TamatsuLab
cover photo

Departure from Europeanism and Return to Japaneseization Theory --- Departure from Europeanism --- Surveillance Society

Surveillance Society

Surveillance means to watch over a place carefully or to watch over a person. Surveillance is usually done in order to respond quickly when a disaster or problem occurs, or to prevent crime before it happens. Until now, surveillance has been the responsibility of the state, and surveillance objects have included valuables, weapons and ammunition, chemicals, food, confidential information, and other items that could be stolen or attacked. And it was often assumed that surveillance would be limited to those with a criminal record or those deemed by the state to be likely to commit a crime.

Surveillance Society

However, in recent years, it is said that the subjects of surveillance have been expanded to cover most of the population, and the activities of each individual are constantly being monitored. This is the era of the so-called “surveillance society”. The surveillance society is supported by advances in IT technology and the spread of mobile phones and the Internet. The more we use IT technology, which has become more and more convenient in recent years, the easier it is for us to be monitored.
States are not the only ones to watch. Companies want data such as individual consumption behavior. Politicians want to know what media their voters prefer. Lenders may feel uneasy if they don't keep an eye on whether borrowers are continuing to make repayment efforts and whether they are trying to run away and default on their debts. In society, the need for surveillance is by no means small.
Surveillance is carried out not only for early response and prevention of crimes and incidents, but also for various purposes.
Someone may be watching you all the time. Thinking about it makes me feel like I'm being treated like a criminal, and it's kind of disgusting. However, in modern society where science and technology have progressed, it may be better to think that you are being monitored and review your daily actions.

*Return to Departure from Europeanism

Return to Top of the Page