Coercion of ‘National Life’ and it Reality during Japan’s Wartime－Focusing on the Daily life of Consumers－

This study analyzes the daily life of Korean in times of Japanese colonization, especially during the Japan’s wartime which “Total (all-out) War system” was undertaken. Life in Japan after the China-Japan war was forced to follow a specific life style referred to as ‘national life’ and this concept of ‘national life’ was used to control the daily life of civilians. The concept of ‘national life’ was advocated by Okouchi Kazuo, an authority in Wartime social policy theory. Following this concept, civilians had to prioritize ‘public interest’ over liberty and individual interests during wartime on their daily basis. Extravagance was strongly suppressed meanwhile consumption of commodities was to be kept to the minimal level. The consumption of commodities was strictly restricted to the minimal level even when people were unable to satisfy the very basic needs. Due to this policy, the Koreans and Japanese weren’t even able to sustain their lives to the minimal level and the ‘national life’ policy failed. First, the restrictive policy on daily life consumptions emphasized ‘rice saving’ in the food life. The Japanese Government General took a various ways to reduce rice consumption. Consequently, the Korean had to survive by consuming ‘substitutes’ which barely contained enough nutrition necessary to sustain their lives and therefore, suffered great starvation. Next, the Japanese Government General forced to wear the ‘national costume (gukminbok) and ‘momppe’ because of the shortage in textile and fabric. By controlling the clothing life, it also intended to control the ideology of civilians. Culture-wise, the Japanese Government General eliminated luxury, pleasure, recreation, entertainment, and pop culture and forced ‘wholesome’ cultural life. This policy ultimately aimed at inspiring Fascist ideology and promoting physical fitness such as the shrine(Jinja) worship and group camping which were necessary during the wartime for people to bear in mind. The Japanese Government General and military sacrificed everything in their homeland and their colony for their invasion war. As a result, ‘national life’ was destroyed.