The Globalizing of Japan
In one little block of Hirakata I managed to find one of the most interesting manifestations of Western influence or… dare I say, worship, of the West? In the case of the murals in the following pictures, it’s both their content and sheer enormity, not to mention their simple presence I find worthy of some consideration.
For some reason it was found appropriate to plaster, next to a major thoroughfare of Hirakata City, a bunch of Western (may I presume American?) businesspeople having what appears to be a really good time in a meeting. It looks like business must really be booming for them. The Japanese above reads “Number 1” in any of “the industry” or “the business” or “the trade”. And, doing so well as business people, the mural seems to suggest “They’re happy as hard-working business people.”
Perhaps as a salaryman rides or walks by on the way to work, he is reminded to carry on diligently, and that it’s probably more fun than he thinks.
(notice the highly-Japanified KFC to the right, [Col. Sanders in Santa suit not depicted])
What I really find perplexing is the ambiguity of whether these murals / their message is attached to or endorsed by any corporation. The blue signs reference a casual clothes shop which may or may not be associated with the murals. Its lack of an obvious corporate association may suggest government endorsement, a la soviet state-issued propaganda… though I doubt it. A corporate image or not, it reminds me of Britain’s “Keep Calm and Carry On” WWII PSA campaign, wherein those five words and a small image of the Queen’s crown encouraged Britons to keep the economy going through troubled times.
Such an association is rather appropriate given the great emphasis placed on being a dedicated company worker, by the Japanese government and their society as a whole. As were one Japanese executive’s words recorded, “I’ve never said no to any of my job assignments - I was always there when they needed me. I like men who do that: manly man… like Western cowboys! Men living for their companies are better than those who live for their companies; that’s why Japan’s developed!” (Roberson). The executive emphasizes this work ethic’s origin in wartime economic-productive nationalism - another important, albeit different sort of, global influence. Furthermore, if the murals are from the 90’s as suggested by the building’s age and the depicted dress style, then such a message would be even more fitting given Japan’s ([economically]) Lost Decade, from 1990-2000.
Reference: Roberson, James E. and Nobue Suzuki, eds. “Can a ‘Real Man’ Live for his Family?” Men and Masculinities in Contemporary Japan. New York: RoutledgeCurzon, pp. 111.
2 years ago - read more...
