The purpose of this study is to outline the use of calling Zainichi Koreans – ethnic
Koreans living in Japan – by their Korean name in Japanese classrooms. The practice of
calling the Zainichi by their Korean names reveals a gap between the image Zainichi
Koreans have of themselves and the instructors\' view of them. According to the results of
this study, Japanese instructors ignore the \"Japanese-ness\" of Zainichi Koreans and instead,
focus on external, superficial indices such as the students\' names, whereas Korean Japanese
students see their identities through language, culture, and other internal factors. The fixed
images that Japanese instructors have of Korean Japanese students has brought about the
standardization of this practice. The practice brings the image that the Zainichi Korean has
of himself into contrast with the image that the instructor has of him. By examining reports
of educational practices, we can see how Japanese instructors focus on superficial factors,
such as a Korean name, as a means of marking these students as Korean. What is the
effect of such a practice? The fixedness of the view Japanese instructors have of Zainichi
identity restricts a deeper and more expansive understanding of their identity. The results of
this study can serve as a basis for future educational practices regarding Zainichi Koreans
and hopefully result in a more expansive understanding of them.