Noise Complaints between Japanese Neighbors and Migrants in Rural Japan: From the Perspectives of Noisemakers

Abstract

This paper focuses on the narratives and embodiment of noisemakers in noise complaints in a small town of rural Japan. By building on the intersection of sound studies, body, and migration, this paper aims to critically address the long-discussed concept of ‘noise’ through the perspectives of migrants who are perceived as ‘noisemakers’ in the neighbor relations between Japanese neighbors and migrants. This study was conducted through months of fieldwork in a small town in Japan, in which an ethnic concentration of Japanese descendants from North Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been residing for almost two decades. Sensory ethnography was adopted in addition to participant observation and in-depth interviews that presented the narratives of five Japanese descendants working in seafood processing factories. The findings suggest that perception of the ‘unwanted’ bodily presence becomes a salient metaphorical sense of ‘noise’ which is embodied in migrants as byproducts of the psychological noise of the hearers. This ‘noise’ evokes series of complaints which also escalate into space control in the neighborhood. More than just neighbor relations in negotiating private–public spaces, the phenomena of noisemaking and noise complaints in this study are layered with overlapping unequal social and power structures concerning neighbors, workers, and migrants with stigma of gaijin and ‘noisemakers’.

Noise Complaints and Land Rezoning as a Predictor of Hate Crimes in a New York City Borough

“…Furthermore, Legewie and Schaeffer (2016) found that there is a positive relationship between ethnic and racial diversity in a neighborhood and the number of noise complaints. Both Mutiara (2018) and Stokoe and Wallwork (2003) agree that those who make noise complaints against others have an "us versus them" mentality. Finally, Mutiara (2018) finds that noise complaints come with an unequal distribution of social power within the neighborhood.…”

“…Both Mutiara (2018) and Stokoe and Wallwork (2003) agree that those who make noise complaints against others have an "us versus them" mentality. Finally, Mutiara (2018) finds that noise complaints come with an unequal distribution of social power within the neighborhood. Therefore, where neighbors have less cohesion, we should expect more noise complaints.…”

“…Mutiara (2018) analyzed the psychological perspective of noise complaints and found that a noise complaint is rooted in “the perception of the sound hearers, their motivation, and their social power (including access) to make a noise complaint” (p. 4). An individual’s ability to make the determination to file a noise complaint depends on their social power and domination within a geographical boundary.…”

“…These cultural and social interpretations that a group or individual makes about another group or individual are fundamental for understanding conflict within neighborhoods, but never directly measured when applying ethnic conflict or defended neighborhood theories. Mutiara (2018) analyzed the psychological perspective of noise complaints and found that a noise complaint is rooted in "the perception of the sound hearers, their motivation, and their social power (including access) to make a noise complaint" (p. 4). An individual's ability to make the determination to file a noise complaint depends on their social power and domination within a geographical boundary.…”

Visa Regulation of Indonesian Migrant Worker Based on Immigration Control Act of Japan, 2018

“…Indonesian migrant workers alone in Japan recorded 49,982 people living in Japan both legally and illegally. Since 1998, the chairman of the factory association in Oarai has invited Japanese descendants and migrants from North Sulawesi to work in the seafood industry, so it is not new that many Indonesian migrant workers in Japan today 11 .According to statistics from the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency, Japan received 486 Indonesian migrant workers in 2019. The figure decreased from 538 in 2017, which makes Japan number 13 for the largest Indonesian migrant worker placement country.…”