Debate Rages over Baka Inaka T-shirt

Well, the baka inaka t-shirt has kicked up a storm that I never envisaged happening. Over the last week, debate has raged over the Fukui JET emailing list and karaoke bars of the ken, as to whether the shirt is offensive or not.

It all started when an American who works for the local City Office, showed the design to his superior, a high ranking local government official. The response: “extremely offensive” and “should not be worn inside Fukui prefecture”.

Interestingly, it wasn’t the slogan “baka inaka” (roughly meaning stupid/crazy countryside) that caused offence, it was the depiction of Fukui as a cloud of steam emanating from the cooling towers of a nuclear power plant, (of which Fukui has 14), that caused the negative reaction.

Most of the English teachers in the prefecture have lapped up the design, which is reflected by the fact that there have been over 100 orders for the shirt. However, some of the foreign teachers who have lived here for longer, have slammed the shirt, saying it is offensive to the people that have been our gracious hosts, and would be akin to wearing a t-shirt in West Virginia saying “Stupid Hicksville”.

Creating something that would be offensive to the people of Fukui was never the intention. Indeed, I have had a great two years here, and the people of Fukui are the friendliest, most generous and kind people I have ever had the pleasure of living amongst.

We simply wanted a good souvenir t-shirt of Fukui, and rather than buying a shirt depicting the somewhat drab Echizen Crab (Fukui’s number one famous food export) we sought a design that was a little more humorous.

I have spoken to several Japanese people about the shirt to gauge its offensiveness; there has been a mixed response. My 50 something host mum sees the funny side and indeed wants a shirt, but some people of similar ages said it was a little offensive. It is worth noting though, that the phrase ‘baka inaka’ is written in relatively small print, and in English, so you would have to get a good look to be able to read and understand what it actually said.

We chose to use the phrase, because it was a nice ring to it, (it rhymes!) and because I think many English teachers in Fukui have had their fair share of “crazy countryside” experiences during their time here.

The incident of my American friend Bran Pan Man, who was reported to the Board of Education and brought in for questioning after an elderly Japanese woman sighted him carrying out the unforgivable crime of holding hands with a Japanese girl in public, is one such example. If that ain’t baka inaka, what is?

However, as the shirt may cause offence to some people, we are recommending caution about where and when it is worn.

And finally, if we are going to get into a debate about offensive t-shirts, the Japanese may want to take a closer look at their own designs. Apparently it’s OK to walk around with slogans such as “Fuckin’ Roll Rock”, “Fuck Jesus” or “I fucking hate [insert list of racial minorities here]” splashed across your chest, but a nuclear power plant in the crazy countryside is going too far?

So, is this just a storm in a tea cup and a lack of ability to laugh at themselves, or is it really an insensitive and offensive design?

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