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Jang Hoon: Korean Baseball Has Forgotten Grace and Loyalty

Baseball Legend Jang Hoon‘s ‍Citizenship Change​ Sparks ⁢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. 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.”

Image of Jang Hoon
Isao Harimoto (Jang​ Hoon)

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.

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