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Paper short abstract:

Japan Self-Defense Force brass bands often play anime songs. They sometimes induce tourism by anime fans. This paper examines the history and meanings of these performances for both JSDF and fans.

Paper long abstract:

This presentation discusses the tourism induced by Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) brass bands. JSDF has its own musical bands performing for the encouragement of the troops, celebratory events, and public relations. These brass bands often play anime songs (anison). The bands and some anison (especially the theme songs for anime relating to war) sometimes evoke the image of the war. Recently, some anime fans and/or military fans have gone so far as to travel in order to listen to anison played by JSDF brass bands. This presentation clarifies the following three issues. First, the social position and the role of JSDF brass bands will be clarified through document analysis and field surveys of JSDF promotional activities. In Japanese society, the social position of JSDF is complicated because of anti-war sentiment among the public. As such, JSDF brass bands also have an essential role in improving the image of JSDF. Second, an overview of the history of anison and theme songs for tokusatsu (special effects) films played by JSDF brass bands will be given. The history of collaboration between JSDF and pop culture can be traced back to the film Godzilla in the 1950s. Moreover, theme songs for tokusatsu films such as Godzilla are now frequently performed by JSDF brass bands along with anime songs. Therefore, the relationship between anison and tokusatsu theme songs in the bands’ repertoires will be also considered. Third, through a specific case study on tourism practices related to anison performance by JSDF brass bands, the authors will analyze whether these performances actually evoke images of war in the tourists or some other emotion.