Tokyo Disneyland's Japanese Identity

I mentioned in my first blog post that I’ve always been intrigued by how Disney theme parks and characters seem to present themselves differently in varying cultures.

Today I want to explore the ways in which Tokyo Disneyland is constructed to fit in with aspects of Japan’s culture: Japan’s collectivistic culture and her kawaii culture. 

Japan’s Collectivistic Culture
Japan, like many East Asian countries, highly values collectivism, whereby hard work and harmonious interpersonal relationships, especially familial ties, are highly valued.

Tokyo Disneyland opened on April 15, 1983, a period when Japan’s economy was booming and consumer spending was at its peak. An LA times article dated April 12 1994 shared that “Walt Disney Productions has helped write a new chapter in Japanese social history by popularizing the idea that family outings can be fun,” an idea resonant with Japan’s collectivistic culture.

Further, according to the same article, since the theme park opened, Tokyo Disneyland’s enormous success can be largely attributed to its prime metropolitan location and its highly dense population. Its often reported that Japanese workers are amongst the most hardworking in the world and most willing to work long hours, hence Tokyo Disneyland offers Japanese citizens an escape from reality and an opportunity to disengage from their stressful and hectic lives.

Notably, one of Tokyo’s Disneyland’s main attraction is Cinderella’s castle, which according to a BBC article, is “rumoured to have been chosen because the princess’s qualities of duty and a strong work ethic would resonate more deeply in Japanese culture than Sleeping Beauty, whose castle is featured in the centre of Disneyland California.” 

Japan’s Kawaii Culture
Kawaii refers to the quality of cuteness in the context of Japanese culture. The most popular Disney characters in Japan include Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Chip and Dale and Donald Duck. One characteristic I think these characters all have in common is that they are all perceived as lovable and innocent characters, which undeniably aligns with Japan’s kawaii culture.

When I visited Disneyland in Tokyo six years ago, I remember noticing that classic Disney princesses are typically popularized as being pretty, cute and innocent, rather than the Western image of them being classy and adventurous. I also remember that I thought the waitresses in the restaurants I visited in Tokyo Disneyland were all dressed in a kawaii fashion. Many of them were clad in maiden outfits and had pigtails. 

Additional points
I read that until 2002, Tokyo Disneyland had a unique attraction named “Meet the World”, which was located in Tomorrowland and offered visitors an “18-minute chronicle of Japan's history of diplomacy and trade with other countries.” However, the attraction was shut down in 2002 and demolished and replaced by a Monsters Inc. attraction in 2006.

Although I never got to see “Meet the World”, I imagine it must have been a crucial aspect to Tokyo Disneyland. I’m wondering if this demonstrates Disney’s cultural appropriation; perhaps Disney wanted to do away with making Tokyo Disneyland uniquely Japanese as possible, and instead sought to uphold Disney’s American image and representation.