Okinawan Yankee Sub-cultures

Focusing on Differences of Organizational Principal between Japanese and Okinawan Bosozoku

Abstract

  The purpose of this essay is to extend the arguments of contemporary underclass youth culture based on Jimoto in which Okinawan Yankee youth survive and its organizational principal. We focus on a contrasting phenomenon: the weakened Japanese Bosozoku（motorcycle gangs）and Okinawan Bosozoku that maintain their activities. We explain the causes of the phenomena based on two modifications arising in the process by which Japanese Bosozoku were accepted in Okinawa. First, in Okinawa, there is no strife, and collective joyriding has come to be established as a pastime. This differs from Jimoto in Japan which is created by collective narratives, Jimoto for the Okinawan Bosozoku is the last gathering place for asking material connection and place. Second, through interaction between Bosozoku and Gallery, joyriding was established as its own cultural niche. We explain, by analyzing figures on Bosozoku and Gallery and location of Jimoto, the final frontier. We confirm thorough these figures that those who lack the resources to survive gather Jimoto and share resources. Okinawan Yankee youth do not oppose the hardship conditions, but cope using minimum tactics.

  Based on these differences, we conclude that Jimoto for the Okinawan underclass youth is not distant from the socioeconomic center of Japan, but discontinuous outside. Following this conclusion, we indicate that arguments of contemporary underclass youth culture should be extended to include outside perspectives.