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
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
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
The Tokyo National Museum is considered to be the oldest national museum in Japan, finding its origins in the Yushima Seidō exposition of 1872. As such, the various changes of the institution...Show moreThe Tokyo National Museum is considered to be the oldest national museum in Japan, finding its origins in the Yushima Seidō exposition of 1872. As such, the various changes of the institution throughout its history give an impression of the development of the Japanese concept of a museum. This Master thesis takes a closer look at several historical examples of traditional Japanese exposition practices, the advent of the modern museum in Japan, and various Western influences on Japanese culture during the 19th and 20th century. By presenting this overview, this thesis aims to present a better understanding of significant cultural differences between traditional methods of display in the West and in Japan. By observing the historical development of the Tokyo National Museum, as well as the more modern installations which were part of the exposition celebrating the museum’s 150th anniversary, the institution provides a case study illustrating the confluence of non-Western traditional display practices and the Western concept of a modern museum.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
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
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
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
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
