Course Description
This course explores modern Japanese culture from the Showa era to today, examining music, family, education, religion, and work values alongside issues like urbanization, disaster response, and “Cool Japan.” Comparative perspectives with Korea foster cultural awareness and analytical skills for understanding Japan’s evolving society.
Athena Title
Contemporary Japanese Culture
Prerequisite
Permission of department
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of Japanese contemporary culture, including its historical, social, and economic contexts.
- Students will be able to analyze and critique cultural phenomena such as Cool Japan, urbanization, and education systems from multiple perspectives.
- Students will be able to compare Japanese culture with other East Asian cultures, particularly Korea, to foster a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.
- Students will be able to identify and evaluate regional characteristics of Japan, including dialects, festivals, and food cultures.
- Students will be able to develop multiple perspectives in analyzing contemporary Japanese culture by integrating insights from various disciplines.
Topical Outline
- Introduction: What is Contemporary Japanese Culture?
- Course structure and grading explanation
- Defining “contemporary Japanese culture” (postwar to Reiwa era)
- Concepts of honne and tatemae, and the idea of “constructed culture”
- Music Culture
- J-POP, Vocaloid, and idol culture (underground idols, handshake events)
- Music and social movements (e.g., post-disaster charity songs)
- Religion and Contemporary Culture
- The modern role of Shinto and Buddhism
- The concept of yaoyorozu no kami and views of nature
- Issues related to cults and new religions
- Family and Gender Roles
- Changes in family structure (nuclear families, declining birthrate)
- Modern labels such as sōshoku-kei danshi and “Minato-ku girls”
- Love and Marriage
- Confession culture and romantic events (Valentine’s Day, Christmas)
- Changing perspectives on romance (2D relationships, marriage hunting, declining birthrate)
- Work Ethics and Labor Values
- Job hunting culture (recruit suits, interview manners)
- Work style reform and karōshi (death from overwork)
- Education and Competition
- Entrance exam wars and cram school culture
- Changes in the academic hierarchy
- Mass Media and Popular Culture
- Banned words on air, “cancel culture” and online controversies
- Relationships between sponsors and the media
- Urban vs. Rural Life
- Tokyo centralization and regional revitalization
- U-turn and I-turn migration trends
- Regional Cultures in Japan
- Differences in dialects, festivals, and food culture
- Commercialization of traditional culture
- Food Culture
- UNESCO recognition of washoku
- Mottainai philosophy and food loss issues
- Disaster and Japanese Society
- Earthquakes, typhoons, and disaster preparedness culture
- Tourism
- Cool Japan: Global Influence
- International spread of anime, manga, and fashion
- Successes and challenges of Japan’s soft power
- Comparative Analysis with Korea
- Comparison of media, pop culture, and tourism policies
- Structural comparison of Korean webtoons and Japanese manga
- Final Summary and Presentations
- Review of the semester’s content
- Final student presentations of research topics
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
Social Awareness & Responsibility
The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.
