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1. Save Utoro Fundraising Campaign
51 Utoro Uji City, Kyoto Japan. Utoro has become a settlement site for Korean Japanese in 1941. Its history began after Korean laborers were conscripted by the Japanese government to build military airfield on the wasteland. When Japan was defeated in World War II, the Koreans in Utoro became unemployed because the airfield construction was stopped. Even if many Koreans left Japan with their own expenses in the joy of independence of Korea, those who had no relatives or houses in Korea and those who could not afford the ship fare had to stay behind with the hope that they would return to Korea when the situation allows them to go back. However, the Japanese government neglected them without reparation or humanitarian consideration. 50 years after, in 1989, the Japanese government warned the people of Utoro to leave the land. Utoro faces dismantlement as it stands in indifference. By showing that we care, it is still possible to save the people of Utoro.
[History]
Currently there are 65 households and 203 Korean Japanese living in Utoro.
Up until 1988, people in Utoro used wells to get their water as they lived in discrimination and poverty.
Most of the first generations have passed away, and in their place stands the second and third generations who are mostly over the age of 60 and have no economical ability.
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| 1940.01 |
The construction of Kyoto airfield around the ‘Cha-San' village area determined. |
| 1945.07 |
Japan defeated in World War II. The airfield construction stopped. Approximately 1300 Korean laborers and their families left unattended. |
| 1971.06 |
Nissan Shatai, the successor of The Japan International Aviation Company established. |
| 1987.03 |
Utoro land purchased by Nissan Shatai. |
| 1989.02 |
Nishi Nihon Shokusan filed a ‘illegal land occupation' law suit |
| 1989.03 |
First public hearing held at Kyoto district court. ‘Movement to protect Utoro' organized. |
| 1998.01 |
Decision made against the plaintiff by Kyoto district court. The appeal to the high court made. |
| 1998.08 |
The second government report submitted to UN Social Rights Covenant Committee by the Japanese government. |
| 1998.12 |
Decision made against the plaintiff by Osaka high court. The appeal to the supreme court made. |
| 2000 |
case dismissed by the Supreme court. |
| 2004.01 |
The owner of Utoro on the land registration changed from Nishihon shokusan (a real estate company) to an individual.. |
| 2004.09 |
A Korean ambassador to Japan requested Kyoto governor to take a proper step to resolve issues faced by Utoro residents. |
| 2005.02 |
Research on the realities and conditions of Utoro conducted by KIN, an NGO organization of Korea . |
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[People in Utoro]
 Age: Under 59 (80%), Over 65 (20%)
Nationality: Korean (88%), No nationality (10%), Japanese (2%)
Jobs: Unemployed (52%), Part-time labor (22%), Driver/Housewife/Etc (26%)
Water Supply System: Existent(44%) Non-Existent(56%)
Sewage System: None
Background : Airfield construction labors from 1945, their descendents and family members make up 2/3 of the population. All the male labors have passed away, wives and family members survive. Natural immigration to the village (1/3 of the population)
[Their voices]
"Why are they telling us to move out? If half of the population in Utoro was Japanese they wouldn’t dare say such. We’ve been conscripted and have been forced to work. We’ve been neglected after the war ended and now they’re trying to steal our land." -Moon Gwang-Ja(1st generation)
"The ones responsible for trying to steal our homes are the private real estate companies and they’re backed up by the Japanese law court’sdecision. In conclusion, the Japanese society is trying to drive out all the Korean Japanese from the village, including our parents who have been abused and oppressed by the Japanese. Is this a forgivable act? I’ll fight to protect our homes." -Yoo Dal-Sam(2nd generation)
"Utoro’s territory problem means a lot to the Korean Japanese society. The Germans have compensated to the forced laborers. The American government has acknowledged the compensation to the American Japanese. But weKorean Japanese received nothing from the Japanese government. We will do everything to fight for our rights to live on this land." -Park Nam-Sook(1st generation)
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2. Save Utoro Fundraising Status
The fundraising to save Utoro, since 2005, have attracted continuous participation When thelast deportation order was given in 2007, all seemed lost. But thanks to the netizens, the matter became a public concern and for the first time in history, have the government supported 3billion won. And with the fund continuously raised, a prepayment was made to buy half of Utoro’s land. Now, with the last fundraising, we are trying to completely save Utoro. The balance needs to be paid until June 2008, and once again we are in need of your hand.
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Fundraising Status
Target figure: ￥529,000,000=￦4,653,295,600
(Exchange rate ￥100=\879.64 / 2008.1.18) |
| Category |
Amount |
Reference |
| Real Estage |
￥500,000,000 |
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| Incidental Expenses |
￥29,000,000 |
Registration and Survey |
| Total |
￥529,000,000 |
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Private Fund Status |
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Income |
Expense |
| Category |
Amount |
Category |
Amount |
| Private Fund |
\84,000,581 |
Prepayment |
\75,195,980 |
| Progress Fee |
\,854,968 |
| Total |
\84,000,581 |
Total |
\83,050,948 |
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Finishing Fundraising Goal: ￦428,010,367 |
Japanese Yen |
Korean Won |
| Fundraising Goal |
￥529,000,000 |
Private Fund Balance |
\00,943,633 |
| Paid Expenses |
-￥60,000,000 |
Government support |
\,000,000,000 |
| Korean-Japanese Donation |
-￥40,000,000) |
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| Unpaid Expenses |
￥429,000,000
(\,528,954,000 |
Currently Raised Fund |
\,100,943,633 |
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Give your last support to Utoro! |
Finishing Save Utoro Fund 2008
We ask for you support to save Utoro once again. We’re making a wave with the support of the people from all social standings. Give hope to Utoro where, even throughout 60 years of independence, freedom has failed to take place. We ask for your participation in your name, your family’s name, your company’s name, your group’s name or in any other names you would prefer.
With your help, we’ll be able to cheer once again in the village of Utoro.
Target figure: ￦428,010,367
Fundraising Schedule: 2008 January~June
- 1st fundraising: 2008 January 7th ~ February 29th
- 2ndfundraising: 2008 May 1st ~ June 21st
- Deadline to clear balance: 2008 June 23rd
Save Utoro Fund Account
- Hana Bank 162-910006-81704 (Name: BeautifulFund)
- Kookmin Bank 006001-04-091586 (Name: BeautifulFund)
For information:
Jeon Hyun-Kyung 02-730-1235 (extension number 225)
016-399-1325 / indisec@beautifulfund.org
Events
Photo exhibition tour in college campuses
Online fundraising through various portals
Street fundraising and signatures
Save Utoro "Peace Night"
Cultural interchange and discussion between Korean-Japanese-Korean/Japanese students
Special program by Hankyoreh (one of the nationwide newspapers) to save Utoro
Special MBC 815 On air ARS fund
Save Utoro Concert
Tying bonds of hope to save Utoro
Nationwide Save Utoro Fundraising Campaigns
Citizens’ fundraising participating group
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Utoro Society of the National Assembly Group |
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