Introduction

The dominance of ethnic Koreans in the pachinko industry in Japan is a topic that reflects deeper historical intricacies. Post-World War II, the occupation of Japan by the United States created an environment in which ethnic Koreans took advantage of legal and social loopholes to establish themselves in industries they saw as viable, including pachinko parlors. This paper explores the historical and social factors that contributed to this phenomenon and provides critical insights into the broader context of ethnic conflict and occupation.

Historical Context and Legal Ambiguity

During the post-war chaos, the United States' occupation and rule of Japan provided opportunities for ethnic Koreans to exploit the legal and social gaps. Legal and regulatory frameworks were chaotic, and Koreans, taking advantage of this, illegally occupied prime locations, often in areas near train stations. This illegal activity was not only tolerated but sometimes overlooked by the occupying forces, blurring the lines between legality and illegality.

For instance, a pachinko parlor opened by Koreans in a prime location near a station during this chaotic period was established in an atmosphere of legal ambiguity. While opening such a parlor was illegal, the occupying forces, particularly GHQ (General Headquarters), chose to overlook these violations, a strategic move that undermined Japanese social and economic order and paved the way for ethnic Koreans to establish themselves in these industries.

Permitting and Legal Barriers

During the occupation, ethnic Koreans had several advantages over Japanese in starting businesses. There were fewer legal and administrative barriers preventing them from establishing pachinko parlors compared to Japanese citizens. Japanese businessmen often faced more stringent permitting and legal hurdles to open such establishments. This disparity in regulatory environments created an uneven field that favored ethnic Koreans in the start-up phase of their business endeavors.

The undercurrent of ethnic tensions and the strategic divisions between the United States and Japan further fueled the invisibility of these illegal activities. While the Japanese public harbored resentment towards ethnic Koreans, the United States strategically used these conflicts to divide the Japanese society and shift the focus of public anger away from themselves. This was a typical separatist operation used by the Anglo-Saxon powers, such as the British Empire, in their colonial governance.

Historical Persecution and Korean Annexation

Historical precedents further illustrate the vulnerability and marginalization of Koreans in Japan. The atrocity in Pusan during the 16th century, where the Japanese slaughtered almost all Koreans they could find, is a stark reminder of the systemic violence and discrimination against the Korean ethnic group. This event, known as the "festival of blood," occurred during the Japanese occupation of Korea. The small number of Korean nationals in the main Japanese islands before annexation in 1910 also underscores the historical marginalization of the Korean population in Japanese society.

The systematic persecution of Koreans continued into the 20th century, with measures taken by the Japanese government to restrict Korean migration and integration into Japanese society. These historical factors contribute to the current societal dynamics and the structural advantages that Korean ethnic groups have in certain industries, such as pachinko.

Conclusion

The dominance of ethnic Koreans in the pachinko industry in Japan is the result of a complex interplay of historical, social, and economic factors. The post-war occupation period, legal ambiguities, and strategic separatist operations played pivotal roles in enabling ethnic Koreans to establish themselves in this industry. Understanding these dynamics provides valuable insights into the broader historical and social context of Japanese and Korean relations.