Navigating Uncertainty: The Role of Fortune-Telling in Contemporary Japanese Society
Anthony Giddens has argued that while early modernity was characterized by the "politics of emancipation," which emphasized the expanding individual potential, late modernity is marked by "life politics," where individuals must select and realize their identities from an expanded range of possibilities. Despite its supernatural and unscientific nature, fortune-telling serves as a key reference point for individuals navigating the uncertainties and risks associated with these decisions. This study examines contemporary Japanese fortune-telling as an empirical case with broader sociological implications for understanding the dynamics of late modernity.
Previous research has focused particularly on young women’s consumption of fortune-telling magazines, revealing that they consume fortune-telling materials to deal with anxiety. However, existing research has not clearly elucidated why people, in addressing their anxieties, choose to rely on fortune-telling instead of seeking scientifically based counseling.
To bridge this gap, this paper focuses on the interpersonal service of "fortune-telling assessments," wherein individuals seek personalized readings from fortune-tellers. Through a series of in-depth interviews with clients, this paper aims to uncover how individuals’ needs for dealing with uncertainty are fulfilled by fortune-telling, specifically addressing why they opt for this practice over other forms of assistance.
This paper concludes that in contemporary Japan, “fortune-telling assessments” function as a form of interpersonal support invoking supernatural or unscientific elements. Furthermore, these consultations fulfill needs that scientifically based counseling cannot, meeting the demands of late-modern individuals.