The Japanese Schoolgirl Figure
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The Japanese Schoolgirl Figure: Renegotiation of Power through Societal Construction, Masking a Crisis of Masculinity Sarah Hamm A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in International Studies University of Washington 2012 Committee: Sara Curran Gary Hamilton Program Authorized to Offer Degree: International Studies TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Figures .................................................................................................................................. i List of Tables .................................................................................................................................. ii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iii Dedication ...................................................................................................................................... iv Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Part I: The Schoolgirl Figure and Masculinity in Crisis ................................................................. 7 Japanese Adolescent Girls ........................................................................................................... 7 The Context of Japan in the 1990s ............................................................................................ 10 The Salaryman Family Model and the Shifting Role of Women .......................................... 11 Societal Perceptions of Japanese Youth and Enjo Kōsai ...................................................... 16 Foucault ..................................................................................................................................... 22 Theories of Power and Resistance ......................................................................................... 23 Theory of Sexuality ............................................................................................................... 24 Theory of Discourse .............................................................................................................. 25 Construction of the Japanese Schoolgirl Figure ........................................................................ 26 Constructed Gender Roles and Masculinity .............................................................................. 33 Masculinity through Enjo Kōsai ............................................................................................... 39 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 41 Part II: The Schoolgirl Figure in Manga ...................................................................................... 42 Japanese Manga......................................................................................................................... 43 Shōjo Manga .......................................................................................................................... 47 Seinen Manga ........................................................................................................................ 48 Foucault: Power and Discourse in Manga ................................................................................ 49 Gals! .......................................................................................................................................... 51 Deep Love:アユの物語 ............................................................................................................ 63 Chu-Bra!! .................................................................................................................................. 69 Conclusion: Differing Schoolgirl Portrayals ............................................................................ 75 Part III: The Lives of Japanese Adolescent Girls: Interviews with 20 Japanese Women .......... 77 Interview Methodology ............................................................................................................. 80 Interview Challenges ................................................................................................................. 83 Foucault: Power and Discourse in Societal Relations .............................................................. 86 Interview Results ....................................................................................................................... 89 Conclusion: From Adolescent Girls to Japanese Women ...................................................... 100 Part IV: Shifting the Spotlight: Combating Sexual Exploitation in Japan through Demand Focused Legislation .................................................................................................................... 103 Enjo Kōsai Policy Context and Overview .............................................................................. 104 Analysis of the CPCPL ........................................................................................................... 106 CPCPL Policy Recommendations ........................................................................................... 108 The Human Trafficking Reality .............................................................................................. 109 Human Trafficking Legal Framework ................................................................................. 110 Supply and Demand of the Sex Market ............................................................................... 112 Demand-Focused Legislative Necessity .............................................................................. 112 Shift in Discourse ................................................................................................................ 113 Conclusion: Demand Focused Legislation .............................................................................. 114 Conclusion: Global Exportation of the Schoolgirl Figure ......................................................... 116 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................... 121 Appendix 1: Interview Questions .............................................................................................. 126 Appendix 2: Interview Coding.................................................................................................... 128 Appendix 3: Interview Vignettes ............................................................................................... 131 List of Figures Page Figure 1: "Gals!" Book 1 Cover .................................................................................................... 52 Figure 2: "Gals!" Opening Scene .................................................................................................. 54 Figure 3: "Gals!" Miyu ................................................................................................................. 55 Figure 4: "Gals!" Shibuya Scene .................................................................................................. 58 Figure 5: "Gals!" Aya and Enjo Kōsai, 1 ...................................................................................... 59 Figure 6: "Gals!" Aya and Enjo Kōsai, 2 ...................................................................................... 61 Figure 7: "Deep Love" Book 1 Cover ........................................................................................... 64 Figure 8: "Deep Love" Ayu and Kenji ......................................................................................... 65 Figure 9: "Deep Love" Ayu and Reina ......................................................................................... 67 Figure 10: "Deep Love" Opening ................................................................................................. 68 Figure 11: "Chu-Bra!!" Cover ...................................................................................................... 70 Figure 12: "Chu-Bra!!" Nayu ........................................................................................................ 71 Figure 13: "Chu-Bra!!" Characters ............................................................................................... 72 Figure 14: "Chu-Bra!!" Enjo Kōsai Rumor .................................................................................. 73 Figure 15: "Chu-Bra!!" Stairs Scene ............................................................................................. 74 i List of Tables Page Table 1: Manga Genres ................................................................................................................. 44 ii Acknowledgements I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my advisory committee: Dr. Sara Curran and Dr. Gary Hamilton. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. You have challenged me in ways I never anticipated. Without your guidance, this thesis would not have been possible. iii Dedication To my fiancé, Nick Rush. Thank you for your endless hours of support and advice along with your unlimited patience, And, to the 20 Japanese women who shared their stories, feelings, and opinions for this paper. Thank you for allowing me into your world. iv Introduction “Hold out your hand,” the man says, and he places one frozen grape in each