In Japan tattoos have long been stigmatized for their association with organized crime gangs, the Yakuza, who pledge their allegiance with full-body markings. Consequently, anyone with ink – regardless of their profession – cannot usually use public swimming pools, hot springs, beaches and even some gyms.
Actually, tattoos are fine in Japan. They're not illegal in any way. You may even see some people walking around with fashion tattoos, especially in Tokyo. Although some people in Japan have tattoos, they are usually hidden underneath clothing.
Tattoos have long been taboo in Japan given their link to criminal gangs such as the yakuza. This stems from “irezumi”, which are traditional Japanese tattoos that first came to prominence hundreds of years ago and used to be showcased within the country as an art form.
Tattoos: legal issues
In Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland, it's a criminal offence for a tattooist to do tattoos for someone under 18 years. In the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, teenagers under 18 years need to get their parents' permission for tattoos.
While tattoos are not illegal, they can prevent people from getting the full Japanese experience. When using public transportation in Japan, such as trains, tourists with visible tattoos will want to keep in mind that their ink may be offensive to some of the locals.
Japan has a longstanding taboo against tattoos, which remain associated with organized crime. Many beaches, hot springs resorts and gyms do not admit people with tattoos. Companies often expressly prohibit applicants who are inked.
Not many beaches in Japan ban tattoos outright. Some do, though, so do research on where you're going if you're inked. Typically, if there is a ban, you can still enjoy the beach as long as your tattoos aren't visible, so cover up with a t-shirt or your swimming gear. Small tattoos are generally overlooked.
Three largest syndicates
The Yamaguchi-gumi is the largest Yakuza family, accounting for 30% of all Yakuza in Japan, with 4,000 members and 4,500 quasi-members as of 2021. From its headquarters in Kobe, it directs criminal activities throughout Japan. It is also involved in operations in Asia and the United States.
Although the number of tattoo-friendly onsen and sento is growing, many still do not allow tattooed guests. Etiquette is important to Japanese bathing culture and crucial for a relaxing onsen experience. Inked visitors should avoid these facilities and instead find one of the many that do allow tattoos.
Yakuza doesn't use tattoos to identify their members, so you won't run into trouble. These tattoos are personal and based on Japanese legends, symbolism, and art. However, in Japan there is a strong stigma against tattoos, so you might not be able to enter some public places with visible body art.
Rules are very important in Japan, and as there is a no tattoo rule in nearly all pools, onsens and gyms, a foreigner walking up to the desk with tattoos showing is bound to cause concern. Just cover up and keep those tattoos covered and that is acceptable. If you can't cover up, don't go to those environments.
A rather common question following the topic of tattoo disapproval in Japan is whether or not it is actually straight up illegal. The answer is no, tattoos are not illegal at all. In fact, there is even a traditional Japanese tattooing style called Irezumi, which dates back many centuries.
China bans tattoos for minors, forbidding anyone from offering the service to teens. The State Council directive also bars advertisements and online or broadcast content that depicts tattoos. A Chinese player sports tattoos during the men's basketball match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, July 25, 2021.
South Korea remains the only developed country where the act of tattooing is outlawed unless you're a medical doctor. Pop stars are forced to cover up their body art while on television, with BTS singer Jeon Jung-kook regularly covering his hands in bandages.
Besides booking yourself a private onsen (which can be costly), you can purchase body stickers and skin-coloured patches to conceal your body art.
When getting a job in a company, does a tattoo become a negative factor? Still, many Japanese companies reject employees who have tattoos. For Japanese companies, if an employee of the company gets a tattoo, it seems that he is an anti-social person or is associated with other anti-social people.
Although the practice of mò xíng (墨刑; tattooing the faces of criminals) has long since disappeared, there still remains a traditional consensus in China that tattoos are a sign of bad people. Tattoos are still used by gangs and criminals, which exacerbates the stigma of tattoos.
Getting an irezumi is a life-long process and will be a big decision in life. You have to communicate well with your Japanese tattoo artist and save up money since they are pretty pricey. On average, irezumi artists will charge you around 10,000–15,000 per hour of tattooing with a minimum charge of 1 hour.
Extent of Activities in Australia. 6.8 There have also since the mid 1980s been many claims of yakuza activities in Australia.
However, there's no apparent modern or historical basis for a white American being accepted into the yakuza, with the film's synopsis having little understanding of how the crime syndicates work.
Kenichi Shinoda (篠田 建市, Shinoda Ken'ichi, born January 25, 1942), also known as Shinobu Tsukasa (司 忍, Tsukasa Shinobu), is a Japanese Yakuza, the sixth and current kumicho (supreme kingpin, or chairman) of the Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan's largest yakuza organization.
-- And tattoos are considered unacceptable. Traditional Japanese tattoos, which cover large swaths of skin, are commonly associated with the yakuza, the country's organized crime syndicates. And people with body art are often turned away for fear of scaring off others looking for a quiet soak or a restorative ritual.