Giddens’ definition
of globalization refers to “the growing interconnectedness of different parts
of the world, a process which gives rise to complex forms of interaction and
interdependency” (1995: 149)(Rantanen, T 2005 pp. 15) This definition can
closely relate to how a movement in Japan has influenced similar cultures all
over the world. Furthermore, not only has it served as a cultural form of
globalisation but it has seen an economical flow between the main country of Japan
and all the countries it exports its vehicles too.
A sub-culture that
has influenced me in a way that has ‘altered’ my lifestyle and many others here
in Australia is the Japanese Domestic Market car scene. In other words, the JDM
lifestyle. This relates to what car you drive, how it looks, how it performs,
how it sits and how you treat it. The JDM lifestyle pertains to owning a Japanese
car and having it either performance orientated or stanced. (Image of a stanced
car)
This has
changed the way I see ‘Australian Car Culture’. Reason being is the car that
Australia hails as their successor is the Holden Commodore and the power of the
V8 engine. In contrast, the majority of Japanese cars work around 2.0L engines
with turbochargers to power. This is viewed as “Imports/Tuners vs. Muscle”.
Personally owning a Holden Commodore, I used to love the car (And I still do)
but now that I have been influenced by the JDM lifestyle – I significantly
dislike the car now. Haha. Also, I’m trying to sell it to fund a purchase of a
Jap car. (Honda, Subaru, Toyota, Nissan, Datsun, Mitsubishi ect)
Rantanen, T 2005, ‘Theorizing media and globalization’,
Media and globalization 2005, Sage Publications, London, pp. 1-18
