Pachinko

Recreation in Japan

Pachinko parlours (click here for more information on pachinko) are difficult to avoid in Japan - garish buildings that attempt to draw you in, predominantly around stations but they also turn up when you least expect them. As pachinko makes up 40% of Japan's leisure industry I think it is worthy of some consideration, despite the fact that the Japanese seem to deny the existence of gambling and the associated social problems, and the difficulties faced by those who attempt to research it (as David Plotz describes). Despite having gained such a bad reputation over the years, such as claims to be linked to yakuza (Japanese Mafia) and the Korean Capitalist economy, the industry is enjoying a small revival in these times of economic regression. There are several theories as to why this is; the most prominent being the idea that people are turning to pachinko as a way to make money when unemployment is becoming such a big problem, or as a leisure activity that can be justified as a 'money-maker' rather than a waste of money as going to the cinema or buying video games might be. The other theory is that pachinko owners are attempting to appeal to a greater audience by cleaning up their image and tempting in a female clientele. Many have now banned smoking inside, brightened up the interior, made the furniture more comfortable and staff are encouraged to be more accomodating to dispel their sleazy reputation - something that from my questioning so far seems to be what puts most people off (that and the noise!). As far as I can tell from my brief soujourns into the incredibly noisy parlours, they have been successful in broadening their clientele as maybe 30% were women, and the remaining majority were respectable looking businessmen. The former theory is less easy to evaluate, as Japan is unsure whether pachinko even is gambling, and as Plotz shows with his character study individuals often go through years of denial before seeking help for gambling addictions. Nevertheless pachinko does look to be a recreational activity that many can get lost in; one of the few solitary activities in a country that prides itseld on its homogeniety and harmonised society. Something that has ironically been referred to as "cut-rate zen", a place where the noise of millions of steel balls dropping, loud videos and even louder announcements drown out thoughts of the dire economic climate and personal problems, and allow you to forget for hours on end

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