The
eclectic, highly energized transmutation of diverse
cultural images, narratives and ideologies merged into
one seemingly consistent cultural identity (the well-known
Japanese projection of cultural singularity) is what
most outsiders comment on when first encountering Japanese
culture on home ground (McCormack
& Sugimoto). A short stroll through any of
the labyrinth-like train stations/shopping arcades in
Tokyo means being abruptly introduced first hand to
an early 21st century manifestation of electronic, media-driven,
cultural and commercial globalization
(Baudrillard).
Cultural markers and symbols
that may at first appear to be lifted directly from
one culture without alteration or commentary (elaborately
decorated Christmas cakes on display everywhere in December
or Mr. Doughnut shops on every urban street corner blasting
a continual stream of classic American rock music from
giant speakers perched raven-like above the entrances)
quickly reveal themselves to be inherent parts of Japanese
culture that by their wholesale adoption have been transformed
into something truly “Japanese” while retaining
essentially Western European or American surface associations
(Park & Curran).
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