en-us http://www.keithwatanabe.net/index.php Keith Watanabe's Website http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2008/3/2/a8ca2b9f3ce87de5c4c94e0b637a9f2d.html Japan Today regarding the slow demise of the otaku culture in Akihabara and how it's being replaced by a more institutionalized vision, with expensive high rise spots and more controlled/patrolled areas by the local police. Two things that incited me were the connection between the soliciting of girls and the mafia (the big Y) and the shutdown of bands, performers, and cosplay people at the hands of the police. There's also a crackdown on illegal software being sold by the Chinese out here (then again, I wouldn't buy any software sold by people on the street; there's just no telling what kind of viruses/spyware those things contain!).

The connection between the police, the soliciting of girls and the mafia to me don't seem inconsequential nor coincidental. The local government wants to "clean up" the streets of people, claiming that the street is made to walk upon. However, there have been protests by otaku, as claimed by the article, against the rigid conformist vision that the government imposes upon them. After all, the people who hang around this area do not endanger anyone (unless it's their vile underarm odor).

I believe, and I'm certain that I'm not the only one, that the reason for this regulation is that the government and mafia are not getting their cut of the tiny profits that these street performers, cosplayers, and whatnot are reaping. I have little trust in the Japanese government, especially the local politicians. They, to me, are simply a public face. The real decision making occurs through special interest groups, namely the mafia. Since Akihabara has boomed with the growth of maid cafes, etc., the spot becomes a natural target for the mafia vermin who want to connect it to their more high priced prostitution rings. Except, they want a "cleaner" image to be accepted, especially considering that the local government is cracking down on clubs connected to the sex industry. Despite this change in format, the price still remains high, if not worse considering that no true sexual exchange occurs. For the mafia, it's a win-win situation. They can bring in more girls without exposing them to diseases, charge exorbitant prices and not even have to provide a location.

The entertainment industry out here is incredibly regulated and the mafia is strongly connected to it. If a person wants to break in, they have to pay their unfair dues to the mafia in some manner. Otherwise, they'd simply struggle eternally. People don't really talk about it much, but it's evident in the iron clad fist control exerted in this industry.

Part of what the article also is saying is that the otaku will simply find a new location if the myth of Akihabara no longer supports their culture. I don't doubt this. I think one of the positive traits of the otaku is that they are certainly different from the norm out here and maybe a bit more flexible in being able to adapt to new environments because of their weird way of thinking. Also, they, as the name "otaku" implies in Japanese, are fanatical in their beliefs, almost to a religion. If Akihabara's culture dies out, without question I can see these people relocate to some other spot. It might not be Tokyo considering how little the local government support people not shoveling money into their hidden pockets.

The sad and ironic part about this is that the local government only wants to suppress them to maintain conformity. The mafia, from what many people have told me, are composed of mostly stupid, bungling people. Obviously, they're highly dangerous out here, but their backgrounds typically are from a lower, petty order. I think these two entities, the government and mafia, are key components, which hold a lot of Japan back from advancing faster and becoming more competitive. Rather than adapting, adopting and inventing, these groups prefer to hold onto their glorious past. The otaku represent a new culture that is, indeed, progressive. A lot of Western culture can be attributed to the passions of these artists (e.g. games, movies, anime, comics, computers, etc.) So to see them held back and deprived of helping to build a new Japan with their zany, albeit, high tech culture is a true disappointment.

In my experience, I've seen some police take out some bands. They weren't rude, fortunately, but I thought it was sad considering that some people just want to perform and get some publicity. The local government is quite stupid for not catering to these performers as they help tourism, not just from abroad either. Heck, I enjoy going to Akihabara on Sundays because I know that you can see some event and want through the streets without the density of people shoving you around in the packed sidewalks.

Anyway, I'd personally like to see the old cultures (and people) step down and get removed. People flock around the world to Akihabara to see the high tech gadgets and illustrious culture that is romanticized by geeks in the West. But if the West realized what's going on, maybe they can give their otaku brethren a helping hand in this.]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 08:05:42 -0700 http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2008/3/2/a8ca2b9f3ce87de5c4c94e0b637a9f2d.html http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2008/5/6/de3fad10626e89bc046f3aac95f72abf.html Akihabara. I did a write up a while back on this subject, but now we're seeing it enforced. These past few days during Golden Week, Akihabara had troves of police now marching like Nazi's with their little flags overtly compelling street performers to halt all activities. The excuse given a while back on the subject matter was that the streets were meant for walking and riding bikes. However, why the law enforcement?

I did reply to my friend that the cause was that the police were being sent by the yakuza, since the yakuza could not get an easy cut of the cost of a free street performance compared to an overpriced venue (remember pay-to-play?). Sadly enough, the street performers never really hurt anyone and in fact helped probably bolstered the numbers to Akihabara and expanded the types of people who would go.

In contrast, my other friend (a female) told me that when she went to Akihabara for a job interview, she got stalked by two geeks. This isn't the first time I've heard that. One of the Densha Otoko special series shows even parodied how these geeks would go photograph a young pretty lady if they showed up in Akihabara. Also, there were stories of geek kids getting beaten up by smaller groups for money, as the geeks kids were too cowardly and easy pickings for these groups.

When I look at both accounts on how justice is supposedly dealt out, I see completely misconstrued priorities on the subject. Shouldn't the police be doing something to stop perverts and bullies rather than focusing on street performers who just want to use the area to get some recognition? You never really see people getting hassled like that in Shibuya. That's pretty messed up.

Then there was an article over on JapanToday that described the Japanese court system with regards to how one film group is kinda showing a documentary. There was a fictionalized version of the court system as well as the criminal system. Essentially, if you're caught there's very little you can do. You lose all rights and your best bet is to grovel and apologize. Even if you're innocent, the investigators and police are trained to force you to plea guilty no matter what. It's a truly ruthless system, completely corrupted and quite frightening.

Now, I'm not saying other countries are perfect, even America. But some things are so blatantly misguided, it leaves me to wonder how the people can tolerate such injustices? For me, it's just not so fun here anymore.]]> Tue, 06 May 2008 15:00:46 -0600 http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2008/5/6/de3fad10626e89bc046f3aac95f72abf.html