Hansen's Disease and Those Labeled 'Foreigners' in Japan
The National Hansen's Disease Museum
Until Nov 29
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This exhibition highlights the experiences of people of overseas origin who were confined to Hansen's disease sanatoriums in Japan. It focuses primarily on materials relating to Korean residents, who comprised the largest group among those of overseas origin.
Bringing these materials together for the first time, the exhibition features tools used in forced manual labor, records of the struggle to secure pension rights after 1959, objects documenting efforts to preserve Korean cultural identity, traditional dance costumes and musical instruments, and literary works. It also introduces the lives of residents with roots in Russia, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
Through these materials, the exhibition explores how people from diverse backgrounds resisted Japan's discriminatory segregation policy while striving to preserve their dignity and cultural identity. It offers an opportunity to deepen understanding of the history and legacy of Hansen's disease in Japan and to reflect on the ongoing challenge of building a society that embraces ethnic and cultural diversity.
* Throughout this exhibition, the term "Korean" is used to refer collectively to people holding either Joseon nationality or South Korea nationality.
Bringing these materials together for the first time, the exhibition features tools used in forced manual labor, records of the struggle to secure pension rights after 1959, objects documenting efforts to preserve Korean cultural identity, traditional dance costumes and musical instruments, and literary works. It also introduces the lives of residents with roots in Russia, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
Through these materials, the exhibition explores how people from diverse backgrounds resisted Japan's discriminatory segregation policy while striving to preserve their dignity and cultural identity. It offers an opportunity to deepen understanding of the history and legacy of Hansen's disease in Japan and to reflect on the ongoing challenge of building a society that embraces ethnic and cultural diversity.
* Throughout this exhibition, the term "Korean" is used to refer collectively to people holding either Joseon nationality or South Korea nationality.
Schedule Now in session | Jul 18 (Sat) 2026-Nov 29 (Sun) 2026 106 days left Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Free | ||||
| Website | https://www.nhdm.jp/events/list/10295/ | ||||
| Venue | The National Hansen's Disease Museum https://www.nhdm.jp/ | ||||
| Location | 4-1-13 Aoba-cho, Higashi Murayama-shi, Tokyo 189-0002 | ||||
| Access | 20 minute walk from the South exit of Akitsu Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro line; From the South exit of Kiyose Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro line, take the Seibu bus and get off at Hansen's Disease Museum. From the North exit of Kumegawa Station on the Seibu Shinjuku line, take the Seibu bus and get off at Hansen's Disease Museum. From Shin-akitsu Station on the JR Musashino line, take the Seibu bus and get off at Zenshoen-mae. The venue is 10 minute walk from there. | ||||
| Phone | 042-396-2909 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it  |
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