Security of Toyoko Kids
by Norika
Introduction
In order to manage and monitor the actions of Toyoko kids, the city of Shinjuku has placed security guards. According to the Shinjuku website, 「新宿区では、区民及び来街者の安全・安心を確保するため、平成28年度に新宿区安全安心パトロール隊を発足し、客引き行為等をはじめとした区条例違反者への指導を行っています。」(Translation: In order to ensure the safety and security of Shinjuku City residents and visitors, Shinjuku City established the Shinjuku City Safety and Security Patrol Team in 2016 to provide guidance to those who violate City ordinances, including catch.) These security guards observe Toyoko kids’ every move, and make sure social order and tranquility is maintained. Even with this role, security guards themselves have little authority to control a situation, and are only able to verbally warn them. Their authority comes from their connection with the police, and being able to report any activity they see. The constant presence of security guards in a space Toyoko kids have claimed to be their own changes the way these two communities interact with each other. This section of the website will analyze the interaction of security and Toyoko kids, how toyoko kids create their own protective community, and how the presence of security impacts the attitude and actions of Toyoko kids.
Why is this important?
The legality of actions taken by Toyoko kids in the hiroba is often questioned by many outside the community. Their language, behavior and lifestyle is often seen with a negative connotation. However, it is not known that security guards are constantly present to monitor the situation. Through closely examining these interactions, the research will explore the significance of safety and security of the hiroba. Even with their images draw of them on social media, they still remain adolescents (mostly minors) who dwell in a re light district in the middle of Toyoko. As the two communities that constantly occupy the hiroba, and the relationship between how they use the space and interact with each other shapes the social structure of the hiroba.
For more information about Toyoko kids use of language, click here!
For more information about Toyoko kids behavior and proxemics,
click here!
Where security Guards Stand:
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Yellow shaded area
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The shaded area represents where the majority of Toyoko kids spend their time. They usually use this area to create groups within each other, claiming the space to be their own.
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Red stars
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The red stars represent where security guards stand. as depicted in the diagram, security guards often stand in pairs, surrounding the main area where Toyoko kids dwell.
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Disclaimer: These observations were made between the hours of 19:00 and 21:00, and attitudes of Toyoko kids and security personnel may be different at later hours.
Sections
Security of toyoko kids