This was a fun journey down memory lane. While my Japan tenure (and Tokyo area tenure) was when Juliana’s was still a going concern, I never did make a pilgrimage. Box not checked on the early 1990s expat bingo sheet 😆
This was interesting to read. My image of kogyaru is different— I felt the media treated them as outsiders with long dyed blonde hair that were not to be taken seriously.
You are absolutely correct. The Japanese mass media treated them like boy-crazy bimbos, when in fact they were tech trailblazers. Gibson was smart enough to see it. Some locals were too, but they were drowned out by tabloids salivating over a tiny minority engaging in “compensated dating” sugar daddy situations.
This was a fun journey down memory lane. While my Japan tenure (and Tokyo area tenure) was when Juliana’s was still a going concern, I never did make a pilgrimage. Box not checked on the early 1990s expat bingo sheet 😆
I have been since flooded with comments from clubgoers of the era that I hope to compile into a follow-up soon.
This was interesting to read. My image of kogyaru is different— I felt the media treated them as outsiders with long dyed blonde hair that were not to be taken seriously.
You are absolutely correct. The Japanese mass media treated them like boy-crazy bimbos, when in fact they were tech trailblazers. Gibson was smart enough to see it. Some locals were too, but they were drowned out by tabloids salivating over a tiny minority engaging in “compensated dating” sugar daddy situations.
I subscribed for the Japanese culture, stayed subscribed for subculture.
🔥🔥🔥
Great piece Matt! Will be featured in my newsletter this week.
Thank you!