Zainichi korean young adults' experience of interpersonal relations in Japan: A narrative analysis using a grounded theory approach

Abstract

The term zainichi is generally used to refer to Koreans who settled in Japan when Korea was under Japanese colonial rule and also to their descendants now living in Japan. The present study examined psychological problems faced by zainichi (Korean) young adults in their interpersonal relationships in Japan. Episodic interviews were conducted with 14 zainichi (7 men, 7 women; ages 19 to 27). The data were then analyzed using a grounded theory approach, which generated category interrelationship diagrams of "experience of interpersonal relations with Japanese" and "experience of interpersonal relations with other zainichi". The zainichi participating in the study assumed that their partners, both Japanese and other zainichi, negatively perceived the zainichi's ethnic origins and considered this difference to be undesirable. This, they felt, led them to experience anxiety that this difference would worsen their relationships and negatively influence their partner's perception of them;that, in turn, contributed further to their sense of alienation and inferiority. However, at the same time, the participants reported experiencing contradictory emotions such as, "I'd want my partner to know that I am a zainichi", which made them feel conflicted. This conflict in their interpersonal relations appeared to be one of their core psychological problems.