Let the Yuru-Chara Do the Job: Japan's Mascot Character Frenzy and Its
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The Rise of Nationalism in Millennial Japan
W&M ScholarWorks Undergraduate Honors Theses Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects 5-2010 Politics Shifts Right: The Rise of Nationalism in Millennial Japan Jordan Dickson College of William and Mary Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses Part of the Asian Studies Commons Recommended Citation Dickson, Jordan, "Politics Shifts Right: The Rise of Nationalism in Millennial Japan" (2010). Undergraduate Honors Theses. Paper 752. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/752 This Honors Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects at W&M ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Undergraduate Honors Theses by an authorized administrator of W&M ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Politics Shifts Right: The Rise of Nationalism in Millennial Japan A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelors of Arts in Global Studies from The College of William and Mary by Jordan Dickson Accepted for High Honors Professor Rachel DiNitto, Director Professor Hiroshi Kitamura Professor Eric Han 1 Introduction In the 1990s, Japan experienced a series of devastating internal political, economic and social problems that changed the landscape irrevocably. A sense of national panic and crisis was ignited in 1995 when Japan experienced the Great Hanshin earthquake and the Aum Shinrikyō attack, the notorious sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway. These disasters came on the heels of economic collapse, and the nation seemed to be falling into a downward spiral. The Japanese lamented the decline of traditional values, social hegemony, political awareness and engagement. -
Molluscan Fauna of The“ Miocene” Namigata Formation in the Namigata Area, Okayama Prefecture, Southwest Japan
Jour. Geol. Soc. Japan, Vol. 119, No. 4, p. 249–266, April 2013 JOI: DN/JST.JSTAGE/geosoc/2012.0048 doi: 10.5575/geosoc.2012.0048 Molluscan fauna of the“ Miocene” Namigata Formation in the Namigata area, Okayama Prefecture, southwest Japan Abstract Takashi Matsubara The molluscan fauna of the Namigata Formation, traditionally ac- cepted to be of Miocene age, are reexamined taxonomically, and the Received 27 February, 2012 geologic age of the formation and its paleogeographic implications Accepted 12 June, 2012 are discussed. The formation is subdivided into the main part and two new members (the Senjuin Shell-Sandstone and Ônishi Con- Division of Natural History, Museum of Na- glomerate members). The Namigata Formation yielded 13 species of ture and Human Activities Hyogo, 6 Yayoiga- Gastropoda, 16 species of Bivalvia and 1 species of Scaphopoda. The oka, Sanda 669-1546, Japan occurrences of Molopophorus watanabei Otuka, Acila (Truncacila) nagaoi Oyama and Mizuno, Chlamys (Nomurachlamys?) namiga- Corresponding author: T. Matsubara, [email protected] taensis (Ozaki), and Isognomon (Hippochaeta) hataii Noda and Fu- ruichi indicate that the molluscan age should be revised to the late Late Eocene–Early Oligocene. Taking account of the latest elasmo- branch data and preliminary strontium isotope ratio, the age of the formation is confined to the late Late Eocene. The present and recent results show that the First Seto Inland Sea was actually composed of two sea areas that existed at different times: the Paleogene sea area is estimated to have been an open sea facing south to the Pacific Ocean, whereas that in the Miocene is thought to have been an em- bayment connected to the northwest to the Sea of Japan. -
The Future of Japan's Tourism
The future of Japan’s tourism: Path for sustainable growth towards 2020 McKinsey Japan and Travel, Transport and Logistics Practice October 2016 Authored by: André Andonian Tasuku Kuwabara Naomi Yamakawa Ryo Ishida Cover image: The famous torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima. The future of Japan’s tourism: Path for sustainable growth towards 2020 Preface Japan's tourism industry is on the verge of becoming a major economic engine for the country. In 2020, Japan will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games and enjoy a global platform for its people, culture, and landmarks. Recently, tourism has been positioned as an engine to solve social challenges in Japan and support economic growth. The March 2015 McKinsey Global Institute report, The Future of Japan: Reigniting Productivity and Growth, described how Japan has the potential to more than double its annual GDP growth, to 3 percent, by increasing productivity. This insight is also applicable to tourism, and this report investigates the challenges and potential impact of several initiatives aimed at addressing obstacles to realizing its inbound tourism goals. This report is the result of collaboration between McKinsey’s Japan office and the firm’s global Travel, Transport and Logistics Practice. The research team consisted of Shogo Akimoto, Shohei Ishigami, Minami Maeda, and Yusuke Shimada. We are grateful for the advice and input of many McKinsey colleagues, including Urs Binggeli, Alex Dichter, Masahiro Komatsubara, Diaan-Yi Lin, and Cheryl SH Lim, all of whom provided insight on travel and tourism. For advice on retail and digital, we relied on Tomohiko Funaishi, Ken Kajii, Paul McInerney, and Okaryo Sho. -
FLORA and FAUNA Diversity and Regional Uniqueness
For more detailed information on Japanese government policy and other such matters, see the following home pages. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website http://www.mofa.go.jp/ Web Japan http://web-japan.org/ FLORA AND FAUNA Diversity and regional uniqueness Japanese cranes, Kushiro Swamp (Hokkaido Pref.) A protected species in Japan, this rare crane breeds only in Siberia and Hokkaido. © Kodansha The Flora of Japan is covered by forest. Foliage changes color from season to season. The flora of Japan is marked by a large Plants are distributed in the following variety of species. There are about 4,500 native five zones, all of which lie in the East Asian plant species in Japan (3,950 angiosperms, temperate zone: (1) the subtropical zone, 40 gymnosperms, 500 ferns). Some 1,600 including the Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands angiosperms and gymnosperms are groups (2) the warm-temperature zone indigenous to Japan. of broad-leaved evergreen forests, which The large number of plants reflects the covers the greater part of southern Honshu, great diversity of climate that characterizes Shikoku, and Kyushu; characteristic trees the Japanese archipelago, which stretches are shii and kashi, both a type of oak (3) the some 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles) from cool-temperature zone of broad-leaved north to south. The most remarkable climatic deciduous forests, which covers central features are the wide range of temperatures and northern Honshu and the southeastern and significant rainfall, both of which make part of Hokkaido; Japanese beech and other for a rich abundance of flora. The climate also common varieties of trees are found here (4) accounts for the fact that almost 70% of Japan the subalpine zone, which includes central and FLORA AND FAUNA 1 northern Hokkaido; characteristic plants are the Sakhalan fir and Yesso spruce (5) the alpine zone in the highlands of central Honshu and the central portion of Hokkaido; characteristic plants are alpine plants, such as komakusa (Dicentra peregrina). -
Human and Physical Geography of Japan Study Tour 2012 Reports
Five College Center for East Asian Studies National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA) 2012 Japan Study Tour The Human and Physical Geography of Japan Reports from the Field United States Department of Education Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad with additional funding from the Freeman Foundation Five College Center for East Asian Studies 69 Paradise Road, Florence Gilman Pavilion Northampton, MA 01063 The Human and Physical Geography of Japan Reports from the Field In the summer of 2012, twelve educators from across the United States embarked on a four-week journey to Japan with the goal of enriching their classroom curriculum content by learning first-hand about the country. Prior to applying for the study tour, each participant completed a 30-hour National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA) seminar. Once selected, they all completed an additional 20 hours of pre-departure orientation, including FCCEAS webinars (funded by the US-Japan Foundation; archived webinars are available at www.smith.edu/fcceas), readings, and language podcasts. Under the overarching theme of “Human and Physical Geography of Japan,” the participants’ experience began in Tokyo, then continued in Sapporo, Yokohama, Kamakura, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima, and finally ended in Naha. Along the way they heard from experts on Ainu culture and burakumin, visited the Tokyo National Museum of History, heard the moving testimony of an A-bomb survivor, toured the restored seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and dined on regional delicacies. Each study tour participant was asked to prepare a report on an assigned geography-related topic to be delivered to the group in country and then revised upon their return to the U.S. -
National Museum & Cultural Centre
Nikkei NIKKEI national museum & cultural centre IMAGES Nikkei national museum Nikkei cultuParticipantsral of The Suitcasecen Projectt rbasede in Seattle, Washington, pose for a photo after a meet and greet on Saturday, July 14. Photo by Kayla Isomura. A publication of the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre ISSN #1203-9017 Volume 23, No. 2 Contents Welcome to Nikkei Images Nikkei Images is a publication of the Nikkei Nikkei National Museum & Cultural national museum Centre dedicated to the preservation & cultural centre and sharing of Japanese Canadian Nikkei Images is published by the Stories since 1996. In 2018, the 30th Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre anniversary of Japanese Canadian Redress, we Copy Editor: Ellen Schwartz look to the next generations for the continuation of Design: John Endo Greenaway these stories. In this issue, whether the content is Subscription to Nikkei Images is free (with pre-paid postage) with your yearly membership to NNMCC: historic, contemporary, or creative, all of the authors Family $47.25 | Individual $36.75 are students, researchers, or individuals who are Senior Individual $26.25 | Non-profit $52.25 $2 per copy (plus postage)N for non-membersikkei themselves 4th/5th generation Japanese Canadian NNMCC national museum or yonsei adjacent. We welcome proposals for 6688 Southoaks Crescent Minidoka Pilgrimage The New Canadian’s Poetic Spirit JETsetting in Japan publication in future issues between 500 – 3500 Burnaby, B.C., V5E 4M7 Canada by a Canadian Yonsei Page 6 Page 9 words. Finished work should be accompanied by TEL: 604.777.7000 FAX: 604.777.7001 Page 4 www.nikkeiplace.org relevant high-resolution photographs with proper Disclaimer: photos credits. -
On Ainu Etymology of Names Izanagi and Izanami
44 CAES Vol. 2, № 4 (December 2016) On Ainu etymology of names Izanagi and Izanami Tresi Nonno independent scholar; Chiba, Japan; e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Names Izanagi and Izanami are recorded by completely meaningless combinations of kanji; existing interpretations of these names are folk etymologies, i.e.: it means that Izanagi and Izanami seem not to be words of Japanese origin. Izanagi and Izanami belong to the little amount of kami who form spouse pairs: there is about 6% of such kami in first scroll of Nihon Shoki, such type of kami is rather widely represented in Ainu folklore. Ending gi in Izanagi correlates with ending kur used in male names of Ainu kamuy/heroes ending mi in Izanami correlates with ending mat used in female names of Ainu kamuy/heroes. Component izana seems to have originated from ancient Ainu form: *’iso-ne that means “to be bearful”, “to be lucky in hunting”, “to be rich”; and thus, initial forms of Izanagi was *’Iso-ne-kwr “Bearful man”and initial form of Izanami was *’Iso-ne-mat “Bearful woman”. Key words: Izanagi; Izanami; Shinto; Ainu issues in Shinto; etymology of kami names 1. Problem introduction 1.1. Names Izanagi and Izanami recorded by kanji are ateji Izanagi/Izanaki and Izanami are among central kami1 described in Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. According to myths Izanagi and Izanami were those kami who gave birth to Japanese archipelago and to numerous other kami. In current paper I am not going to pay attention to mythological subject lines, but I am going to pay attention to etymology of names of Izanagi and Izanami. -
Who Is Hikonyan? the Phenomenon of Japanese Yuru-Chara*
Sociology Study, December 2016, Vol. 6, No. 12, 775‐782 D doi: 10.17265/2159‐5526/2016.12.004 DAVID PUBLISHING Who Is Hikonyan? The Phenomenon of Japanese YuruChara* Jillian Rae Sutera Abstract In 2007, Hikonyan was the first winner of the Japan‐wide “yuru‐chara” or “yurui mascot character” competition. Since then, yuru‐chara, or unsophisticated characters, have become a part of the mascot character marketing industry worth over a billion Japanese yen. However, they have not expanded far outside of Japan. This paper looks at yuru‐chara through articles, documentation, literature, and interviews to explore their history and status in Japan, and attempts to explain their rapid rise within the country as well as their lack of presence outside of the country. These resources help explain the design choices of yuru‐chara, the reasoning behind those choices, and what they mean within Japan’s society. They additionally explain how yuru‐chara impact the Japanese market. The paper also explores some Japanese branding and how yuru‐chara can fit into the concept of the Cool Japan Project. Finally, it explores some possibilities of expanding the concept of yuru‐chara to international markets and how they could successfully work abroad. Keywords Cool Japan, branding, authenticity, international markets, mascot characters Hikonyan is a white mascot cat with a red and yellow Japan and Japanese identity could be used internationally “samurai” helmet. He was created in 2007, to celebrate through expansion programs such as the Cool Japan the 400th anniversary of Hikone Castle in Hikone City, Project (Cool Japan/Creative Industries Policy 2013). -
History of Mascot Characters and Yuru-Chara
Doctoral Dissertation Academic Year 2018 Consumption of Images: Country-of-Origin Image and the Perception Gaps caused by Global Marketing of Cultural Commodities Keio University Graduate School of Media and Governance 81449421 SUTER JILLIAN RAE Abstract Globalization allows the for the consumption of goods produced around the world. It also allows for images to be created and viewed globally. Global marketing is advantageous to many markets and increases the number of possible consumers. However, with changing frames of reference, the perception of the image also changes. While this phenomenon did not unilaterally affect the marketing of most consumer goods, it could have a profound effect on the increasing global consumption of images. This is especially true in terms of countries and their soft power. Most research has focused the country-of-origin and the quality of the commodities when comparing countries global markets. As more commodities become digitalized and image-based, a stronger knowledge foundation on how images are perceived globally is necessary to avoid misunderstandings. In this dissertation, I show how images can be reinterpreted depending of their frames of reference or context changes. The first is a part of the research consisted of a global survey of American and Japanese school children and their impressions of a new children’s character analyzed with SPSS. The second part was three observational research field-trips to Japanese marketing events with Japanese mascot characters called Yuru-chara. These two parts of the research combined to show where the gaps in perception are for image-based commodities between Japan and the United States of America, particularly with children’s characters and Yuru-chara. -
Kawaii Mania Japans Niedlichste Abgründe Isbn 978-3-95889-198-2 Andreas Neuenkirchen Kawaii
KAWAII MANIA JAPANS NIEDLICHSTE ABGRÜNDE ISBN 978-3-95889-198-2 ANDREAS NEUENKIRCHEN KAWAII VOM AUTOR: Matjes mit Wasabi Yoyogi Park MANIA Roppongi Ripper Shinigami Games Japans niedlichste Abgründe Yakuza Requiem KAWAII MANIA KAWAII MANIA JAPANS NIEDLICHSTE ABGRÜNDE JAPANS NIEDLICHSTE ABGRÜNDE ISBN 978-3-95889-198-2 ISBN 978-3-95889-198-2 INHALTSVERZEICHNIS Vorwort KAWAIIstory – Eine kurze Geschichte der Niedlichkeit . 8 Kapitel 1 KAWAIIkrieg – Die Schlacht der Maskottchen . 18 Kapitel 2 KAWAIIkonzern – Das Imperium der Niedlichkeit . 32 Kapitel 3 KAWAIIschool – Japans Fräuleinwirtschaftswunder . .50 Kapitel 4 KAWAIIpop – Der Mädchenchor von nebenan . 64 Kapitel 5 KAWAIIfashion – Niedlich auf dem Laufsteg . 82 Kapitel 6 1 . Auflage KAWAIIkunst – Nicht nur niedlich . 96 © Conbook Medien GmbH, Neuss 2019 Alle Rechte vorbehalten . Kapitel 7 KAWAIIgames – Japaner spielen (ein bisschen) anders . 116 www .conbook-verlag .de Kapitel 8 Dieses Werk wurde vermittelt durch Aenne Glienke | Agentur für Au- KAWAIIfood – Süß ohne sauer . 136 toren und Verlage, www .AenneGlienkeAgentur .de . Kapitel 9 Einbandgestaltung: Andrea Janas, München KAWAIImetropolis – Hotspots der Niedlichkeit . 148 Einbandinnenseiten: Mariam »Machi« Taherpour Satz: Weiß-Freiburg GmbH – Grafik und Buchgestaltung Kapitel 10 Druck und Verarbeitung: Himmer GmbH Druckerei, Augsburg KAWAIIworld – Japan ist nur der Anfang . 164 Printed in Germany Anhang KAWAIIglossar . 180 ISBN 978-3-95889-198-2 Bildnachweis . 188 KAWAII MANIA KAWAII MANIA JAPANS NIEDLICHSTE ABGRÜNDE JAPANS NIEDLICHSTE ABGRÜNDE ISBN 978-3-95889-198-2 ISBN 978-3-95889-198-2 VORWORT KAWAII MANIA KAWAII MANIA JAPANS NIEDLICHSTE ABGRÜNDE JAPANS NIEDLICHSTE ABGRÜNDE ISBN 978-3-95889-198-2 ISBN 978-3-95889-198-2 VORWORT KAWAIIstory Eine kurze Geschichte der Niedlichkeit LETZTENS KAM MAL WIEDER POST vom Finanzamt in Meguro, dem Stadtteil Tokios, in dem ich lebe . -
University of Nevada, Reno Partying with Hello Kitty: How Electronic Dance Music and Rave Culture Are Transforming, Commercializ
University of Nevada, Reno Partying with Hello Kitty: How Electronic Dance Music and Rave Culture are transforming, commercializing, and globalizing youth culture in the twenty-first century A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History By Geoff Scott Dr. Hugh Shapiro/Thesis Advisor May 2014 i Abstract This thesis will demonstrate how electronic dance music (EDM) has evolved from the musical underground during the second half of the twentieth century into the mainstream, commercial powerhouse it is now in the early twenty-first-century world. EDM at its core is a musical style characterized by the use of synthetic, electronic sounds. The combination of technological devices such as drum machines, repetitive bass lines, electronic builds and releases and inorganic noises in tandem with instrumental and vocal samples makes EDM an incredibly malleable style of dance music that has branched into a variety of forms over the course of its less than fifty year existence. Innovations in technology, like the tape reel, the Moog synthesizer, the vinyl mixer and the computer have led to new ways of contemplating and creating music. I argue that the innovative musical voices of late modernism and early postmodernism set the foundation for early EDM, who were not afraid to harness the new synthetic sounds at their disposal. Electronic dance music can trace its roots back to the repetitive, minimalist structures used since the 1960’s by postmodern composers such as Philip Glass and the electronic instrumentation of artists like Terry Riley and John Cage. Owing to its flexibility, EDM has also been re-contextualized in different cultures. -
"Ersatz As the Day Is Long": Japanese Popular
“ERSATZ AS THE DAY IS LONG”: JAPANESE POPULAR MUSIC, THE STRUGGLE FOR AUTHNETICITY, AND COLD WAR ORIENTALISM Robyn P. Perry A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS May 2021 Committee: Walter Grunden, Advisor Jeremy Wallach © 2021 Robyn P. Perry All Rights Reserve iii ABSTRACT Walter Grunden, Advisor During the Allied Occupation of Japan, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) Douglas MacArthur set forth on a mission to Americanize Japan. One way SCAP decided this could be done was by utilizing forms of media that were already popular in Japan, particularly the radio. The Far East Network (FEN), a network of American military radio and television stations in Japan, Okinawa, Guam, and the Philippines, began to broadcast American country & western music. By the early 1950s, Japanese country & western ensembles would begin to form, which initiated the evolution toward modern J-pop. During the first two decades of the Cold War, performers of various postwar subgenres of early Japanese rock (or J-rock), including country & western, rockabilly, kayōkyoku, eleki, and Group Sounds, would attempt to break into markets in the West. While some of these performers floundered, others were able to walk side-by-side with several Western greats or even become stars in their own right, such as when Kyu Sakamoto produced a number one hit in the United States with his “Sukiyaki” in 1963. The way that these Japanese popular music performers were perceived in the West, primarily in the United States, was rooted in centuries of Orientalist preconceptions about Japanese people, Japanese culture, and Japan that had recently been recalibrated to reflect the ethos of the Cold War.