Abstract

This chapter explores the changes and challenges faced by the Burakumin, the largest minority group in Japan. Though ethnically Japanese, the Burakumin, and their historical ancestors, have long been marginalized in Japan. By highlighting policies used by the Japanese state to address Buraku issues, I show that that at each opportunity to improve conditions, the state also took approaches that further perpetuated marginalization. Finally, based on a 2022 survey, I present how Buraku discrimination is viewed by young people in Japan.