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Short Review of Speed Tribes: Days and Nights with
Japans' Next Generation
The youth of Japan are f***** up. That is the concept that first
comes to mind after completing "Speed Tribes: Days and Nights
with Japan's Next Generation". If you're looking for a
scholarly study of the youth of Japan, like in White's
"The Material Child", this is the wrong book to read. In
this book, Karl Taro Greenfeld paints vignettes of various youth in
Japan ranging from the drug dealer to the hostess to the otaku. The
picture, however, is fairly grim; most of these youth have poor
outlooks. In fact, most of the stories have depressing endings;
this is not a book for optimists.
The language of this book is colourful to say the least;
Greenfeld does not mince words. These are real people in real
situations although many readers will find it hard to really
comprehend the environment these youth are in. Although it is
obvious, it should be pointed out that this book is not
representative of all of Japanese youth. Rather, the characters are
part of the luppenproletariat; or the underclass as Marx called
them.
In these vignettes presented, Greenfeld does a good job at
describing the environment the characters face for the reader.
There is explanation and commentary dispersed throughout the
stories which add to the experience. The vignettes are also well
written which is a plus.
Below is a listing of the chapter titles with a very short
description of the contents.
- Izumi: The Money-Drinkers: Life as an underling in the Yakuza
organization. Izumi runs a money-drinkers operation, where people
can place illegal bets on sporting events.
- Tats: The Speed Tribes: Tats is the leader of a motorcycle
gang; main event of this story is a large gathering of gang members
on a beach where the police and citizens confront them with
violence.
- Dai: The Motorcycle Thief: Self-evident title. This chapter is
used to discuss youth crime in Japan as well as the penal
system.
- Choco Bon-Bon and Emi: The Perfect Tuna: A look into the adult
film industry. Idea of note from the chapter; this is only industry
in Japan that females earn more than males.
- Keiko: The Early Breakfast Club: Stories about youth who are
from the suburbs and commute out to visit nightclubs and what not.
The title comes from the fact that they commute back home in the
early morning. Description of youth involved in the night scene
wearing body-con (form fitting clothing).
- Hiro and Yoshihara: The Best and the Brightest: Ronin
attempting to get into Tokyo University. Once in, they are set for
life (viz. students being offering a well paying internship with 0
days a week, 0 hours a week).
- Kazu and Hiroko: The Map Maker: Story of a dealmaker between
drug dealers and the Yakuza.
- Tusk: Twilight of the Idols: Life of a rock group
(Zi:Kill).
- Ozaki: The True Believer: This story is about a fanatical
member of the extreme-right wing in Japan. This also deals with the
effects of the extreme right on the country.
- Jackie: The Hostess: The glitzy life of an American being a
hostess in Japan is described including the expensive and valuable
gifts that can be received.
- Moto: Homestay: Homestay refers to Japanese parents sending
their children abroad for a short time to get them out of trouble
(a very expensive proposition...close to a few million yen). Moto
is a candidate for this treatment.
- Snix: The Otaku: Description of one stereotypical otaku hacker
with a passion for idols.
Publication information:
Speed Tribes: Days and Nights with Japan's Next
Generation. Karl Taro Greenfeld. HarperCollinsPublishers:
1994. 286pp. ISBN 0-06-017039-5
Copyright ©2000-2001 Stephen Congly
All Rights Reserved.
Last revised: January 2, 2001
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