Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, is known for its significant Korean community, often compared to Little Busan. The city's proximity to the Korean Peninsula has historically led to a large Korean population, especially after Japan's annexation of Korea in 1910 and the subsequent migration during and after World War II. Post-war conditions and the Korean War led many Koreans in Japan to settle in Shimonoseki, creating a vibrant community with Korean schools, markets, and cultural practices. Over time, the population has decreased, but the city remains a testament to the historical ties between Japan and Korea.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is home to one of Japan's most prominent Korean settlements.
2. As of 2022, there are Koreans living in Japan who came from the Korean Peninsula.
3. The children of Koreans who lived in Japan are also considered Koreans living in Japan.
4. The area around Shimonoseki Station is commonly known as Green Mall or Little Pusan.
5. Karasuyama is the name of a city in South Korea.
6. Many shops in the area have a Korean flavor and sell Korean food.
7. The city of Shimonoseki is located at the far left corner of Yamaguchi Prefecture.
8. Shimonoseki is about 120km away from the Korean Peninsula.
9. Japan annexed the Korean peninsula in 1910.
10. The Korean Peninsula was part of Japan for 35 years, from 1910 to 1945.
11. After Japan lost the war to the United States, the Korean Peninsula ceased to belong to Japan and became a separate country.
12. In 1945, there were nearly 2 million Koreans living in Japan.
13. After the war, Koreans living in Japan were ordered to return to the Korean Peninsula.
14. Many Koreans living in Japan gathered in Shimonoseki to board ships to return to the Korean Peninsula.
15. However, due to the Korean War, many Koreans living in Japan were unable to return to the Korean Peninsula.
16. As a result, a Korean community was established in Shimonoseki, including a village called Otsubo Tonne.
17. Otsubo Tonne was originally a forest, but it was developed into a village with simple houses.
18. The village had poor sanitary conditions, with no sewage facilities and limited access to clean water.
19. The village was nicknamed "Kusou no Hamachi" (Village of Stench) due to its poor sanitary conditions.
20. The Yamaguchi Korean Elementary and Intermediate School was established in 1956 to serve the Korean community in Shimonoseki.
21. The school teaches Korean language and culture, as well as regular subjects like arithmetic and science.
22. As of 2018, there were only 33 children attending the school.
23. There are currently about 2,500 Koreans living in Japan in Shimonoseki City, which is about 1% of the city's population.