The objective of this thesis is to examine the subculture and identity concerns of Nigerian-born naturalized citizens in Kabukichyo, Tokyo, through the life experiences of one man. The subculture in question is found in a unique business district of Tokyo in Japan known for its entertainment facilities and hostess/host industry which was established not only by Japanese-born nationals but also by diverse migrants. Nigerian men started to become involved in this industry in the 1960s, and they have maintained their involvement by owning clubs or working as "hosts." They are often considered to be temporary migrants; however, they have committed themselves by marrying Japanese women and being naturalized. Beyond a doubt, they have shaped a unique subculture in Kabukichyo. Nigerian men have a tendency to create a rather homogenized space in their work by associating with other African men. However, central to work for the clubs are activities aimed at "street catching," or the recruitment of Japanese hostesses and customers of both sexes. Therefore, a transnational communication has emerged out of Nigerians' culturally specific business style.
In the first part of this thesis, I describe the general characteristics and background of Nigerian men and their subculture in Kabukichyo. In the second part of this thesis, I examine a personal narrative of Mr. Omo, a Nigerian owner of a hostess/host club in Kabukichyo. This narrative provides a case study of identity formation in the Nigerian subculture of Kabukichyo. Mr. Omo describes his Africaness and Japaneseness in ways that can be considered to be transnational or postnational. His presentation reveals both his self-identification and his perspective about his family and co-workers in Japan. This work also shows that businesses in the hostess/host industry are some of the limited ways in which Nigerian men find economic opportunities in Tokyo. Despite their postnational identity characteristics, their appreciation of Japanese people and opportunities to live in Japan, Nigerian-born men still face personal challenges of belonging and acceptance by people in the country in which they now live.