Running Dead is a complaint against the lack of freedom of expression in Japan. The role of the individual, the individual life, does not really have any space in Japanese culture in the same way that it does in the west. However, it has to be remembered that in all cultures there are benefits and disadvantages. Equally, when we approach another culture sometimes we are too ready to criticise what we consider to be lacking simply because it is a feature of our own culture.
The important thing to always remember is that culture is a response to environment. Cultures grow and form to give structure to large scale human interactions in specific places, specific locations or specific ideas of place. They evolve to be appropriate to the environmental conditions within which that society exists.
If you have an island with limited resources in terms of agricultural land, millions of people and distinct regions separated by blockading mountains then you need order or you will have continual conflict. If everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet than you have a chance but if you allow diverse ideas to fracture and render apart your fabric then chaos will come to everyone. Being Japanese is about belonging to one club. There are no new members, people cannot 'join' and everyday you know who you are, where you are and what your social obligations are.
Look closely at this video and notice how clean this place is. This is one of the busiest tube/metro stations in Tokyo. The floor is spotless and glistens. Notice the people, see the clothes they are wearing, realise the amazing level of conformity: department store chic.
I love Japan, it is clean, it is tidy, the people are polite and I don't walk in fear of physical violence when I am on the streets. I couldn't live there though because even most English people think I am a bit strange. In Japan they tolerate me as a visitor but if I stayed, even though I would be respected as a visitor, my ways odd because I am not Japanese, I would in time be expected to observe more and more the Japanese way of doing things. If I did not make that effort I would simply be considered rude and ignorant.
Actually I don't have a problem with any of that.
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