Jazz in Japan: The Process of Cultural Integration

This paper addresses issues of cultural integration in Japan. Focusing on two different time periods, the 1950s and the present moment, the paper contrasts specific jazz practices and attitudes to determine how and to what degree jazz has become integrated into Japanese culture. Based on the close observation of live performances, the paper concludes that the process of adopting jazz practices into Japan can be seen to be much more fully integrated in the current jazz scene in Tokyo and Yokohama than in the 1950s during the height of its popularity.