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Biopower: Rebellion & Hikikomori

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               The phenomenon of Hikikomori exemplifies an instance of attempted rebellion against the pervasive process of biopower. Referencing Foucauldian ideology, and discussed in the article we read by Rail and Harvey, there exists a relationship of nation-state power and the human body in society, that is revealed by the body itself. Power, in the form of dominant Japanese social and cultural practices, is internalized subconsciously by citizens who emulate what they observe. Power permeates so profoundly that citizens’ body movements, gender identities, sports practices, diet preference, and even religious beliefs are all affected. Patriotism for Japan is expressed highly physically, using every facet of bodily practice as a means of honoring the country.
               The emergence of Hikikomori, “a recent phenomenon among young adults in which they isolate themselves from social contacts and responsibility for more than 6 months”, is the result of biopower (Teo & Gaw) (Yong & Kaneko). The emphasis on success in Japanese culture causes people, who do not meet specific employment, behavioral and appearance standards, severe emotional repercussion. Sentiments of personal failure are so harrowing that they feel the need to shut themselves away from Japanese society all together. They are so stimulated by power, that they in turn feel powerless.
               Power,  in the form of dominant Japanese social and cultural practices, is internalized subconsciously by citizens who emulate what they observe. Through this unconscious internalization, the nation-state disciplines its population to represent what is considered modern Japan. The concept of idealistic, national modernity is crafted around the notion of bodies as effective species, akin to machines. As a species, citizens are imbued with the mechanics of life deemed to best shape biological processes such as propagation, health level, and life expectancies. As machines, populations are disciplined in order to best serve systems of economic productivity. Hikikomori is a direct attempt to evade the effects of this system dormant in their bodies. Japanese citizens are immediately born into this assemblage of power relations, and the hikikomori attempt to escape it by physically shutting their bodies away from society. 
 

This page has paths:

  1. Biopower: Theory Origin Story Kit McGinley
  2. Biopower Han Claire Sodam Yang

This page has tags:

  1. Biopower Han Claire Sodam Yang
  2. Biopower: Theory Origin Story Kit McGinley
  3. Biopower vwik
  4. What is 'bio-power'? Jordan Van Glish
  5. How does the promotion of sport and 'gattai' also reinforce biopower? Jordan Van Glish
  6. Tattoos and Body Manipulation vwik
  7. 'Gattai' as a cycle Jordan Van Glish
  8. What is 'gattai'? Jordan Van Glish
  9. Foucault marisa davis
  10. Robertson marisa davis
  11. Origin Story of Biopower: History Kit McGinley

Contents of this tag:

  1. Contrast of ideals: Dezomeshiki Pride and Hikkikomori
  2. Biopower: Hikikomori is not mental illness
  3. Kit McGinley
  4. Biopower &Tech: Hikikomori extreme?