# The Institute of Buraku Problem

> facility in Kyoto, Japan

**Wikidata**: [Q11643266](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11643266)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-institute-of-buraku-problem

## Summary  
The Institute of Buraku Problem is a research institute based in Kyoto, Japan, dedicated to studying social issues related to the burakumin community. Established in 1948, it operates as a public interest incorporated association focused on promoting social equality and human rights through scholarly research and policy recommendations.

## Key Facts  
- Founded in 1948 in Kyoto, Japan  
- Operates under the legal form of a Public Interest Incorporated Association  
- Primary focus area: research into buraku-related social issues  
- Official website: https://burakken.jp/ (in Japanese)  
- Also known as “Buraku Institute”  
- Located at geographic coordinates 35.012885° N, 135.773335° E  
- Registered with multiple international identifiers including ROR (01r5php15), GRID (grid.472074.2), and VIAF (143083982)  
- Corporate Number (Japan): 2130005002514  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the main purpose of The Institute of Buraku Problem?  
A: The Institute conducts research on historical and contemporary social discrimination faced by the burakumin community in Japan. Its work supports efforts toward social justice and equality.

### Q: Where is The Institute of Buraku Problem located?  
A: It is located in Kyoto, Japan. The precise location is at latitude 35.012885 and longitude 135.773335.

### Q: Is The Institute of Buraku Problem still active today?  
A: Yes, it continues to operate as a public interest incorporated association conducting ongoing research and publishing findings relevant to buraku studies.

## Why It Matters  
The Institute of Buraku Problem plays a critical role in addressing long-standing social inequalities in Japan tied to the burakumin—a historically marginalized group subjected to caste-based discrimination. As one of the few institutions solely devoted to this field, it contributes essential academic insights that inform public discourse, education policies, and anti-discrimination initiatives. By maintaining archives, conducting empirical studies, and engaging in advocacy, the Institute helps preserve cultural memory while pushing for societal reform. Its influence extends beyond academia into civil society, making it a vital institution for understanding modern Japanese social history and human rights movements.

## Notable For  
- Being among the earliest organizations established specifically to study buraku-related issues in post-war Japan  
- Maintaining extensive bibliographic and archival resources used by scholars globally  
- Publishing authoritative works under ISBN publisher prefix 978-4-8298  
- Serving as an official reference point in international databases such as ROR, GRID, and VIAF  
- Hosting one of the most comprehensive digital repositories on buraku studies in Japan  

## Body  

### History and Foundation  
The Institute of Buraku Problem was founded in 1948 in Kyoto, shortly after World War II, during a period of major social reforms in Japan. It emerged from growing awareness and activism around the systemic discrimination experienced by the burakumin—people from areas historically associated with outcast communities due to feudal-era occupational segregation.

### Legal Status and Structure  
It functions as a Public Interest Incorporated Association (一般社団法人 or IPAA), a legal framework introduced in Japan to support non-profit organizations contributing to public welfare. This status allows the Institute to receive government recognition and funding for its socially beneficial activities.

### Research Focus  
Its core mission centers on researching the socio-economic conditions, historical background, and current challenges facing the burakumin population. Areas of study include:
- Historical roots of buraku discrimination
- Contemporary employment and educational disparities
- Legal frameworks affecting burakumin rights
- Community development projects aimed at reducing stigma

### International Recognition  
The Institute holds several internationally recognized identifiers:
- **ROR ID**: 01r5php15  
- **GRID ID**: grid.472074.2  
- **VIAF ID**: 143083982  
These IDs facilitate integration with global scholarly networks and improve discoverability across academic platforms.

### Digital Presence and Publications  
The Institute maintains a Japanese-language website (https://burakken.jp/) which serves as a hub for publications, event announcements, and access to its research database. It also publishes books and reports using the ISBN prefix 978-4-8298, many of which are catalogued in national and international library systems.

### Location and Contact Information  
Located in Kyoto, the city serves as both a symbolic and practical center for the organization’s operations. Coordinates: 35.012885° N, 135.773335° E. The physical address enables collaboration with local universities, NGOs, and governmental bodies concerned with minority rights.

### Organizational Classification  
Classified as a research institute and categorized under the broader label of “facility,” the Institute aligns with other academic think tanks but remains uniquely specialized in buraku-focused social science research.

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-05-22
2. CiNii Research