Ryang, S. (2002). A long loop: Transmigration of Korean women in Japan. International Migration Review, 36(3), 894-911. Web.

Another peculiar way to consider the effects of the Japanese colonialism and the way the Korean culture and lifestyle has changed as Japan took over the Korean cultural life. Ryang’s article makes the reader see the whole colonization process from a feminist’s standpoint. In addition, it is essential that the author touches upon to only the colonialism itself, but also is effects, such as the migration from Korea. Despite the fact that the research focuses on women solely, it is still a worthy piece of writing which deserves taking a closer look at. In the light of the fact that the Japanese culture presupposed patriarchic regime, it is important to consider the Korean women’s destiny.

From the Japanese point of view: searching for objectivity

Schmidt, A. (2000). Colonialism and the ‘Korea problem’ in the historiography of modern Japan: A review article. The Journal of Asian Studies, 59(4), 951-976. Web.

Although it is rather logical to consider the peculiarities of the Korean development and its dependence on the Japanese culture, as well as the results which the long-lasting influence from Japan had on the country, it is still quite interesting to take a glimpse at the other side of the moon and understand the way Japan sees the Korean problem of losing their own identity. Talking about the ‘Korean problem’ fast it is for the Japanese people and Japan as a state with its own traditions and culture, Schmidt allows to make the argument more objective. Thus, Korea is portrayed not only as the victim, but also as a state with an ancient and influential culture that can also have its impact on the other nationalities. Thus, the article allows to be more objective towards the problem in question.

Giving credit to where it belongs: the positive impact of Japanese culture on the Korean one

Lim, T. C. (1999). The origins of societal power in South Korea: Understanding the physical and human legacies of Japanese colonialism. Modern Asian Studies, 33(3), 603-633. Web.

The last, but definitely not the least, this work is crucial for the research in question. Allowing to understand the peculiar ways in which Japan has influenced the Korean culture and what elements of this influence can be found in the present-day Korean settings, the work makes the research complete. It is crucial that the article focuses not on the cultural issues, but rather on the societal problems and the development of the Korean society while it was under the reign of Japan.

Moreover, the article also shows the consequences of the Japanese long-lasting impact on the Korean society. While Ryang (2002) focused solely on the experience that women had in the times of the Japanese colonialism, the given article deals with the entire historiography of the country, taking account of every single fact and displaying every single result that the Japanese colonialism had on Korea. Analyzing the data offered by Schmidt is a perfect way to make this research complete.

Reference List

Faker, M. (2010). Japan apologizes to South Korea for suffering of colonial era. New York Times. Web.

Lim, T. C. (1999). The origins of societal power in South Korea: Understanding the physical and human legacies of Japanese colonialism. Modern Asian Studies, 33(3), 603-633. Web.

Ryang, S. (2002). A long loop: Transmigration of Korean women in Japan. International Migration Review, 36(3), 894-911. Web.

Schmidt, A. (2000). Colonialism and the ‘Korea problem’ in the historiography of modern Japan: A review article. The Journal of Asian Studies, 59(4), 951-976. Web.

Whittier, J. (2012). Choosing to collaborate: Yi Kwang-su and the moral subject in colonial Korea. The Journal of Asian Studies, 71(1), 81-102. Web.

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