Cultural studies in Japan and the United States

Yunuen Mandujano

Elements that configure Japanese studies in the U.S. (And Mexico too)
Perceptions and concerns of the country about Japan. Countrys organizational structures

The type of expertise that have Japan specialists

Countrys ideas and conditions

Development of Japanese Studies in the U.S.

Postwar phenomenon, product of the Cold War: Language and area studies

From about the mid1980s: Economic Competition By the end of the century:

Cultural Studies

Language and area studies

Economic competition

Cultural studies

Characteristics of cultural studies

Sense that culture and political economy need to be studied one in relation to the other. Conception of culture as actively constructed, changing and maintained by human actions. Conviction that culture has distinct forms within one society (subcultures).

Assumption of the importance of all cultural representations as objects of study. Understanding that anything cultural must be studied in its context. All research must be consciously selfreflexive.

Requirements of cultural studies

High level of language and visual skills. Close attention to context. Movement thru disciplinary lines, without the formal interdisciplinary training needed before.

Features of Cultural studies about Japan in the U.S.

Increasing dominance of humanities.

Film, visual arts, popular culture.

Stronger Japanese language skills. Deeper everyday involvement in Japan and Japanese language. Internet as a source of material.

Statistical data of American Japan specialists

By 2005, from a total of 1285, 63.7% male, 36.3 female. Major concentration:
Male: 55 64 Female: 45 54

From Non-faculty occupations, major concentration as: librarian (18.1%).

Universities with more Doctoral Students in Japanese Studies (2005)

Harvard University University of Hawaii Columbia University Princeton University U. of C. at Berkeley 67 66 65 43 37

Institutions with more Japan specialists (2005)

Columbia University Harvard University University of Michigan 105 103 69

Japan Specialists Funding Priorities

Language Study in Japan, Study Abroad Graduate Student Support for Dissertation Research Support for Additional Faculty Positions

Historical Period of Specialization

60

50

40 %

30

20

1995 2005

10

0
Prehistory Nara Heian Kamakura Ashikaga Sengoku Tokugawa Early Tokugawa Late Tokugawa Bakumatsu Meiji Taisho

1995
Showa Early Showa Postwar Showa Heisei

Source: Modified from data taken from The Japan Foundation (2007) Japanese studies in the United States and Canada: Continuities and opportunities. Pp. 41

45 40 35 30

25

15

20

10

Anthopology, Psych., Soc. Art, Art History Business and economics Communication, Library Science Education Geography, Environment History Language, Linguistics Law Literature Music, Dance, Theatre Arts Philosophy Politics Religion Science and Technology
1995

Domains of Specialization

2005

1995

Source: Modified from data taken from The Japan Foundation (2007) Japanese studies in the United States and Canada: Continuities and opportunities.Pp. 45

Institutions with Japan Specialists by Number of Specialists Year

1970 1984

1
56.1 33

2 to 3
24.5 30.3

4 to 7
12.2 24.8

8 to 11
2.9 4.9

12 or more
4.3 7

1995
2005

47.7
39.5

23.7
22.1

16.2
14.6

5.2
11.6

7.2
12.2

Source: Modified from data taken from The Japan Foundation (2007) Japanese studies in the United States and Canada: Continuities and opportunities.Pp. 98

% of Academic Institutions with presence of Japanese Studies by Level of Degree offered Degree Level Associate BA MA 1995 29.3 87 71.4 2005 25.3 95.7 78.2

PhD
Number of Institutions

41.1
440

50
348

Source: Modified from data taken from The Japan Foundation (2007) Japanese studies in the United States and Canada: Continuities and opportunities.Pp. 104

How is Japan being promoted in the internet?

Japan as exciting and exotic Being trated as famous by Japanese Promotion of Cultural Studies in Japan
Scholarships Loans Visas

Racist Language almost impossible to dominate Foreigners excluded and been denied help in many situations.