Defence SDF to consider removing its ban on tattoos

[thomas]

Given their chronic personnel shortage, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces now consider allowing tattooed youths to sign up if they are otherwise qualified. Japanese society has traditionally taken a dim view of tattoos due to their long historical association with the yakuza, Japan's organized crime syndicates. However, Liberal Democratic Party member Masahisa Sato, a former member of Japan's Self-Defense Forces and one of the five directors of the committee, thinks the SDF could soften its stance against inked body art.

Currently, candidates looking to enlist in the SDF have their applications rejected if they have tattoos. Sato feels there are two problems with this policy. Japan's low birth rate means that the country's population is shrinking and aging, leaving a smaller and smaller pool of citizens who are within the feasible age range for active SDF service. Further cutting down that candidate pool by dismissing applicants out of hand for having tattoos is only making the situation more difficult, Sato asserts. "Rejecting applicants for having tattoos presents a problem in terms of bolstering our number of enlisted personnel." At the same time, Sato holds that there's an increasing number of people in Japan who have tattoos but no connection to organized crime. "There are 'fashion tattoos,'" he explained, differentiating them from the more elaborate, quasi-ceremonial designs favored by yakuza members with examples such as "a small tattoo of a flower or someone's name."

Japan to consider allowing tattooed youths to join SDF

A senior Defense Ministry official recently admitted the need at a parliamentary session reviewing the current guideline banning people from applying to be an SDF cadet.

www.japantimes.co.jp

PS: I hope @mdchachi will enthuse us with AI-generated imagery to illustrate these latest developments better.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

I always hated needles , so I chickened out.