Tattoos have a long and rich history in Japan dating back to the Edo period. They were used to mark criminals as a sign of punishment and shame. However, tattoos have become more mainstream in recent years and are now seen as a form of self-expression. Despite this, there is still a stigma attached to tattoos in Japan, with many people associating them with criminality and the yakuza. The future of tattoos in Japan remains uncertain, but attitudes are slowly changing among younger generations who view them as a way to rebel against strict societal norms.