This thesis examines Japan-Russia relations through a critical discourse analysis of speeches and statements by Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and articles and editorials in the Japanese monthly...Show moreThis thesis examines Japan-Russia relations through a critical discourse analysis of speeches and statements by Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and articles and editorials in the Japanese monthly general-interest magazine Chūō Kōron published in the period of January 2014 to December 2015.Show less
This paper examines the impact of democratization on the social spending behavior of Indonesia and the Philippines. Comparing social spending as a percentage of central government spending and as a...Show moreThis paper examines the impact of democratization on the social spending behavior of Indonesia and the Philippines. Comparing social spending as a percentage of central government spending and as a share of GDP over a period of approximately ten years before and after democratization, one can’t observe a significant change in the social policy priorities of politicians. Although theory would suggest that democratization would increase the awareness of politicians to focus more on the social well-being of its citizen, investments in human capital remained largely unchanged. This paper argues that the persistence of elites, both at national and local level, prevents a substantial change in social spending to materialize. Drawn from several empirical studies and secondary literature, this paper shows how the rent-seeking attitudes of elites translates into a major burden for lower-class groups to enter the political domain and to change social policy (spending) to their favor.Show less
From the early 1990's onwards, increasing number of immigrants have settled in South Korea. As a result, the South Korean state transitioned from defining South Korea as an ethnically and...Show moreFrom the early 1990's onwards, increasing number of immigrants have settled in South Korea. As a result, the South Korean state transitioned from defining South Korea as an ethnically and culturally homogeneous nation-state towards defining South Korea as a 'multicultural society'. This raises the question what the South Korean government means by 'multiculturalism' and how its 'multicultural' laws and policies redefine South Korea's prevailing notion of ethnic national identity in order to allow for the full incorporation of immigrants into South Korean society. In order to answer these questions, this thesis analyzes South Korea’s laws and policies on immigration, integration and multicultural education.Show less
Bodhgaya is situated in the state of Bihar in India and is known as the place where the Buddha became awakened while sitting under a Bodhi tree, which is marked by the diamond seat (Sanskrit:...Show moreBodhgaya is situated in the state of Bihar in India and is known as the place where the Buddha became awakened while sitting under a Bodhi tree, which is marked by the diamond seat (Sanskrit: vajrasana). The holy site developed in recent times from a small village to one of the most important places of Buddhist pilgrimage on an international scale. For this research I focus on how Bodhgaya, as a lieu de mémoire, became a global village, and show how the visual culture of three foreign temples from Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand visually express on the one hand their relationship with the site as a place of memory, and on the other hand their relationship with their home country.Show less
In 2009, the LJS, otherwise known as the saiban-in seido ,was implemented in Japan (Mcclanahan, 2012). This system was part of an overall reform of the law system in Japan. The system lets ordinary...Show moreIn 2009, the LJS, otherwise known as the saiban-in seido ,was implemented in Japan (Mcclanahan, 2012). This system was part of an overall reform of the law system in Japan. The system lets ordinary citizens, citizens who do not have any experience in participating in court and are not professionally educated judges, participate in criminal trials. These ordinary citizens participate in these trials as a jury member. These jury members are able to decide on the right form of justice in criminal trials together with three professional judges. This jury is suppose to represent the voices of the ordinary citizens in the Japanese law system. This way, the law system is seen as more democratised system compared to the old traditional three judges system and miscarriages of justice should be noticeable sooner and therefore easier to prevent. The first chapter of this paper will take a look at possible previous jury systems that can be compared to the current LJS. We will look at these previous systems to see what kind of impact these had on the law system in Japan and to see whether these can be comparable to the current system. We will take a look at what made Japan discontinue these previous systems. After this we could possibly see what would make this 2009 introduced LJS different from other such failed systems and would therefore make this system more successful. The second chapter will take a look at what the original plan for the LJS in Japan was concerning the goals set for the system. Chapter three will look at the democratisation the system was originally aiming for. Following in chapter four, we will look at what exactly the judge system entails, how it works and what changed in the courtroom. In chapter five we will look at possible results the system is giving. After which in chapter six, we can compare these current results with the original goals of the system and see if these are unforeseen results. This will lead us to the conclusion about whether or not this system indeed democratised the system as originally planned.Show less
Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) or 'Hokusai' for short, ukiyo-e or Japanese woodblock artist renowned for the print 'The Great Wave' (1830-32), published a year before his death the painting manual ...Show moreKatsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) or 'Hokusai' for short, ukiyo-e or Japanese woodblock artist renowned for the print 'The Great Wave' (1830-32), published a year before his death the painting manual 'Ehon Saishiki Tsū' or 'On the Use of Colouring' (1848). In this study I will pose the question of how Hokusai represented his drawing style in Ehon Saishiki Tsū, focussing on how Hokusai explained his use of lines. Ehon Saishiki Tsū has not yet been studied from this perspective. Most studies have focused on the usage of color or pigments in his paintings, which Hokusai gives instructions about in this manual. This study is relevant to art historians and connoisseurs of Japanese art as it puts emphasis on Hokusai's style and how he has represented it through Ehon Saishiki Tsū. In it I have found that Hokusai's explanation on how to draw waterfalls is an example of his realistic style of drawing we see in his middle and late period. Hokusai's way of presenting his explanations exemplify how he has positioned himself as an experienced artist who uses the medium of painting manuals to transmit his experience to his audience: the inexperienced student of art.Show less
By comparing historical narratives that coincided in WW II, I intend to examine how the national identities of the Netherlands and South Korea contrasted with one another and illustrate how the...Show moreBy comparing historical narratives that coincided in WW II, I intend to examine how the national identities of the Netherlands and South Korea contrasted with one another and illustrate how the former Comfort Women have been represented within their own social constructs thereafter. A crucial reason for partaking in a historical comparison, between the Netherlands and South Korea, is to combine a lesser documented case with a case which has received substantially more coverage in academia and the media. By examining historical events, I propose to shift the perspective from gaining formal recognition and compensation from the Japanese government, which is often the point of view in the media and an often discussed topic by academics, to instead: How were the former Comfort Women treated and represented by their own society after WW II? It is important to examine the Comfort Women Issue from a different perspective because the perspective of the society of which the former Comfort Women are a part of, holds as much significance in historical terms of accountability as the issue of the Japanese government’s reticence to offer satisfactory recompense.Show less
The government of Indonesia in the New Order era in the 1970s and 1980s launched one of the largest elementary school construction project in history to eradicate illiteracy known as SD Inpres. The...Show moreThe government of Indonesia in the New Order era in the 1970s and 1980s launched one of the largest elementary school construction project in history to eradicate illiteracy known as SD Inpres. The project included the procurement of children story books as a complimentary of children textbook. The regime much influenced the story and child’s character in these books for the purpose of nation-building. Children stories were embedded with patriotic doctrines and moral values, and the characters were constructed in accordance with the state’s national ideology, Pancasila (Five Moral Principles) and interests to create the ideal Indonesian citizen. The implementation of Pancasila indoctrination through children story books aimed to shape and guide children’s behavior as the new generation who will build the country in the future. It was one of the state’s political strategies to maintain its power and hegemony in making a generation that obedient and pro-state. The study discusses the Indonesia’s New Order political agenda translated in children stories that were published under the SD Inpres project, particularly by Balai Pustaka. The paper suggests that there had been a form of resistance against the regime through the writing of children stories and also looks at differences in children characters and moral values between the state-sponsored Balai Pustaka children stories and private independent publisher Gramedia in the period of 1973-1985. The paper explains the concept of an ideal citizen based on the perspective of the New Order regime and questions the “message” it had transferred and how did the resistance occur in the children stories.Show less
The Japanese population and its healthcare system is under pressure. The population is declining drastically; the amount of elderly is increasing heavily and with the costs to take care of them...Show moreThe Japanese population and its healthcare system is under pressure. The population is declining drastically; the amount of elderly is increasing heavily and with the costs to take care of them will be heavy. Their increasingly chasing population structure is a major concern for politicians and companies alike. Too often Japanese politicians keep this status quo alive, on one hand they agree that Japan needs to introduce pro-immigration policies but on the other hand, when it comes to implement real and viable policies they ignore it. Japanese politicians are hesitant to call for increased immigration, due to fear from the public. These fears often stem from some underbelly feeling, which also fueled by the Media. The introduction of the Foreign nurses and caretakers was a first step into the right direction. Sadly, the outcome was insignificant and had practically no influence. This program shows the weakness of the Japanese immigration policies. It lacks flexibility, practicality and long-term vision.Show less
This thesis looks at the freedom of press in China. A critical discourse analysis is conducted of newspaper articles of the Global Times and the Southern Weekend about the Tianjin harbor explosions.
In the course of my thesis I will explore ideas surrounding the ownership and meaning of tradition and national identity from the perspective of the nation and the community, in the specific...Show moreIn the course of my thesis I will explore ideas surrounding the ownership and meaning of tradition and national identity from the perspective of the nation and the community, in the specific context of makkŏlli culture in South Korea. Paying particular attention to the works of Eric Hobsbawm, Stephen Vslatos, Dean MacCannel, and Richard Sennet, I seek to illuminate the ways in which the nation and community speak to one another and to a larger, global audience through cultural expression and a renegotiation of national tradition. The recent revival of interest in makkŏlli began with small communities of brewers and has expanded through craft movements leading to a modern re-invention of the practice. However, the beverage only gained attention domestically after it gained popularity abroad in 2009. As governing elites have become aware of the economic power embedded in associating national identity with a particular ‘brand’, certain aspects of popular or traditional culture have been mobilized to serve this end. In the process we encounter a double dynamic between small community actors and larger political entities both interested in the same objects, in this case makkŏlli — yet their motivations and interests speak to entirely different, and often contradictory concerns.Show less
This dissertation aims to investigate how the Tibetan education system is depicted in Chinese blogs and online official news media in the year of 2014, specifically the bilingual education system...Show moreThis dissertation aims to investigate how the Tibetan education system is depicted in Chinese blogs and online official news media in the year of 2014, specifically the bilingual education system of Tibetan students. It will also investigate and compare the discourses that online newspapers and blogs construct on bilingual education in the Tibetan case. To answer these questions, the thesis uses a method of discourse analysis to examine how Tibetans and the Tibetan education system are depicted in Chinese official online newspapers and blogs. Show less
Since December 2012, with the political comeback of Prime Minister Abe Shinzō, Japan has been shifting its domestic policy in a more conservative direction, while at the same time opting for an...Show moreSince December 2012, with the political comeback of Prime Minister Abe Shinzō, Japan has been shifting its domestic policy in a more conservative direction, while at the same time opting for an assertive foreign policy involving a more resolute and proactive defense stance. Notwithstanding the political victories reported by the Abe government on both fronts, internal opposition to the new bills has been strong and widespread, involving not only the opposition parties, but also the LDP’s coalition partner Kōmeitō and public opinion. A wide range of protests and political activities have been held in Tokyo and in other major cities throughout the country against the government’s policies; among them, those organized by the group known as SEALDs have generated the greatest interest in the media and in the public. Because SEALDs’ relevance in the wider context of civil society in Japan has not been fully investigated yet, this thesis seeks to analyze SEALDs from a comparative perspective, with a view to clarifying the social and cultural roots of the group, and its originality in the context of contemporary Japanese social movements. Such a study would shed light on the political implications of the activities of SEALDs and on their potentiality to affect policymaking and public participation in civil society in contemporary Japan.Show less
This thesis will examine Abe’s push to constitutional reinterpretation and how the political left reacted to his argument by focusing on the following question: did the Japanese left-wing political...Show moreThis thesis will examine Abe’s push to constitutional reinterpretation and how the political left reacted to his argument by focusing on the following question: did the Japanese left-wing political actors reconsider their view on Article 9 and Japan’s current defense attitude? If the extreme political left of Japan has altered their stance on Abe and his push for reinterpretation, it means that the whole debate on Japanese defense policy is changing altogether. Therefore, Shinzō Abe might have had an impact on how Article 9 and Japan’s defense posture are perceived by the political left-wing. This will be analyzed through the model of securitization, as defined by the Copenhagen School of Security Studies. By applying this framework, this thesis will show how Abe attempts to securitize the issue of Japan’s national identity through addressing Japan’s defense capabilities and how the left-wing responds by counter-securitizing the issue of pacifism within national identity. The second goal of the thesis is to present the validity of the Copenhagen School’s framework by showing its applicability to the case of Japan’s constitutional reinterpretation. First, we shall analyze the literature on both Shinzō Abe’s reinterpretation attempt and the securitization model. Secondly, we will examine the nature of Abe’s push to constitutional reinterpretation by analyzing a book he wrote before he became prime minister and a book he wrote while he was prime minister. In this way, we can establish whether his stance has changed on reinterpreting the constitution. Then we will explore if and how Abe’s attempt for reinterpretation has reshaped the views of the political left in Japan. The effect of Abe’s push to reinterpret the constitution on popular opinion will be exposed by analyzing the phenomenon of counter-securitization by Japanese left-wing activists. We will look at in what manner the attempt has affected the left-wing in their rhetoric by examining scholarly articles on the subject. If this is the case, we might conclude that the Japanese extreme left is currently in the middle of a shift towards middle left.Show less
The Forbidden City, built between 1406 and 1420, is described on the website of UNESCO as embodying ‘the traditional characteristic of urban planning and palace construction in ancient China’....Show moreThe Forbidden City, built between 1406 and 1420, is described on the website of UNESCO as embodying ‘the traditional characteristic of urban planning and palace construction in ancient China’. Religious, philosophical and ideological symbolism abound in the Forbidden City, from the representation of cosmology in the assignment of halls and palaces according to the concept of yin and yang, to the nine by nine grids of door bolts on the gates, the Chinese pronunciation of ‘nine’ being a homonym of ‘everlasting’. What this thesis attempts to do is rebuild the ideological identity of the early Ming dynasty as it is expressed in the Forbidden City architecture through texts and images, and to see whose identity is being expressed.Show less
In this thesis, I discuss about the existence of an art theory in current Chinese policies to answer the main research question: what is Xi’s art theory and how does the Communist Chinese Party ...Show moreIn this thesis, I discuss about the existence of an art theory in current Chinese policies to answer the main research question: what is Xi’s art theory and how does the Communist Chinese Party (CCP) conceive of arts and literature (wenyi文艺)? Since arts and literature have been called upon to support and accelerate the achievement of the country’s goals, I will analyze the current Chinese situation from the perspective of art. Moreover, I will suggest that the formulation of an art theory by Xi, during the Beijing Forum on Literature and Art in 2014 , might be referring to the past to stress the element of continuity as legitimacy for the CCP’s rule and relevance.Show less
Between 2007 and 2012 Bo Xilai served as Party Secretary in Chongqing. During this time a discussion began around what became known as the Chongqing model. What was this model? What role did Bo...Show moreBetween 2007 and 2012 Bo Xilai served as Party Secretary in Chongqing. During this time a discussion began around what became known as the Chongqing model. What was this model? What role did Bo Xilai play in creating and popularizing the model? How did Bo Xilai use this model for his own purposes? How has Xi Jinping copied the Chongqing model?Show less
The importance of the palm oil industry is growing. But the environmental impact of the production is becoming more apparent. Sustainable development is necessary to lead the industry into the...Show moreThe importance of the palm oil industry is growing. But the environmental impact of the production is becoming more apparent. Sustainable development is necessary to lead the industry into the future. Malaysia is one of the biggest producers in the industry, and therefore face the most challenges and opportunities.Show less
