This thesis studies the discussion about the reforms of the Chinese government's family-planning law, using articles published by state-run news agency Xinhua. In particular, it examines the...Show moreThis thesis studies the discussion about the reforms of the Chinese government's family-planning law, using articles published by state-run news agency Xinhua. In particular, it examines the statements that authorities made about the abolition of the one-child policy. China's one-child policy has been gradually changed into a two-child policy in the last decade. Using methods of critical discourse analysis I conclude that the framing of these statements changed from an only choice frame to a best choice frame, with which Xinhua highlights that the CCP serves the people's best interests.Show less
This thesis uses a collection of North Korean printed posters to question the existing understanding of gender politics in North Korea studies. It does so by combining gender theory with a...Show moreThis thesis uses a collection of North Korean printed posters to question the existing understanding of gender politics in North Korea studies. It does so by combining gender theory with a synchronic and diachronic visual analysis of a selection of posters. In doing so, it adds in diversifying an all too often monolithic understanding of North Korea.Show less
A study of the ways in which contemporary Japanese photographers visualized the Tōhoku disaster (the trifold disaster that destroyed the Tōhoku region in Japan in 2011). The concept of the sublime...Show moreA study of the ways in which contemporary Japanese photographers visualized the Tōhoku disaster (the trifold disaster that destroyed the Tōhoku region in Japan in 2011). The concept of the sublime functions as a theoretical framework, explored in relation to moral and aesthetic dilemmas that occur when representing death, disaster and trauma.Show less
In this thesis the argument made is that Mandarin sentence-le is to be analyzed as the English nonfinite perfect "to have + -ed". First, by the use of the Reichenbach-Klein framework, a definition...Show moreIn this thesis the argument made is that Mandarin sentence-le is to be analyzed as the English nonfinite perfect "to have + -ed". First, by the use of the Reichenbach-Klein framework, a definition is given of the used terms such as 'tense' and 'aspect'. Then, also using the Reichenbach-Klein framework, a description is given of the main characteristics of the English nonfinite perfect "to have + -ed". Then, a description is given of the semantics of le, based on what is said about this in the literature. Finally, a native speaker is asked to answer questions about sentences in which sentence-le is used with different types of predicates in order to see how the meaning of these sentences differ or are similar to the meaning of sentences in which the English nonfinite perfect is used.Show less
Recently in Japan, regional art projects have been organized in ancient townhouses called machiya. This is part of a larger tendency in Japan since the 2000s whereby local governments and...Show moreRecently in Japan, regional art projects have been organized in ancient townhouses called machiya. This is part of a larger tendency in Japan since the 2000s whereby local governments and organizations work together in setting up art projects with historical preservation as a goal. In this thesis, I will investigate two of these art projects named 'Nara Machiya Art Festival Hanarart' in Nara prefecture and the 'Tatsuno Art Project' in Tatsuno city, Hyogo prefecture. Both of these projects seem to emphasize a certain nostalgia towards machiya by carrying out the theme of 'memories', suggesting that inviting people to machiya through art may give them a consciousness towards the history of these buildings. In this thesis I will analyze the artworks by two participating artists named Imamura Ryosuke (1982-) and Takeda Riki (1983-) and question in what way their works respond to machiya and its memories. Then I will suggest that these participating artists employ the theme of ' memories' in ways that offer a different approach of the machiya exhibition spaces than being suggested by the organizing commissions. They are able to trigger individual responses among viewers that are not so much nostalgic, but rather firmly located in the present, which will eventually lead to the creation of many new ' identities' of the ancient Japanese houses.Show less
Currently, there are three main systems of rōmaji that are used in Japan (Gottlieb 2010, 78), although oftentimes these systems are mixed or slightly modified by their users, as this thesis will...Show moreCurrently, there are three main systems of rōmaji that are used in Japan (Gottlieb 2010, 78), although oftentimes these systems are mixed or slightly modified by their users, as this thesis will demonstrate. With these various ways to transliterate the Japanese language, one might expect that confusion occurs in the actual use of romanization. In fact, many researchers have written in support of or against certain systems of romanization. In this thesis, I will consider the issue of romanization against the backdrop of Japan’s language and education policy and the attitudes of the users of romanization. I will examine whether and to what extent the existence of multiple romanization systems is problematic, and to see whether (if at all desired) a solution can be proposed.Show less
In the recent decades Japan has experienced several social problems as the society is ajusting itself to the changing global climate. One of the main problems currently still persisting is the so...Show moreIn the recent decades Japan has experienced several social problems as the society is ajusting itself to the changing global climate. One of the main problems currently still persisting is the so-called hikikomori-state, in which young men and women seclude themselves in their homes and rooms, and refuse to interact with society. This thesis looks at this problem, which has been analysed on many fields through a new lens; how are these individuals and the problem as a whole portrayed through one of the most popular cultural export products of Japan; anime. This thesis will provide a comparison of scholarly research and an interpretation of two anime in particular: "No Game No Life" and "Welcome to the N.H.K.!"Show less
This essay builds on recent work on securitization theory by scholars such as Balzacq and Floyd, and explores the still underdeveloped field of resistance and counter-securitization. A successful...Show moreThis essay builds on recent work on securitization theory by scholars such as Balzacq and Floyd, and explores the still underdeveloped field of resistance and counter-securitization. A successful securitization allows for a securitizing actor to deal with an existential threat with extraordinary measures outside the boundaries of normal politics. Resistance refers to the creation of a separate securitization move with its own existential threat and extraordinary measure in relation to the original securitization move. Counter-securitization is defined as an act to halt a securitization move, or to bring the issue back to the realm of ordinary politics. This essay further develops the concept of counter-securitization in comparison to resistance. It also strengthens Floyd’s argument on a just securitization theory by examining the role of pacifism, democracy and constitutionalism using the Japanese security debate as a case study. Finally, it illustrates how norms such as democracy and rule of law have slowly become more significant within the Japanese security debate than the pacifist ideology. It first examines the case of Prime Minister Abe’s ideology on Japanese security policy before taking a look at the political opposition in regards to Abe’s security policies. The section argues that even though the political opposition has all fought against Abe’s policies, there is a clear divide between an Old Left and a New Left. This essay then examines two grass-roots movements, the Article 9 Association and a student activist organization by the name of SEALDs. It shows how the political Old Left and the Article 9 Association have created their own securitization move to protect the pacifist constitution, while the political New Left and SEALDs have generated a counteract to bring the topic of security back to the realm of ordinary politics.Show less
The intent of this thesis is to use a case study for possible new approaches to shinshūkyō 新宗教 (“new religions”) in Japan. In particular, this thesis aims at investigating the nature of kamigakari...Show moreThe intent of this thesis is to use a case study for possible new approaches to shinshūkyō 新宗教 (“new religions”) in Japan. In particular, this thesis aims at investigating the nature of kamigakari 神懸り, loosely translatable as “divine possession”, for Deguchi Nao 出口なお (1837-1918), foundress of the ritual organization in Japan called Ōmotokyō大本教. A close-up on the origins of kamigakari is given in order to understand better the personal circumstances around Deguchi Nao’s experience and how it functioned for her. Kamigakari was the experience through which Deguchi Nao wrote down the Ofudesaki お筆先, a book inspired by the deity she claimed to be inside her, Ushitora no Konjin 丑寅の金神. In the book she called for radical spiritual change for people as well as for kami 神 (deities). The second chapter is dedicated to the book and its worldview. While the third chapter investigates the connections between shamanism and shinshūkyō, the last chapter analyzes the particular features of Deguchi Nao’s kamigakari, which, including the co-founder of Ōmotokyō, Deguchi Onisaburō 出口王仁三郎 (1871-1948), worked through the dual principle based on the notions of “male with a transformed nature” (henjōnanshi 変性男子), which refers to Deguchi Nao, and “female with a transformed nature” (henjōnyoshi変性女子), used to describe Onisaburō’s role.Show less
With the demise of communism as a unifying ideological force, the contemporary Chinese leadership is in a rather dire situation. As economic performance alone proves insufficiently capable of...Show moreWith the demise of communism as a unifying ideological force, the contemporary Chinese leadership is in a rather dire situation. As economic performance alone proves insufficiently capable of binding all citizens in the PRC territory to its political center, China's leaders have turned to nationalism for the solution. A major problem with promoting nationalism as a state-sponsored and state-guided ideology is that it too easily slides down to just being chauvinism for and by the majority Han ethnicity. The danger here is that this will alienate China's numerous so-called ethnic minorities. This thesis looks at one of the possible solutions to this existential problem to the Chinese nation state. The promotion of "zhonghua minzu" as a method of detaching ethnic connotations, and attaching more political connotations, to Chinese nationalism is the focus of the present work. It deals with efforts by the Chinese leadership since the rise of Xi Jinping to the position of Chairman to instill a sense of being Chinese in all China's citizens without depending on rhetorics of common blood, language, or religion. The author has tried to assess, and to an extent predict, the meassure of success these policies may have in keeping the PRC a unified nation and state.Show less
At the time of writing almost five years have passed since Japan's triple disaster on March 11th 2011, when an earthquake triggered a tsunami which in turn triggered a nuclear crisis. With the...Show moreAt the time of writing almost five years have passed since Japan's triple disaster on March 11th 2011, when an earthquake triggered a tsunami which in turn triggered a nuclear crisis. With the initial shock having passed, how are people looking back at it? How have the tragic events that transpired settled into history, into national consciousness, into victims’ personal memories? Although on the grander national and global scales 3.11 is all but forgotten and being digested in the background, for most of the victims this disaster is still affecting daily life in numerous ways. The question this thesis focuses on is: What exactly has been disrupted through this disaster on a social level; how do communities and individuals that have been abruptly uprooted by a nuclear disaster cope; how do they reconstruct their collective and individual memories and identities; and how do they reframe nuclear energy, something that initially brought them prosperity but eventually led to them losing their homes indefinitely. This thesis analyzes the case of a specific uprooted nuclear host community, using documentary films as source material. The following discussion shows that a firmly rooted and once proud community has all but fallen apart, and their entire shared narrative, central to their collective identity, is shattered. Individual cases prove that there are many different ways in which memory is bound to either a place, people, or objects. Where the highest importance is placed is an individual issue that depends on the person and the context, and how flexible they deem their own identity. As a result some evacuees move on and some remain with the core community, hoping to return to their hometown someday, even though it seems unlikely to be possible within their lifetime. Further links between individuals and collective memory are discussed.Show less
This thesis studies the organizational principles of the Hàn dynasty text Shuō wén jiě zì 說⽂文解字, written by Xǔ Shèn 許慎. It presents a qualitative case study of three radical sections. In the...Show moreThis thesis studies the organizational principles of the Hàn dynasty text Shuō wén jiě zì 說⽂文解字, written by Xǔ Shèn 許慎. It presents a qualitative case study of three radical sections. In the analysis, special attention is paid to the sociopolitical context in which the text was produced, so as to understand the cultural factors that presumably informed Xǔ Shèn’s organization of the text. On the basis of the analysis, it also discusses Xǔ Shèn’s conception of writing. The analysis shows how the organization of characters was profoundly influenced by the ideologies of its time. It demonstrates how philosophical theories such as yīn–yáng and five phases (yīnyáng wǔxíng 陰陽五行), the doctrine of the unity of heaven and man (tiān rén hé yī 天人合一), and numerology of the Yì jīng 易經 (Book of Changes) all made their way into Xǔ Shèn’s lexicographic system. Furthermore, it shows how many characters are neatly organized in semantic series, which make up large parts of some radical sections. On the basis of the close connection between character organization and cosmological theories, it argues that Xǔ Shèn understood script mainly as a graphic representation of reality, which reflects the order of the cosmos. In linking the original text to the ideologies and customs of its time, this study offers an interpretation of how the organization of characters in three radical sections is best understood.Show less
The thesis identifies a research question based on a solid review of primarily English-language literature on national identity formation and history education. As noted in the literature review,...Show moreThe thesis identifies a research question based on a solid review of primarily English-language literature on national identity formation and history education. As noted in the literature review, scholars have trained their attention on the ways in which schools shaped national identity but not as much on the students’ experiences or reception. An investigation into students’ experiences enriches our understanding about history education in national identity formation.Show less
In this globalizing world, cultural exchange is a widespread phenomenon. Nowadays it has become common to live and work in foreign countries, and multinational companies have grown to include a...Show moreIn this globalizing world, cultural exchange is a widespread phenomenon. Nowadays it has become common to live and work in foreign countries, and multinational companies have grown to include a multitude of branch companies overseas, such as in Japan. But what happens when people and practices from different countries come together in one workspace, and how does it affect that environment? More specifically, how do workers with a Japanese nationality experience a foreign work environment, and does its presence in home country influence this experience? In order to find out, this study explored the opinions and thoughts of employees working at branch offices of Air France-KLM (particularly the Osaka and Tokyo offices) through a series of surveys and a few key supplemental interviews.Show less
Over the past decades, China has evolved into a major world power and moved away from being an isolated nation to one integrated into the international community. This thesis will discuss how...Show moreOver the past decades, China has evolved into a major world power and moved away from being an isolated nation to one integrated into the international community. This thesis will discuss how Chinese presence, power and interference have evolved and how this has impacted the international community with a focus on the African continent. Going more in-depth with two case studies in Africa, Ethiopia and Zambia, it will describe the reasons for China’s cooperation with both countries and the differences in her strategic approach and outcome.Show less
This thesis explores the way in which a realistic representation of a specific martial art in a martial arts movie is conveyed and to what extent this serves nationalistic purposes. The focus is to...Show moreThis thesis explores the way in which a realistic representation of a specific martial art in a martial arts movie is conveyed and to what extent this serves nationalistic purposes. The focus is to introduce a new approach of categorizing the performative body of the actor. The fashion in which the display of skill is portrayed, determines not only credibility of the performance, but also determines whether or not a martial arts movie can serve as a platform for a rediscovery of lost cultural heritage. The realistic depiction of a specific indigenous martial art such as Wingchun in Wilson Yip’s Ip Man (2008) as: (a) effective, (b) truthful to the martial art techniques in real-life, and (c) built on a story of national pride, serves nationalistic purposes. I argue in this thesis that we have been witnessing the emergence of a new trend in martial arts cinema: effective realism.Show less
