To begin with...
Some scholars have depicted security as an ‘essentially contested concept’. This contention must be addressed before we proceed to analyze the concept of security. (Baldwin, 1997: 10)
To maintain peace by reinforcing moral behavior, which is deemed to be moral not only by the law but also by societal expectations and norms.
Hence, as a group we will define security as…
Furthermore, we will focus on the security issues of Kabukicho, which from a security perspective, a place infamously known for its high crime rate and streets flourished with extralegal activity. The aspects of security explained in this page are: signs and announcements, surveillance cameras, and security guards. (Tokio, Amelie)
Methodology
fieldsite
To observe each aspect of security methods and issues in Kabukicho, we observed and collected field notes from the entire district of Kabukicho. However, each of our focus had ‘hotspots’, which made it necessary to look into certain areas in great detail. As of the security guards, their daily activity takes them through the Chuo-dori, Toyoko Hiroba, and the Ichibangai. Although some signs are seen throughout the city, most signs and announcements, especially those significant to Kabukicho’s safety are seen in similar areas as well. The reason why both of these aspects are concentrated in the same area is because of the wide range of extralegality and catch/scout activities that occur in these areas. On the other hand, different types of surveillance cameras are placed throughout Kabukicho to look over certain areas as ‘additional eyes’. (Yui)
What is extarlegality?
Definition
“Extralegal”: Not regulated or sanctioned by law (Merriam Webster).
An extralegal activity would be an immoral activity that is not regulated by law or is in the gray zone.
According to Alan Smart and Silippo M. Zerilli,
the word extralegality consists of the followings: The illegal, the informal, and the not-yet-(il)legal. (Smart and Zerilli, 2014)
To follow these two main definitions and concepts all of the extralegal activities we have observed in Kabukicho should be an immoral activity that is in the gray zone, and could be categorized into three; illegal, informal, and not-yet-(il)legal. Illegal extralegal activity should have a clear statement on the law that something is not allowed. An informal extralegal activity would be an immoral activity that is in the gray zone in the law, or not mentioned in the law. Not-yet-(il)legal extralegal activity would be an activity that is currently not illegal but considered to be illegal.
List of Extralegal Activities in Kabukicho
Illegal
-
Curb-parking
-
Cars on pedestrian space
-
Graffiti
-
Stickers
Not-yet-(il)legal
-
Smoking on the streets
informal
-
Sitting in a public space
-
Littering
-
Catch
-
Scout
-
Nampa
-
Leaving bicycles on streets
In Relation to this Website
This website would be covering these extralegal activities and security actions. These actions would show the people in Kabukicho what is allowed and what is not allowed. Actions that are allowed could show what the place Kabukicho is for, and the aim of Kabukicho as a specific place in Shinjuku-ku. (Toshiaki)
