The Japanese Imperial Mentality: Cultural Imperialism as Colonial Control – Chosun as Exemplar

Imperial Japanese colonial rule practiced and justified domination–subjection relations between empire and colony and employed the concept of hierarchy using differences in asymmetric power and culture with the purpose of the constant reproduction of these relations. Assimilation and dissimilation formed the two wheels of Japan's vehicle of colonial control. The characteristics of these relations are clearly expressed in the education policies of Imperial Japan. During the Japanese colonial occupation of Chosun (Korea), Chosun Education Law had a fundamental role. The Law was introduced to comprehensively enforce Japanese cultural elements, such as Japanese language and lifestyle, and went through four revisions. Its clauses were designed and revised to reflect changes of Japan's policy goals, such as “moderatism,” in compliance with shifting colonial conditions. Ostensibly the purpose was “Amalgamation of Japan and Chosun, Japan–Chosun are One,” and the making of loyal imperial subjects. In conjunction with Japanese education policies, various sports were utilized as a means of colonial educational conditioning. However, these sports had ambivalent potential: for colonialism but also for anti‐colonialism. The ambivalence in imperial domination–subjection relations between Imperial Japan and Chosun has had a long‐lasting impact on South Korea–Japan relationships extending into the present. This essay serves as an overview exemplar of East Asian Japanese Imperialism and its post‐Imperial legacies.