Japan’s Discourse on Chosun Immigration and the Ideal of Social Climbing during the Russo-Japanese War Period

Abstract

As Japan’s interest in the colonial policy on Korea rapidly growing with the Russo-Japanese War, publications on Korean policy flourished. These books not only included policy suggestions and informations for the economic rule on Korea but also strongly recommended Japanese immigration into Korea. This article focused on the immigration guide books with practical informations on Korea and analyzed the side of individual motivations for immigration. As a result, it is found out that Japanese interest on Korean immigration was largely influenced by the zeal for social success prevalent in Meiji Japan. That is, Korea was regarded as an alternative for success unattainable in Japanese society for most Japanese.<BR> Modern Japan’s imperialism was not only a matter of governmental mobilization. There was the factor of the participation from below, which served to root imperilism and colonialism deep into society. Furthermore, there was the mechanism for Japanese to view Japan’s colonies as part of the space for daily life. In other words, Japan’s expansion into East Asia let Japanese to view East Asia as an extension of Japan, that is, as part of the space for their daily lives.