This thesis discusses the question as to how Yoshiwara was envisioned as a virtual place of escape in prints of the Edo-period (1603-1867). This is done through visual analysis of woodblock prints...Show moreThis thesis discusses the question as to how Yoshiwara was envisioned as a virtual place of escape in prints of the Edo-period (1603-1867). This is done through visual analysis of woodblock prints as primary sources, and information and arguments of academic literature as secondary sources. Overwhelmed by the strict Tokugawa society and the many calamities ravaging the city, the people of Edo could find a place of escape in the concept of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters depicted in print. The practice of gayū (travelling whilst laying down) and the concepts of tsū (refinement) and iki (an urban aesthetic), are essential to this understanding.Show less
This paper sheds light on the discrepancy between the presentation of Ikumen, a popularized Japanese buzzword used for fathers who are involved with childrearing, in government-backed media and the...Show moreThis paper sheds light on the discrepancy between the presentation of Ikumen, a popularized Japanese buzzword used for fathers who are involved with childrearing, in government-backed media and the way it is perceived mostly in a negative light by the target audience. An analysis of survey data of an online survey conducted by the Asahi Shinbun revealed five major reasons as to why respondents take issue with the buzzword. An analysis of ‘Family Harmony’, the Ikumen Project’s Official song, revealed that most, however not all, of these gripes are in fact being reflected in pieces of government-backed media.Show less
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 marked a turning point for Eastern European nations, triggering a wave of democratic revolutions. This shift from communist governance to democracy was...Show moreThe collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 marked a turning point for Eastern European nations, triggering a wave of democratic revolutions. This shift from communist governance to democracy was marked by numerous obstacles, notably the influence wielded by former communist elites, commonly referred to as the nomenklatura. This thesis examines the impact of the nomenklatura on the post-communist political environments and privatization processes of Bulgaria and Poland between 1989 and 2001. Both countries, influenced to varying extents by Soviet ideology, embarked on divergent paths toward democracy and economic liberalization. The thesis investigates how the nomenklatura, entrenched in positions of power, sought to maintain their political relevance and exploit state resources. Through a multidisciplinary analysis drawing from academic literature and primary sources, the study evaluates the strategies employed by the nomenklatura to adapt to democratic structures, their influence on post-communist political systems, and their role in the privatization of public resources. The results provide a deeper understanding of the lasting impact of the nomenklatura on Bulgaria and Poland's political and economic trajectories during the pivotal transitional period. This analysis offers valuable perspectives on the challenges encountered during democratization and economic reform in post-communist societies.Show less
This thesis discusses the human security of women in Okinawa, as they live alongside US military bases, through a critical feminist analysis of Japan-US security agreements. Ultimately, this thesis...Show moreThis thesis discusses the human security of women in Okinawa, as they live alongside US military bases, through a critical feminist analysis of Japan-US security agreements. Ultimately, this thesis concludes that the security of women in Okinawa is deemed secondary to both Japan's national interests and the US' national interests, and, thus, the security agreements between these two countries pose an active risk to the everyday security of women in Okinawa.Show less
This study examines how the obsession with education affects the total fertility rate in South Korea. Among many factors, educational expenses weigh heavy when it comes to deciding to have another...Show moreThis study examines how the obsession with education affects the total fertility rate in South Korea. Among many factors, educational expenses weigh heavy when it comes to deciding to have another child. This study shows how education has been a means of social mobility throughout Korea’s history, how traces of this are still visible in contemporary South Korea, and how educational developments during the last century have caused private educational expenses to rise significantly. The results show that the societal preoccupation with status and education brings about excessive educational expenditures, causing parents to hold off on having a child or to give up on having another child completely, and thus lowering the total fertility rate.Show less
