Tattoo is Taboo in Japanese society

Tattoo is Taboo in Japanese society.

The purpose of this blog is mainly for future clients from overseas who haven't got actual knowledge about the perception of tattoo in Japan.

Walking down the street in Tokyo, you don't see a ton of tattoos like you would in the States. Unlike many cultures in the Western world, showing up wearing tattoo in Japan is totally reprehensible, completely unaccepting, heavily denounced and even the smallest amount ink on the skin has people assuming a criminal nature. This is because of the deep rooted association with "yakuza" which is a mafia-style organization in the criminal underworld of Japan. The yakuza began to tattoo themselves: full-body"suits" tattoo that can take many years to complete, because tattooing is painful, it is a proof of courage, and because it is permanent, it's evidence of proof of lifelong loyalty to the group, it made them outlaws forever. The yakuza is one of typical antisocial forces involved in everything illegal drug sales, prostitution, and illegal gambling. Historically tattooing was an official punishment in the Edo period (17th and 19th century). Criminals used to be punished by being tattooed on their face and arms.

This kind of deep-seated aversion to tattoos has been on through generations. It is now culturally ingrained into people's judgment and perception. Although tattoo might be an attractive fashion, there is huge gap in recognition between in Japan and overseas. Even insignificant tattoo will get you thrown out or prohibited from entering public places, for example, people with tattoo are often rejected to take hot springs, swimming pools, gym member ship.In addition to that, people with tattoo would face difficult problems on taking life insurance, because of suspicious of Hepatitis C or B virus infections,the risk of death of infection by tattooing is great concerns. In the hospital, people with tattoo can't take MRI scan, because of the ingredient of ink.In the workplace, people with tattoo would be promoted more slowly than people with no tattoo, because tattoo is traditionally associated with yakuza gang membership, even though people with tattoo in the workplace is not regarded as a gang member. FYI, Japan's two biggest airlines: ANA & JAL ban staff from having any kind of tattoo.

Toru Hashimoto, the former mayor of Osaka city, launched a controversial campaign against the employees of the city hall who had tattoos in 2012,requiring them to fill out paperwork and document exactly where on their body it was located after complaints from a local resident that a welfare officer had intimated children by showing off his ink work. Toru Hashimoto has said that " citizens feel uneasy or intimidate if they see tattoos on workers in services and it undermines trust in the city". And he publicly stated that if people had or wanted to get tattoos, they should find other lines of work. This is one of the cases of perception of tattoo in Japan; the fear or uneasiness that Japanese people feel when they see tattoos, even small inked part of body.

Only a few people have accepted this heinous inked body, and not a few of them get furious, saying " what a shame you ruin the body got from your parent ! ". It is said that those who acquire tattoos in youthful haste, or while under the influence, regret them in later life.