Lost amidst the ordinary schools of Chiba Prefecture stands Chiba Korean Primary and Junior High School. It is a beacon of Korean language, history, and culture. Imagine the students within. They learn about their heritage while living in Japan.
Chiba Korean Primary and Junior High School first opened in 1946. It served children of Korean forced laborers. These laborers were brought to Chiba before and during World War II. Their children lacked access to formal schooling. The school provided a chance to learn their heritage.
This school operates under the authority of the Chongryon. This is the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan. It has strong ties to North Korea. The school uses Korean as its language of instruction.
In 1962, the school expanded. It moved to a new building and added a middle school. Today, Chiba Korean Primary and Junior High School continues its mission. It preserves Korean identity and culture.
Chiba Korean Primary and Junior High School has faced challenges. Like many Korean schools in Japan, it has endured educational injustices. These injustices are based on ethnicity.
In 2017, Chiba Mayor Toshihito Kumagai cut the school’s funding. This followed a student art exhibition. The mayor cited artwork expressing opinions on “comfort women” issues. The principal, Yusop Kim, protested the decision. He said it repressed students’ freedom of expression.
The school has fostered mutual respect through art. Since 1972, it has participated in student art exhibitions. These exhibitions showcase work from Japanese and Korean schools.
The school received financial support from North Korea. However, this funding stopped due to UN sanctions. Despite financial difficulties, Chiba Korean Primary and Junior High School perseveres.
As of 2014, the school had 86 primary school students. These students range in age from five to twelve. The school continues to educate and empower its students. It helps them connect with their heritage. It builds bridges between cultures.
Chiba Korean Primary and Junior High School stands as a testament to resilience. It is a celebration of Korean identity in Japan. It is more than just a school. It is a community. It is a home away from home.