Support of Multiculturalism, But For Whom? Effects of Ethno-National Identity on the Endorsement of Multiculturalism in Japan

Abstract

This study examines whether support for multiculturalism is compatible with an ethnonational identity in Japan. Multiculturalism discourses have centred on the issue of how to treat cultural diversity within a society. In Japan, the concept of multiculturalism has become popular over the past decade. However, some researchers think that the Japanese maintain their privileged position by essentialising cultural differences in the name of multiculturalism. My study therefore investigates the relationship between ethnonational identity, the endorsement of multiculturalism and supportive attitudes toward the equal rights of ethnic minorities by employing Japanese data from an international public-opinion survey. It was found that ethno-national identity has positive effects on the endorsement of multiculturalism, while having negative effects on the endorsement of equal rights between ethnic majorities and ethnic minorities. This means that the Japanese do not regard multiculturalism as antithetical to the maintenance of ethnic homogeneity within a 'nation'; rather, the endorsement of multiculturalism stems from belief in the uniqueness of 'Japaneseness'. The theoretical and political implications of this study's results are discussed.

Multicultural a Diversity: Experience from Muslim Society in Kaohsiung Taiwan

“…The existence of the similarity of fate relationship as settled foreigner gives new experience to them to be able to establish a harmonious interaction between power majority and power minority in Taiwan. However, such conditions confirm that essentially multiculturalism is a concept of recognized the minority cultures by both power majorities and minorities [9], [11], [12].…”

Multiculturalism and Conflict Reconciliation in the Asia-Pacific

“…First, what is the understanding that the mass of average Japanese citizens have about Japanese society being multicultural? Numerous scholars have suggested that even if a plurality of Japanese citizens accept Japan as multicultural, there is still little understanding or acceptance of diversity beyond a division between Japanese and foreigners, leading to models of "coexistence" (read as assimilation) in the simplest form, between the "Japanese" and the "others" (Graburn & Ertl, 2008, p. 4;Ishiwata, 2011;Kashiwazaki, 2013;Nagayoshi, 2011;Nagy, 2012;Okano & Tsuneyoshi, 2011, p. 2;Yamamoto, 2012), sometimes as a homogenous group of non-Japanese and sometimes as their own ethnic group. In other words, the acceptance of a multicultural Japan (i.e.…”

The influence of perceived contingency factors on public attitudes towards a policy communication for multiculturalism and multicultural acceptance in South Korea

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