Indigenous Cultures in Japan and Korea Challenge Monocultural Narratives

Despite international perceptions of Japan and South Korea as monocultural societies, academic experts are highlighting the vital role of Indigenous and diverse communities in maintaining cultural richness across the region. On 19 June 2026, researchers shared insights with ABC News regarding the reality of ethnic and cultural diversity that persists beneath official national narratives. Kaori Okano, a Professor of Asian Studies and Japanese at La Trobe University, noted that Japan is far more diverse than official statistics suggest. While the Japanese government collects data on foreign residents, it does not track the ethnic heritage of its citizens. This oversight can mask the presence of groups like the Indigenous Ainu from the north and the Okinawan people from the southern islands. According to Professor Okano, these Indigenous groups possess their own unique languages and vibrant cultures that contribute to the nation’s social fabric. In South Korea, a similar trend is observed where diversity exists through both migrant backgrounds and religious pluralism. Alan Gamlen, director of the Australian National University’s Migration Hub, described the concept of a totally 'monocultural' nation as a fiction. He noted that all societies contain internal differences, and the portrayal of homogeneity is often a deliberate choice rather than a reflection of reality. In Japan, the Indigenous presence is complemented by a growing number of residents of non-Japanese descent, estimated by Professor Okano to be between 6.5 and 8 per cent of the population. This includes the descendants of refugees and a growing migrant workforce addressing labour shortages. These communities, alongside the Ainu and Okinawan peoples, demonstrate that Indigenous identity and multiculturalism are enduring features of even the most seemingly uniform societies. Experts suggest that beyond economic productivity, such diversity provides significant broader benefits to society.