The Buraku people, or Burakumin ("village people"), are a group of approximately three million people. Popularly referred to as the "invisible race", the Burakumin constitute one of the largest minority cultures in contemporary Japan. Although culturally, linguistically, ethnically and racially indistinguishable from other Japanese, the Burakumin people have been a product of religious and social beliefs since the beginning of the Tokugawa era in 1603. They therefore share with other Japanese the same language, same religion, same customs and same physical appearances. . Although the Burakumin are economically, socially, and culturally inferior to other cultures in the class system, the Burakumin face discrimination based on their beliefs regarding their ancestry. Discrimination against the Burakumin has been constructed by political, ideological and social forces since the Tokugawa period. This discrimination manifests itself in higher rates of illness and unemployment than among traditional Japanese, lower wages for the same jobs, the existence of illegal blacklists that companies buy and use to avoid hiring Burakumin, and the discouragement of marriage between Burakumin and non-Burakumin. The Eta and Hinin cultural groups are believed to be the precursors of what became Burakumin. Burakumin, being a former Eta and Hinin, were two major categories of outcasts during the Tokugawa era and were placed in the lowest caste or the "non-human/people full of impurities" caste when the Tokugawa decided to establish a stratified social order. Social stigma groups (Eta and Hinin) emerged with Shinto and Buddhist beliefs that any work related to death defiles the spirit. These two groups eventually merged under the law for the convenience of regulation and f...... middle of paper ......entered some form of prejudice – reaching nearly 40% in some areas. Unfortunately, in Japan, without a formal government law to prosecute those who discriminate, this responsibility is left to other social forces within society. In the short term, it would appear that the average Burakumin has little hope of achieving equality in the future. There is no attempt to assess how and where the Burakumin "fit into society" and the Burakumin are clearly excluded from the culture and social heritage" because their position and "circumstances are not transmitted to the rest of society. Unable to accept their identity, Burakumin often blame themselves for their situation. It is therefore clear that the existing frameworks with which the majority must work are so distorted and limiting that they can only serve to further alienate, isolate and stigmatize the Burakumin..