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
Japan is a rapidly aging society. In order to respond to these pressing matters the Japanese government cooperates with businesses and the bureaucracy; known as the iron triangle. Japan has a long...Show moreJapan is a rapidly aging society. In order to respond to these pressing matters the Japanese government cooperates with businesses and the bureaucracy; known as the iron triangle. Japan has a long tradition of pork barrel politics and iron triangle cooperation. However, the electoral reforms of 1994 aimed to reduce the power of the iron triangle. Since all actors have high stakes in the success of solutions for aging, it provides the perfect oppertunity to study the continued cooperation of the iron triangle. Through the case studies of innovation in healthcare technology and rural rejuvenation this thesis will show that the iron triangle is still firmly in place.Show less
This thesis will explore the explanations for why the current Japanese government does not abolish or radically adjust its nuclear energy policy in light of the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima....Show moreThis thesis will explore the explanations for why the current Japanese government does not abolish or radically adjust its nuclear energy policy in light of the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima. In doing so, it will touch upon the historical development of socio-economic institutions of the Japanese nuclear energy industry (e.g. amakudari, pork-barrel politics, shingikai). This thesis will adopt the Varieties of Capitalism approach to explain the slow or reluctant change of these institutions despite initiatives to change the institutions after 2011. It identifies that this reluctant change allows for continued strong influence of the nuclear village, or pro-nuclear lobby, on Japan’s energy policies. This thesis concludes that it is this continued influence that prevents the current Japanese government from radically changing or abolishing its nuclear energy policies.Show less
This thesis attempts to point out that whenever Shinzo Abe’s vision for Japan is discussed, he seems driven by emotions and new, grander agendas. While he has the Japanese interest at heart, his...Show moreThis thesis attempts to point out that whenever Shinzo Abe’s vision for Japan is discussed, he seems driven by emotions and new, grander agendas. While he has the Japanese interest at heart, his approaches to matters often make it seem as though the state’s best interest is not necessarily something on Abe’s political agenda. This thesis attempts to contextualize Shinzo Abe’s current political strategies in order to find out whether he holds ulterior motives, and questions whether his current course a matter of pride and nationalism or whether there is actually an unseen strategy involved by providing marked examples of the prime minister's past actions in the face of controversies, the constitution, and current political affairs.Show less
The Japanese labour market has changed significantly in the last few decades. In this thesis, I will look at these changes, the causes and the consequences.
On April 27th of 2017, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russia’s president Vladimir Putin met once again in Russia to discuss bilateral cooperation and the dispute surrounding the Northern...Show moreOn April 27th of 2017, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russia’s president Vladimir Putin met once again in Russia to discuss bilateral cooperation and the dispute surrounding the Northern Territories. Japan and Russia have been in conflict over the four southernmost islands of the Kuril Island archipelago ever since they were handed over to the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. While for many years the bilateral trade between Japan and Russia was stagnating, ever since the summit in Vladivostok in 2012, there has been an eastward shift of the Russian economy. In May 2016 Abe announced that they were taking a new approach in the negotiations. While many believe it to be disappointing, it can be argued that it is a long term negotiation tactic, which focuses on economic cooperation. Through analyzing the Japan Russia summits it can be seen that they have shifted from a positional bargaining strategy to a principled bargaining strategy, and how it gives a good possibility in solving the dispute.Show less
This thesis will explore the explanations for why the current Japanese government does not abolish or radically adjust its regulations regarding regular and non-regular workers. In doing so, it...Show moreThis thesis will explore the explanations for why the current Japanese government does not abolish or radically adjust its regulations regarding regular and non-regular workers. In doing so, it will touch upon the historical development of labour policy-making (e.g. shift to shingikai). It will use a Marxism framework to prove that under the current policies, non-regular workers are being exploited. This is done by examining two policies proposed by the Abe administration, namely the Zero Overtime Bill, and the amendment of the Worker Dispatch Law. It will subsequently prove that this is not a trend that has started recently, but a trend that has started in the 80’s.Show less
Recent developments such as the Syrian civil war and the Ukraine conflict have put Russia and the U.S. at opposing sides just as Japan increasingly sought relations with Russia over the Northern...Show moreRecent developments such as the Syrian civil war and the Ukraine conflict have put Russia and the U.S. at opposing sides just as Japan increasingly sought relations with Russia over the Northern Territories. The influence of the U.S. on the Russia-Japan relationship and thereby the Northern Territories dispute has been insufficiently researched. Using the Syrian Civil war and the Ukraine crisis as two case studies, the influence of the U.S.on the Russia-Japan relationship will be analyzed in this thesis. The theoretical framework will reflect on prevalent models with which to study Japan in international relations, considering Japan being either a reactive or adaptive state. To analyze the U.S.’ influence on the Russia-Japan relations and by proxy, the Northern territories issue, discourse analysis will be used. The discourse analysis will be looking for uses of discursive power: the ability to pressure another actor by the dominant power through the use of discourse. What is meant by discursive power and its significance to this research will be discussed in the methodology. This research will specifically look for forms of pressure, either explicit or implicit, that pressure Japan in the Ukraine or Syria case studies to sanction or take actions against Russia despite Japan’s interests in good relations with Russia because of the Northern Territories issue. Lastly, changes in the U.S. administration will be discussed briefly. The change from President Obama to President Trump has already caused a stir in the media discourse about the relationship between the U.S. and Russia, and between the U.S. and Japan. A brief speculation about the implications the change in administration might have is therefore necessary, since it is then established that the United State-Russia relationship will have an effect on the Russia-Japan relationship.Show less
This thesis aims to answer the question of why migration of foreign healthcare workers under the JIEPA and JPEPA framework has been so low. In order to do this several possible answers to the...Show moreThis thesis aims to answer the question of why migration of foreign healthcare workers under the JIEPA and JPEPA framework has been so low. In order to do this several possible answers to the question are given.Show less
The Kyushu area of Japan has been engaged in intensive trade with South Korea and China since the collapse of the bubble economy. The consensus is that economic integration is progressing, but data...Show moreThe Kyushu area of Japan has been engaged in intensive trade with South Korea and China since the collapse of the bubble economy. The consensus is that economic integration is progressing, but data on trade, political tensions and business conditions in the region show that this is not quite the case. Obstacles are in such an abundance, that economic integration will not be obtained within the near future.Show less
