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
This paper analyses the role public opinion had in the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in 2018. Previously, the majority of the public felt economically and...Show moreThis paper analyses the role public opinion had in the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in 2018. Previously, the majority of the public felt economically and culturally threatened by foreign residents. Over time, this belief largely disappeared from the public’s consciousness and changed into a more receptive view of an increase of foreigners. Consequently, a majority of the public came to believe that an increase of unskilled foreign labourers to address Japan’s labour shortage was a satisfactory solution. Alleviating labour shortages would in turn strengthen Japan’s economy which was a priority for both the public and Prime Minister Abe. Having looked at both businesses and Abe as different actors in the revision, I found that thanks to Abe’s tight control over both the Diet and the Cabinet, the bill was approved by the Diet without Abe facing public backlash. Nonetheless, the public’s preference has not been attained as they wanted more deliberation time in the Diet. Therefore, public opinion and the 2018 revision are correlated, but it cannot be concluded that public opinion influenced the revision.Show less
Relevance Suicide amongst women in Japan is on the rise since a decline of twelve years. However, suicide amongst men has stayed fairly stable. The pandemic has caused many issues to emerge and...Show moreRelevance Suicide amongst women in Japan is on the rise since a decline of twelve years. However, suicide amongst men has stayed fairly stable. The pandemic has caused many issues to emerge and enlarge. It may help to start and understand more about this increase when looking from a societal point of view. Objective To see what the troubles seem to be for women who think about committing suicide from a sociological point of view and if we can find and back up the reasons that make people more at risk of committing suicide. Methodology The statement of mental health, domestic violence and unemployment being the main drivers of increase in suicide, written in White Paper Reiwa 3, is our first building block. We will use the writings/works from sociologists and anthropologist, to build a framework around femininities and masculinities in Japan. Followed by recent data on suicide as well as writings and data on mental health, domestic violence and unemployment in Japan and more specifically amongst women. We will continue with looking at various casestudies that help to sketch a picture of the situation. Results and Discussion In our case studies we mostly found that loneliness was a big factor. However, it was interesting to see that work was a common denominator in many of the casestudies. Loneliness seemed to be a symptom. In many of the other cases it was economic stress, contradictory to earlier done research mostly applying economic distress as a predominantly male reason. Also societal pressures of what a women needs to accomplish and family obligations came to the forefront. However-so entertained with them also wanting to work. This thesis only sums up a very small amount of reasons and sheds light on just a fraction of everything that has to do with suicide. Other stories that came to the forefront when doing the research for this thesis were bullying in high schools and cyber bullying. With the last also pertaining a few celebrities that took their own lives in the past years. Conclusion It seems that economic distress for women has risen. Additively more women have jobs and because of the pandemic and relatively more women feeling the consequences of that pandemic, more women commit suicide. Because of Japans’ social history more women are being laid off.Show less
After 2020, Japan-Taiwan relations have seen an accelerated change from an informal, ambiguous relationship towards a relationship based on Japan’s support for Taiwan’s de facto independence. This...Show moreAfter 2020, Japan-Taiwan relations have seen an accelerated change from an informal, ambiguous relationship towards a relationship based on Japan’s support for Taiwan’s de facto independence. This thesis argues that the drivers behind the accelerated shift challenge the paradigm that Japan’s Prime Ministerial executive office (the Kantei) exerts unchallenged control over Japan’s foreign policymaking (Mulgan 2017). Namely, influential LDP nationalist right-wing politicians have utilized the Hong Kong protests, 2021 LDP presidential elections and Russia’s attack on Ukraine to make unprecedented pro-Taiwan statements. These statements have called upon the Kantei to more explicitly demonstrate its support for Taiwan’s position, which is in line with the preference of nationalist right-wing politicians for a strong Japan in the international order and their desire to maintain political influence over Japan’s policymaking. Through these statements, LDP nationalist right-wing politicians have more or less ‘hijacked’ Japan’s foreign policymaking. As this undermined the Kantei’s leading role in Japan’s policymaking, the paradigm that Japan is a Kantei-led state in foreign policy needs to be reviewed in order to accommodate the influence of the LDP’s nationalist right-wing.Show less
A thesis studying sources written by Tsuboi Shogoro, one of Japan's first anthropologists and important supporter of Japanese imperial expansion. His views on empire, 'race' and the Japanese nation...Show moreA thesis studying sources written by Tsuboi Shogoro, one of Japan's first anthropologists and important supporter of Japanese imperial expansion. His views on empire, 'race' and the Japanese nation are the focus of this thesis.Show less
