SLIDE 1 On this side of the Gate: Japanese politics and geopolitics in the anime series “Gate: The Self-Defense Forces Fight Like This in Another Land”
Anime Expo July 2, 2016
SLIDE 2 GATE: THE SELF-DEFENSE FORCES FIGHT LIKE THIS IN ANOTHER LAND
- The anime series Gate combines the common tropes of:
- An irruption of a fantasy world into Japan
(Outbreak Company)
- A medieval fantasy world of elves, magicians,
demigods, and beast men and woman
- An underachieving male protagonist
- A harem of attractive women, with names based on
“in jokes” attached to the protagonist
- It also contains:
- Right wing political views rarely seen in anime
- The protagonist is not a teenager but is an adult
married (and divorced) serviceman
- A consistently positive view of the military
- Japanese politics and geopolitics
- There is no “other” to overcome
SLIDE 3 THE AUTHOR OF GATE: TAKUMI YANAI
JSDF medical/social worker Started writing Gate while still in the military Characters are based on co- workers Published Gate as a series of light novels Author of other military- related light novels
SLIDE 4
But first a little Japanese history: Japan- neither a European power nor a colony
SLIDE 5 1543: Japan experiences an invasion by an “alien empire”
- Early Japan was very aware of its neighbor countries Korea
and China
- But the Naban (southern barbarians) arrival was a surprise
- Portuguese trading empire stretched from South America
to Japan
- The empire was a doorway to both Europe and the rest of
the world
- Japanese artists give us Japan’s view of the contact with
Naban
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SLIDE 6 6
Alien ships Unknown technology
SLIDE 7 Weird humanoids in strange clothing
Europeans, Africans, Indians, Indochinese, and Filipinos
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SLIDE 8 Strange creatures
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SLIDE 9 Radically new and powerful weapons
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SLIDE 10 10
Troublesome religions
SLIDE 11 Japan successfully rejected the European colonial empires
- Japan
- Expelled all foreigners in 1614
- Banned Christianity 1614-50
- For the next 250 years all trade is done on Japan’s terms
- Technology and limited goods come in but no religion or culture
- Wakon- Yosai (Japanese spirit - Western learning)
- By turning inward Japan rejected both being a colony and being a
colonizer
11
SLIDE 12 It didn’t last
- 1854: Matthew Perry demands that Japan
- pen to the West
- Rich Nation - Strong Army
- 1930-1945 Japanese New Order
- Military occupation of Asian countries
- East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
- Triggers WWII
- Post WWII Japan adopts the Yoshida doctrine:
- Japan to renounce war and rely on US for
security
- Light rearmament of Japan (defensive)
- As of 2016: Seeking a Goldilocks consensus
- Not too close to the US (and not too far)
- Not too small a military (and not too
large)
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Source: Securing Japan, R.J Samuels
SLIDE 13
ARTICLE NINE
Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.
SLIDE 14 JAPAN SELF DEFENSE FORCE
Created during Korean war at the request of the US Formed to defend Japan while US fought in Korea Formed from police departments Strictly defensive - no ability to fight outside of Japan Under great suspicion The existence of JSDF is an affront to many Japanese Memories of the horrors of the Japanese Imperial army in WWII JSDF walks a tightrope Labors to avoid looking like Imperial army of the past Without looking unprofessional or ineffective JSDF’s role is currently in flux Increasing non-military support of US actions outside of Japan Pressure to develop preemptive capabilities (offensive weapons)
Japan Self Defense Force
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Japanese Ground Self Defense Force Japanese Air Self Defense Force
SLIDE 15 WOMEN IN JSDF
Originally driven by the need for cheaper labor and to fill supporting roles that freed up men for fighting Historically only gendered roles (nurses) but recently include combat-related roles Currently 5.7% of force is female and the percentage is growing
SLIDE 16 JSDF USE OF WOMEN’S IMAGES
While females only makeup 5.7% of the JSDF, 80% of JSDF recruitment advertisements include photos of women Recruitment posters de-emphasize fighting by using women pop-stars Images of female soldiers are presented in two contradictory ways hyper-masculinized women and sexualized women Goal is to convey a non-threatening image of JSDF (and induce young males to enlist)
SLIDE 17 DEPICTION OF JSDF IN ANIME AND MOVIES
Much of anime has an anti-war/anti-military theme Nausicaa, Howl’s Moving Castle, Barefoot Gen, Grave of the Fireflies, Saikano, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Last Exile, etc. Mizuki Shigeru’s manga autobiography/history of Showa Japan Military anime do exist (Spaceship Yamato, Gundum) but are placed into the distant future Anime and movies (Akira, Evangelion, Godzilla) typically deal with JSDF as cannon fodder, always failing to stop the invading “other” But the JSDF-related anime do occur Zipang and Silent Service
Source: When Pacifist Japan Fights: Historicizing Desires in Anime
SLIDE 18
JSDF’S USE OF ANIME
SLIDE 19 And now the series
SLIDE 20
In Gate, the the world outside of Japan is fundamentally threatening Japan is surrounded by much stronger enemies and uncertain allies (China, Russia, US, EU, etc.) who threaten her safety and independence These countries limit Japan’s access to raw materials. This is the world view that justified the creation of the Japanese empire. The dilemma of this world view is that in order to access resources Japan must deal with the rest of the world. Such dealing could be by peaceful trade (which increases Japan’s dependency and vulnerability) or by empire building (which did not work out that well in WWII). The Gate offers the solution to this dilemma.
SLIDE 21
THE DREAM OF AN EMPOWERED JAPAN
SLIDE 22 Without leaving its borders Japan now has access to the Special Region - an entire world of under-used resources. With the resources of the Special Region Japan can again tell the world to go away, and be happy and prosperous (and isolated). The promise, however, comes with a threat. Japan will now need to fight with the world over these resources. China, Russia, and the US may be willing to attack Japan to get access to the Special Region. Gate concludes that Japan should take the risk!
THE DREAM OF AN EMPOWERED JAPAN
SLIDE 23
To Takumi, JSDF is trapped by weak politicians, media suspicion, unreasonable restrictions In Gate, JSDF is finally free to show its true capabilities because: Japan was attacked first! The attack came from within Japan’s borders (JSDF does not have to fight internationally!) The title of the series “The Self-Defense Forces Fight Like This in Another Land” is a declaration of what the JSDF could do if it was given a chance They are masters of modern warfare and can compete with the soldiers of the US and other nations Once in place, nothing in the “Special Region” can pose a military threat to Japan (there is no external “other” in Gate) They effortlessly pivot from warfare to meeting social needs to nation building In contrast to the Imperial military’s use of “comfort women,” the JSDF both explicitly avoids using the local sex workers and directly supports them by providing prophylactics, healthcare, and social workers
SLIDE 24 THE MEDIA AND THE JSDF
In Gate, the media are shown to be biased against the
- JSDF. Always assuming the
JSDF are: Hiding the truth Wasting the people’s money Reporters make no pretense
SLIDE 25
JSDF AND THE GOVERNMENT
Upon returning from the Special Region a Diet member accuses the JSDF forces of failing to protect innocent villagers from a dragon
SLIDE 26
RORY MERCURY DEFENDS THE JSDF
SLIDE 27 JSDF FEMALE SOLDIERS IN GATE
Kurokawa - traditional female role Medic (traditional female
Supportive and non-threatening A woman who needs to be protected Kobayashi - non-traditional female role Capable and combative Trained in hand to hand combat Hyper agressive Hyper-sexualized
SLIDE 28
CULTURE
Otaku (manga readers) are presented as occurring throughout the JSDF and at the highest levels of government Boys Love manga captivate Pina Co Lada, a princess of the Empire, and her fellow noblewomen A captured manga becomes a bible for fashion design in the royal court Risa’s use of electronic media and flash crowds protects the JSDF and its guests from enemy (US) agents
SLIDE 29 ITAMI YOUJI SOLDIER AND OTAKU
Our guide to the story of GATE Itami is the name of the home town of the central division of JGSDF Gate unlike many anime is not a coming of age story. Itami Youji is presented as a complete individual Late 20s or early 30s, a very successful elite soldier, married (and divorced)
SLIDE 30 TWO SIDES OF ITAMI YOUJI
Loudly proclaims “I only work for my interests, so if someone asked me whether I chose my interests or work I would choose the former.” Seems to value doujinshi conferences over his career Highly capable slacker (e.g., Captain Tylor) But He goes to a doujinshi conference with a teeshirt that has the outline of a helmeted soldier. Thus he is a powerful and successful soldier who is playing life on his own terms and by choice is embracing the otaku life. He is not an otaku because he is a failure in life and can only be a hero in fantasy.
SLIDE 31 However, as an idealized
Itami cannot grow during the series His capabilities can only be disclosed Thus we see him at the end as at the beginning Sprawled on the ground, in front of a doujinshi convention that he will never get a chance to see….
SLIDE 32 THE EXISTENCE OF THE SPECIAL REGION IS ITSELF AN AFFIRMATION OF OTAKU CULTURE
Anime/manga tropes are transformed from escapist stories to information that is highly valuable to governments, society, and scientists. Otaku who know these stories are moved from the margin to the center of society.
SLIDE 33
SUMMARY: GATE USES THE TROPES OF FANTASY ANIME TO DEFEND AND GLORIFY JAPAN, THE JSDF, AND OTAKU CULTURE The nation of Japan: Is surrounded by foes and uncertain allies But is resourceful, determined, and capable The Special Region will restore Japan’s prestige and authority
SLIDE 34
SUMMARY: GATE USES THE TROPES OF FANTASY ANIME TO DEFEND AND GLORIFY JAPAN, THE JSDF, AND OTAKU CULTURE JSDF is presented as Professional and capable (in fighting and nation-building) Separate from the Imperial army of the past Respectful and inclusive Free to show its true colors in the Special Region
SLIDE 35 SUMMARY: GATE USES THE TROPES OF FANTASY ANIME TO DEFEND AND GLORIFY JAPAN, THE JSDF, AND OTAKU CULTURE
Otaku/otaku culture is celebrated Itami is a symbol of a successful and powerful soldier/hero who still loves doujinshi Permeates the Japanese establishment and is prized by other cultures Validated by the existence of the Special Region
SLIDE 36
In the end it is all about underdogs obtaining prestige and authority
SLIDE 37
QUESTIONS?
