The Push for Galapagosization

Sakurai: I can’t help but feel that the origins of a lot of the Japanese cultural products that find popularity throughout the world are found in the culture of Edo, when Japan was sealed off from the world. It’s a culture that developed because of that period of peace. The uniqueness of ukiyo-e, for example, is one of the standouts of the art world. I see why it had such a big impact on the impressionist painters. It’s difficult to give birth to new forms of culture unless the people are enjoying life and there’s a certain degree of peace.

Yoshida: Otaku culture is also outsider art – a form of outsider art that is born of very peaceful surroundings. It relates back to Genroku culture. I love rakugo and rakugo is the same. If there wasn’t an accumulation of cultural forms like rakugo then anime genres like “slice of life” never would have been born.

Sakurai: That’s right. Even ukiyo-e has themes like “yuusuzumi” (evening cool), and that’s exactly what “slice of life” is.

Yoshida: I think idols are another form of outsider art. There isn’t anywhere in the world that’s yet to give birth to a form of culture whereby girls give a performance based around an aesthetic of cuteness.

Sakurai: Fans of idols overseas often say that the great thing about Japanese idols is that even if they make it big they never become celebrities. They write things in their blogs like, “Yesterday I ate my favorite: curry rice. It was delicious.” This too is “slice of life.” But on stage they’re professionals. It’s this gap that overseas fan can’t get enough of.
Anime is the same. Anime fans overseas say how it’s great that the main characters of Sailor Moon go to school. But to us it’s so normal that you would probably get a shock if someone told you they thought it was great.

Yoshida: Idols go to school and we don’t think anything of it. If you think about the time cost involved for these professionals who are putting a lot of work into their careers, it would probably be more natural to choose not to go to school for a period of time.

Sakurai: think Japan is the most unique country in the world. I think it would be beneficial to progress even further down the path of Galapagosization.

Yoshida: You’re right. Galapagosization is already happening, but if we’re going to adopt otaku culture into our tourism strategy, protecting that environment is crucial.
And there needs to be a place set up for otaku overseas to get together in a Japanese environment and have fun.

Sakurai: That’s exactly right. It was fun chatting with you again today. Thank you.

Yoshida-san’s latest publication, “Naze, Kono Hito to Hanashi wo Suru to Raku ni Naru no ka,” is a book that provides a practical approach to communication for people who might not be so adept at it.
When I go to Japan events overseas, people are often quite forthcoming in striking up a conversation with me simply for the fact that I’m Japanese. There are also a lot of young people who learn Japanese at school or are doing there best to teach themselves. More often than not, the reason that these people take up learning Japanese in the first place is because of anime or manga or Japanese music. There are so many topics that can be discussed. There’s no need to feel hesitant; communication isn’t an issue. You really should go and participate in one of these Japanese pop culture events overseas at least once in your life.
Don’t worry about which event you should go and see. There are big events and small events but the underlying theme that runs through all of them is “suki”: being around the things one “likes.” It doesn’t matter where you’re from, having a “like” of something is universal language and these events are the perfect opportunity to experience that.

Hisanori Yoshida

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