This thesis further explores the concept of prosodic minimums, as laid out by Itou et al., by accounting for anime title abbreviations within the established theory. Research performed led to the...Show moreThis thesis further explores the concept of prosodic minimums, as laid out by Itou et al., by accounting for anime title abbreviations within the established theory. Research performed led to the preliminary conclusion that the majority of anime title abbreviations adhered to the established prosodic minimums, although in a small set of instances they did not. To account for this, an interdisciplinary approach was taken by involving theories surrounding brand linguistics and sound-associative vocabulary (such as onomatopoeia), which led to speculative findings aptly suited for future research.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.
Röling was de Nederlandse afgevaardigde aan het Tribunaal van Tokio. Hij is opmerkelijk omdat hij als enige rechter in zijn afwijkend vonnis (hierna: dissent) per beklaagde uiteenzette wat hij een...Show moreRöling was de Nederlandse afgevaardigde aan het Tribunaal van Tokio. Hij is opmerkelijk omdat hij als enige rechter in zijn afwijkend vonnis (hierna: dissent) per beklaagde uiteenzette wat hij een gepaste strafmaat vond, en omdat hij zeer kritisch was over punten waar de andere rechters niet over na (wilden) denken. Hoewel Röling dankzij de hernieuwde aandacht voor het tribunaal ook weer in de belangstelling staat is er nog niet onderzocht hoe en waarom juist Röling tot zijn dissent kwam. In dit onderzoek wordt uiteengezet wat de hoofdfactoren uit het sociaal milieu en persoonlijke leven van Bert Röling waren die ervoor gezorgd hebben dat hij een dissent besloot te publiceren, en hoe die factoren zijn dissent hebben beïnvloed. Deze factoren zijn een neiging tot het niet respecteren van de gevestigde orde; en het feit dat hij door zijn nieuwsgierigheid, zorgvuldigheid en ruimdenkendheid over stereotypes heen kon stappen. Hierdoor kwam hij ook in contact met Japanners die zijn dissent verder beïnvloedden.Show less
In 2020 the Olympic Games will be hosted by Japan. In this article, several ways in which the Japanese government will try to attract as many tourists as possible will be covered, with the 'Cool...Show moreIn 2020 the Olympic Games will be hosted by Japan. In this article, several ways in which the Japanese government will try to attract as many tourists as possible will be covered, with the 'Cool Japan' strategy as introduced by the MOFA in 2002 as the red line. The strategy will be considered from several political views, including the Soft Power view as suggested by some. In analyzing (tourism) spaces, Foucault's Heterotopias will be used as theoretical groundwork. It will become clear that the Cool Japan strategy of the Japanese government carefully selects and combines several cultural products in order to build and project a politically meaningful image to the outside world.Show less
How can Yoshimoto Banana’s novel Goodbye Tsugumi be understood through the lens of feminist literary theories such as post-feminism and gender? This thesis first analyses the current discussion of...Show moreHow can Yoshimoto Banana’s novel Goodbye Tsugumi be understood through the lens of feminist literary theories such as post-feminism and gender? This thesis first analyses the current discussion of the novel. Then it moves onward with a new approach using feminist theory, and dissect the importance of relationships and surroundings of the two main female characters, Maria and Tsugumi. The reflection includes their emotions and how the present and past are dealt with.Show less
Abstract In the recent years Japanese pop culture has become an essential medium in the nation-branding strategy “Cool Japan”. The government has invested in Cool Japan especially in the Asian...Show moreAbstract In the recent years Japanese pop culture has become an essential medium in the nation-branding strategy “Cool Japan”. The government has invested in Cool Japan especially in the Asian region as there are still lingering tensions over Japan’s imperial past. This thesis explores how popular culture is used in nation-branding strategy in two countries that were occupied by Japan during the Second World War, Indonesia and South-Korea. How Japan implements nation-branding in South Korea and Indonesia and whether Japan uses a specific approach with consideration to historical memory and if a pattern can be distinguished is still under-examined, and therefore wishes to contribute to this discussion. This research uses policy analysis to assess the Cool Japan policy approach in South Korea and Indonesia. As Cool Japan is largely reliant on soft power, this study also tests Joseph S. Nye’s theory of soft power as a general theory applicable to Japan. My findings demonstrate that the ideal conditions for nation-branding strategy to work, depend on how the countries in question (South Korea and Indonesia) view the country that implements nation-branding(Japan). Therefore,Cool Japan nation-branding can only succeed in countries that have a relatively positive image of Japan.Show less
There seems to be an obsession with cuteness in the Japanese society as it is used to sell everything. The Japanese music industry too seems to emphasize on cuteness especially on their female...Show moreThere seems to be an obsession with cuteness in the Japanese society as it is used to sell everything. The Japanese music industry too seems to emphasize on cuteness especially on their female idols and they are using cuteness to their advantage. The role of cuteness in the Japanese girl groups has three aspects that are all related to each other. First of all, it is entirely commercial. They use cuteness as their group's concept to establish a fan base that will support them. This means that as they get more popular they get offers to act and/or model for a certain brands. In other words, the more fans are willing to consume the girl groups, the more they will earn. Secondly, cuteness is just a group's concept which means that the group's cuteness is simply an performance of being an idol. Cuteness has always been associated with femininity and their performance of cuteness is thus them performing their socially constructed gender roles to appeal to their male fans. This is only reinforced in the way they dress, talk and sing. It is part of a marketing strategy set up by their company. Lastly, cuteness could be used to escape reality. By consuming cuteness people try to breakout from their constructed gender roles. Both the fans and the female idols share the same sentiment. Consumption of girl groups is like a hobby for many fans. They do not have to think about their duties and obligations in real life and their gender roles. The female idols too are challenging their predestined role that society have given them and take matter in their own hand as they are the one that are earning an income. Female idols are not passive or submissive, but have their own agency in the Japanese music industry.Show less
In this thesis the dialect attitudes towards the Kyoto dialect are studied. A list of stereotypical characteristics of the dialect, seen from the perspective of the Tokyo standard is provided,...Show moreIn this thesis the dialect attitudes towards the Kyoto dialect are studied. A list of stereotypical characteristics of the dialect, seen from the perspective of the Tokyo standard is provided, according to which the results of the study are evaluated. A survey on Japanese native speakers is used, which mainly confirmed the validity of the stereotype of the Kyoto dialect.Show less
In 2015, the Bunkacho started up a project known as Japan Heritage (Nihon Isan). The purpose of this project is to locate heritage in the local area and organizing it into a regional 'story' that...Show moreIn 2015, the Bunkacho started up a project known as Japan Heritage (Nihon Isan). The purpose of this project is to locate heritage in the local area and organizing it into a regional 'story' that is consumable for a public both within and outside of Japan. While the project itself is organized by the Bunkacho, a lot of organisational responsibility is held by local players. With local heritage organisations, local authorities and government each playing their role, should we see this new project as top-down consumentarism or bottom-up conversation of local heritage by local people? This is the question I aimed to answer within this essay.Show less
This thesis contains the research for a teaching method of teaching Japanese pitch-accent to Dutch students which language is stress based, between the age of 12-18 years. It compares 3 existing...Show moreThis thesis contains the research for a teaching method of teaching Japanese pitch-accent to Dutch students which language is stress based, between the age of 12-18 years. It compares 3 existing methods for a different motherlanguage but with the same target language of Japanese, to criteria that have been constructed by using literature research and the pedagogical framework of Pawlak (2011). The existing teaching method of Hirano Cook (2011) was best suited for teaching the pitch-accent to the target age group and was used in order to make a theoretical good teaching method for the Dutch students. The main adjustments to the teaching method of Hirano Cook, consists of using phonological features of the stress-accent and creating a positive transfer to the Japanese pitch-accent.Show less
Up until now, there has been a lot of studies done on the topic hafu in Japan. Although, a gap can be identified when we consider gendered aspects of the mixed-race identity. Social aspects within...Show moreUp until now, there has been a lot of studies done on the topic hafu in Japan. Although, a gap can be identified when we consider gendered aspects of the mixed-race identity. Social aspects within an identity such as race and gender, should not be simply observed separately but investigated on how they interact with or affect each other. This thesis examines the mixed-race identity as a multidimensional concept by focusing on the intersectionality of race and gender. The main question is: “how does the intersection of racial and gendered identities contribute to the identity experience of hafu in Japan?” Firstly, this thesis argues how the intersectionality theory, primarily introduced by Crenshaw, adds value to understanding the mixed-race identity. It will highlight the importance of this angle. Secondly, it will provide a historical background of hafu in Japan and discuss the gaps in the literature on this topic. After a critical discussion of the issue, an analysis investigates how representations of hafu in Japanese advertisements are contributing to the identity of hafu. It will provide an insight of how images in advertisements show intersecting gendered and racial identity assumptions for male and female hafu.Show less
This thesis explores hafu and identity in japan, with an emphasis on the importance of race, relying on Stuart Hall's theories on race. Hafu have become quite popular in Japanese media in recent...Show moreThis thesis explores hafu and identity in japan, with an emphasis on the importance of race, relying on Stuart Hall's theories on race. Hafu have become quite popular in Japanese media in recent years, however are still faced with discrimination in their daily lives. While hafu as a topic has been broadly discussed in available literature, they are too often focused on 'hafu' as a single ethnic identity, and mostly focused on the white hafu, which see the most popularity in media. This thesis attempts a broader approach by focusing on hafu of multiple different backgrounds such as Zainichi Korean and Filipinos, to show hafu experiences and identity formation differ greatly within the group. This approach also shows how race, and how one society views one particular race has a great impact on one’s ethnic identity formation that should always be considered when discussing hafu, rather than taking 'hafu' as one ethnic identity.Show less
