Chinese law has no mandatory norms for adult tattooing, as long as the individual has reached the age of 18 and has full capacity for civil conduct. The law does not place any restrictions on tattoos; it is completely determined by the individual according to circumstances and voluntary choice.
In modern China Chinese tattoos have grown somewhat of a stigma as being affiliated with organized crime and the criminal underworld. Although tattooing does not have a strong tradition among mainstream Chinese, many Chinese minority groups have much stronger tattooing traditions.
“In Chinese history, tattoos were used to denigrate ethnic minorities, punish criminals and brand slaves,” says Gareth Davey, an anthropologist and social psychologist at Webster University Thailand.
Actually, tattoos are fine in Japan. They're not illegal in any way. You may even see some people walking around with fashion tattoos, especially in Tokyo. Although some people in Japan have tattoos, they are usually hidden underneath clothing.
South Korean law permits only licensed medical practitioners, as opposed to tattoo artists without medical degrees, to open tattoo parlors, although it is not illegal to have a tattoo. Only the army prohibits tattoos. People can have tattoos after serving in the military.
There is no law against getting a tattoo nor any regulation on where you can go for this procedure, which means that people of all ages and genders can get them done.
Tattoos have long been taboo in Hong Kong, as they were closely associated with organized crime groups known as triads. However, in recent years perceptions shifted as tattoos became more popular.
Tattoos have a long history in China. But for most of that history they were stigmatized, associated with prisoners, vagrants and the criminal underworld. Thanks in part to the influence of celebrities and sports stars, tattoos have become much more socially accepted in the past decade.
Tattoos have long been frowned upon in Vietnam, but it wasn't always this way. In ancient times, fishermen used to tattoo their entire bodies to resemble a sea monster for protection against aquatic predators.
Buddhism and Hinduism use tattoos extensively, while Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in general frown on or forbid the use of tattoos. Many of today's cultures still embrace tattoos for a variety of reasons.
There was a brief period in the Song dynasty (960–1279) when tattoos were fashionable even among the upper classes, but for most of China's ancient past and imperial period tattoos marked one as either a “barbarian” or a criminal, with the latter presumption persisting until today.
One of the aspects that most distinguishes the Korean tattoo style is the technique with which the designs are tattooed: single needle. As its name indicates, this technique is based on making tattoos with a machine that only has one needle, different from the ordinary machine that contains more.
In Western Australia you need to be 16 or older to get a tattoo or be branded. If you are between the ages of 16 and 18, you'll need your parent's permission in writing to get a tattoo or be branded. The note must explain the type of tattoo or brand you want to get and where it's going to be on your body.
Australia has no national laws that make it illegal for employers to ban visible body ink in the workplace or to reject applicants because of their tattoos.
United Kingdom. This may not come as a surprise to those of you who are familiar with the Brits, but the UK is ranked as #1 for tattooed people. This is one of the most tattoo-friendly countries in the world, with statistics showing that 1 in 3 people have tattoos.
Not without regrets
One third (34%) of Australians with tattoos say that they regret, to some extent, getting a tattoo. One in 7 (14%) have commenced or looked into tattoo removal. “It is my ex-boyfriends initials… now means little but serves as a reminder to think and then think again before I get another tattoo.”
While tattoos are not illegal, they can prevent people from getting the full Japanese experience. When using public transportation in Japan, such as trains, tourists with visible tattoos will want to keep in mind that their ink may be offensive to some of the locals.
What's the Most Tattooed Country? It may come as a surprise, but the country with the highest percentage of tattooed people actually isn't the United States. It's Italy. According to recent data, 48 percent of Italians have at least one tattoo, compared to 46 percent of Americans.
While there is no legislation banning any kind of tattoo in Thailand, nor in Sri Lanka, both of these countries take severe offence at body art with Buddha motives, as this is considered highly disrespectful to the religion. The Thai government officially states them to be culturally inappropriate.
Long story short, yes, it is safe to tattoo in Thailand, but be smart and use a discerning eye when choosing a location. Safe tattoo shops practice these safety precautions.
Rules are very important in Japan, and as there is a no tattoo rule in nearly all pools, onsens and gyms, a foreigner walking up to the desk with tattoos showing is bound to cause concern. Just cover up and keep those tattoos covered and that is acceptable. If you can't cover up, don't go to those environments.
MIDDLE FINGER SIGN
It is considered very offensive here and may lead to jail, in the event a complaint is lodged with the police.
Yes, Japan allows foreigners with tattoos to visit the country. However, people with visible tattoos may be barred from certain places like onsens (hot springs), gyms, swimming pools, and some traditional ryokans (inns), as tattoos are often associated with the Yakuza.
Grand Ayatollah Sadiq Hussaini Shirazi ruled: "Tattoos are considered makruh (reprehensible but not forbidden). However, it is not permissible to have Quranic verses, names of Ahlulbayt (a.s), drawings of Imams (a.s), Hadiths, unislamic and inappropriate images or the likes tattooed onto the body.