This report provides a general overview of Goth subculture as it is performed in clubs, bars, and elsewhere in Tokyo, Osaka, and other cities of Japan. Originally formed around the gothic rock genre that appeared in the UK during the late 1970s, Goth has taken root in Japan as a spectacular subculture that is underground yet highly visible due to its characteristically dark and elaborate sartorial styling. Similar to their counterparts in the US and Europe, self-professed Goths in Japan often express identities that are contingent on a sense of alienation from mainstream social circles that is expressed ironically through a self-reflexive use of dark and morbid imagery and themes. Stories of informants demonstrate how Goth subculture factors into their personal narratives as a way of coping with alienation from social circles in Japan, an ironic expression of negativity, and a lifelong identity. Socioeconomic consequences and gender-related issues are also discussed.

中文翻译：

---

日本的哥特人：在壮观的亚文化中寻找身份

本报告概述了哥特亚文化，因为它在东京、大阪和日本其他城市的俱乐部、酒吧和其他地方进行。哥特摇滚最初是围绕 1970 年代后期出现在英国的哥特摇滚流派而形成的，如今已在日本扎根，成为一种壮观的地下亚文化，但由于其特有的黑暗和精致的剪裁风格而非常引人注目。与美国和欧洲的同行类似，日本自称哥特人的身份通常取决于与主流社交圈的疏离感，这种疏离感通过自我反省地使用黑暗和病态的图像和主题来表达，具有讽刺意味。线人的故事展示了哥特亚文化如何融入他们的个人叙事，以此作为应对日本社交圈疏远的一种方式，消极的讽刺表达和终生的身份。还讨论了社会经济后果和性别相关问题。