The Truth About Japanese Crazes: Dekotora Meh, Dekochari Yeah

The Daily Mail just woke up to a Japanese phenomenon: Blinged-out trucks. Some of these trucks have more neon than a pachinko-parlor. Did I say that they have no concept of a “light vehicle” overseas? I take that back. But watch out, there are new kids in town. TTAC investigates …

Actually, gaudy haulers are part of an ancient Japanese tradition. In the 70’s, Japan had its own infatuation with truckers. A series of movies called Torakku Yaro (“Truck Guys”) was made. The hero drove all around Japan in a decorated truck. Soon, Japan was in the grips of “dekotora” mania. ( Tora = Truck. Tora, Tora, Tora = truck, truck, truck.)

For long, these highly decorated trucks actually hauled stuff. These days, dekotora have been co-opted by maniacs who turn trucks into showpieces at dekotora meets, while shippers request that their dead fish is delivered in inconspicuous vehicles.

Of course, this being Japan, there must be something sinister somewhere. The Daily Mail headlined its story: “The Japanese ‘light trucks’ so bright they’re banned from the highway”.

That was quickly picked up by DVICE, which writes “The Japanese hobby of “Dekotora” or decorating trucks with blinding lights and themes has been dealt a blow as authorities have just declared them non-street legal. They cite the colorful, “light trucks” as a hazard to other drivers. DVICE alleges:

“While technically not street legal, the Dekotora “light truck” community still bands together, holding rallies to show off their vehicles and likely engage in a little friendly competition. We won’t ask how they get to their destinations.”

Well, DVICE should have asked. I asked TTAC’s in-house cross-cultural advisor, Frau Schmitto-san, to look into the matter. She reports, after consulting with the authorities at the Japanese Wikipedia:

“They are legal. They need a remodeling license for the conversion. And they can’t keep their neon lights on while traveling on public roadways.”

Keeping the lights on would annoy fellow motorists, which is a big no-no in Japan, where people blush and try to sink into the ground if their cell phone rings in the subway. Driving around with all neons blazing is also technically inadvisable. Says the Daily Mail:

“Each one has so many light bulbs that extra generators have to be fitted under the chassis to power them, and they can only be turned on for about 20 minutes before they overheat.”

So there you have it: Dekotora are alive and well, and news of their persecution have been made up by irresponsible London tabloid journos, and wannabe Gawker-bloggers at Syfy, a Division of NBCUniversal.

“It denotes a utility bike with chainguard, fenders, rack, skirt guard, dynamo lights, baskets, and child carriers. It used to be to conveyance of choice of a housewife with two small children and shopping bags.”

It is our editorial duty to report that mamachari are no longer the latest craze in Japan. The latest craze is:

As in blinged-out mamachari. We kid you not. Want proof?

They even have menacing dekochari-gangs.

And what must be a dekochari-pizza-deli (as in delivery.)