The city of Kunitachi, celebrated as a vibrant college town, has long attracted renowned writers and artists. It’s also home to unique bars, restaurants, record stores, and boutiques, where the small business owners’ creativity shines. Within this vibrant community, the Park Hyejung Korean Language Class has emerged as a welcoming space for cross-cultural exchange, bridging Japan and Korea in ways that transcend the classroom.
Hyejung Park, a university lecturer and the head of her own language class, first set foot in Japan in 1994. “I came to Tokyo to visit my sister, who was already studying here. In Koenji, where she lived, I encountered individuals with visual impairments and Down syndrome living harmoniously in the local population. In Takadanobaba, where her Japanese language school was located, I also found a Braille library. My exposure to Japan’s disability support structures was a revelation which inspired me to study here. At that time, Korea was not as actively structured to support people with disabilities.”
Reflecting on her early impressions, Hyejung notes, “It’s not just a challenge in Korea, but in many places, disability can lead to social isolation or discrimination. In Korea at that time, there was still a tendency to blame parents or ostracize individuals with disabilities. For instance, if someone with a visual impairment walked through a public space, onlookers might mutter, ‘That’s bad luck,’ and even spit on the ground. I was deeply moved to see how much more integrated Japan’s public spaces were for people with disabilities, though I understand that societal change takes time.”
She received scholarships from organizations like JASSO and private foundations while studying at Saitama University. In addition to her studies, she was invited to introduce Korean culture at local elementary and junior high schools, which led her to establish a Korean language class in Kitaurawa. “There weren’t many Korean students in Japan back then, so I wasn’t just teaching the language but also educating people about the culture. Many didn’t even know the difference between North and South Korea, so it felt like a mission to raise awareness.”
The Korean classes in Kunitachi, which began in 2017, have attracted students of all ages, from teenagers to seniors in their seventies. Through studying Korean, traveling, and experiencing Korean traditions, many of her students have found their perspectives expanding. Some even say their values have shifted, prompting them to seek out news directly from Korean sources rather than relying solely on Japanese media.
The Importance of Broadening Perspectives
In Hyejung’s classroom, the bookshelves are filled with volumes on subjects ranging from disability studies, welfare to sex education. As a student of sociology with a background in special education, one of her chosen research topics was the sexuality of individuals with disabilities—an area that often goes overlooked in societal discussions.
“While volunteering for an independent living program, I learned just how pervasive certain prejudices can be,” she recalls. “One day, I was assisting a bedridden 27-year-old woman, and she started her period. It shocked me—not just because of the physical reality, but because it made me realize that I had unconsciously viewed her as less than a full person. This experience led me to explore the intersection of disability and sexuality in my research, emphasizing how knowledge alone isn’t enough. Awareness—seeing someone as a whole human being—is what truly changes hearts and minds.”
She continues, “We often get caught up in societal constructs, mistaking cultural traditions or ethical norms for universal truths. For example, in discussions about whether married couples should keep separate surnames, many people say, ‘It’s tradition,’ but who created these traditions? These are human-made rules, not natural laws, and they should evolve as society progresses. It’s one thing to acknowledge this, but making real changes is another.”
Finding a Second Home in Kunitachi
Although Hyejung does not have permanent residency in Japan, she considers Kunitachi her second home. She recounts the difficult decision she made during the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. Initially, she planned to remain in Kunitachi, but on her sister’s advice, she returned temporarily to Korea. “Being a foreign national, there was a possibility that my needs would be deprioritized. My sister urged me to return to Korea and observe the situation first. Even though I was reluctant, she reminded me that sometimes it’s important to step aside and let others have the resources they need more, which I accepted, and so I returned to Korea.”
Despite her initial hesitation, tears welled up as she boarded the plane back to Korea. It wasn’t just the physical act of leaving Tokyo—it was the emotional realization that she was leaving a place that had become so important to her. “I love Kunitachi. Some people ask if I’m afraid to come home late after work, but the tall trees lining the university street make me feel safe. It’s as though they’re watching over me. I think of them as my friends, and every time I pass, I feel like they’re asking, ‘What did you do today?’ On windy days, I imagine they’re protecting me.”
Hyejung Park, Head of Korean Language Class, University Lecturer
Originally from Seoul, Hyejung Park is a former doctoral candidate in the Graduate School of Sociology at Hitotsubashi University. She holds a teaching license specializing in special education and has been a Korean language instructor for 26 years. Hyejung is also a part-time lecturer at Chuo University. She runs Korean language classes in Kunitachi, Hachioji, and Kameido, along with offering online lessons in Urawa.
About Kunitachi
Kunitachi developed into a college town after Hitotsubashi University, a prominent public university, relocated from the city center in the early Showa period (1926-1989). The main street extending south from Kunitachi Station is called Daigaku-dori (university avenue) and leads to Hitotsubashi University. This street is also renowned for its cherry blossoms, with approximately 200 trees lining the avenue. Kunitachi was cherished by writer Hitomi Yamaguchi and musicians Kiyoshiro Imawano and Ryuichi Sakamoto among other well-known artists and writers.
Photography Seiji Kondo