Scandal in Japan: Transgression, Performance and Ritual by Igor Prusa
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2631309X241234359
This book, part of Routledge’s Japan Anthropology Workshop Series, offers a unique and in-depth analysis of how scandals are mediated, performed, and ritualized in Japanese society. Prusa focuses on the aftermath of scandals—how public figures respond to their transgressions and how these events are shaped by cultural, social, and media dynamics. The book is particularly relevant for understanding white-collar and corporate crime in Japan, as it examines the role of media, public reaction, and societal norms in shaping scandal narratives.
Key Themes and Structure
1. Focus on Scandal as a Social Phenomenon
Prusa argues that scandals are not just about the transgression itself but about how they are mediatized—how they are framed, narrated, and performed for the public.
Scandals serve as a way for society to define norms, manage transgressions, and reinforce moral boundaries.
The book addresses two central questions:
What is the media logic behind scandals?
How are scandals constituted by the ritualized performances of their actors?
2. Theoretical Framework
Prusa uses cultural sociology to analyze scandals as social dramas and rituals.
He employs performance analysis, critical discourse analysis, and journalistic analysis to understand how scandals are constructed and mediated.
Scandals are seen as comprising three key elements: moral violation, media publicity, and public reaction.
3. Case Studies
The book is built around three detailed case studies, each illustrating different aspects of scandal mediation and response in Japan:
Sakai Noriko Scandal (2009):
Background: Sakai, a popular actress and singer, was implicated in a drug scandal after her husband was arrested for possession of illegal stimulants. Drugs were found in her apartment, leading to her arrest.
Media Frenzy: Her disappearance and subsequent surrender to police sparked a media spectacle, making it one of the biggest celebrity scandals in Japanese history.
Outcome: Sakai publicly apologized, served a suspended sentence, and later attempted a comeback. Prusa frames this scandal as a mediated morality tale that exposes the corrupt and inauthentic nature of celebrity culture.
Ozawa Ichirō Scandal:
Background: Ozawa, a veteran politician, was accused of receiving shady political donations.
Response: He resigned as president of the Democratic Party of Japan, denied the allegations, and was eventually acquitted. He used ritualized performances (e.g., apologies, shifting blame to subordinates) to navigate the scandal.
Outcome: Ozawa managed to save face and even formed a new political party, demonstrating how public figures can use strategic rituals to mitigate damage.
Olympus Accounting Scandal:
Background: Michael Woodford, the former CEO of Olympus, blew the whistle on the company’s longstanding accounting fraud, which involved hiding losses in off-the-books accounts.
Media Role: The scandal gained traction due to foreign media pressure, which reframed Woodford from a villain (leaking corporate secrets) to a victim of corporate corruption.
Outcome: The case highlighted the role of external pressures in driving media coverage and public reaction in Japan.
4. Scandal as Social Ritual
Prusa identifies three strategies used by transgressors to manage scandals:
Apologetic Strategy: Public apologies and expressions of remorse.
Defensive Strategy: Denial or deflection of responsibility.
Offensive Strategy: Counterattacks or reframing the narrative.
The ultimate goal in Japanese society is reintegration of the transgressor, not permanent exclusion.
5. Co-Producers of Media Scandal
Scandals are co-produced by multiple actors:
Promoters: Insiders, whistleblowers, and netizens who leak information.
Assemblers: Journalists, editors, and media networks that frame the scandal.
Performers: The transgressors who engage in public performances (e.g., apologies).
Influencers: Prosecutors, agencies, and pundits who shape the narrative.
Receivers: The public, who interpret and react to the scandal.
6. Limited Impact of Scandals
Prusa argues that scandals in Japan rarely lead to meaningful social or political change. Instead, they are commodified as spectacles and entertainment.
The public becomes desensitized to scandals, and the focus shifts to restoring trust rather than addressing root causes.
Strengths and Contributions
The book provides a unique focus on the ritualized and performative aspects of scandal management, which are often overlooked in studies of white-collar and corporate crime.
It offers a cultural and sociological perspective on how scandals are mediated and understood in Japan.
The inclusion of social process charts helps readers visualize how scandals unfold and are managed.
Criticisms and Limitations
Some scholars may find the book lacking in cultural criminological theory, which could provide deeper insights into the relationship between scandal and power.
As noted in the foreword by Joy Hendry, the book does not fully explore how mediatized scandals shape Japanese culture. Prusa acknowledges this limitation and calls for future research to address it.
Conclusion
Scandal in Japan: Transgression, Performance and Ritual is a valuable contribution to the study of scandals, particularly in the context of Japanese society. It highlights how scandals are not just about the transgression but about the performances, rituals, and media dynamics that shape public perception. The book is highly recommended for scholars and students interested in white-collar crime, media studies, and cultural sociology, and it would be an excellent addition to graduate-level courses on these topics.
Key Takeaways
Scandals in Japan are mediatized events shaped by cultural norms, media logic, and public reaction.
Public figures use ritualized performances (e.g., apologies, resignations) to manage scandals and seek reintegration into society.
Scandals are often commodified as entertainment and rarely lead to systemic change, reflecting the desensitization of the public to corruption and transgression.