This thesis portrays the biggest policy changes enacted from 2014-2020 and the effects these policies have had on the issue of utilizing and consolidating idle and abandoned farmland. The...Show moreThis thesis portrays the biggest policy changes enacted from 2014-2020 and the effects these policies have had on the issue of utilizing and consolidating idle and abandoned farmland. The agricultural sector of Japan is facing a multitude of issues such as an ageing farming population and decreasing workforce. Alongside this, a large amount of cultivable farmland in Japan stands idle and abandoned. In an attempt to alleviate these issues, the government of Japan and the involved ministries have enacted a series of policy changes in the agricultural sector. The biggest changes being the Farmland Banking program in 2014 and the revision of the Agricultural Cooperative Law in 2015. In the case of consolidation of farmland, business’ farmers share of the total farmland has risen by 6.7% from 2014-2019. However, from 2015-2020 the total amount of farmland has continually declined (-2.8%) as has the amount of farm management entities (-38.7%) and the total cultivated land under management (-10,99%).Show less
The fox in Japan has an image of either a benevolent or an evil being. This thesis examines this creature and creates awareness to the origin of this image. The image of the Indian Dakini, a...Show moreThe fox in Japan has an image of either a benevolent or an evil being. This thesis examines this creature and creates awareness to the origin of this image. The image of the Indian Dakini, a voluptuous demon, merged with the image of the benevolent kami Inari in Japan. Looking at stories about the fox, the thesis proves that this image of the fox could better be described as one of an 'in-between' animal, neither good nor bad in being. The fox acts according to the situation it is in and is mostly just a mischievous animal.Show less
How do speakers of different languages think about time? Studies showed that people who speak different languages behave differently on spatial-temporal ordering tasks. However, these differences...Show moreHow do speakers of different languages think about time? Studies showed that people who speak different languages behave differently on spatial-temporal ordering tasks. However, these differences usually correlated with that languages writing direction. This study looks at whether it is language that causes different results or writing direction by recreating such a spatial-temporal ordering experiment with preliterate children from two different languages. Interestingly, the results in this experiment did not seems to point to either one of the possibilities. The children did not perform either uniform within a language group or completely random in both language groups. One thing that can be said is that the preliterate children did perform differently from adults is similar experiments, so the possible influence from a language’s writing system cannot be rules out, however, there might be more factors at play.Show less
This thesis explores the ways in which the Japanese actress and singer Kaji Meiko embodies the image and the voice of the female action heroine through her roles as Matsushima Nami in "Female...Show moreThis thesis explores the ways in which the Japanese actress and singer Kaji Meiko embodies the image and the voice of the female action heroine through her roles as Matsushima Nami in "Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion" (1972) and Kashima Yuki in "Lady Snowblood" (1973). Chapter 1 offers a narrative analysis of both films by examining various story elements and how they reinforce, critique, or comment on social and political issues at the time they were released. This includes questions of gender and sexuality brought to the fore by Kaji's portrayals. Chapter 2 presents an analysis of the lyrics of the two theme songs Urami Bushi and Shura no hana, performed by Kaji Meiko herself, through the lens of Frith's 'song as a speech act' approach. Kaji's unique delivery can be considered “yakusha no uta”, an extension of her acting. Her performance of the songs contributes to deepening the film’s narrative and adds a layer to her characters' complexity. What sets Kaji apart from her contemporary actors is that her characters represent more complex representations of women in action films. Kaji's artistic involvement during the design process of her characters and her versatile acting brought both the characters of Matsushima Nami and Kashima Yuki to life as unconventional women who were strong and resilient, carrying the actress to stardom.Show less
In this thesis, Utagawa Hiroshige's landscape prints will be examined through a social perspective. Many previous scholars have analysed Hiroshige's prints, based on old art historical tropes were...Show moreIn this thesis, Utagawa Hiroshige's landscape prints will be examined through a social perspective. Many previous scholars have analysed Hiroshige's prints, based on old art historical tropes were composition and techniques are central. In my thesis I will examine how Hiroshige framed place in his Tokaido series and One Hundred Famous Views series.Show less
This research explorers the gender performativity of cross-dressers from various styles of the Japanese performing arts. By using existing academic literature accompanied with footage from...Show moreThis research explorers the gender performativity of cross-dressers from various styles of the Japanese performing arts. By using existing academic literature accompanied with footage from interviews, performances, and TV programs, I analyse overarching patterns among cross-dressers in Kabuki, Takarazuka, dansō –the act of dressing as a man– and josō –the act of dressing as a woman–. While cross-dressers om-stage produce masculine and feminine characters through replicating existing gender constructions, they also produce new gender constructions that deviate from the hegemonic model of masculinity and femininity at the same time.Show less
De casus die deze scriptie verkent is die van reactie van gebruikers van de Japanse ondertiteling van de film The Lord of the Rings; The Fellowship of the Ring, welke leidde tot een aanpassing van...Show moreDe casus die deze scriptie verkent is die van reactie van gebruikers van de Japanse ondertiteling van de film The Lord of the Rings; The Fellowship of the Ring, welke leidde tot een aanpassing van deze onderiteling voor DVD-uitgave van de film. Deze gebeurtenis kan worden gezien als een aanwijzing dat de geldende conventies voor het Japanse vakgebied van filmvertaling aan vernieuwing toe zijn.Show less