Job Discussion Forums

[iverin]

I have a tattoo on my ankle, about 3x3". It will be covered when working (obviously) since Aeon has a no visible tattoo/one piercing per ear policy. But my question is what about in day to day, non-working life.

I'm arriving at the end of November so it isn't something I need to worry about until May/June anyways but I was curious. My recruiter for Aeon told me better safe than sorry and that I should cover it with a band aid whenever I'm out of my house as tattoos are often associated with the Japanese mafia. But seeing as I'm a white foreigner, does that association still apply? I don't really wear shorts but I do wear capris when it's hot out so I was just wondering as to whether or not I'll need to get a supply of band aids for when the hot weather rolls back around.

[Apsara]

No, no one is going to think a foreigner with a tattoo on his/her ankle has mafia connections. I have one on my foot, although a bit smaller than yours, and I've never really had any reaction to it. A number of young Japanese without mafia connections have tattoos these days, and although it may have some repercussions at work, there is no reason to cover it up while out in public. The recruiter who told you that is being almost ridiculously conservative.

You may or may not have trouble with joining a gym or going to a swimming pool or onsen with the tattoo- that depends on the place and the staff you encounter.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Actually, I know white people who've been kicked out of hotels and restaurants for having tattoos (not big ones). But it 's hard to say if it's because they have a tattoo, or if it's just an excuse to let them do it, and they want to feel powerful. There are idiots in every country.

[Atlas*]

Most of my friends here, Japanese and foreigners have tattoos. A lot of tattoos. They don't have many problems at all.

A lot of the time it is likely that people will think you are a tourist and not a foreigner living in Japan so it is very unlikely they will look twice at your tattoo.
It may get more noticed in small towns but I have found there are plenty of people accepting of tattoos in Japan.

[iverin]

thanks guys. That's reassuring. I was just hoping that I wouldn't have to stock up on a couple month's supply of band aids. I'm going to Fukushima-shi which I guess is kind of a small town so I'll have to see how it goes. My tattoo isn't offensive in any way and it's the only one I have. If it were lower I could easily cover it with socks but it sticks out the top and when it's hot out I hate to wear socks. I'll probably keep a small supply of band aids handy just in case, but it's good to know that it's not as ultra conservative as my recruiter made it out to be

[Apsara]

I have friends in Tokyo (American and Canadian) who have copious amounts of ink on their upper bodies, who also have shaved heads. They get plenty of second glances, but no overt hostility. You'll be fine with your ankle tattoo.

[wayne432]

I think the only place you may encounter something is at an onsen, where some may say tattoos are not allowed... but a small one like that, they probably won't care.

[Canuck2112]

I think the negative image of tattooing is SLOWLY but surely starting to change to acceptance, or at least a more neutral view.

The gym I go to is considered one of the more "upscale" in Japan, and more and more I'm seeing both Japanese and foreigners working out with visible tattoos. Most of them are relatively small but there's this huge Maori guy with a full tribal sleeve. Now, the gym contract does specify "No Tattoos" but I think this clause may get added simply as leverage against Yakuza types...an excuse to deny them membership or kick them out.

[Yawarakaijin]

I have always been curious about clubs supposedly using this tattoo rule as an excuse to keep out or kick out the yakuza types.

First off, as many people who have been here for a while know very well, Japan is the land of "Okyakusama." Customer is god. I've seen stuff go down in all sorts of establishments and never, ever seen a patron asked to leave.

Secondly. Which one of these minimum wage earning osen/gym staff members is ever going to have the balls to kick out a full fledged yakuza from their establishment. I'm sorry, I just can NOT see that happening.

[AgentMulderUK]

I've had this arguement with people before on these forums.

Get the old guide books written in the 80's and burn them.

They'll be the ones that say Japanese people never eat and walk and all the rest of the dated nonsense.

I am seeing more young Japanese people with tattoes everytime I leave my house. Girls with blatant tattoes half-way up their legs and all the rest of it.

Obviously there are places where this is inappropriate , just as it would be inappropriate to walk into a temple wearing a pvc devil costume with a pumpkin balanced on your head and trident in your left hand.

Clearly, just as in "The West" (wherever that is), it looks absurd if you have some supposed professional teaching little kids with tattoes and piercings all over their face. There are limits. They are set by this international phenomenon called "Common Sense"

pff

[gaijinalways]

Don't burn those books yet! On second thought, break down and buy some new ones.

From what I have seen, many of the tatoos are the henna or even stick on types, so hardly permanent tatoos. And yes some establishments don't allow people with tatoos in (or back in ).

[Apsara]

I can confirm that an increasing number of younger Japanese people have real tattoos. I teach yoga classes, so probably come into contact with more "alternative"-type Japanese than most people do, and tattoos are not particularly unusual among my students and fellow teachers. Nothing like as common as in New Zealand though, of course.

[gaijinalways]

[Vince]

I have a tattoo on my arm and had only two inconsequential experiences because of it. When I signed up for a gym membership, there was a rule against tattoos. That's a valid business decision to keep members from being scared away by Japanese guys with tell-tale full sleeves. The gym employee explained that for somebody like me, the rule meant to keep any tattoos covered. The other time was in an onsen. While I was soaking in a bath, the attendant kept coming over and laying a towel over my shoulder. After a couple times of her doing that and me being confused and finding something to do with the towel out of obligation, I realized she was covering my tattoo.

[gaijinalways]

I've heard the same from my friend, he had to cover his tattoo when he went to an onsen (he'd cover it before anyone asked). I'm not sure my sports club would allow someone with an obviously visible tattoo as the club has a sign near the front desk saying tattoss are not allowed.

I've heard of a person getting his memberhip refunded at a club that also had a no tattoos rule. I suppose if he had pushed the issue something might have happened, but I doubt it would have been good result (private club, they decide who they wish to give service to).

Aspara, still waiting for an answer?

On a related note, two guys I know were told to change things before they could be promoted at work; one was asked to change his spiky hairstyle, even though this was the same style he had when he was hired and had been wearing for some 3 years or so. Another coworker was told to wear pants with a crease to be considered for a promotion.

In some not always so obvious ways, Japan is still very conservative. It's true, we can often rock the boat, but we can't always get away with it all the time when it comes to dealing with businesses and what they will tolerate. I doubt anyone will sue soon for not being allowed or refused service because of a tattoo. Some day I may be surprised, but it probably won't be any time soon.

For those of you with tattoos, I feel for you. When you got a tattoo, you probably never considered it would be an issue. Issues are different in every country I've visited. Perhaps it is time to raise the bar on this one, but like anything in Japan, it will take time to change.