「在日として生きていくのは簡単ではない」全国唯一の“交換授業”で見えた朝鮮学校の今「安心して学校生活を送ることが自己肯定感に」国どうしの対立を超えた友好も

Amidst conflicts between nations and attacks against people of different backgrounds, there is a place that has maintained exchanges for decades. It is the only Korean school in Hokkaido attended by children of Korean residents in Japan. We explore the exchanges between Japanese and Koreans, transcending nationality and ethnicity, for clues to overcoming division. The only one in the nation! A Japanese teacher's perspective on the educational scene at a Korean school's "exchange class" A Japanese public school teacher (a classroom scene) "Hooking it and bringing it to the front—this same mechanism is in smartphones and computers." The teacher is speaking Japanese, but the classroom walls are covered in Hangul characters. This is Hokkaido Korean Elementary, Junior High, and High School, located in Kiyota Ward, Sapporo City. On this day, they were conducting an "exchange class" with teachers from a Japanese public school. Principal Park Dae-woo, Hokkaido Korean Elementary, Junior High, and High School: "I've seen many instances where discrimination and prejudice arise simply because of a lack of understanding." Teacher at a Japanese public high school: "In the academic world, everyone is treated equally, so I wanted to participate in an opportunity like this." Principal Park Dae-woo, Hokkaido Korean Elementary, Junior High, and High School: "I want to spread the word about what ethnic education is like. I've seen many instances where discrimination and prejudice arise simply because of a lack of understanding. I want to let people know that this is not the case." Teacher (2024, Hokkaido Korean Elementary, Junior High, and High School): "Let's try expressing (musical scales) with our hands." 27 fourth and fifth-generation Zainichi Koreans, aged 6 to 15, attend the school, learning ethnic history, culture, and the Korean language. Their favorite anime and sports are no different from those of children attending Japanese schools. "Living as a Zainichi Korean is not easy." Park Dae-woo, Principal, Hokkaido Korean Elementary, Junior High, and High School "Living as a Zainichi Korean is not easy, so if you have an answer that you find for yourself, you can live with pride." The "exchange classes," held annually, celebrated their 30th anniversary last year. It is said to be the only initiative in the country where Japanese teachers stand at the front of the classroom. Japanese Teacher "What do you all say for 'rock-paper-scissors'?" Student "Doll-gappo!" This year, Japanese teachers in their 20s and 30s also stood at the front of the classroom. Teacher (20s) from Hokkaido Korean Elementary, Junior High, and High School "I feel that they are trying to reduce the conflict between countries to a conflict between people, but I have personally experienced the fact that there are many Japanese people who support us." Parent of an alumna "Being able to attend school with peace of mind allows for greater self-esteem." Until the end of World War II, Japan colonized the Korean Peninsula. Among the Koreans who came to Japan seeking work or due to forced labor, some chose not to return home for various reasons, including living conditions. A movement to create places where they could learn about Korean culture gained momentum nationwide, and in Hokkaido, one such school was founded in 1961. However, attacks on Korean schools have spread to social media, including an incident in 1994 where a female student's uniform was cut in Tokyo. Lee Hye-nyang, a graduate and former teacher, has a daughter attending a Korean school. She says she wants her daughter to have experiences that allow her to be proud of her roots. Lee Hye-nyang, alumna, former teacher, and mother of a student "As she grows up in Japanese society, she might think she didn't want to be born Korean. Being able to attend school in a safe environment will help her have more self-esteem." However, Korean schools are not eligible for free high school education. Operating costs are covered by tuition fees and donations from Zainichi Koreans and Japanese supporters. There are other events that have been held together with Japanese people under the slogan "Let's protect Korean schools"... "We have to plant the rice barefoot, is that okay?" In Naganuma Town, Sorachi region, the construction of a missile base was once planned in anticipation of a conflict with the Soviet Union or the Korean Peninsula. In 1976, a Japanese group wishing for peace between Japan and North Korea donated rice grown here to a Korean school. Since then, donations of rice and vegetables have continued. Junior High School Student "It got dirty, but I'm glad we did it." "The rice tastes better than usual." Last summer, graduates of Korean schools from all over Japan and Japanese supporters gathered on the school grounds. Choi Hwi-yong, an alumnus who organized the event "I believe that the role of young people is to broaden and deepen the community while cherishi...