Baseball Legend Jang Hoon‘s Citizenship Change Sparks Debate
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Isao Harimoto, better known as Jang Hoon in his native Korea, a name synonymous with Japanese baseball’s golden age, recently revealed he became a naturalized Japanese citizen. This announcement, made years after the fact, has ignited a renewed conversation about his remarkable career, his complex relationship with both Korea and Japan, and the lasting impact of past events.
In a recent interview with the Sankei Shimbun, Harimoto stated, “I changed my nationality a few years ago. I am now a Japanese citizen.” His decision, however, is far from simple. He elaborated on the historical context, saying, “At one time, a certain government showed an attitude of ignoring Korean-Japanese people. They said that they went (to Japan) of thier own will and that they would live well in other countries, but that is nonsense. Korean-Japanese people did not come as they wanted to come. They came as they were taken to the military or had difficulty making a living.”
Born in Hiroshima in 1940, Harimoto is a second-generation Korean-Japanese.He faced discrimination due to his Korean heritage, yet he initially retained his Korean citizenship. A poignant anecdote highlights his mother’s unwavering patriotism: when a scouting possibility arose at age 18, contingent on renouncing his Korean nationality, his mother refused, famously declaring, ”There is no need to sell your country to become a baseball player.”
Harimoto’s feelings toward Korea are complex. He expressed disappointment with the Korean baseball establishment, stating, “A few years ago, an official came to me to offer me a commendation for my contribution to the advancement of the Korean baseball world, but I declined.” Despite serving as a special assistant to the president of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) from 1982 to 2005, he was never invited to the Korean Series or All-Star Game. He lamented, “the bad thing about that country (korea) is that it forgets grace and loyalty.”
Harimoto also addressed the fraught history between Japan and Korea. He acknowledged, “There was discrimination (during the Japanese colonial period), and during the Grate Kanto Earthquake, rumors were rampant that ‘we set fire to it’ or ‘we put poison in it,’ and many Koreans were sacrificed.” He emphasized, “we must not forget that.” However, he also offered a nuanced perspective, adding, “I think we need to understand each other more,” and noting, “Japan built roads and schools while ruling Korea, and Korea became a developed country thanks to cooperation with Korea.”
Harimoto’s story resonates with the experiences of many immigrant communities worldwide, highlighting the complexities of national identity and the enduring impact of historical events. His legacy as a baseball legend is undeniable, but his citizenship change adds another layer to his already compelling narrative.
Baseball Legend Jang Hoon’s Citizenship Change Ignited Debate
Isao Harimoto, better known as Jang Hoon in his native Korea, a name synonymous with Japanese baseball’s golden age, recently revealed he became a naturalized Japanese citizen several years ago. This revelation has sparked a debate about his remarkable career,his complex relationship with both Korea and Japan,and the ways in which historical events continue to influence personal choices. We discuss these complex issues with Dr. Hye-jin Kim, a sociologist specializing in immigrant communities and professor at Seoul National University.
the Decision and its Historical Context
Senior Editor: Dr. Kim, thank you for joining us.jang Hoon’s decision to become a Japanese citizen has surprised many. Can you shed light on the historical context that may have influenced this choice?
Dr. Kim: Certainly. Jang Hoon, being a second-generation Korean-Japanese, undoubtedly experienced discrimination due to his Korean heritage during a time when Korean-Japanese faced considerable prejudice. he lived thru a period marked by the scars of Japanese colonialism and the subsequent tensions between the two nations.
A Divided Legacy: Honoring Korean Roots and Facing Japanese Reality
Senior Editor: Jang Hoon’s mother famously refused to allow him to renounce his Korean citizenship when he was scouted for professional baseball at 18. Despite ultimately becoming Japanese, he’s expressed a sense of disappointment with Korean baseball officials. How do you interpret his elaborate relationship with both countries?
Dr. Kim: Jang Hoon embodies the complexities of navigating identity for individuals caught between cultures. He clearly holds deep affection for his Korean heritage, as evidenced by his mother’s unwavering stance. Yet, he also built a triumphant career in Japan, a country that, while acknowledging past wrongs, continues to grapple with its relationship with its past. His mixed emotions are understandable given his lived experiences.