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how security is encoded
Public Signage
by Hayato
This page will discuss how the aspect of ‘security’ is being encoded in signboards, by examining its’ various features
Introduction
As discussed in this page, the crime rate of Kabuki-cho is absurdly high compared to the other districts of Shinjuku. Thus, security is encoded in various media of Kabuki-cho, in order to maintain civic order and ensure the safety and cleanness of the district. Intentionally or unintentionally, one would come across such experience once they enter the district through various senses. For instance, public announcements (Moe Shiojiri Note 10 (F4)) are repetitively played around Ichiban-gai and Chuo-dori, where it asks the public to be aware of Kyakuhiki; appealing to the auditory sensations of an individual. Likewise, visual sensations are appealed through public signboards, and this page will discover the various features in which security is being encoded within them.
For simplicity, signboards being discussed in this page will be labeled as ‘security signboards’ with the following definition:
Signboards which are issued by public organizations (e.g. government, district bodies…), that are intended to positively influence public behavior under the goal of meeting civic order standards
NAME OF AUTHORITY
Private signboards would normally have the name of the publisher labeled, in order to let the viewers know to whom the signboards belong to. Public signboards are no exception; as one pays close attention to the security signboards placed in the district, they may notice that many of them would have the name of the publishing authority labeled. This is typically in order to emphasize the credibility of the signboard, and give a sense of seriousness to the viewers (SOURCE).
security signboard taken in the host club district. Name of the authorities are circled in pink.
← The security signboard in this image calls the public to call 110 (the police department dial) when they come across kyakuhiki in the streets. In this security signboard, the name of the authority is labeled on the left hand side of the board (underlined in pink). This particular signboard is published by five authorities: 新宿区 Shinjuku-ward, 新宿警察署 Shinjuku Police Department, 歌舞伎町商店街振興組合 Kabuki-cho Sho-tengai Emergent Association, 歌舞伎町二丁目町会 Kabuki-cho Ni-chome Town Association and, 歌舞伎町タウンマネージメント Kabuki-cho Town Management.
The security signboard in this image calls the public to dial 110 or 9110 (the police consultation → dial) whenever needed, in order to achieve 安心安全のまちづくり( translates to a safe and secure community construction). In this signboard, the name of authorities are labeled on the bottom of the signboard (circled in pink). This particular signboard is published by 6 authorities: 東京都・新宿区 Shinjuku ward, 警視庁新宿警察署 Shinjuku Police Department, 東京消防庁新宿消防署 Shinjuku Fire Department, 東京商工会議所新宿支部 Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Shinjuku branch, 新宿観光新興協会 Shinjuku Convention & Visitors Bureau and, 歌舞伎町商店街振興組合 Kabuki-cho Shoten-tai Emergent Association.
security signboard taken in Chuo-dori.
The name of authorities are underlined in pink.
USE OF WORDS RELATED TO LEGALITY
Security and legality are two inseparable words in which they have a close relationship with one another. Likewise, security signboards would often have terms related to ‘legality’ labeled on them. Such terms would usually give a tense and serious impression to the viewers which some may not feel necessarily comfortable with. Nevertheless, such words should be effective in preventing crimes and maintaining the civic order of the district.
“Dial 110”
For an example, in this security signboard, the text １１０番 (dial 110) is written on the left side of the main text. Dial 110 indicates the dial number of the police department, which are intended to be called in emergency cases. The terminology of “110” is strongly tied with the police in Japan, which suggests the nature of legality being embedded into this signboard.
“条例”
Another example can be the term “条例”. In the same signboard given in the previous example, the term is written on the right side of the main text, colored in red. 条例 is translated as “by-law”, which indicates rules established by an organization or a community so as to regulate itself. The difference between the term 法律 “law”, lies on the authority of the rules, where laws are often established by the government or the country. Nevertheless, the term “条例” would be strongly tied with legality. In this signboard, the 条例 would indicate the prohibition of Kyakuhiki. Besides the signboards, the term 条例 is also audible from the public announcement being played in the district. This suggests how the term is strongly emphasized and how changes in public behavior are highly expected from it.
“違反”
違反 is a translation of “violation” which is often referred to when one breaks the law or by-law. Therefore, this term is strongly correlated to 条例 mentioned earlier, often being observed in pairs. For instance in this signboard, 違反 is written as 条例違反, which directly translates to “by-law violation”. This refers to Kyakuhiki in the district. 違反 would normally have a negative connotation in which many people would be alert to, when they come across this word. Likewise, the term in this context is not an exception.
“罰金”
罰金 would also be a prominent example of the section. 罰金 is translated as “fine” which people have to pay, whenever they break the law or by-law. 罰金 would also be a term which is frequently tied together with 条例, as it is considered the direct consequence of whenever an individual breaks these forms of rules.
In this signboard, the term is circled in pink. As the term is colored in red, one can see how this is the main emphasis of the signboard. The 条例 refers to the prohibition of littering, which a 罰金 up to 20,000 yen are fined to those who are found guilty.
USE OF WORDS RELATED TO CIVIC ORDER
Besides legality, civic order is also inevitable when discussing security. This is because maintaining civic order is considered as the ultimate purpose of all security means. Likewise, words related to civic order are frequently embedded into various security signboards. The significant difference between the words categorized in this sub section and those in the previous sub section, is viewer impression. While words related to legality tend to often have intimidating (negative) connotations by viewers, words related to civic order would often give comforting (positive) impressions to the viewers.
"安心"・"安全"
“安心”, “安全” are primary examples which can be categorized under this sub-section. Originally speaking, 安心 and 安全 are two synonymous words which translate to “secure” and “safe”. Despite them being two different words, they are occasionally written in pairs most likely due to its’ similarities in phonics and its’ catchy rhythm when reading it aloud.
For instance, on this signboard, the main text is written as “安心安全のまちづくり” (translates to safe and secure community construction). Considering the content (which is written under the main text), we can consider how the two dials (110, 9110) are there to ultimately create a safe and security community for those who reside / visit there.
"CLEAN"
Often in signboards discussing littering, the term “clean” was also written on them to emphasize its’ effort in maintaining civic order. For instance, the main text on this signboard is “Clean Shinjuku”. With the effort of this signboard to prevent littering, the term explicitly indicates how such prevention would ultimately lead to creating the “clean” cityscape of Kabuki-cho. As identical to the previous example, such terms help indicate the ultimate goal of these signboards to the viewers and how the change in their actions and behavior can contribute in moving a step ahead.
Conclusion
This page examined the various aspects related to security, and how they are being encoded into signboards. Such aspects can be briefly categorized into three subthemes: the description of authority, words related to legality and, words related to civic order. Moreover, by analyzing its’ each respective content, the intentions behind such encoding were also apparent; emphasizing the main message of the signboards.