Perception of Tattoos in Contemporary Japanese Society

Abstract: This thesis analyses five in-depth interviews on Japanese tattoo culture conducted by the author and ten short interviews with tattooed Japanese people published by Japanese online tattoo magazine. The study focuses on inclusion and exclusion of tattooed Japanese people in contemporary Japanese society, relying on labeling theory and collectivism. The findings suggest that significant tattoo stigmatization prevails in contemporary Japanese society. Tattoos are often percieved as a bad label that is required to be concealed with cloths or make-up. Nonetheless, the label was accepted by the majority of the interviewees who did not want to advocate for their rights of individualistic self-expression. Having said that, there were some participants who refused to submit to the society’s demand for good adjustment. I argue that the willingness to good adjustment is corelated with the values of collectivism.