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Sangokujin (Japanese: 三国人; "third country national") is a Japanese term referring to colonial nationals of Taiwan (indigenous Taiwanese), Korea and China. The original usage of the term is said to be coined to establish separate political identity of ex-colonial nationals especially Korean from victorious American and defeated Japan. The idea occasionally seen in the English media that sangokujin is refer to Korean forcefully brought to Japan for the purpose of providing workforce during World War II is erroneous. Large number of Korean migrated to Japan before and after World War II. Treatment of Korean who fought within Japanese Army is partially the reason why Korean asserted the third national identity.
The term was commonly used by older Japanese but much younger Japanese hardly recognised the term. However, when controversial Tokyo Governor, Shintaro Ishihara, used the term in reference to crimes committed by Chinese and Korean, the term was brought to Japanese media again.
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