Japanese Popular Culture and Globalization
William M. Tsutsui
KEY ISSUES IN ASIAN STUDIES
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TEACHING RESOURCES
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This resource is broken down by chapters, with a variety of vocabulary, key people, events, timelines, questions, readings and activity suggestions for each chapter.
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TEACHING RESOURCES
These resources were developed by the Interdisciplinary Curriculum Development Team in coordination with the East Asian Studies Center at The Ohio State University to support teaching about Japanese popular culture and globalization in the classroom. Sources for material are focused on the Key Issues for Asian Studies series by the Association for Asian Studies by William M. Tsutsui, Japanese Popular Culture and Globalization. Materials are designed for teachers to use in the classroom with minimal modification in the Take & Go Series: Japanese Popular Culture and Globalization.
To help improve the resources, please give your feedback at this link.
Historical Overview
Geography
Japan & Industry 4.0
Economy: “The First Asian Tiger”
Economy of Japan
Heavy Industry to Tech
The “Lost Decade”
1990s:
Growth rates were
not sustained and
a global recession
created a downturn
into the 21st century
Politics: LDP (Liberal Democratic Party)
Parliamentary Politics
Party of Power
Prime Ministers
Kiichi Miyazawa (1991-93)
Tomiichi Murayama (1994-96) *JSP
Prime Ministers
Junichiro Koizumi (2001-06)
Shinzo Abe (2006-07, 2012-20)
Japan’s Popular Culture Timeline
Tokugawa Period starts time of samurai
1600
1700
Literature, theater, visual arts emerge
1854
“Opened” to overseas trade and diplomacy
1870s
Japanese style swept through Europe
1868
Meiji Restoration
After WWI
Increasing incomes gave rise to mass consumer economy
Tried to make Western culture more Japanese
After WWII
Mishima Pass in Kai Province
by Katsushika Hokusai
Japan’s Popular Culture Timeline
American occupation
1945
1952
American occupation ended
1954
Monster movies started having a global impact
1963
Tetsuwan atomu or Astro Boy premiered
1972
Japan became known for its high quality entertainment hardware
1980s
Japanese Pop BOOM!
Globalization reached
1990s-now
table of contents
The Japanese State and Popular Culture
The Economics of Japanese Pop
Soft Power, Hard Realities
Historical Roots
Postwar Popular Culture
Themes in Japanese Pop
Dubbing, Editing, Censoring
Lovable Kooks, Enduring Stereotypes
Remade in America
Japanese Culture, Western Models
The Legacies of Defeat
Change and Subversion
Quality, Content, and Difference
Familiarity and the Media Marketplace
The Smell of Pop
American Trauma, Japanese Pop
A World of Fans
Forms and Themes in Japanese Popular Culture
Lost in Translation?
Adapting Japanese Popular Culture for Global Audiences
Japan as Soft Superpower
Sources of the Japanese Pop Imagination
The Global Appeal of Japanese Popular Culture
Cast of Characters
Radio Drama
Kimi no nawa
(What Is Your Name?)
Television Series
Tetsuwan atomu
(Astro Boy)
Uchū senkan Yamato
(Star Blazers)
Music
Sakamoto Kyū’s “Sukiyaki”
Anime = animation
Hakujaden
Shonen Sarutobi Sasuke
Astro Boy
Eitoman (8th Man)
Tetsujin 28-gō (Gigantor)
Mach GoGoGo (Speed Racer)
Manga =
comic books/graphic novels
Sailor Moon series
Pokemon
Yu-Gi-Oh!
Power Rangers
Video Games
Space Invaders
Pac-Man
Donkey Kong
Mario Bros.
Frogger
Metroid
Films
Momotarō umi no shinpei (Momotarō’s Divine Sea Warriors)
Shōnen sarutobi Sasuke (Magic Boy)
Gojira
(Godzilla)
Akira
Mothra
(Moth)
Hakujaden
(The Tale of the White Serpent)
Pop Culture Leaders
Murakami Takashi
Honda Ishiro
Yokoyama Mitsuteru
Hayao Miyazaki
Cast of Characters
Hello Kitty
CHAPTER 1
Forms and Themes
in Japanese Popular Culture
Historical Roots
Postwar Popular Culture
Themes in Japanese Pop
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Essential Questions
Big Ideas:
Driving Question:
How has Japanese pop culture
impacted other cultures globally?
Historical Roots
Japanese Feudal Society
Isolation and cultural creativity
Eastern & Western styles/trends merge post Tokugawa Era
Hairstyles, food, clothing, sports, school, military, music, magazines
Woodblock prints
Late 20th Century Popular Culture
Manga in the 1980’s gains an international audience.
Monster Movies
Manga
Anime
Consumer Electronics
Video Games
Based on Walt Disney model
VCRs
Stereos
Sony Walkman
Nintendo brings video games
from the arcade to one’s home.
Japan is the 1st non-European or American (Western) nation to influence global popular culture.
By the 1980’s, the Japanese economy was growing, the standard of living allowed for leisure time, and disposable income was available to spend. This slowed with the 1990’s recession, but the J-pop impact still resonates.
First big export of culture from the period.
Movies are heavily edited.
After WWII US influence exploded, and American influence was desired, but Japanese pop culture rebounded quickly with affordable entertainment: radio shows, illustrated cards, and a toy industry using old metal scavenged from cities.
Themes of J-Pop
Apocalypse - end of the world and mass destruction
Kawaii - ‘cute’ characters - childish wishing to relive simple times and be happy
Monster - coming out of Shinto faith and folklore
40% of all books published in Japan are Manga.
Mecha - technology, robots, androids, sci-fi
Major themes
Forms and Themes in Japanese Popular Culture
A Lesson in Writing Narratives through the Lens of Anime and Manga
Background Information (pdf of Lesson PLan)
Origins of Japanese pop culture are often traced back to the Tokugawa period (1600-1868) during a time of peace and competent rule
1854 Japan was “opened” to overseas trade and diplomacy by American gunboats, Tokugawa pop culture began to filter out to Europe and the US.
Monster movies were the first Japanese pop culture form to have a major postwar impact globally
Japanese animation boomed
Essential Questions
Learning Objectives
CHAPTER 2
Sources of the Japanese Pop Imagination
Japanese Culture, Western Models
The Legacies of Defeat
Change and Subversion
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Essential Questions
Yokai: Page 25
Yokai activities
Kanji
On page 24, Tsutsui described the Japanese writing system, kanji, consisting of intricate characters. These lessons from Columbia University can be used to help familiarize students with kanji.
STANDARDS
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.3
Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.3
Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7
Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.1
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending to such features as the date and origin of the information.
Cultural History of Manga
12th/13th Century
Choju-jinbutsu-giga
Set of four scrolls attributed to the monk
Toba Sojo that depict comic, anthropomorphized animals conducting Buddhist rites
1603–1867 Tokugawa Period
Zenga
Zen pictures and scrolls
17th Century
Otsu-e
Simple cartoons produced
as souvenirs.
18th Century
Toba-e
Paintings and prints
18th Century
Kibyoshi
Yellow cover books - woodblock-printed volumes
Resources
Choju-jinbutsu-giga
Zenga
Otsu-e
Toba-e
Kibyoshi
Timeline Activities
Activity 1: Students could perform online research to find examples of the items listed on the timeline and create a pictorial timeline.
Activity 2: Students could view the images of the items on the timeline and place them in the order in which students think they were created.
Activity 3: Students could identify similarities and differences between the images of the items in the timeline. They could also try to draw connections to current examples of manga.
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People
After reading Chapter 2, students can learn more about some of the artists mentioned in the chapter. Possible activities include reading about the artists’ lives, reading about their work, creating art in their style, and identifying the current impact of their work.
Murakami Takashi
Chapter 2 discusses the work of Murakami Takashi.
Some of Takashi’s work may not be appropriate for viewing at school, so previewing all resources before using them in class is critical.
Lesson plan murakami-study-guide.pdf (vanartgallery.bc.ca)
Honda Ishiro
Honda Ishiro directed Gojira and many other movies.
This lesson plan further explores Godzilla: godzilla-powerrangers-gr8-ela-lessonplan-all.pdf (osu.edu)
Yokoyama Mitsuteru
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Nihonga Tokugawa period woodblock prints
Background for Teachers
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Information for Students
Video
High School Lesson Plan
Netsuke
Page 25
Background
Netsuke - Wikipedia; Netsuke: From Fashion Fobs to Coveted Collectibles | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Book About Netsuke
The Hare with the Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal
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Activity 1: Students can explore various types of netsuke by visiting International Netsuke Society - Home and generate a written description of a netsuke.
Activity 2: Students could design/make their own netsuke.
Activity 3: Students can compare historic netsuke to objects in their lives. Objects might include iphone charms, Croc jibbitz, etc.
Ultraman and Maitreya in Buddhist Temple Koryuji
On page 26 Tsutsui noted that Ultraman’s mask may have been modeled on the seventh-century statue of Maitreya. View the pictures of the two items (below) to search for similarities.
Source:Happy Birthday Ultraman
Activities & Assessments
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CHAPTER 3
The Global Appeal
of Japanese Popular Culture
Quality, Content, and Difference
Familiarity and the Media Marketplace
The Smell of Pop
American Trauma, Japanese Pop
A World of Fans
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Essential Questions
Vocabulary
Mukokuseki - lacking a sense of national origin
Pachinko - pinball game in Japan (gambling)
Standards
Modern World History: Globalization 26
Emerging economic powers and improvements in technology have created a more interdependent global economy.
Writing in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects: 9-10.1b
Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content. B. Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
Contemporary World Issues - Technology 14
The development and use of technology influences economic, political, ethical, and social issues.
Questions/Essay Prompts
What is Fact or Fiction with J-pop?
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How has J-pop appeal changed over time?
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How is J-pop appeal similar or different in other areas of the world?
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How has J-pop influenced your life? |
Questions are incorporating aspects of Project Zero’s Thinking Routines developed by Harvard Graduate School of Education. [Facts or Fiction; Projecting Across Distance and Time] |
Global Appeal: Japan’s National Cool
J-Pop success starts with it being different from Western culture.
J-Pop explores complex themes
Primary Sources
Craig, Timothy. Japan Pop! Routledge Publishing: 2000.
Iwabuchi, Koichi. Recentering Globalization: Popular Culture and Japanese Transnationalism. Duke University Press: 2002.
Kelts, Roland. Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S.
St. Martin’s Press; 2006.
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Further Resources
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VENN DIAGRAM: Japanese Pop Culture
Marketing
Style/Theme/Difference
Historical
Connection
to the USA
VENN DIAGRAM: Japanese Pop Culture
Marketing
to develop
Style/Theme/Difference
Historical Connection to the USA
Activities & Assessments
Students will have more knowledge and input on the more recent impact of Japanese popular culture on the world today, so an exploration of the history will need to be set up and managed.
This can be accomplished using the developed Venn Diagram and having students work together to conduct quick research to gather information so they can develop their writing details.
[A short list of resources is available. This provides the teacher with a starting point from which they can model or tailor their resources for research in class.]
The following day the small groups (2-3) develop their 5 paragraph essay to submit via the LMS.
In the follow up activity, students can read, respond
and critique other students’ findings and claims.
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CHAPTER 4
Lost in Translation?
Adapting Japanese Popular Culture for Global Audiences
Dubbing, Editing, Censoring
Lovable Kooks, Enduring Stereotypes
Remade in America
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Essential Questions
Compare and Contrast
Compare and contrast movie posters in America vs. Japan.
Focus on and discuss color, language, characters, dates, and proportions.
Dubbing
Pros |
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Cons |
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Subbing
Pros |
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Cons |
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Media Exporting Exercise ideas
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Localization
Localization refers to the process of adapting a product or content to suit the cultural, linguistic, and regional requirements of a specific target market. In the context of Japanese animation (anime), localization involves making changes to the original content to ensure that it resonates with the intended audience in a different language or cultural context.
Top Japanese Culture Producers
Activities
Research “localization”
Explore Japanese movies remade by America: https://blog.gaijinpot.com/6-hollywood-ripoffs-of-japanese-anime-and-manga/
Using the following resource, compare:
https://www.cbr.com/the-differences-between-manga-manhwa-manhua-explained/
Activities
New Godzilla Film: Godzilla Minus One
Anime Image Localization Activity
CHAPTER 5
Japan as Soft Superpower
The Japanese State and Popular Culture
The Economics of Japanese Pop
Soft Power, Hard Realities
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Essential Questions
Chapter Overview
After a long period of industrial growth and economic success in the 1980s, Japan experienced a long and difficult recession in the 1990s. As a response, Japan “began to gradually but dramatically redefine itself” in a manner that “looks more like a cultural superpower today than it did in the 1980s, when it was an economic one” (59).
Today, Japan’s cultural and artistic “coolness” has “implications politically, economically, and in the realm of foreign relations” (60). It reflects an influence that Harvard political scientist Joseph Nye coined as “soft power.” The 21st century now looks to see how Japan’s cultural power and appeal of its brand image will translate into political and economic power.
Standards
The College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards: Guidance for Enhancing the Rigor of K-12 Civics, Economics, Geography, and History (Silver Spring, MD: NCSS, 2013).
D1.2.9-12. Explain points of agreement and disagreement experts have about interpretations and applications of disciplinary concepts and ideas associated with a compelling question.
D2.Geo.2.9-12. Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their political, cultural, and economic dynamics.
TOPIC: GLOBALIZATION The modern world is said to be “shrinking” or “flattening” through the processes of globalization.
CONTENT STATEMENT 17. Globalization has shaped new cultural, economic, and political ideas and entities.
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES
OHIO SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS
“As scholars continue to debate the sources of Japanese pop culture’s creativity and the reasons for its global appeal, policymakers will no doubt continue to work to find ways to convert Japan’s substantial ‘Gross National Cool’ into tangible political, economic, or diplomatic benefits.”
- Tsutsui, Page 67
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Fast Facts
Japan gew into one of the world’s strongest industrial countries with a vibrant automotive and steel industry.
Japan experienced a long recession beginning in 1991 and lasting until
the early 2000s.
Term coined by Harvard Political Scientist Joseph Nye describing a country’s ability to influence by its ability to attract and appeal.
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1980s
1990s
“Soft Power”
Fast Facts
Much of Japan’s global cultural export - judo, aikido, ikebana, etc. - has been driven by philanthropy, private sector institutions, and Japanese firms.
Annual worldwide sales of anime were estimated at $23 billion in 2006.
Sudoku, perfected by Kaji Maki, gains over $250 million in global revenues.
Karaoke was developed in the 1970s and is among the most popular technologies.
The study of Japanese as a foreign language has doubled globally between 1990 & 2003.
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Japan’s “Soft Power” & the Private Sector
Anime
Popular Entertainment
Chapter 5
“Can Japan leverage its success in exporting popular culture …
to achieve broader political, strategic, or economic goals on the international stage?” (pg. 59)
DRIVING QUESTION
QUICK SUMMARY
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Vocabulary
Soft Power
Globalization
“Cool Japan”
Global Diffusion
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Vocabulary can be investigated
by incorporating the Frayer Model template.
Students will write a definition, give examples, include an image, and list non-examples for each term using the template.
Reading Questions
1. What is “soft power” and how is the term used to describe Japan’s influence on the world?
2. How has the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) created a “fund of goodwill for Japan internationally”?
3. How has the public or private sector been the dominant driving force for Japanese popular culture?
Intro (pgs. 59-60)
The Japanese State and Popular Culture (pgs. 60-62)
4. Are the vast majority of Japanese mass entertainment products profitable for Japan? What actions are being taken to support or reverse this trend moving forward?
The Economics of Japanese Pop (pgs. 62-65)
5. What metrics support the idea of Japan’s expanding global popularity?
Soft Power, Hard Realities (pgs. 65-67)
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Activities
Tarō Asō
Activity
After reading the chapter, students should complete the following activity adapted from Harvard Project Zero’s
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JAPAN AS SOFT SUPERPOWER
Soft Power
Read & Explore Primary Sources
with Thought Questions:
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“Professor Joseph Nye" by Chatham House, London is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The Role of Japanese Government in
Building Soft Power Abroad
The Japanese government has been working in cultural and educational programs to promote its culture and language around the world. Below are the different programs.
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Japan Foundation
sponsors exchanges & programs on Japanese culture globally.
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Center for Global Partnership
carries out projects to strengthen “dialogue & interchange” between Japanese & American citizens, scholars, & students.
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Japanese Government Scholarships (Monbukagakusho)
bring overseas youth leaders, educators, undergraduates, & graduate students to Japan.
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Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET)
recruits exceptional young people from about forty countries to teach their native languages in Japanese schools. Learn more.
The Role of Asō Tarō
Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2005-2007
Prime Minister, 2008-2009
Fan of Manga
Learn more about Manga and Anime:
Role of the Private Sector
The role of the private sector in the globalization
of Japanese culture should never be underestimated.
Overseas Partners
Selling of Japanese pop forms (e.g., popular cinema, video games, character goods, manga, & anime) with overseas partners.
Private Philanthropy
Private philanthropy (Japanese individuals, corporations, & foundations) has impacted the development of Japanese studies around the world.
Global Spread
Global spread of participatory cultural forms, such as ikebana (flower arranging), and martial arts (judo & aikido)
Economics of japanese pop
Strong on creativity & style but weak on business acumen & marketing savvy
Widespread pirating of anime & manga on the Internet
Unlicensed distribution via fansubbing & scanlation
Learn more about
Learn more about animators living in poverty
Learn more about
The Japanese entertainment industry has not developed into economic pillar in the global arena. Animation and fashion remain minor players in the $4.5-trillion-dollar Japanese economy. The vast majority of Japanese mass entertainments have not been hugely profitable in export markets.
Reasons
Sudoku & Karaoke
KARAOKE
SUDOKU
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“
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Japanese Popular Culture Examples
| Pokemon | Sega | Anime |
| Godzilla | Nintendo | Judo |
| Hello Kitty | Sudoku | Ikebana (Flower Arranging) |
| Sony | Manga | |
Chapter 5
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Extension Activity
Students should choose an example from the list (or another one they discover in the chapter) and compile a Google Slide including the following information, making sure to cite all sources:
Images
2-3 total
images
related to
the example.
Facts
3-5 key facts
that explain
the product
and its global influence.
Sources
Link two sources related to the topic.
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Create
Create
a hashtag
for the
information.
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Summative Activity
Students will write a paragraph in response to the driving question.
Paragraphs should be at least five sentences and
include an introductory sentence and concluding sentence.
Prompt: Make a prediction about the future of Japanese geopolitics by respond to the driving question, “Can Japan leverage its success in exporting popular culture…to achieve broader political, strategic, or economic goals on the international stage?” (pg. 59).
Include at least two examples from Chapter 5 in your response.
Teaching Notes: The prompt and student writing assignment can be adjusted to practice making and supporting a claim utilizing the CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) template.
The writing prompt can also lead into a class discussion, academic debate or Socratic seminar
for further support and research of ideas.
Websites:
Explore the history and culture of Japanese comics beyond the page
Tezuka Osamu the Dawn of TV animation
Arrival of Astro Boy
Van Gogh, Japan & Pokémon lesson plans
INVESTIGATION STATION
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Chapter 5
INVESTIGATION STATION
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Chapter 5
Think Time
WHO, WHAT, WHERE?
Japan as soft superpower
“But, can Japan build on its mastery of medium to protect an equally powerful national message?”
Soft Power
The Harvard Political scientist,
_________
Coined the term “soft power” in the 1980s.
Manga
The Minister for Foreign Affairs,
_________,
Helped create the International Manga Award.
Entertainment
The sing-along technology,
______,
Became a global hit but was never patented by its inventor.
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Image
Japan ranked 5th in overall
_________
Only behind Germany, France, the UK and Canada.
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Further Reading & Resources
McGray, D. (2002). Japan’s Gross National Cool. Foreign Policy, 130, 44–54. https://doi.org/10.2307/3183487
Nye, J. S. (1990). Soft Power. Foreign Policy, 80, 153–171. https://doi.org/10.2307/1148580
Tsutsui, W. M. (2010). Japanese popular culture and globalization. Association For Asian Studies.
What Is Soft Power? (2023, May 16). World101 from the Council on Foreign Relations.
https://world101.cfr.org/foreign-policy/tools-foreign-policy/what-soft-power
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Further Reading & Resources
McGray, D. (2002). Japan’s Gross National Cool. Foreign Policy, 130, 44–54. https://doi.org/10.2307/3183487
Nye, J. S. (1990). Soft Power. Foreign Policy, 80, 153–171. https://doi.org/10.2307/1148580
Tsutsui, W. M. (2010). Japanese popular culture and globalization. Association For Asian Studies.
What Is Soft Power? (2023, May 16). World101 from the Council on Foreign Relations.
https://world101.cfr.org/foreign-policy/tools-foreign-policy/what-soft-power
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Thanks!
These resources were developed by the Interdisciplinary Curriculum Development Team in coordination with the East Asian Studies Center at The Ohio State University to support teaching about Japanese popular culture and globalization in the classroom. Sources for the materials are focused on the Key Issues for Asian Studies series by the Association for Asian Studies by William M. Tsutsui, Japanese Popular Culture and Globalization. Materials are designed for teachers to use in the classroom with minimal modification in the Take & Go Series: Japanese Popular Culture and Globalization.