• Title/Summary/Keyword: Contemporary Japan

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The Daily Us (vs. Them) from Online to Offline: Japan's Media Manipulation and Cultural Transcoding of Collective Memories

  • Ogasawara, Midori
    • Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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    • v.18 no.2
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    • pp.49-67
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    • 2019
  • Since returning to power in 2012, the second Abe administration has pressured Japanese mainstream media in various ways, from creating the Secrecy Act to forming close relationships with media executives and promoting anti-journalism voices on social media. This article focuses on the growth of a jingoist group called the 'Net-rightists' ('Neto-uyo' in the Japanese abbreviation) on the Internet, which has been supporting the right-wing government and amplifying its historical revisionist views of Japanese colonialism. These heavy Internet users deny Japan's war crimes against neighboring Asian countries and disseminate fake news about the past, which justifies Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's hostile diplomatic policies against South Korea and China. Over the past years, the rightist online discourses have become powerful to such an extent that the editorials of major newspapers and TV reports shifted to more nationalist tones. Who are the Neto-uyo? Why have they emerged from the online world and proliferated to the offline world? Two significant characteristics of new media are discussed to analyze their successful media manipulation: cultural transcoding and perpetual rewriting of collective memories. These characteristics have resulted in constructing and reinforcing the data loops of the 'Daily Us' versus Them, technologically raising current diplomatic tensions in East Asia.

Measurement of Archaeomagnetic Secular Variation in Korea (한국에 있어서 지자기 영년변화의 측정)

  • 성형미
    • The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.33-38
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    • 2002
  • 28 direction of the past Korean geomagnetic field were determined by archaeomagnetic measurements of 734 oriented samples, collected from baked earths of remains in the southern Korea. These data cover periods of A.D. 39C, A.D. 1317 and A.D. 15-l6C. It is noted that Korean geomagnetic field data in 5-6C arc similar to those of contemporary Japanese geomagnetic field, but Korean geomagnetic field data in A.D. 3-4C deflect more easterly than contemporary Japanese geomagnetic field. The observed large difference of geomagnetic field direction between Korea and Japan suggests the existence of a prominent local geomagnetic anomaly in the vicinity of Japan and Korea in the period of A.D. 3-4C. An approximate figure of Korean archaeomagnetic secular curve for the periods of A.D. 3-6C and A.D. 7-9C was obtained. This curve is sure to be helpful for Korean archaeology to data the last firing of baked earths accompanied with no relics.

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Early Abstract Paintings of Yoo Youngkuk (유영국의 초기 추상, 1937~1949)

  • Chung, Young-Mok
    • The Journal of Art Theory & Practice
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    • no.3
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    • pp.173-192
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    • 2005
  • Yoo Youngkuk started his career as an artist when he entered Bunkagakuin of Tokyo in 1935 he actively participated in the Japanese art scene as a young Korean artist until 1943. In his earliest works, Rhapsody and Work B, Surrealist and abstract influences are manifested as these were prevalent in Japan at the time. With the exception of Rhapsody and Work B, all works available that were executed between 1937 and 1940 are abstract, which points to the fact that Yoo intended abstraction from the beginning. Surviving works in relief suggest his early style was founded on the abstractions similar to Russian Avant-Garde, Neo-plasticism and Bauhaus simplicity. His early abstractions were not the ideational images derived in the process of the abstraction of the representational image, but they arose from the constructive attitude in composing the already stylized non-representational geometries. It is worth noting that his early emphasis was on the pure and absolute geometric abstraction, rather than the images motivated from the figurative representation. Yoo differentiates himself from Kim Whan Ki in the following aspects: one, he eliminated the subject matter i.e. human figures and the nature; two, he maintained the constructivist attitude in creating a strict and absolute abstraction; three, he experimented with different styles without combining them. He manifests direct influences from the prevalent Western art influences, such as Futurism and Russian Avant-Garde, unlike Kim who vaguely references. In both paintings and reliefs, Yoo's attempt in the realization of the pictorial depth and space seems cerebral and conceptualized compared with the other artists of the time who resolved abstraction via the constructive dimension. Uemura, a contemporary critic to the geometric abstractions in Japan, disapproves the stylistic bent in the adaptation of the abstract painting without the comprehension of its spiritual movement. As witnessed in other criticisms as well, contemporary Japanese critics' interest lie mainly in the superficial observation such as the presence of representational elements, composition and use of color. Such formal and superficial understanding of the geometric abstraction resulted in

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An Alternative Explanation for Anti-Japanese Sentiment in China: Shifting State-Society Interaction in China's Japan Policy

  • Zhou, Min
    • Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.61-75
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    • 2012
  • The historical turbulence between China and Japan started from the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, and culminated in Japan's invasion of China during World War Two (the Second Sino-Japanese War) between 1937 and 1945. A series of wars caused huge human and material losses in both countries, and both experienced comprehensive transformations during and after the wars. The impact of this historical turbulence is so long-lasting that it still influences both countries' social psyche. Moreover, it continues casting a long shadow upon the current Sino-Japanese relations. The recent turbulence in Sino-Japanese relations partly stems from the historical turbulence. It is much less violent but can also be emotional and worrisome. It started from the early 1980s (the Japanese history textbook controversy in 1982 and the 1985 anti-Japanese student protests in China), and culminated in the anti-Japanese mass demonstrations in multiple Chinese cities in 2005 (Bush 2010; Gries 2005; Reilly 2012; Stockmann 2010; Weiss 2008). In addition to dramatic demonstrations on streets, there are also other forms of movements, such as war reparations movements, in which Chinese war victims demand reparations from the Japanese state and companies (Rose 2005; Xu and Fine 2010; Xu and Pu 2010). Although the tension has existed for many years and surfaced from time to time, the eruption of the nationwide anti-Japanese movements in China in 2005 still shocked many outside observers. Many scholars have tried to explain the anti-Japanese sentiment within current Chinese society that underlies and drives these social movements. Through careful reexamination of the existing literature, this article proposes an explanation for the anti-Japanese sentiment from a perspective that stresses the shifting state-society interaction in China's Japan policy. Specifically, the totalitarian Chinese state's neglect and suppression of genuine social concerns regarding Japan in earlier years, followed by a relatively liberalized state that tolerates societal participation in Sino-Japanese relations, are an importance source of the anti-Japanese sentiment recently observed in China.

Reaction to Popular Pressure or a Political Tool? Different Interpretations of China's Policy Regarding Koizumi's Visits to the Yasukuni Shrine

  • Zakowski, Karol
    • Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.47-60
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    • 2012
  • Sino-Japanese relations suffered a great setback during the premiership of Koizumi $Jun'ichir{\bar{o}}$ (2001-2006). Although many factors, such as dispute over the resources of the East China Sea or Japan's anxiety about China's growing military expenditures, are accountable for this situation, it was Koizumi's visits to the Yasukuni Shrine that became a symbol of the controversies between the two countries. The Yasukuni issue triggered a real eruption of profound anti-Japanese feelings among the Chinese people. While commentators in China accused Koizumi of glorifying militarism and whitewashing the atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers during the Second World War, the Japanese public started perceiving China's "exaggerated" reaction as a convenient diplomatic tool used by China to apply pressure on Japan in other bilateral disputes. On the one hand, spontaneous protests against Koizumi's visits to the Yasukuni Shrine constituted a great constraint in China's diplomacy towards Japan, but on the other, they also became an ideal pretext for adopting a tougher stance in Chinese foreign policy. In this paper, I examine different points of view on the Yasukuni issue. After describing the Japanese background of the visits to the controversial shrine, I analyze various interpretations of China's reaction to the problem. Although emotions dominated discourse on the Yasukuni issue both in Japan and China, some pragmatic attempts to use this problem can still be seen. Besides being a side-effect of Koizumi's strong personality, the Yasukuni issue could be used either as a tool of factional struggle in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or as an instrument of Chinese foreign policy towards Japan.

The Relationship Between Information-Sharing and Resource-Sharing Networks in Environmental Policy Governance: Focusing on Germany and Japan

  • Lee, Junku;Tkach-Kawasaki, Leslie
    • Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.176-198
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    • 2018
  • Environmental issues are among the most critical issues nowadays. These issues are no longer confined to individual countries, and international society has been progressing in building global dialogues since the early 1970s. Within these international efforts, Germany and Japan have played essential roles in global environmental governance. However, there are major differences in nation-level environmental policies in both countries. Governance based on network structure is more efficient than that based on hierarchy for solving complex problems. The network structure is formed through horizontal cooperation among various autonomous actors, and the relationship intensity among actors is one of the key concepts in the governance. Using social network analysis as a framework to explain complicated societal structures explains how interaction among actors creates networks, and these networks further affect their interactions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the structure of environmental policy governance as collaborative governance in Germany and Japan. To address this goal, this paper analyzes the relationship between the informational dimension of governance networks and its complement resource-sharing networks in both countries. The results show that the information-sharing networks have lower-level network influence on the resource-sharing networks as higher-level networks even if not all of the information factors have singular influences. The results suggest that the information-sharing networks may be one of the pieces of the puzzle for explaining this phenomenon in environmental governance in Germany and Japan.

Characteristics of A-POC in Issey Miyake Collection (이세이 미야케 컬렉션에 나타난 A-POC의 특성에 관한연구)

  • Joo, Sung Kum;Jeong, Jae Chul
    • Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.259-266
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    • 2017
  • In a contemporary fashion along with the advance of high technology, development of a new material is being increasingly emphasized and the need of creative convergence using a computer is being expanded. As a global designer who appeared through association between Japan and the West, Issey Miyake has been continually pursuing a new challenge and a solution using high technology, leading the globalization of Japanese fashion. This research aims at examining design characteristics of Issey Miyake collection's A-POC showing a new paradigm, that is, an innovative clothing manufacture system to input information on materials, colors and shapes into a textile machine based on the computer program and manufacture a cylindrical fabric for completion of seamless clothing without sewing or cutting. A-POC is evolving continually through the development of new materials including recycled fibers and organics together with diversification of processing technology. Besides, it shows design characteristics including an integrated manufacturing method, autonomy for customers' selection, practicality for comfortable wearing by the majority, environment friendly idea to reduce waste of fabrics and materials and a new presentation through convergence of exhibition concepts of modern art. This research on Issey Miyake's A-POC characteristics is expected to present a role of fashion designers in a new design idea and paradigm of contemporary clothing using high technology.

Depaysement expressed in Fashion Window Display - Focused on Department stores in US, France and Japan - (패션윈도우 디스플레이에 나타난 데페이즈망(Depaysement) - 미국, 프랑스, 일본 백화점을 중심으로 -)

  • Heo, Seungyeun;Lee, Younhee
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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    • v.64 no.3
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    • pp.1-12
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    • 2014
  • The purpose of this study is to investigate the Depaysement techniques in a new perspective, which are applicable to fashion window display. It was investigated by studying the case of Depaysement expressed in contemporary fashion window display. The analysis object of this study was limited to window displays shown at the world's most famous department stores in the last five years. The data was collected through related specialty publications and each department store's websites. The framework for analysis of this study is established by relevant precedent studies. The results of this study were drawn form comparative quantitative analysis from an expert group. Through the study, the characteristics of Depaysement in the contemporary fashion window display were classified into 'Change of forms and materials', 'Heterogeneous combination of objects', 'Location change of an object', 'Conversion of recognition on an object' and 'Change of spatial awareness'. The expression approaches were 'Change of scale', 'Change of materials', 'Combination of heterogeneous objects', 'Heterogeneous combination', 'Arrangement of object in a strange space', 'Change of display method', 'Overlapped object', 'Paradoxical image', 'Variable awareness of boundary' and 'Reorganization of interior space and change of materials'.

A Study on Types of Natural Elements Introduced in Contemporary Japanese Residential Space - Focused on the Plants & Water - (현대 일본 주거공간 디자인에 나타난 자연요소 도입유형에 관한 연구 - 식물과 물을 중점으로 -)

  • Kim, Jeong-Ah
    • Journal of the Korean housing association
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    • v.24 no.5
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    • pp.1-8
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    • 2013
  • Recently, as people have more interest in health, and some change takes place in their lifestyles, a demand for environment-friendly residential space is also increasing. Research on the introduction of natural elements is mostly conducted for humans to pursue a more pleasant and comfortable life in residential space since it has one of the closest relation with humans. Therefore, it is such an important assignment at present when environmental problems are considered significant. Based on such a necessity, this study analyzed the introduction types and characteristics of natural elements in residential space by considering essential and psychological aspects more than previous researches on residential space with practical and functional aspects. As natural elements, this study put limits on plants and water that are used a lot in the interior space, and by dividing introduction types into recomposition of courtyard space, spatial partition and decorative elements, this study carried out a case analysis of residential space structures recently completed in Japan. As a basic research on space planning that is desperately required by change in the residential life paradigm and on the basis of understanding about nature, it is expected that the results of this study will be used as design basic data useful when establishing plans of introducing natural elements for residential space in the future.

Characteristics of Japanese Fine Art in Art Nouveau Jewelry (아르누보 장신구에 표현된 자포니즘 예술 특성)

  • Kwak, Bo-Young
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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    • v.59 no.7
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    • pp.114-126
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    • 2009
  • The purpose of this study is to analyze the art characteristics of Japonism expressed in Art Nouveau jewelry. This study also provided an opportunity to seek for the development direction of contemporary jewelry design for the future. The influence of Japanese arts in Art Nouveau jewelry, was mostly from Ukiyo-e, an art form from the Edo Dynasty in Japan. Japanese arts soon inspired the origination of Art Nouveau across Europe in the late 19th century. And the scope of its infuluence is shown in jewelry which created by contemporary painters and designers. Ukiyo-e, a folk painting was created from multi-color wooden printmaking emerged many Japanese art collectors, including Samuel Bing and Arthur Lasenby Liberty. This became a source of new inspirations for Degas, Monet, Gogh and the origin of Japonism. The layout techniques that used perspectives higher than eye level and that extremely cut or expanded major objects for emphasis were typical Ukiyo-e characteristics. The result of this study is found out by showing the evidence that influence of this Ukiyo-e's method came up with specificity as planity, naturality, decoration and express on the Art Nouveau jewelry.