Anyone who follows the Olympics regularly knows that every year, there is always controversy of one kind or another.
This year, that controversy belongs to Japanese snowboarder Kazuhiro Kokubo, who apparently wore his team-issued uniform irreverently.
The controversy? He was dressed with a “hip-hop twist,” according to a CNN.com article. His tie was loose, his dress shirt was unbuttoned revealing his undershirt and his pants hung low and did not sit on his waist. It probably didn’t help that his hair was in dreadlocks and he sported double nose piercings. He even wore sunglasses indoors.
Needless to say, Japanese dignitaries were not happy.
Japan’s Minister of Education, Tatsuo Kawabata said in Japanese parliament a few days ago, “It’s extremely regrettable that he dressed in a totally unacceptable manner as a representative of Japan’s national team.”
Now, I’m all for free speech and expressing yourself within reason (wearing only your underwear in public is not OK), but I definitely think Kokubo overstepped his bounds. There is a big difference between wearing what you want in your free time and wearing a uniform to represent your country. What Kokubo did was disrespectful to Japan and he should know better.
What an honor it is for him to go to the Olympics. He’s obviously very talented. Why then is it so difficult for him to dress respectfully like his teammates?
That being said, I thought the punishment inflicted on him was a little too harsh. Not only was he not allowed to walk in the opening ceremonies, but viewing parties for him in Japan were canceled. Newscasters reviewed, analyzed and criticized his fashion choice.
All in all, it’s pretty humiliating. Kokubo’s father was so embarrassed he felt compelled to apologize to the whole nation. While I understand the need to reprimand him, I feel this was a bit strong. However, I know honor is extremely important to the Japanese and Kokubo violated that.
Many people, especially Americans and Gen Y of Japan, don’t really get what the fuss is about.
Mika Sunaoka, a hairdresser at Jambo Beauty Salon in Tokyo which specializes in black hair fashion, said in the article, “Japan is behind the times. Kokubo went to Vancouver to snowboard. That’s what should be evaluated. It’s totally wrong to criticize him about his clothes and hair style.”
Sunaoka is one of many from this generation who seems to have forgotten how much Japanese culture used to center around honor.
For the dignitaries in politics who are from an entirely different generation, honor is still key in society. Today’s generation is going to have to accept that until the older generation passes and the new can step in. The old generation certainly isn’t going to give up on its principles any time soon. I would think Kokubo, having grown up in a society where honor is so important, would never have dared to wear his uniform so disrespectfully, so I’m not sure if this whole incident was out of ignorance or defiance.
Perhaps next time Kokubo will rethink his fashion choice before he embarrasses a nation.
Hannah Kaase is a senior majoring in animal and dairy science. She can be contacted at [email protected].