Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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This thesis examines Korean diasporic identities in Japan, focusing on language's role in identity negotiations within a post-colonial context. Through investigating present day Zainichi Koreans'...Show moreThis thesis examines Korean diasporic identities in Japan, focusing on language's role in identity negotiations within a post-colonial context. Through investigating present day Zainichi Koreans' identity-making, I demonstrate their journeys in navigating the empowering and discriminating role of language.Show less
Advance care planning (ACP) is a process in which the patient expresses their wishes regarding future medical care in the presence of their family and health care provider. ACP is generally...Show moreAdvance care planning (ACP) is a process in which the patient expresses their wishes regarding future medical care in the presence of their family and health care provider. ACP is generally accepted in Western countries and has a positive effect on end-of-life care for people with dementia. However, culture affects expectations and preferences regarding end-of-life care and decision making. This study compared the acceptability of and preference for two types of ACP interventions for patients with dementia in health care providers from the Netherlands, the US and Japan. One intervention focused on concrete treatment orders in which the patient makes specific decisions. The other focused on what the patient finds important in life, resulting in global goals of care. A total of 125 participants were assessed by means of a structured interview and a questionnaire. Participants found both types of ACP acceptable, in general and per country. A multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated no significant difference in acceptability of the concrete or the global ACP approach between countries when adjusted for age and gender. However, age was a significant predictor of acceptability of the concrete ACP approach (2 (2, 123) = 6.32, p = .042), with older participants being less likely to find it acceptable compared to not finding it acceptable (W(8) = 5.50, p = 0.019). Participants preferred the global ACP approach for patients with dementia. A multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated no significant differences in preference between countries when adjusted for age and gender in general. However, Dutch participants were less likely to prefer the global ACP approach (W(8) = 5.18, p = .023). The relationship between country and preference was not influenced by whether participants most strongly considered what the patient with dementia wants for themselves, what the patient’s family wants or what they as the health care provider want for their patient when making medical decisions. ACP is generally regarded as an acceptable form of care for patients with dementia by health care providers across countries. Future research could more specifically determine which cultural or demographic aspects affect health care providers’ views on different ACP approaches.Show less
This thesis analyzes what academic literature describes as a so-called "GID discourse", which arose in Japan in the late 1990s and strongly changed how transgender people came to be seen and...Show moreThis thesis analyzes what academic literature describes as a so-called "GID discourse", which arose in Japan in the late 1990s and strongly changed how transgender people came to be seen and treated. This discourse, related to the medical term Gender Identity Disorder (性同一性障害, seidōitsuseishōgai), is generally problematized for pathologizing transness, reinforcing binary gender norms, and privileging some trans people over others. Academic texts on the topic tend to treat the emergence of this discourse as something that happened to Japan's trans population, without exploring the role played by trans people themselves. Using Critical Discourse Analysis as its primary methodology and dealing primarily with texts produced by trans people, this thesis demonstrates how trans people helped spread and institutionalize the "GID discourse", but also how it has been, and increasingly is, opposed by trans people. The thesis argues that the pathologizing discourse acted as a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it made big socio-political changes possible that positively affected many trans people in Japan. Key examples are the legalization of sex reassignment surgery and the ability to change one's legal gender. On the other hand, the discourse serves as a conduit for social structures such as trans-, hetero- and cisnormativity, that negatively affect trans people.Show less
The position of women in the Japanese workforce has been weak for decades because of discrimination and oppression from legislature, policies, and societal expectations. In the late 1980s, sexual...Show moreThe position of women in the Japanese workforce has been weak for decades because of discrimination and oppression from legislature, policies, and societal expectations. In the late 1980s, sexual harassment was mentioned in the Japanese legislature for the first time, marking a turning point in the treatment of sexual harassment cases. However, because of Japan’s roots in Confucianism and patriarchal society, Japanese people have a hard time letting go of traditional gender roles and overly sexual behaviour toward women. Simultaneously, Western countries such as the United States of America and Canada are popular destinations for the immigration of Japanese citizens, and women overtake the number of men in the total number of Japanese immigrants worldwide. Because of the negatives of gender inequality in Japanese workplaces and the positive outlook on Western countries, this thesis raises the question of how the unequal and oppressive treatment of women in the Japanese workforce affects the economic migration of Japanese women. Do women emigrate from Japan to countries with better gender equality to work in an environment where they are treated rather equally to men?Show less
With an average age of 45 years old and a population where one third of people is over the age of 65, Japan has one of the oldest populations on earth. This is due to two factors: one of the...Show moreWith an average age of 45 years old and a population where one third of people is over the age of 65, Japan has one of the oldest populations on earth. This is due to two factors: one of the highest life-expectancies on earth, and one of the lowest birth-rates on earth. As a result of this Japan's demographic pyramid has been flipped on its head, figuratively and literally. A demographic imbalance like this comes with many challenges, such as disappearing towns, pressure on health and pension funds, and the closure of schools across the country. There are many challenges to overcome, but arguably the key one's are two questions: how to increase the birth-rate, and how to take care of the elderly population. In this thesis we will look at how Japan has tried to tackle these two challenges, see what has been effective, and see what we can learn from it for a future where more and more developed countries are faced with aging populations and low birth ratesShow less
This thesis will study the influence of different colonial ruling by Japan on the modernising of prison systems in its colonies. The period of enlightenment saw the change from flogging based...Show moreThis thesis will study the influence of different colonial ruling by Japan on the modernising of prison systems in its colonies. The period of enlightenment saw the change from flogging based punishment to penal servitude. As imperial power started to venture around the world, modern thought was able to reach as far as East Asia and thus Japan. After a victory over China, it came in the possession of Taiwan, its first colony and not much later Korea too became part of the Japanese empire. Both of the newly acquired colonies were put through modernising reforms on prisons constructing new modern buildings and adjusting the treatment to be more humane and implementing prison labour but were not the same in the end. This thesis argues that there are multiple reasons for the differences such as the national unity of Korea that caused resistance and subsequently military oppression. Although Taiwan had a less modernised prison system, they also had less problems within the prisons as resistance was less frequent. This would mean that the way of ruling did not in so far influence the modernisation of prisons, as it did the treatment of prisoners.Show less
South Korea, Japan, and China are struggling with loneliness in their respective societies. As prolonged feelings of loneliness can have large and lasting consequences for one’s health, it should...Show moreSouth Korea, Japan, and China are struggling with loneliness in their respective societies. As prolonged feelings of loneliness can have large and lasting consequences for one’s health, it should be avoided at all costs. People found solace in watching livestreams; the streams are very personal and it feels like the hosts are in the room with you. In South Korea, mukbangs became popular as more and more people are living in single-person households and therefore more frequently eat alone as well. VTubers made it possible for Japanese people to interact with anime characters, giving life to large communities as a growing number of people are looking at technology to fulfill their social needs. Nǚ zhǔ bō streams provided young Chinese men that are unable to find real girlfriends a virtual girlfriend experience. Livestreaming is a breeding ground for parasocial relationships, as the relationship between streamer and viewer feels very intimate and real. Ideally would viewers find comfort in the company not of the streamers, but in the community as a whole, in which actual meaningful relationships can be formed.Show less
Dit onderzoek tracht vast te stellen hoe het giftenbeleid van de Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie aan het shogunhof van Japan kan worden verklaard aan de hand van antropologische bevindingen in de...Show moreDit onderzoek tracht vast te stellen hoe het giftenbeleid van de Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie aan het shogunhof van Japan kan worden verklaard aan de hand van antropologische bevindingen in de periode 1648-1748. Hierbij staat de theorie van Marcel Mauss over de invloed van giften op relaties tussen gemeenschappen centraal.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
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This thesis delves into the complex dynamics of gender performance within the Tokyo trans and X-gender community, examining the ways in which individuals navigate their gender identities in...Show moreThis thesis delves into the complex dynamics of gender performance within the Tokyo trans and X-gender community, examining the ways in which individuals navigate their gender identities in different social settings. By adopting Erving Goffman's concept of the "frontstage" and the "backstage", the study aims to shed light on the complex interplay between conformity and self-expression in this cultural context. Through a combination of casual conversations, semi-structured interviews, observation, use of drawings, and analysis of online discourse, this research unveils the strategies employed by community members to negotiate societal norms and expectations. After defining gender roles and expectations in Japan, the thesis focuses on looks and the ability to "pass" as a cisgender person, which not only influence trans and X-gender people's possibility to access to queer and non-queer settings, but also condition their gender performance. Afterwards, the thesis focuses on gender performance in the "frontstage" and "backstage". Whereas the "frontstage" showcases the performative aspects of gender identity, often influenced by societal pressures and traditional gender roles, the "backstage" allows for a more authentic exploration of self, often characterized by fluidity and experimentation.Show less
Education is one of the most important determinants of an individual livelihood. Not only does education contribute to the development of a nation, but it also fosters democracy through the...Show moreEducation is one of the most important determinants of an individual livelihood. Not only does education contribute to the development of a nation, but it also fosters democracy through the teachings of democratic values in schools and exposure to the benefits of civic engagement. Furthermore, the education system of a country is reflective of its ideology and can serve as a tool for the government to shape the view of its citizens. Literature on the relationship between democracy on education is vast, but most are based on quantitative measures. Thus, this research conducts a qualitative study in analysing the effect of the level of democracy on the inclusion of democratic values in the fundamental education law of each country. Employing a diverse case selection, qualitative content analysis method, and a deductive coding frame, this thesis finds that the effect of democracy on democratic values in education law has varying effects. A clear division based on the level of democracy is visible for democratic goals in the education law, but is less visible regarding participation, freedom, and equality. The findings of this thesis contribute to narrowing the literature gap and allow further understanding of the impact of democracy on daily life and human development.Show less
Modernism, aside from its architectural application, is also presented throughout urban planning. A widely applied modernist approach in city planning, as explored in Japan, is Metabolism. This...Show moreModernism, aside from its architectural application, is also presented throughout urban planning. A widely applied modernist approach in city planning, as explored in Japan, is Metabolism. This thesis will be looking at projects within the Metabolism movement, while also considering the Japanese context and conditions for development. While discussing urban planning, it is common to talk about cities in the same context, which simplifies the planning process and the planning culture of a city. Different factors that build up the concept of planning culture, specifically the Japanese planning culture, will be explored throughout this thesis, using the works of architects related to the Metabolism movement. What is aimed to be discovered is the realisation of metabolic designs in the relation to the aims and priorities of Japanese planning culture.Show less
East Asia has been stuck in a political and historical struggle over the remembrance of World War 2, referred to mostly as the East Asian History Dilemma. Within this dilemma, different historical...Show moreEast Asia has been stuck in a political and historical struggle over the remembrance of World War 2, referred to mostly as the East Asian History Dilemma. Within this dilemma, different historical perspectives towards World War 2 between the East Asian nations and their World War 2 heritage play a central role. Performing a discourse analysis on the opening speeches of Japan's Annual Memorial Ceremony to Commemorate The War Dead, this thesis sheds light on the historical perspectives present in Japan towards World War 2.Show less
Belgian comic book artist Hergè, the pseudonym of Georges Prosper Remi is one of the most notable and widely renowned artists of the early 20th century, most prominently known for his works ‘The...Show moreBelgian comic book artist Hergè, the pseudonym of Georges Prosper Remi is one of the most notable and widely renowned artists of the early 20th century, most prominently known for his works ‘The Adventures of TinTin’ (org. Les Aventures de Tintin). His style is distinct and recognisable, and he is seen as a pioneer of this style as a comic art movement at the time. The use of clear lines, and the clear, realistic backgrounds, in contrast to the caricaturist appearance of the figures and creatures in the foreground, are some of the distinct markers of his style. This style was later named Ligne Claire. Hergè, like many contemporaries, were interested in the Japanese woodblock prints that were available in Europe at the time. This thesis explores why characteristics of Japanese Ukiyo-e prints, impressionism, and Shin-hanga prints can be found in Hergé’s work through orientalist theory and the lens of cultural appropriation.Show less
