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
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
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
The way criminals are treated has been changing for centuries. When the West started to abolish corporal punishments and treat prisoners with more respect, Japan wanted to follow to gain respect...Show moreThe way criminals are treated has been changing for centuries. When the West started to abolish corporal punishments and treat prisoners with more respect, Japan wanted to follow to gain respect and be seen as a world power. Nowadays, there is a UN document that states how to treat prisoners in a humane way, But during the early 20th century this was not yet in use. When Japan colonized the Korean peninsula and reformed their prison system, it was more humane, but whether that is true has not been researched yet. Neither is the question if Japan treated the prisoners on the Korean peninsula the same as they treated the prisoners on the mainland of Japan. This study found out that there was a significant difference in treatment in both the prison systems, mainly due to the use of torture. Thus, the treatment of Korean prisoners in Korea cannot be deemed humane when compared to the definition of the UN.Show less
The thesis investigates the potential causes behind the differing responses given by South Korea and Taiwan in the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster using a qualitative...Show moreThe thesis investigates the potential causes behind the differing responses given by South Korea and Taiwan in the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster using a qualitative thick description analysis. This work contributes to the field of soft power by conducting a case study: this field is often criticized for its lack of empirical evidence. This topic is important as it posits a causal relationship between Japanese soft power and the differing levels of responses given, showing that soft power has visible and tangible effects. The research question was as follows: what explains the differences in Taiwanese and South Korean support following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami? Based on the research it was found that many factors, namely nationalism, historical relations, and the individual country’s soft power resources as mediating factors to Japan’s soft power.Show less
In deze scriptie worden de conclusies van literatuur over de behandeling van krijgsgevangenen door Japan in Engelstalige bezette gebieden vergeleken met de behandeling van de krijgsgevangen in...Show moreIn deze scriptie worden de conclusies van literatuur over de behandeling van krijgsgevangenen door Japan in Engelstalige bezette gebieden vergeleken met de behandeling van de krijgsgevangen in Nederlands-Indië tijdens de tweede wereldoorlog. Volgens deze literatuur was de behandeling van krijgsgevangenen zeer onregelmatig en gedecentraliseerd, verschillen waren zeer groot. Met behulp van secundaire literatuur, aangevuld met documenten van het NEFIS, het Rode Kruis en interviews van het SMGI, laat deze scriptie zien dat de decentrale wijze waarop Nederlands-Indië was bezet de onregelmatige behandeling juist versterkte.Show less
More than 95%. This is the highly alarming number of incidents of sexual violence in Japan that are not reported to the police according to a study from 2018.1 In fact, in Japan, sexual crimes...Show moreMore than 95%. This is the highly alarming number of incidents of sexual violence in Japan that are not reported to the police according to a study from 2018.1 In fact, in Japan, sexual crimes continue to carry a heavy stigma and society’s approach to it remains sexist and archaic.2 From 2017, #MeToo, a hashtag constituted of two simple but powerful words has travelled around the world enabling women to voice their allegations of sex crimes. This movement could have been the opportunity to break the silence about sexual violence in Japan, nonetheless, it did not seem to take root in the country. This thesis aims to shed light on the struggle endured by victims of sexual violence in Japan who dared to speak up in a society unwilling to understand their pain. This thesis intends to dive into this matter and analyse how the adverse reactions to allegations of sex crimes reflect Japanese society’s stance toward the #MeToo movement.Show less
