Onsen Multiculturalism: The Possible Societal Implications of Allowing Tattoos at Hot Spring and Public Bath Facilities

"Japan's hot springs rethink tattoo bans for Rugby World Cup"

Written by: Asuka Hata, Nikkei Asian Review - September 20, 2019
Nolan Matcovich - October 9, 2019

This article's coverage of the common-yet-changing ban on tattoos at onsens and public baths across Japan presents an example of Japanese societal norms clashing with multiculturalism, and the resulting debates and culture and policy related changes. As most onsen-goers have likely seen, tattoos are banned in public sections of public baths and hot springs across Japan, due to their association with the yakuza, as well as being anti-social. With rugby fans and other tourists flooding into the country for the 2019 Rugby World Cup from countries where tattoos are much more common, accepted, and/or culturally important, however, some onsens have decided to open their doors to tattooed individuals, although many are doing so solely for the duration of the World Cup. Especially in prefectures like Oita (specifically in Beppu City, which is particularly known for its public baths and hot springs), the onsen industry is engaging in a debate on upholding the tattoo bans, especially with the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, which are projected to draw significantly larger crowds to Japan, coming up next summer.

The article, however, touches on an interesting clash between Japanese cultural norms and stigmas and increasing multiculturalism (as well as how it fits into Japanese society). Japan, while historically quite culturally and ethnically homogeneous, will not only have an influx of foreigners simply due to its hosting of major international sporting events over the course of this year and next year, but is also seeing an increasing number of people applying for visas and other forms of residency permits in Japan. As other articles, such as this one about racist comments targeted towards Naomi Osaka from last week's readings, have discussed, this increasing multiculturalism in Japan has brought about some negative side effects, from racist comments and active discrimination to strict Japanese cultural norms remaining inflexible in the face of foreigners with different cultural backgrounds. If successful, a change in societal views on something as traditional and "Japanese" as onsens could quite possibly serve as a pretense for the rise of multiculturalism and tolerance/acceptance of differing cultural backgrounds in an increasing number of contexts in Japanese society.

Although onsens choosing to uphold their ban on tattoos have received support from some Japanese citizens, others have come out in support of those making these accommodations for the World Cup. Some in this latter category have said that they hope this will be the beginning of the processes of slight destigmatization of tattoos and the adaptation of strict cultural norms to be more accepting of foreigners, paving the way for a more harmonious multicultural Japan. Yet, interestingly, in the case of tattoo bans, it is purely stigma, rather than any formal law, that requires change. This article quoted the Japanese government in saying that "denying individuals from using public baths and hot springs solely based on tattoos is 'inappropriate'," with another article from The Japan Times quoting a Beppu government official who informed them that "There are no legal grounds for rejecting tattooed visitors." Although there are no laws formally banning tattooed visitors, there are also no laws prohibiting onsen facilities from instating their own bans. Thus, those hoping to turn this current trend of acceptance at onsens in Beppu and Oita into a movement and debate may first need to find an effective way to combat this stigma locally before sending this issue out across the rest of the country.

External links:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/10/03/national/beppu-onsen-divided-tattooed-visitors/#.XZ1vLuczZN1
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/09/18/rugby-world-cup-stars-will-cover-their-tattoos-times-avoid-offending-japanese-hosts/
Also, if you're interested in Japanese tattoo culture and its interaction with foreigners, here's an interesting article I found the other day on the BBC. It touches on the role that the 2019 RWC has been playing in the popularity of this trend, but gives a broader overview of Japanese tattoo culture, as well. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-49835344