The outcast of Japan

During Japan's feudal period, Japan had a caste system similar to India's, although much simpler. This caste system divided the population into "Shi-Nou-Kou-Shou" - or warriors, farmers, craftsmen, and merchants. Above these four caste groups was the imperial family. Below the four caste groups were the outcastes, people who were considered unclean under Japan's unique blend of indigenous Shinto religion and Buddhism. These Burakumin, meaning "people of the special community", included leather tanners, grave diggers, and anyone else whose job required them to handle dead animals or people. They were not allowed to associate with "clean" people and had to live outside the regular towns in separate villages or ghetto areas, just like little leper colonies. Despite the existence of some theories that claim that the Burakumin are of foreign origin, research has consistently shown that the Burakumin are racially and linguistically fully Japanese. Today, there are still reportedly as many as 6000 Buraku communities of varying sizes (most being very small), primarily in the central and southwestern areas of Japan. The total Burakumin population, living inside and outside these communities, is said to be about 3 million people.Officially, the caste system was abolished in 1871 and the outcastes were emancipated, but family history in Japan is very important, so there is still a degree of educational, employment, and social discrimination against the Burakumin. The Japanese society as a whole does not talk about the subject, nor in some cases even admit that a discrimination problem exists; as a result, social reform and reconciliation are very slow.
The Burakumin also seem to be largely overlooked in the spread of the gospel.
-Justin Ong