This thesis examines the reasons behind missionary attitudes that rejected ideas of reform that were proposed by the Lazarist missionary Frederic Vincent Lebbe. It tries to establish how certain...Show moreThis thesis examines the reasons behind missionary attitudes that rejected ideas of reform that were proposed by the Lazarist missionary Frederic Vincent Lebbe. It tries to establish how certain missionary attitudes may have taken shape under the conditions in which the churches in China operated in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century and it will also take into consideration the organization of the Catholic mission churches themselves.Show less
During the last decade, inbound foreign tourism rate in Japan underwent an outstanding escalation: from 5.22 million in 2003, the number of tourists visiting the country skyrocketed to 19.3 million...Show moreDuring the last decade, inbound foreign tourism rate in Japan underwent an outstanding escalation: from 5.22 million in 2003, the number of tourists visiting the country skyrocketed to 19.3 million in 2015. The government made active efforts towards this achievement as part of the strategy to strenghten the Japanese image abroad, as well as its national brand. A necessary part of this strategy was constituted by Japanese food, following the international popularity that it enjoyed in the recent years. As the global interest for authenticity and uniqueness grew especially in regards to food and tourism, this resarch tries to understand why Japanese government is using food as a product to give legitimization to its entire national brand, specifically by selling it through tourism consumption, to then establish which strategies are being adopted in order to reach this scope.Show less
The main aim of this thesis was to take a critical stance towards the Intelligence Cycle as the foremost model on intelligence processes. The research question was: To what extent can the...Show moreThe main aim of this thesis was to take a critical stance towards the Intelligence Cycle as the foremost model on intelligence processes. The research question was: To what extent can the Intelligence Cycle, as a model of analysis, account for non-Western intelligence organisational structures, such as the Japanese intelligence community? The conclusion of the thesis is that the Intelligence Cycle cannot fully account for non-Western intelligence organisational structures, and specifically that of Japan. This is because of several assumptions that emerged when applying the Intelligence Cycle to Japan: First, that foreign and domestic security scopes cannot be consolidated into one organisation, ignoring the Japanese practice of 'amakudari'. Second, the assumption of inevitable competition between similar intelligence organisations. Third, the lack of a modernised intelligence arsenal. Lastly, the assumption that Japanese intelligence personnel is not trained appropriately, ignoring the practice of 'amakudari' and 'tenkin'.Show less
This study examines to what extent local governments in Japan make use of their official websites to facilitate the social integration of their foreign residents through online multilingual...Show moreThis study examines to what extent local governments in Japan make use of their official websites to facilitate the social integration of their foreign residents through online multilingual provisions. A comparative analysis of the official websites of various kinds of cities, towns and villages not only serves to highlight some of the stark and surprising differences in their online integration efforts. A consideration of specific factors in the analysis, such as economic power, administrative authority, relative migrant population size and City Network membership, also allows for a more in depth exploration of some of the underlying social, political and economic reasons as to why some localities provide substantially better online multilingual provisions than others.Show less
Een analyse van de verschillende manieren waarop het Japanse Saiban-in systeem wordt geëvalueerd in academische literatuur en door de deelnemers van het systeem.
This thesis discusses what motivates people in Japan to buy sacred charms (omamori), through the lens of the Japanese ritual worldview. They are traditionally used as a means for protection or as a...Show moreThis thesis discusses what motivates people in Japan to buy sacred charms (omamori), through the lens of the Japanese ritual worldview. They are traditionally used as a means for protection or as a source of beneficial power. In recent decennia, consumer culture has permeated the world of religion in Japan and as a result distributors of religious tokens (temples and shrines) have started to focus more on the visual appeal of charms.Show less
Five years have passed since the attack on Sinjar, and no one could have predicted the outcome we have witnessed. With the dismantling of ISIS, a myriad of consequences built over the years has...Show moreFive years have passed since the attack on Sinjar, and no one could have predicted the outcome we have witnessed. With the dismantling of ISIS, a myriad of consequences built over the years has come crashing down to the contemporary political climate. The quell of ISIS as a land-owning non-state actor may be seen as a victory, yet, the slow process of piecing together what truly happened behind the closed veil of the so-called Caliphate is the true feat. Among all of the unknown also lies the troublesome subject of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV). It is no secret that gender based violence played a prominent part in the so-called Islamic State’s reign to power, but the question remains; Why did ISIS use sexual and gender based violence against Yezidi girls and Women? There are three hypotheses that this thesis will test to understand ISIS’ use of rape against Yezidi girls and women: a) tool of war, b) patriarchy and c) religion. By analysing the rationale behind these three hypotheses this thesis will contribute to a more systematic understanding of ISIS’ modus operandi.Show less
This paper examines the localization practices in Japanese video games and anime in the last thirty years and the effects thereof, taking the Pokémon franchise as case study. Findings seem to...Show moreThis paper examines the localization practices in Japanese video games and anime in the last thirty years and the effects thereof, taking the Pokémon franchise as case study. Findings seem to suggest an increase in the importance of localization, as it developed from the translation of text to the restructuring of narrative and alteration of visual content. Multiple video games and anime have seen significant revisions in their adjustment to the Western market, but none of them have received as much modifications as Pokémon. The methods used in localizing Pokémon have transformed over the years, and its ever-expanding global significance shaped the content of future releases in both Japan and the West.Show less
This paper investigates masculinity in Chinese media. Specifically, it was written to address “To what extent is the changing of masculinity in the Chinese media an indication of a changing of...Show moreThis paper investigates masculinity in Chinese media. Specifically, it was written to address “To what extent is the changing of masculinity in the Chinese media an indication of a changing of masculinity in wider society?” To achieve this, the paper will first lay out an overview over how Chinese masculinity has changed over the centuries and the last decades. In order to more easily assess issues regarding masculinity, it will borrow the wén-wǔ distinction introduced by Kam Louie. Then it will address the current relationship between the Chinese (state-) media and masculinity in China. The third part will focus on idols and beauty boys, two forms of masculinity that are criticised often by conservative voices. It will also include a discussion on how much women are involved in the changing masculine ideals. Consequently, this paper will analyse two media productions to see how they portray masculinity, what effects this would have, and how this is related to the literature discussed in this paper. And finally, this paper will conclude that rather than just a shift in masculinity, there is also an entrenchment of older masculine ideals taking place.Show less
The study delves into the convoluted relationship between women and war and analysis the reasons that led Israel and Palestine to admit women in their combat units in the early 2000s.
