The Japanese Connection To Bogans
| Pronunciation | /ˈboʊ.ɡən/ (ボウガン) |
|---|---|
| Part of Speech | noun |
| English Definition |
Considers whether Japan has an equivalent to the Australian bogan, discussing the yankii subculture as a partial but historically distinct parallel, and notes that the comparison arises naturally among Japanese and Australia-interested online communities. |
| Japanese Translation |
日本とボーガンの意外な接点 |
| Japanese Explanation |
日本に「ボーガン」に相当する存在があるかを考察し、「ヤンキー」文化を部分的には近いが歴史的背景の異なる概念として紹介し、日本とオーストラリアに関心のある人々の間で自然とこの比較が話題になる様子を紹介する。 |
Origin
Part of the Bogue series on kangaeroo.com, an ongoing cultural examination of Australian bogan culture.
Related Words
There isn’t, as far as I can find, a major established academic field called “Japanese bogan studies.” But there are several fascinating connections.
Japan has its own rough equivalent
Japanese observers might reach for concepts such as:
- ヤンキー (yankii);
- 元ヤン (moto-yan);
- 暴走族 (bōsōzoku);
- ギャル (gyaru);
- チンピラ (chinpira).
They aren’t exact equivalents. That’s important. A Japanese yankii is shaped by a very different historical culture, particularly postwar youth rebellion and delinquent subcultures.
A bogan is much more strongly tied to:
class + taste + Australian identity + suburban culture.
But there is enough overlap to make comparison fascinating.
A recent discussion among Japanese and Australia-interested Reddit users produced exactly this question: What is the Japanese equivalent of an Australian bogan? Suggestions included yankii, moto-yan and bōsōzoku. That is anecdotal rather than academic evidence, but it demonstrates that the comparison naturally occurs to people.