Lecture

An Introduction to Social Class & Inequality in Japan

Because of Japan’s successful economic recovery from the Second World War, Japan has often been understood as an affluent and all-middle-class society. This introductory course critically analyzes Japan from the perspective of social class and inequality and examines how people’s perceptions regarding inequality and social class structure have changed over time. After examining how people from different social classes experience life in Japan differently, this lecture concludes how social class and inequality as a perspective help us understand not only Japan but also other societies better.

Creator

Chiba University

Introduction: Social class and Japanese society

Changes in the class structure in post-war Japan

How people live with the social class in the 21st-century Japan & Summary

Lecture

Establishment of the Modern Family and Its Social Background

The aim of this course is to examine from the sociological point of view how a family structure called the modern family was established in Japan in the mid-20th century. The modern family refers to the nuclear family consisting of a mother, father, and their biological children, which began to emerge in Japan during the period of high economic growth in the mid-20th century and remained the mainstream family structure for more than 50 years. While considering the socio-economic characteristics of the high economic growth period, the course explains in an easy-to-understand manner, using various statistical data, that the modern family, or nuclear family was inevitably formed due to changes in industrial and demographic structures in Japan, rather than to changes in people’s attitudes.

Creator

Hiroshima University

The Formation of the Modern Family in Japan and Its Social Context (1)

The Formation of the Modern Family in Japan and Its Social Context (2)

The Formation of the Modern Family in Japan and Its Social Context (3)

Lecture

Thinking about Japanese folklore from the perspective of life rituals

In this lecture, we will consider what we are trying to pass down in modern Japanese society through life rituals (birth, marriage, and funeral rites), and what we are trying to transform into modern styles. What is the social and historical background behind customs surrounding pregnancy and childbirth? Why did the rituals surrounding marriage have such a strong meaning as a contract between families? What kind of “view of life and death” can we see through funeral rites? Learn about ritual values and transformation handed down in the Japanese archipelago.

Creator

Chiba University

Childreading customs: What can we learn from folk customs that people follow?

Marriage customs: What can we learn from folk customs that people follow?

Funerary customs: What can we learn from folk customs that people follow?

Lecture

Introduction to Japanese History, Society and Culture through Film

Students watch one film before each class. In the lecture videos, the instructor picks up and breaks down some scenes in that film for students’ deeper understanding of Japanese society, history, and culture. The lecture video utilizes audiovisual materials such as historical records, news footage, and YouTube video to make the introductory course suitable for those who have never been to Japan. This course also goes over the film directors and the aesthetic qualities of movies to introduce students to film and visual studies.

Creator

University of Tsukuba

Shinkai Makoto and His Style

Boy Meets Girl

Post-Disaster Trauma

Lecture

How to face legal issues in Japan?

This content introduces Japanese legal issues in our society. Modern life in any nation has been related to some legal issues, but these issues are quite different by culture, history, and social situation. So now it’s essential to know the legal issues in Japan and think about how to resolve some legal conflicts. This content includes some specific cases, such as the lawsuit against Mangamura as a manga pirate website and another lawsuit related to the ordinance limiting the time for playing video games in Kagawa Prefecture. It must be interesting for many foreign learners because Manga and video games are the most famous representatives of modern Japanese culture.

Creator

Kochi University

Composed work and this Bootleg

Can Gaming time by minors be restricted?

To distribute playing video games

Lecture

Education for Linguistically Culturally Diverse Children and Youth in Japan

This course explores situations experienced by culturally linguistically diverse students in Japan. In particular, we will focus on the construction of a normalized educational system and culture in Japan by examining political discourse, schooling environment, curriculum, instruction as well as students’ daily social practices. The class considers how these factors impact individuals who may find themselves having an area of mismatch such as linguistically, culturally and physically minority students.

Creator

Chiba University

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Lecture

Higher Education and Universities in Japan from a historical perspective

This course is designed to understand the characteristics of Japanese universities and higher education from a historical perspective. First, regarding the prewar period, the course will review the establishment of the Imperial University and its position in the modernization of the Meiji period. Then, the expansion of universities in the Taisho period and the mobilization of students under the wartime regime will be explained. Second, regarding the postwar period, we will review postwar educational reforms and the new university system, university expansion and university conflicts during the period of rapid economic growth, the “leisure landization” of the 1970s and 1980s, and the re-expansion of universities and its impact since the 1990s. Through these contents, the current state of Japanese universities and their relationship with the state will be presented in a Japanese characteristic.

Creator

Chiba University

The Current State of Higher Education and Universities In Japan

Higher Education and Universities in Prewar Japan: Imperial Universities and Other Universities for the State

Higher Education and Universities in Postwar Japan: The Quantitative Expansion of Universities and Its Impact

Lecture

Learning about “Lessons for life in Japan” with NHK TV show Japanology Plus

In Japan, 40 million people attend “lessons for life” annually. “lessons for life” refer to the practice of students and working adults learning something under a teacher outside of school, work, or everyday life. This custom is a traditional part of Japanese culture. What kinds of “lessons for life” are there in Japan, and why do Japanese people engage in them? How have these practices changed over time? In this content, we will learn about Japan’s culture of learning, lessons for life, through the NHK Japanology Plus program by Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK.

Creator

University of Tsukuba

Part 1 : Introduction

Part 2 : Learning “Lessons for life” from NHK TV show, Japanology Plus

Part 3 : Points of the show, “Kata” as traditional learning method in “Lessons for life”, and “Lessons for life” now

Lecture

Final test

Lecture

Population Decline and Regional Revitalization in Japan

Japan’s population peaked at 128.08 million in 2008 and then entered a downward trend. Estimates indicate that it will fall to 86.74 million by 2060. In this lecture, I will examine Japan’s falling birth rate and the overconcentration of people in Tokyo, both of which are factors contributing to the population decline. I will also consider the problems that local communities face as a result of this decline and their impacts. In addition, I present national and local government initiatives for regional revitalization and consider how we can contribute to regional revitalization.

Creator

Chiba University

The Population Decline Problem and its Mechanisms

The Impact of Population Decline on Local Communities

Initiatives of the National and Local Governments

Lecture

Depopulation and development potential of Japan local city 〜Sustainability and Well-Being in Living〜

This introduces the regional challenges facing Kobayashi City, Miyazaki Prefecture, a regional municipality in Japan with abundant agricultural, forestry, and livestock industry resources. Using Japan’s postwar growth and its slowdown, as well as the post-bubble economic recession as a benchmark, this also introduces the transformation of Kobayashi, Miyazaki Prefecture, as a real case of the transformation of a Japanese community and the challenges that have arisen in the process. In addition to the environmental and economic macro perspectives, the resolution of issues and residual challenges in the Japanese region by adding factors such as the psychological and spiritual changes of the actors in response to the region’s unique challenges are introduced.

Creator

University of Tsukuba

Challenges and Changes in the Industrial Structure of a Local City

Creativity and Judgment to Solve Local Issues

Building Skills and Achieving Ideas to Contribute to Local Society Development

Lecture

Local Pride, Stage for Space: New Challenges in Kunisaki, Oita

In addition to national space policies, the importance of policies undertaken by local regions and municipalities in Japan is increasing. This series will focus on the challenges and efforts faced by Oita Prefecture and Kunisaki City as they engage in space-related projects to revitalize the regional economy. Part 1 will explore Oita’s involvement in space initiatives. Part 2 will delve into the forefront of the space business and its impact on local communities. Part 3 will introduce the efforts of key players in the Oita and Kunisaki regions. By deeply exploring the connection between local communities and space, this series aims to provide viewers with new perspectives.

Creator

BEST FUTURE

Oita’s Journey to Space

Space Innovation and Community Impact

Society, Culture and Space in Kunisaki

Lecture

Resource Circulation of Glass – how we can continue living with the earth

In the future, glass might disappear from the Earth. In today’s society, glass is ubiquitous, but how is it made and how is it disposed of? In this series, we will learn about initiatives addressing resource challenges through efforts to recycle glass in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture. Part 1 will cover the historical evolution of glass, the resource crisis concerning sand, and effective methods for glass collection. Part 2 will delve into the terroir of glass materials and the beginning of the project in Suwa. Part 3 will introduce initiatives related to glass recycling through art and the creation of sustainable systems, featuring interviews with key stakeholders. This series aims to provide viewers with new perspectives on resource recycling and a sustainable future.

Creator

BEST FUTURE

What is happening to glass in the world today?

The challenge for glass circulation in the Suwa area, Nagano Prefecture

How we create a system where people can keep learning and being involved

Lecture

Sturgeon Aquaculture and Caviar Business in Japan〜Challenges in Technology and Culture in Local City〜

The Miyazaki Prefectural Fisheries Experiment Station has been engaged in unprecedented sturgeon aquaculture and its business. This program introduces the establishment of the Miyazaki Caviar aquaculture production system and the path to commercialization of the new business as a case study. This also introduces the aspects of the biological trials and improvements that led to the establishment of an aquaculture production system to establish a caviar business utilizing sturgeon, which Miyazaki Prefecture accepted in 1983 as part of its fishery technical cooperation with the Soviet Union (now Russia), and the business and economic issues facing the region in Japan in a real case of a sturgeon farm in Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture, that was established by a construction company.

Creator

University of Tsukuba

Value of Cavier and its Issues

Trial of Sturgeon Aquaculture and Caviar Development in Japan

Challenges and Next Steps on Caviar Business in Japan

Lecture

Ama Fishing in Modern Society: From History, Fishing Methods, and Relations with Local Society

We will present the history of ama fishing, which has been practiced in Japan for thousands of years. We will introduce fishing methods known as “sustainable fishing” through actual items such as fishing gear. Ama fishing is a method of fishing that was born from the natural environment including the topography and weather, and group fishing has fostered a specific culture within the local community called ama culture. While exploring the relationship between traditional livelihoods and local communities, we will also touch on contemporary issues.

Creator

Mie University

History of ama fishing

Ama Fishing Methods and Tools

Ama Fishing and Local Community

Lecture

Japan Regional Disaster Prevention Innovations – 100 Years of Unchanged and –

For the past 100 years, life after natural disaster in Japan has remained unchanged. Known as a disaster-prone nation, Japan faces numerous challenges and obstacles in disaster preparedness and response. This series introduces these issues and the efforts to overcome them. Part 1 will explore society’s response to disasters and the associated challenges. Part 2 will address the practical issues related to disaster prevention. Part 3 will present new regional initiatives for disaster preparedness, featuring concrete examples. This series aims to provide viewers with insights into the responses and challenges faced by communities and local governments in the face of increasing natural disasters, offering new perspectives on disaster prevention.

Creator

BEST FUTURE

Disaster and Society: Unchanging Issues and New Challenges

Facts to be faced

Disaster Prevention Innovation from Local Government

Lecture

Development and Current Status of Sports in Japan

The lecture will introduce how sports introduced from foreign countries have developed in Japan. The characteristics of martial arts and the influence of the development of university sports since the Meiji era (1868-1912) will be explained, which are reflected in today’s sports. In particular, the history of the development of baseball and soccer, two of the most popular sports in Japan, will be detailed, as well as recent issues in school club activities and community sports and the measures taken to resolve them.

Creator

Chiba University

History of development and how Japanese people enjoy sports

Development of baseball and school club activities

Development of soccer and local sports club

Lecture

Final test

Lecture

Current State of Japanese Industry

1. Current situation and issues surrounding Japanese industries and companies
2. Japan’s decarbonization and bioindustry strategy
3. Japan as a tourism-oriented country and its industry
In this course, we will take up the current situation and issues surrounding Japanese industries and companies from Japanese economic trends in the world. We will also discuss the direction that industrial policy is taking in terms of what kind of growth strategies the government and economic organizations are envisioning for the future of the Japanese economy, drawing from examples of Japan’s decarbonization and bioindustry strategy and tourism strategy.

Creator

Kansai University

Current Situation and Issues Surrounding Companies and Industries in Japan

Japan’s Strategy for Decarbonization and Bioindustry

Japan as a Tourism Nation and Its Industry

Lecture

Is international tourism to Japan sustainable?

This contents introduces international tourism to Japan before the COVID 19 pandemic. It analyses the contribution of international tourism to regional development in Japan from the perspective of sustainable tourism. Several examples from across the country will help to illustrate how destinations change through an increase in international tourists and what kind of problems they face. The concepts of sustainable tourism and overtourism will be introduced.

Creator

Hiroshima University

International tourism to japan (=Inbound tourism)

Tourism research and sustainable tourism

Changes in destinations in Japan

Lecture

Migrant Refugees and Japanese Society

This class will critically examine the challenges of accepting “foreigners” in Japan and how they relate to the stereotypical image of Japan (and Japanese people) as being homogenous and having a closed-off national identity. Behind the indifference toward migrant refugees and discrimination against “foreigners” lies the misunderstanding that Japan is a mono-ethnic nation and that it hasn’t been largely impacted by the global migration of people, and the mistaken perception that Japanese people are not migrants or refugees. By analyzing discourse and documents, we will reexamine the relationship between migrant refugees and Japan.

Creator

Chiba University

Introduction “foreigners” and “migrant/foreign workers” in Japan

Refugees in Japan

History of Human mobility from and to Japan

Lecture

A Critical Introduction to the Study of Japan

This course is a review of the various pitfalls associated with taking “Japan” as an object of study. It offers concrete examples of the issues of orientalism, simplistic comparativism, and decontextualized essentialism. It argues that attaching the adjective “Japanese” to things, people, phenomena etc. is a comparative act that needs to be deconstructed if we are to say something meaningful. Several concrete examples are employed to illustrate these discussions and various suggestions are offered on how a study of “Japan” can be done without falling into the same traps.

Creator

Chiba University

Stereotypes and Orientalism

Adjectives and Comparison

How to do it

Lecture

Cultural Exchange and Barriers between Japan and China-focusing on Language Differences-

Kanji is shared between Japan and China, and has played an important role in mutual understanding. But there are pitfalls. For example, the Japanese word for the bowl from which rice is eaten (chawan) can be translated as “tea bowl,” while the Chinese call it a “small bowl.” We already see a difference in wording here. Furthermore, while the Japanese may think of it as a vessel for eating rice, in China it is likely thought of as being used for eating various side dishes and soup in addition to various main dishes. Also, in China, the chawan is not understood to be tableware for eating white rice. Here, we see not only a difference in the meaning of words but also a difference caused by lifestyle habits. This kind of difference actually occurs in many kanji words, and can be a big issue that sometimes develops into a social problem of great misunderstanding in cultural exchange between Japan and China.

Creator

Hiroshima University

About japanese and Chinese Culture

Language Differences

Challenges for Japanese-Chinesea Exchange

Lecture

US-Japan Cultural Interactions in History

This content introduces the cultural interactions between Japan and the United States in a historical context. The unit will begin in the mid-nineteenth century, when the two countries first established an official diplomatic relationship, and cover the evolution of its bilateral relations into the twentieth century and postwar occupation period. Topics covered include Japanese overseas immigration, a Hollywood star born in Chiba prefecture (Sessue Hayakawa), the US-Japan friendship doll exchange, the Pacific War, Japanese internment, and American influences on postwar Japanese society.

Creator

Chiba University

Introduction and Political Background

Cultural Interactions in the Prewar Period

Cultural Interactions in Wartime and Postwar Eras

Lecture

Hiroshima 1945: Atomic Bombing and Journalism~Floyd Schmoe (1895-2001)~

Hiroshima and Nagasaki are the first cities where the atomic bomb was used in warfare. Journalists in Japan were banned from reporting on the casualties and damages of the bombs, after the country came under occupation by the Allied Forces in September of 1945. The authorities feared it would interfere with implementing their policies. But the world would soon hear and see what had happened through the eyes of journalists from overseas. They witnessed the devastation firsthand and filed their stories, knowing so well that they might go head-to-head with the authorities. John Hersey, an American war correspondent, filed a story for The New Yorker in August 1946. His article sent a shockwave back home and led the US government to provide its justification for dropping the bombs: The use of the atomic bomb had spared the lives of one million US soldiers. This is how the US government legitimizes the bombings to this day. Revisiting how the media reported or had not reported on the atomic bombings allows participants to think about the role of journalism vis-à-vis authorities and that of individual conscience. In this program, participants will watch videos produced by NHK WORLD-JAPAN, Japan’s sole public broadcaster, and consider how journalists, governments and civilians had each sought out their roles in telling the stories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the world.

Creator

University of Tsukuba

First part

NHK WORLD-JAPAN “Houses for Peace:Exploring the Legacy of Floyd Schmoe”

Latter part

Lecture

Adaptation and Reception of Japanese Popular Culture

Japanese popular culture is now well-established in countries worldwide and continues to deepen its acceptance. Using the reception of manga in Germany as an example, this lecture will provide an overview of the unique acceptance of manga in Germany. It will also highlight the actual displays of manga in bookstores and events related to Japanese popular culture, including manga, held in various parts of the country to ascertain the current extent of its acceptance. Additionally, an introduction will be given on the characteristics of the text and translation issues related to manga.

Creator

Chiba University

Reception of Japanese Manga in Germany

Anime/Manga Convention in Germany

Introduction to the Translation of Manga

Lecture

Final test