Recognizing the life history of elderly people : a case study of Japanese community with many Korean residents part 1

高齢者の生活史との向き合い方 : 在日コリアン集住地域の事例(1)

Recognizing the life history of elderly people : a case study of Japanese community with many Korean residents part 1

Creators Kim Hyeweon

本稿では、在日コリアン集住地域での事例を手掛かりに、高齢者の生活史との向き合い方について考察した。研究方法としては、在日コリアン高齢者の生活史と地域史をつなぐ活動を進めているキーパーソンへのインタビューと関係資料について検討した。多くの在日コリアン高齢者は老後への備えが困難だったうえに、文化的価値の面で子世代とのギャップが大きい。そのため、地域コミュニティの役割として、在日コリアン高齢者の居場所づくり、地域の歴史のなかに彼ら彼女らの生活史を位置づける活動が強調された。そして、現在の在日コリアン高齢者の生活史と地域史とをつなぐ取組みは、その子世代、さらには在日外国人全体の高齢化と向き合う活動としても重点がおかれていた。

This paper used a case study of Japanese community with many Korean residents to consider the significance of recording the memories of elderly people. The research was conducted by interviewing key people who have promoted activities to connect the life history of elderly Korean residents with the history of their community and by an examination of relevant documents. Many elderly Korean residents in Japan have trouble preparing for their old age and a significant gap exists in terms of cultural values between them and younger generations. Local communities have therefore adopted the role of providing elderly Korean residents with a place to belong and have emphasized activities to place the life history of Korean residents within the context of the history of the community. This paper confirms that current activities which make a connection between the life history of elderly Korean residents and the history of the community can also be applied to younger generations and the aging of all foreign residents in Japan.

[ISSN]2189-4825