by Zijun Shen and Somrak Chaisingkananont
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the cultural identity of Northeast Chinese Orphans in Post-World War II. (Zanryūkoji) who settled in Japan after World War II, focusing on the communities of Ikeda and Daito Morofuku in Osaka. It examines how historical circumstances, migration trajectories, and state policies have shaped the formation and transformation of their cultural identity over time. The study adopts a qualitative approach combining historical analysis with in-depth interviews. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 purposively selected informants from the Ikeda and Daito Morofuku communities. The findings indicate that participants’ cultural identities were strongly shaped by their upbringing in Chinese families in Northeast China, where they acquired local language practices, foodways, social norms, and collective memories. These early experiences contributed to the development of hybrid identities that extend beyond singular national affiliations. Migration to Japan occurred gradually across several decades, particularly from the 1970s onward, influenced by shifts in diplomatic relations and government support measures. While returnees faced considerable challenges related to language, employment, and social integration, community networks and civil society organizations played a crucial role in supporting long-term settlement. The cases of Ikeda and Daito Morofuku highlight the importance of community spaces as sites for the transmission and maintenance of cultural identity. Five key dimensions language, food, religious beliefs and rituals, festivals, and performing arts and music are sustained through daily practices at both individual and collective levels. The persistence of these dimensions demonstrates a strong cultural foundation that enables the community to negotiate its place within Japanese society while maintaining distinct cultural expressions.
