12.02.04
Return of the thumb tribes: The finger has come
Log entry by: Taro Matsumura When seeing people on trains or in subways, I don't think they are using keitai for that much communication. They look like they're just handling their phones, but I can see the "on" signal on the back of the phone is regularly blinking. So I imagine they are playing games on their keitai (usually the blinking signal and game audio go off together, but in this situation, only the signal would appear because of restrictions on cell phone noise and usage in public.) They may be overlooked, but these regular people are part of the thumb tribe, too. I think it all started when people began to play games only with their thumbs (Nintendo and so on). When we think about regular cameras or digital cameras, most of them have shutter buttons on the top, and it's common to press them with the index finger. With the advent of keitai equipped with digital cameras, the style of taking photos has changed. Now we open the cover of flip-style keitai and check the screen, then press the button with, of course, the thumb. When keitai cameras became equipped with megapixels, companies tried to get the style of picture-taking back to the old way, calling it yokodori, meaning "horizontal way of picture-taking." (They manufactured phones that had to be turned horizontally in order to shoot a photo.) Nevertheless, using the thumb to push the button for taking photos has become the new standard. We often hear (from the government) that it is going to be a "ubiquitously" networked world, but I believe it's really all about mobiles rather than "ubiquitous" networks. I think the English word ubiquitous should have a Japanese equivalent, thanks to keitai. I suggest ubi kitasu, meaning "the finger has come."
Next time: Some final thoughts on thumb tribes 11.26.04
The rise of the thumb tribes
Log entry by: Taro Matsumura Because I clearly belong to the generation of thumb tribes, I never pondered about it -- I never even cared about the term "thumb tribe." I decided to do some research on its definition and think about it. Dictionary definition
e-Words: Thumb tribe
The young generation that utilizes the keitai functions of phone, e-mail and Internet frequently as part of daily life. The name stems from the quick motion of a thumb pushing buttons on a cell phone. As e-mail service on cell phones began, young people started to use e-mail actively as a new way of communication. Then, in addition to e-mail, various functions could be done by "thumb," such as ticket reservations for transportation and concerts, money deposits in an account, and book purchases. The generation that makes the best use of these functions is expanding. The origin of "thumb tribe"
It seems like the words "thumb tribe" did not appear with the advent of keitai. They used to use that term for pachinko (a type of casino game) fans from Nagoya who go to pachinko very frequently. I haven't played pachinko much, but it seems to me they play with their wrists, not with their thumbs -- judging from how they do the game. Thumb tribes limited to youngsters?
The definition above was written in October 2003. The description back then discussed the "young generation," but those who depend on keitai for communication in their daily lives are not only young people. For example, homemakers cannot go through their daily lives without keitai. They communicate with keitai, rather than a PC, which inspired the story of "Homemakers' reproduction of homemaking" (Jingo Dohashi, Musashi Institute of Technology). I remember hearing that my friend gave his grandpa a keitai and they communicate by e-mail. In this way, keitai has become more prevalent even among elderly people. It is not only for an emergency purpose, but it's also a communication tool. If the surprising speed of pushing buttons on keitai occupies the biggest part of the definition of thumb tribes, it may be difficult for not only homemakers but also for elderly people to achieve that level. Having said that, there is no difference in the ability to communicate anytime, anywhere.
To be continued ...
11.05.04
Lost in translation: An American takes on keitai
Log entry by: Lori DesRochers This week we get an exchange student's perspective on Japanese wireless culture. DesRochers, a Pomona College (Calif.) student, is studying Japanese at International Christian University in Tokyo.
I have found that owning a Japanese keitai for these six months has been an important point of access into Japanese society. First of all, the experience of buying my keitai in Japan as a foreigner was something of a rite of passage. I had to have my Alien Registration Card with me when I purchased it, which meant that I was both planning on staying in Japan for longer than 90 days, and that I had successfully navigated the paperwork of my city's government office. Then, interpreting the complex calling plans and purchasing deals while attempting to get a reasonably priced keitai was a challenge unto itself -- especially given that the sales clerks didn't speak English, and my Japanese is weak at best. Once I had made my way through this entire process and began making use of my freshly-purchased technological wonder, I started to realize that my keitai could help me to grow accustomed to life in Japan in more ways than one. Sending e-mails and text messages was, of course, the first thing that a non-Japanese like myself appreciated, as speaking over the phone (minus helpful hand gestures, facial expressions and acting out) is one of the most difficult forms of communication to master. Sending a quick note in Japanese or English goes a long way toward clarifying what might otherwise be a completely misinterpreted message. Receiving notes in Japanese is also good practice for developing language skills -- especially since I have yet to figure out how to use Japanese fonts on my computer, and my keitai is my only way to receive messages in Japanese. The process of writing keitai e-mails also brings forth another advantage -- the fact that keitai can turn hiragana (the Japanese syllabic alphabet) into kanji (characters that represent whole words). This means that while I'm standing in the middle of a crowded train platform desperately trying to remember the kanji for "Ikebukuro," I can simply begin to type it into an e-mail, and all of the kanji that match the phonetic spelling of Ikebukuro will immediately appear. While this isn't as effective as using an electric dictionary (and unfortunately, doesn't work in the reverse -- from kanji to hiragana), it certainly comes in handy when I'm drawing a blank as to the writing of a certain kanji. And keitai can translate the kanji for proper nouns, which is one step above standard paperback dictionaries. As a foreigner to Japan, meeting new faces is part of the daily experience. Entering each person's data into my keitai as we part ways can be extremely helpful. Not only can I take pictures of their faces for their entries, but this process of exchanging information is also the appropriate time to clarify the spelling and pronunciation of their names. The amount of information that can be recorded within each phone book entry (name, phone number, e-mail address, photograph) may signal the end of the era of waking up the next morning to find restaurant napkins scrawled with illegible ink stains and only a vague memory of their origin. For me, owning a keitai has been simply another way to make the transition between complete outsider and "that foreigner who knows a thing or two about Japan." The keychains dangling from my phone hint at the fact that I know the true meaning of kawaii ("cute" culture), my ringtone dances to the latest J-Pop beats, and countless photographs inside my phone can help to share my experiences in Japan with others. I don't know where I'd be without it.
10.21.04
Slide a screen, sneak an e-mail
Log entry by: Toshiharu Nakamura As recent keitai designs become fancier, the simple flip-phone version is not as popular as it used to be. In the newest selection of keitai, there's one with a sliding window. I hadn't paid attention to this style because there is a great possibility that such a big display would be scratched easily. If I dropped the phone, it might crack, not just get scratched. The other day I recommended to my mother that she change her keitai, since it seemed inconvenient for her. She was not willing to do that because she did not see the point in spending money for keitai, but she agreed to see new types of keitai, so we went to a nearby Vodafone store. At first, my mother was quite amazed by all the different kinds of keitai. She was also surprised at the cost of switching her keitai. It seemed that she did not want to spend so much money just to change her keitai. I explained to her all about the keitai functions that she was interested in, aside from the cost. Out of all the phones, to my surprise she was most interested in a keitai with a sliding display. When I asked her why, she said the one with a sliding window would allow her to check e-mails while hiding the phone in her purse, even in places where keitai use is prohibited. The young generation, including myself, tends to think that keitai with sliding screens prevent us from responding to e-mails as quickly as possible because we type letters so fast (and having to first slide a screen slows us down a bit). For my mother, who cannot operate keitai quickly, it takes a while to reply to an e-mail right away. In places where we are not allowed to use keitai for conversation, she can't respond to an e-mail. But in her opinion, a keitai with a sliding display would let her peep at e-mails in areas where we are not supposed to talk on our keitai. I was quite convinced that for those who just confirm they received an e-mail, but who don't respond right away, a keitai with a sliding screen is convenient. As I mentioned in my previous column, such opinions from the baby boomer (middle-aged) generation are very important. Unfortunately, my mother was intimidated by the keitai with a sliding display, because its vivid color was for youngsters. Maybe from now on, targeting keitai to middle-aged people will be crucial. 10.07.04
Keitai: the personal safety net
Log entry by: Kunikazu Azuma "With the penetration of keitai, it becomes more difficult (for parents) to grasp their children's relationships and friendships." "High dependence on keitai causes a thinner line of communication between parents and kids, leaving their relationship superficial." We often hear these kinds of opinions in such mass media as TV and newspapers. It is certain that with the advent of keitai, the way parents and their children communicate has been changing. However, the change cannot be merely summarized in a negative way, with words such as "collapse" or "superficial." Keitai have highly strategic value for relationships within families, and indeed, many families have used keitai for maintaining, constructing, and developing their relationships. Based on field work I have been doing on keitai usage among families in the past few months, I came to think of keitai in this more positive way. One female high school student said when she had a quarrel with her friend, she'd send an e-mail to her mother from her high school. "I had an argument with my friend, but I can't avoid seeing her, because we're in the same class. Every time I see her I get mad, but if I'd talk to other friends at school about it, the rumor would spread, which makes me look bad. So, I e-mail my mom; this way, there's no harm." Another female high-school student said when she has a tough time in her part-time job, she pretends to go to the ladies room and writes an e-mail in the restroom, complaining to her mother. When it comes to e-mail exchanges between parents and their kids, they are generally thought to be a form of parental control, with questions such as "Where are you?" or "When are you coming back?" And in fact I found this true in my field work. But at the same time, I could also see the "safety net usage" as described above happening quite frequently among members of several families. This "safety net usage" gives us important following insights: First, in places such as schools and offices, where management or responsibility is in the hands of the people in charge there (i.e., teachers, bosses), those who do not belong there -- family in this case, as a third party -- can provide support. In Japan, in many cases, we have maintained effectiveness by eliminating outsiders and elevating professionalism to the highest level. Schools, in particular, have gotten rid of anything or anyone not directly involved with the school, and by adding various restrictions to students, they have raised the quality and effectiveness of education. But the school system has been criticized for this limitation, because of various school-related issues including "ijime" (bullying). The importance of education involving third parties, such as communities, has been recognized. In that sense, it can be said that keitai is becoming an innovative tool to give families -- even closer than communities -- the chance to participate in school education directly. Children who utilize keitai as a "safety net" said that they trust and respect their parents in one way or another, without exception. They have used keitai strategically as tools for maintaining and enhancing trustworthy relationships, based on what they had already established. So, keitai can be something that could damage relationships in one family or enhance relationships in another. It all depends on the users. Perhaps we need to learn more about how to use keitai strategically in various human relationships. 09.23.04
Hey! Stop changing the channel with your phone!
Log entry by: Tomoyuki Omura When you take a close look at Japanese keitai, you'll find a black part. It looks like a kind of design or like it's made for some special function -- as if it were waiting to receive something. The truth is that it's a hub or port for transmitting infrared rays, similar to the bulb you'd find at the top of a TV remote control. So let's talk about infrared signals, an indispensable element of today's keitai. First of all, it's used as a download function. We often hear conversations between students on campus that go something like this:
"I changed my keitai."
"Oh, really? Does it come with the infrared ray?"
"Yeah. So, I'll send stuff (to you) first."
"OK. I'll receive." After the user is done sending a file to his friend, he says: "It's my turn."
"All right, go ahead," the friend says. "Thanks." Download completed.
"E-mail me. Bye, now!" In this way, people can use keitai as a port to send their keitai number or e-mail address or to receive other people's data. It would be a hassle to write down another person's number and install it manually, and we can save time and avoid the fees for sending and receiving. We can share photos taken by a camera phone thanks to infrared ray transmission -- and of course, it is free of charge. This tool is also superior because it's convenient. You can download something in a matter of a second. The infrared device also serves as a remote control. Its most popular use is as a TV remote. Now Japanese teenagers use their keitai this way. A special application must be downloaded into the keitai through i-mode, and the keitai has to be set up according to specifications for the TV's manufacturer. Then the keitai user can point the phone toward the TV to change the channels or volume. And it can be used for a VCR. An interesting point is that keitai can be used universally as a remote control for any manufacturer by setting it up. The other day I was surprised to see a friend of mine, who stayed overnight at my place, change channels on my TV. And I heard people can change the channels of a TV in a public space using their own keitai. Infrared communication is contributing even more to the immersion of keitai into our daily lives. In the morning, we wake up with an alarm built into our keitai. We make phone calls or send e-mails and data during the day. Then at night, we go to bed and turn off the TV with our keitai, leave it on the bedside table, and sleep. This remote control function might have come from the basic concept of keitai (which actually means "portable" in Japanese). It's all about bringing it anywhere we go. 09.16.04
A gift for my grandpa
Log entry by: Toshiharu Nakamura I have an 82-year-old grandpa. We gave him a keitai for his 80th birthday two years ago. Other elderly people around him already had one, and not having one made it inconvenient for him to make appointments. Also, he is healthy despite his age and actively travels, so now we can reach him if an emergency happens on a trip. Even though we cannot use keitai abroad, in Japan keitai make it easier to contact a person after an earthquake or other disaster. Even though we gave him a keitai as a gift, we thought he might not feel like using it right away. First of all, it is difficult to handle keitai. Maybe this is because keitai are not targeted to elderly people in the first place. We also thought elderly people might have the impression that keitai are not good because of radiowaves or because in some situations it's rude to use them. And they might not find keitai necessary, because not many elderly people use them. For all the reasons above, we thought our grandpa would say he wouldn't need one. So my mother, my sister and I tried our best to make a keitai easier for him to use. First, we chose a handset with easy functions and bigger letters on the display. We wrote down instructions for him. We also installed a few necessary numbers of contact information, like our own phone numbers. The keitai came with a digital camera, so my sister and I had our picture taken and made it into wallpaper for the phone's display. This made my grandpa really happy. But we were still worried if he would actually use the keitai. Since it was a gift, he could not return it, and we thought he might leave it in a drawer. We didn't need to worry, though. Within a couple of days, my grandpa started actively asking me how to use it by calling me on my landline phone at home. I could respond to his earlier questions over the phone, for they were simple questions. But as his questions became more technical, I could no longer answer them over the phone. Fortunately, my grandpa has so much curiosity that he was intrigued by the keitai. Soon he started sending e-mail with a photo attached without any instruction from me. He said he wanted to use that function because his keitai came with it. I was quite impressed. My mother has a keitai, but she doesn't pay attention to the camera. She might have not found it necessary or maybe she wasn't sure how to use it. It is said that something that stimulates the fingers, such as playing mah-jong, is good for elderly people to do in order to prevent memory loss. According to my grandpa, the same thing can be said for pushing buttons on a keitai. But he said he would turn it off on the train, because he might forget once he sets it in "manner mode" (vibration only). He is reluctant to use his keitai on the train like young people. While Japan is witnessing a longer life expectancy, my grandpa's generation lost many friends during World War II. He's also lost his friends from college as they've died over the years. I heard that his friends have begun to carry a keitai for the same reasons my grandpa carries one, and they have communicated with each other by keitai or cell phone e-mail. I am very impressed with my grandpa, who actively uses the keitai even though he's in his 80s. And we are so pleased to see him use our gift happily. This makes me think that we might be able to offer a new kind of keitai business for the elderly. 09.09.04
Matchmaking parties, conquered by keitai
Log entry by: Hiroki "Azzie" Azuma I haven't been to a go-kon (matchmaking party) lately. I study at SFC (Keio University Shonan-Fujisawa campus), which people consider to be located far from where most go-kon are staged. But actually, I used to go quite often. When I was glancing through the popular men's magazine R25, I found an article that said: "In Singapore, in order to stop the decline in birthrate, large match-making parties have been formed on cruise ships using money from the government budget." This made me envious. Yet in Japan we have go-kon, a culture of big matchmaking parties, playing a role in this issue of raising the low birthrate ... wait a sec. This is a column about keitai, as I recall! In a go-kon, which typically takes place in a bar or similar spot, a group of males sits in front of females, then each person whispers to the next person about which guy or girl is cute or hot. Under the table, they type letters on their keitai and show the message to their neighbor, but they don't send it. A message would read something like, "I think Yumi at the left is hot, so don't get your hands on her," or "Today's go-kon sucks." It's like a confidential conference. Then, if you get along with someone, you might exchange each other's number, or you could take her home. Or sometimes, you would be careful not to exchange numbers. The game is difficult, but interesting. Nowadays, there is such a thing as a go-kon mediator. One of my friends is actually doing it, and I think it is smart. First, from the vast list of phone numbers in your keitai, you find a group of the opposite gender that is not connected to a client. Then you request a representative of the group to join a go-kon. If the person is OK with the request, you will get 1,000 yen ($10) from the client. In reality, when they divide this amount among members of the client's group, it will cost less than that. Or if both groups want to set up a go-kon in the first place, you simply get 500 yen ($5) from each group. The cost of creating one go-kon is only the fee for an e-mail used for the negotiation or a phone fee to call the client, and you can make 1,000 yen. I believe this is a unique business in the culture of keitai relationships, am I right? You could learn all about the system of go-kon -- from contacting someone and deciding on a location to gathering people for a chat and exchanging phone numbers -- by having all the members' backlogged keitai records. You could even see a picture of a couple born from a go-kon by looking at the back of their keitai handsets. (Young, plugged-in Japanese couples often put cute purikura photo stickers of themselves all over the back of their phones.) Ah, I wish I could go to go-kon. 09.09.04
Fireworks and keitai in the Japanese summer
Log entry by: Taro Matsumura The season of fireworks, a symbol of summer in Japan, is winding down. I went to Enoshima (in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo) and Jingu Stadium (in central Tokyo) for fireworks events. On days when there are fireworks, lots of people in yukata (light summer kimonos) ride on public transportation around the suburbs of Tokyo, which tips off others who do not plan to watch the fireworks that there is an event that night. Unlike ordinary clothing, yukata do not have pockets. While women can keep their keitai in special purses that come with women's yukata, men have trouble carrying keitai. So many men place their keitai, folded in two, like a clip on the collar of their yukata. I think this way of carrying is made possible because of all the flip phones that are currently saturating the market. Keitai are useless in areas where there are fireworks events. That's because up to hundreds of thousands of spectators come to places near the fireworks, and keitai transmissions get overloaded. Although the antenna mark on the keitai screen might show three bars (indicating a good quality of reception), most of the time we can't use the phone to call people or transmit data. Sometimes keitai screens will display the message "Please wait for a while," and our keitai do not allow us to use them at all. For those of us who completely depend on the convenience of keitai for making appointments, it is almost impossible to find people in a crowded place without our phones. We have to go back to the old way of making appointments from before the keitai era. In other words, we have to decide upon a time and a landmark in the area in order to meet up. So, are keitai completely useless in fireworks shows? Not really. Keitai have tools that do not require data transmission, which are quite popular. One of those tools is gaming. Going to a fireworks show starts with reserving a space hours in advance. Even though we chat with friends, we might get tired of talking, and if someone goes to get some food and drinks, those who are left behind are bored. Then, it is best to play games on keitai to kill the time. Once the fireworks begin, keitai do have a great use. When the first fireworks are set, those popular fireworks called nishaku-dama (with starbursts 1,600 feet in diameter and 1,600 feet above sea level), most spectators are already set to snap photos with their camera-equipped keitai raised in the air. Although keitai cameras do not have a flash, fireworks can be captured better than you might expect because of their automatic adjustment of shutter speed and exposure. We try to share our feelings with our friends who didn't come along by sending those pictures via keitai e-mails. Unfortunately, we have to send them by getting away from the crowd, of course. For their work on Keitai Log, we thank the students and their professor, Kenji Kohiyama, at the "DoCoMo House" research lab at Keio University Shonan-Fujisawa Campus. Graphics courtesy of Nooper.com and Juergen Specht.
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