Globalisation - the Japanese Version

Engrish

It is difficult to spend any amount of time in Japan and not find the Japanese use of English funny. 'Engrish' has been defined as the incorrect use of English, either grammatically incorrect sentences or phrases that have been taken out of context - for a further definition this website explores more characteristics of Engrish. Since English has been introduced to Japan through trade and exchange, it seems as if the Japanese have adopted it to suit their own ends - it is no longer used in a way that native English speakers would see as 'correct', but to the Japanese is has symbolic meaning. When asking the Japanese themselves about why engrish is so widely used, I have had mixed answers. The general consensus is that it is seen as 'cool' but people could rarely expand on why it might be seen as so. It is becoming more common to use Engrish to replace words that the Japanese already have, in order to sound more international; this leads to worries that the Japanese language  will be lost as Engrish becomes more ingrained. Given that the main Japanese alphabet is based on Chinese characters, the Japanese might have a right to worry. However the traditionalist Japanese are on the case, with attempts to bring in systems that will cut back the use of Engrish in official spheres, in an attempt to make it less popular at the grass roots level - if only this theory would influence company advertising! Although there is the idea of engrish giving a product an exotic cachet (in much the same way Japanese characters are used in Western countries as fashion symbols or in tattoos), if this was the only reason then you would expect the English used to be correctly, especially by the larger companies (such as Toyota). Although Engrish may differentiate the product slightly from its Japanese-only counterparts, it is used far too widely to give any particular advantage. Instead I believe it says more about Japan's take on globalisation, and the way that they incorporate and adapt foreign customs, products and language in a way that suits the Japanese psyche. Engrish isn't written for the native English speakers, but for the enjoyment of the Japanese, with sentence structures similar to the Japanese language, and key words such as "enjoy", "love" and "kiss" used to convey a feeling without necessarily making sense in context. The two pictures I have included are examples of the use of key words - "bird friendly coffee" doesn't have a particular meaning to any of the Japanese I have asked about it, yet they recognise the word "friendly" in  particular, and it's associated sentiment, and the same goes for "kiss". The linguist Haru Yamada claimed that the Japanese media use Engrish to emphasise the uniqueness of Japanese language, as it forces readers back to the kanji reading, which often gives the meaning of the word in the characters themselves unlike English, where the meaning of each new word has to be learnt. So I would have to disagree with those that say that English is just used because it is thought to be 'cool' and exotic, because the Japanese rarely appropriate something without first changing it in a unique Japanese way.

If anyone has further interest in the amusing ways that the Japanese adapt foreign customs, I can recommend the film "The Japanese Version" which is basically an outdated  documentary on globalisation in Japan, which still retains it's comedy edge. This youtube clip of the film shows the Japanese adoption of Christian sentiments and their ability to ignore or adapt the original meaning, in a way similar to their treatment of English.

Pachinko

Recreation in Japan

Pachinko parlours (click here for more information on pachinko) are difficult to avoid in Japan - garish buildings that attempt to draw you in, predominantly around stations but they also turn up when you least expect them. As pachinko makes up 40% of Japan's leisure industry I think it is worthy of some consideration, despite the fact that the Japanese seem to deny the existence of gambling and the associated social problems, and the difficulties faced by those who attempt to research it (as David Plotz describes). Despite having gained such a bad reputation over the years, such as claims to be linked to yakuza (Japanese Mafia) and the Korean Capitalist economy, the industry is enjoying a small revival in these times of economic regression. There are several theories as to why this is; the most prominent being the idea that people are turning to pachinko as a way to make money when unemployment is becoming such a big problem, or as a leisure activity that can be justified as a 'money-maker' rather than a waste of money as going to the cinema or buying video games might be. The other theory is that pachinko owners are attempting to appeal to a greater audience by cleaning up their image and tempting in a female clientele. Many have now banned smoking inside, brightened up the interior, made the furniture more comfortable and staff are encouraged to be more accomodating to dispel their sleazy reputation - something that from my questioning so far seems to be what puts most people off (that and the noise!). As far as I can tell from my brief soujourns into the incredibly noisy parlours, they have been successful in broadening their clientele as maybe 30% were women, and the remaining majority were respectable looking businessmen. The former theory is less easy to evaluate, as Japan is unsure whether pachinko even is gambling, and as Plotz shows with his character study individuals often go through years of denial before seeking help for gambling addictions. Nevertheless pachinko does look to be a recreational activity that many can get lost in; one of the few solitary activities in a country that prides itseld on its homogeniety and harmonised society. Something that has ironically been referred to as "cut-rate zen", a place where the noise of millions of steel balls dropping, loud videos and even louder announcements drown out thoughts of the dire economic climate and personal problems, and allow you to forget for hours on end

.

Kawaii Fashion

Japanese Popular Culture and Entertainment

The word kawaii (cute) is heard all the time in Japan - it was one of the first words I learnt when I got here and is used to describe all sorts of things. To be kawaii is something to attain as far as I can gather, accessorising with hair clips, bows, anime characters hanging on bags and the popular keitai sutorapu (mobile phone hangers), and this is not limited to girls - note the Hello Kitty and pig attached to the guys' bags in the photo below. An interesting article I read talked about the appointment of three female ambassadors for the Foreign Ministry, chosen because they represent the popular kawaii fashion that it would seem Japan wants to present to the foreign media. The article suggests that faced by economic threat (from China especially) Japan should play on "soft power"; the popularity that can be gained by getting people to "love your culture". While this theory could work on a national level, with the younger generations putting so much emphasis on fashion and leisure spending (and therefore having a big influence on the economy) I can't help but doubt that it would given Japan credibility in the international economy. It seems like an attempt to play on orientalism; the Japanese themselves having invented a more modern image of themselves as 'kawaii'. One of my first impressions of the Japanese youngsters that I met was that they seemed to act less mature than their age might suggest, and while I am sure I am being ethnocentric saying this I can't help but wonder if it is the effect of the emphasis on 'cuteness', something that I previously associated with children. Is it just a fashion trend that Westerners either embrace or shake their heads at? I have to admit I have a mixed reaction - already I have acquired four keitei sutorapu (all of which have been proclaimed "kawaii" by Japanese friends, and which I am quite attached to!) but at the same time I can't understand the fascination with the Hello Kitty, Disney or anime characters that adorn everything, and still associate those things with immaturity. I am sure after a year living here I will have more to say on the subject, maybe even part way towards an explanation on why kawaii fashion is so big, but for now I will have to conclude that although it is a big part of Japanese popular culture it may only be a passing fashion trend (albeit a long lasting one), and as for 'kawaii' being a symbol of nationalism.....I don't think that one will take over from the geisha any time soon.

Neighbourhood

Having only been in my new neighbourhood for a month, I still feel very much on the periphery and unable to adequately represent what makes it a neighbourhood, especially visually. So I have chosen an event at which community spirit was on display to the onlooker (if you could get over the heat and the crowds and the excitement caused when the floats had to turn corners); Kishiwada's Danjiri festival. If you are interested in knowing more about the festival itself I found this website informative, although I can't vouch for it's accuracy, and you really need to experience a Danjiri festival to make any sense of it, if you can! Floats (or danjiris) are pulled through the streets by sheer manpower, each danjiri representing a town in the neighbourhood and preceded by their banner or staff, with all the members wearing a 'uniform' called happi; the idea being that they outdo each other in speed and courage, accompanied by chants and musicplayed on the floats themselves. The thing that struck me most was that everyone is involved in some way, from the elderly to the tiniest kids, who generally pull at the front of the ropes, and nearly every spectator is decked out to support their town or favourite danjiri; even dogs are dressed up in happi for the day.The number of people and floats was amazing, and the amount of organisation it must have taken would have been immense; as I gathered from the meeting that preceeded the floats, representatives of each town played a part in that organisation, collaborating together as equals (suggested by the circle that they form). Whether you are the priveleged carpenter that gets to ride the danjiri, the policeman that patrols the street or the guy that brings the refreshments, you are working towards this idea of 'harmony' that the Japanese seem so keen to represent. Having said that, the whole event is geared towards competition between neighbouring towns, with a sense of trying to outdo each other. Perhaps the harmony then is expressed between the existing social groups in each town who share an identity. The festival is a great way to get all neighbouring groups together, and to involve everyone in the community - not just a prayer for an abundant harvest but a celebration of neighbourhood to be enjoyed by all.

Early Impressions of Japan...

Although the image I have chosen to represent my 'first impression' of Japan is a woman in traditional dress (a stereotypical, media-influenced image I had always thought was intended for tourists) this woman made an impression on me for that reason. I expected kimono wearing women to be an empowering self-representation of the traditional Japanese woman and her associated values of poise and subservience; uncommon to see going about everyday life. However I saw several women in kimonos when I visited Kyoto - the first trip I made in Japan - not only wandering down small side alleys but intermingling with the highly fashionable Japanese that fill the main streets. And they didn't elicit attention from Nihon-jin, which led me to conclude that it is in fact a common sight, in Kyoto at least. Wanting to get an insiders perspective I asked my host mother when I met her for the first time the following day: "Is it common to see women in traditional kimono?". She didn't seem surprised at the question, having had experience with naive Westerners and their preconceptions before, however when I insisted that I had seen not only one but four or five women in kimonos she made the (now oh so familiar!) Japanese "heeeeeeeeeeh?!" sound, and tried to explain that 'normal' usage of Kimono was ceremonial only. So already I had come across the regional variations in culture and expectation, and discovered that my quest for a deeper understanding of Japanese 'traditions' could not be undertaken from the comfort of Kansai. Having said that it did serve to reinforce the idea that the Japanese place a high importance on their history and cultural traditions, which is what brought me to Japan in the first place.

The next photo comes from a supermarket found hidden down the side streets of Osaka. I chose it as a representation of my initial impression as it embodies one of the contrasts that I found interesting (annoyingly I find myself unable to avoid the common notion of Japan as a land of contrasts); bright lights, modern amenities and advanced technology balanced with a simple lifestyle. The number of people who use bicycles as part of a daily transport routine (not necessarily as a primary form of transport but nevertheless significant) made a big impact on me, possibly due to coming from a country where I havn't ridden a bike in about four years and know many people that don't even know how to ride one. Bikes are catered for everywhere; arguably more so than cars as many shops and the convenience stores that abound only have room for bike parking and nowhere for cars. I myself have embraced the bike culture, cycling the 30minutes to Kansai Gaidai and back every day, and enjoying the scenery and proximity to locals that I would otherwise be missing. Whether the use of bicycles is due to the 'convenience' of everything and the fact that the mountainous landscape means everything is condensed into smaller areas, or it is simply a financial choice I have yet to work out (I'm pretty sure it doesn't have a lot to do with the low environmental impact as Japan is the 5th worst country for CO2 emissions). But it seems to suit the Japanese, and if it's good enough for them it's good enough for me...