Overview
Examines how Japanese functions as a key element of Japanese soft power in Asia
Offers an interdisciplinary perspective on Japan’s language policies and broader social, economic and political processes
Considers the future of Japanese as a form of soft power in Asia as the country prepares for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
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Table of contents (10 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Cool Japan and Japan’s Soft Power
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Front Matter
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Japanese Language and the Historical Construction of Asia
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Front Matter
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Japanese Language Teaching in Asia
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Front Matter
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Japanese Language and Learners’ Empowerment
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
This cutting edge collection considers how the Japanese language functions as a key element of Japanese soft power in Asia. Within Japanese culture itself, the promotion of language has been an area of ambivalence. This interdisciplinary book looks across the fields of language policy, language teaching, socio-linguistics, cultural studies and history to identify the links between Japan’s language policies and broader social, economic and political processes. It examines the challenges that undermine Japan’s potential soft power by identifying a gap between the “official Japan” portrayed by the Japanese government and the “cultural Japan” that foreigners perceive. It also reveals historical continuity in the way Japanese language is perceived and promoted by policy makers and how the current practices of Japanese language teaching in Asian countries have been shaped within the framework of “international exchange”, which has been a key concept in Japanese foreign policies since the 1970s. It particularly considers the concept of ‘Cool Japan’ as a symbol of Japan’s interpretation of its cultural power and offers a thoughtful assessment of the future of Japanese as a form of soft power in Asia as the country prepares for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Reviews
“This book’s biggest strength lies in its comprehensive, current outlook on Japanese language as soft power. … the book offers valuable insights into issues which have remained largely unexplored. For those wishing to obtain a sound, comprehensive understanding of and appreciation for current Japan and its attempts in creating and exercising soft power, this is an indispensable read.” (Mitsuyo Sakamoto, newbooks.asia, July 3, 2020)
Editors and Affiliations
About the editor
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Japanese Language and Soft Power in Asia
Editors: Kayoko Hashimoto
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5086-2
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Singapore
eBook Packages: Social Sciences, Social Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2018
Hardcover ISBN: 978-981-10-5085-5Published: 07 August 2017
Softcover ISBN: 978-981-13-5315-4Published: 01 February 2019
eBook ISBN: 978-981-10-5086-2Published: 26 July 2017
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XIII, 207
Number of Illustrations: 2 illustrations in colour
Topics: Language Policy and Planning, Asian Culture, Asian Languages, International Relations