Analyzing Divergence of Historical Perceptions between Koreans and the Japanese

Abstract

Abstract

Analyzing Divergence of Historical Perceptions between Koreans and the Japanese

MATSUURA Akiko

International Area Studies Graduate School of International Studies Seoul National University

Although South Korea-Japan relations have been promoted at various levels, such historical controversies as the issue of the Japanese history textbooks, Prime Ministers visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, comfort women, status of Korean residents in Japan and the territorial issue of Dokto/ Takeshima are always potential of inducing frictions. In this context, many scholars have argued that these historical issues are easily triggered because South Korea and Japan do not have shared historical perception and mutual understanding. Therefore, in order to diminish the divergence of the historical perceptions and to achieve mutual understanding, there have been joint researches on history conducted by Korean and Japanese scholars especially after the 1990s. Despite the efforts, however, the significant effects on the historical perceptions of Koreans and the Japanese have hardly been found. The aim of this paper is to examine why the previous joint studies on history among Korean and Japanese scholars have not been significant enough to minimize the divergence of the historical perceptions and promote mutual understanding. The argument to be advocated is that the historical perception is not only the matter of historical studies, but are much more complicated and need to be analyzed from various perspectives. In order to explain the complexity, this paper at first seeks for a certain inquiry to be focused on, in relation to the divergence of the historical perceptions, with references to national opinion polls. According to the joint survey of opinion polls, it is shown that more Korean people recognize the importance of the historical issues in order to have a new relationship with Japan than do the Japanese. The puzzle is challenged especially from the three perspectives: governmental actions; social memory; and Korean general image toward Japan and Japans general image toward South Korea. First of all, more Koreans but less Japanese people believe that the historical problems should be solved to improve the future bilateral relations, because they have different understanding toward the governmental negotiations such as the Treaty and Agreement concluded in 1965 and apology from the Japanese government. Secondly, the Korean society has preserved the past memory about the Japanese aggressive rule through such national holidays as the March First Movement; on the other hand, Japan does not possess such a nation-wide occasion that can recall people the experience of invading neighboring countries. Finally, it seems that historical and political figures have more impact on the construction of the Korean image toward Japan, whilst the Japanese image toward Korea is subject to pop-culture. Considering these aspects, how Koreans and the Japanese encounter the other culture in their daily lives also seems to be crucial in inducing the divergence of the historical perceptions.