Japanese Culture Research Articles

Comparison of Preferences for Japanese Food in Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Singapore

Japanese cuisine has gained international acclaim, with dishes like sushi, ramen, and tempura widely available in restaurants around the world. Many Japanese foods are perceived as healthy; they contain fresh ingredients, seafood, and vegetables, which attract health-conscious consumers. The global spread of Japanese culture, including anime, manga, and traditional arts, has contributed to the increased interest in Japanese cuisine. The number of Japanese restaurants has surged globally, particularly in urban areas with diverse populations. As the economies of developing countries grow, a rising middle class with disposable income is emerging, leading to increased dining-out and a willingness to try international cuisines, including Japanese food. This study empirically examines the attitudes and preferences of people from different countries—two developing countries and two developed countries—for Japanese food in order to verify any significant differences. The results indicate that the preference for Japanese foods, as well as the frequency of visits to Japanese restaurants, is higher in developed countries than in developing countries. Since developing countries continue to experience economic growth, the future of Japanese restaurants in these regions looks promising, with numerous opportunities for growth and expansion. By understanding local markets, adapting to consumer preferences, and leveraging trends, entrepreneurs can successfully establish and grow Japanese dining establishments in these areas.

From “Logos” to 言葉 (Kotoba): a linguo‑cultural interpretation of Christian lexicon in the translations of Saint Nicholas of Japan

This article is devoted to the study of linguo-cultural aspects of conveying Christian terminology in the missionary translations of Saint Nicholas of Japan. The relevance of the topic is due to the growing scholarly interest in missionary methods connected with translating liturgical and sacred texts into the language of the converted people, as well as the need to comprehend and actualize the spiritual heritage of Saint Nicholas of Japan in the context of modern missionary service. During his missionary service, which lasted more than half a century, Saint Nicholas worked in difficult conditions, when Christianity was perceived as hostile in Japan. During his missionary work, the saint developed a unique approach to translating Orthodox doctrine into Japanese. He sought to organically combine Christian dogmas with the peculiarities of Japanese culture and language in order to make Christianity close and understandable to the Japanese. This “cultural translation” became a key element of his missionary work aimed at deeply rooting Christianity in the Japanese cultural environment. Thanks to the efforts of Archbishop Nicholas (Kasatkin), the Orthodox Church appeared in the Land of the Rising Sun, which numbered more than 30 thousand believers. The work uses exegetical, comparative, interpretative methods and linguostylistic analysis, which allowed us to study the lexical-semantic and cultural-translation techniques used by St. Nicholas in conveying key concepts of Christian doctrine to the Japanese people. As a result, the translations presented in the article have scientific-theological and ecclesiastical-practical significance, since the experience of St. Nicholas’s missionary translation demonstrates the importance of taking into account cultural and linguistic specifics in the modern missionary activity of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Position, Transportation, and Resources: Japan's Potential and Strategic Choices Under Analytical Geopolitics

Japan is a very poor country in terms of natural and mineral resources. Consequently, it remains heavily dependent on maritime transportation. Japan’s proximity to a competing China, the ever-strengthening Sino-Russian partnership, and an aggressive North Korea constitute a hostile regional environment. This article offers an in-depth analysis of Japan’s capabilities (i.e., potential), predominantly demonstrating the weaknesses of the country. We argue that the flaws associated with Japan’s potential can be explained by both (i) geomisguided Japanese geopolitical agents, and (ii) the Japanese pacifist strategic culture. We deductively apply the model of analytical geopolitics. Our findings are that Japanese geopolitical agents are “geomisguided” as they have pursued policies of insufficient stockpiling and disregarded Japan’s dependence on the sea lanes of communication. Furthermore, Japanese public opinion does not sufficiently grasp the current threats Japan faces, and this fact limits the capacities of Japanese geopolitical agents. The paper addresses a gap in the literature by applying an innovative methodological analytical approach.

Pemaknaan Representasi Laut dalam Anime Shiroi Suna no Akuatōpu

In Japan, which is an island nation, the sea is important. The sea is also considered an element rich in meaning and full of mystery. This can be reflected in works of fiction, including anime. This study aims to analyse how the anime Shiroi Suna no Akuatōpu presents the sea through Japanese cultural beliefs and values that are closely related to the existence of kami (nature spirits in Japanese belief) using Roland Barthes' semiotics method. In Barthes' analysis, anime, like movies, are treated as texts that can be read and interpreted. Text or images are a system of signs that serve to shape meaning. The representation of the sea is examined through story elements and characterizations based on semiotic analysis involving signifier, signified, denotation, connotation. The sea in the anime Shiroi Suna no Akuatōpu functions as an important signifier that symbolizes the emotional journey of the two main characters, Kukuru and Fūka. Ultimately, the sea represents a myth realized through the spiritual experiences of the characters and the story. This research emphasizes the importance of the sea reflected through Japanese popular culture as a symbol of change and the relationship between humans and nature.

Beliefs About the Positive Functions of Sadness.

Sadness involves adaptive functions such as eliciting help from others or analysing the causes of failure. It also has positive features such as empathy or the co-occurrence of positive emotions. Previous studies have revealed that Asians are more likely than Westerners to perceive the utility of negative emotions. However, common people's beliefs about the positive functions of specific emotions, including sadness, remain unclear. This study aimed to identify beliefs about the positive functions of sadness in Eastern Japanese culture. In Part 1, we collected free descriptions of the positive functions of sadness (n = 253) and categorised the responses into 43 features. In Part 2, we asked 49 participants to assess the similarity between each feature pair. Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis were conducted to elucidate the relationships among the features and categorise them into groups based on similarity scores. The results revealed the four groups: (1) empathy and relating to others, (2) growth and overcoming, (3) rational thinking, and (4) contribution to creativity and meaning of life. These findings indicate that Japanese people perceive sadness as an emotion with positive functions that possesses meaningful benefits in various aspects of life, which can be categorised into the four distinct positive functions.

ЗНАЧЕНИЕ РЕЛИГИОЗНО-ФИЛОСОФСКОЙ МЫСЛИ ДЛЯ ЯПОНСКОЙ КУЛЬТУРЫ

This article is dedicated to analyzing the role of religious and philosophical thought in the formation and development of Japanese culture. It examines the main religious and philosophical traditions that have influenced the worldview of Japanese society — Shintoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Special attention is given to the syncretic nature of Japanese spirituality, which integrates elements of various teachings into a unified cultural paradigm. The author explores how these traditions have shaped the aesthetic preferences, social norms, and behavioral models characteristic of Japanese civilization. The paper emphasizes the importance of the religious and philosophical heritage in preserving Japan's cultural identity amid historical transformations and globalization.

Nakagami Kenji’s “The Dancer Imelda”：The Representation of Sex Workers in Late Cold War Japanese Culture

Recent research has increasingly highlighted Japan’s role in establishing the Cold War political order in Asia, and has interpreted postwar Japanese literature as a form of “Cold War culture” within the global context. This paper examines Nakagami Kenji’s short story “The Dancer Imelda” (1988) in order to investigate the underexplored late Cold War Japanese culture. This story uses allegory centered on the nation to depict the awakening of nationalism as a resistance to the emerging global capitalism in the late Cold War period. Simultaneously, it foregrounds the experience of a woman in the sex industry who is excluded from existing communities and therefore forced to subordinate herself to nationalist belonging. However, through an allegory that deviates from the dominant national allegory of the story, she articulates her condition in a globalized society, constructing a novel form of publicness that is distinct from more conventional spaces of belonging. In this representation of the woman, this paper identifies both a continuation of and a development from Nakagami’s previous works, which attempt to reconnect the discriminated-against Burakumin to the public sphere in a manner that is distinct to that of belonging. Ultimately, this paper evaluates “The Dancer Imelda” as a renewal of nationalism and national allegory in late Cold War Japanese culture.

Criteria for Identifying the Basic Japanese Artonyms in the English Language: a Corpus-Based Approach

Introduction. The article tests the hypothesis about the possibility of recognizing borrowed lexical units as the basic xenonyms of the language on the basis of corpus data. The scientific novelty of the study is determined by the fact that there have been no previous attempts to identify the degree of assimilation of Japanese artonyms in English using corpus analysis methods, including the collocation method. The relevance of the study lies in the development of research tools of interlinguoculturalology, the study of the layer of xenonymic lexicon significant for the English-language description of Japanese culture and the clarification of criteria for classifying a xenonym as a commonly used loan word. Methodology and sources. The research is carried out in line with interlinguoculturology. The analysis of empirical material, which comprises Japanese artonyms retrieved from the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA), was conducted using methods of corpus linguistics. Results and discussion. The article identifies the Japanese loanwords with the highest frequency and wide representation in different genres (origami, bonsai, anime, manga, haiku, kabuki, karaoke, kimono, futon, and geisha), highlights collocations that allow tracing semantic derivation and assessing the metaphorical potential of xenonyms. The analysis allowed the authors to confirm the possibility of classifying Japanisms according to their status in the English language and the necessity to exclude the lexical units Noh and ikebana from the basic common borrowings due to low statistical indicators of their frequency and their low genre distribution. Conclusion. The algorithm of corpus analysis of xenonymic lexis proposed in this study helps to draw verified conclusions about the status of borrowings in the English language vocabulary. The paper presents new criteria for the identifying commonly used English-language xenonyms: 1) the degree of distribution across genres and 2) representation in at least one genre of the corpus with a normalized frequency equal to or greater than 0.5 per 1 million words (X ≥ 0.5) and in at least two genres with a normalized frequency equal to or greater than 0.1 per 1 million words (X ≥ 0.1). The prospects of the present study include further detailed examination of Japanese loanwords of other topics, as well as extrapolation of the results to all English xenonyms in order to verify their universality.

Japanese design concepts and traditional joints for modern furniture

Japanese culture presents refinement, simplicity, aesthetics, and balance. It shows how nature and aesthetics can be integrated into the living space. The architecture of the Japanese house is characterized by sliding doors and partitions that can be removed to create large, open, and flexible spaces. Traditional furniture has a simple beauty and functionality that fits perfectly with Japanese life and philosophy. Japanese wood products are uniquely crafted without nails or screws, relying on precise joinery for durability. Such a technique yields very durable and aesthetically pleasing furniture pieces. Japanese wood techniques, employing the art of Japanese woodworking, offer training in the wood workshop, teaching patience and respect for nature. This study reviews and highlights Japanese design concepts along with a selection of traditional jointing techniques for furniture. Based on them, a modern table inspired by the Torii Gate was designed. Therefore, modern furniture inspired by such concepts can stand the test of time.

The Correlation the Pastoral Poetry and Private Gardens in China and Japan-Based on the Theory of Artistic Synesthesia

The Tang Dynasty culture of China had a profound influence on Japanese culture, yet Chinese and Japanese poetry retain their distinct characteristics, and there exist certain disparities between Chinese and Japanese gardens. This study aims to explore the similarities and interconnectedness between the differences in Chinese and Japanese poetry and those in their respective garden arts. Based on the theoretical foundation of artistic neural synesthesia, the research analyzes the correlation between gardens and poetry. Using a case study approach, the study visually presents audio wave data from recitations of poetry, employing the graphical representation of chanting audio as an innovative method. Additionally, it examines differences in poetic elements such as text length, pauses, cadences, and artistic conception in both Chinese and Japanese poetry. The study determines the disparities in rhythm and meter between Chinese and Japanese pastoral poetry. Furthermore, a graphical comparison is conducted on artistic cases of private gardens in China and Japan during the 17th century to identify differences in their elements. Finally, through graphical analysis of poetry audio wave forms and garden elements, the paper establishes the disparities between various elements of Chinese and Japanese private gardens and the differences in their respective poetry. It concludes that there are similarities in the relationships between Chinese pastoral poetry and private gardens, and between Japanese pastoral poetry and private gardens.

THE ROLE AND PLACE OF WOMEN IN JAPANESE CULTURE: ANCIENT TRADITIONS AND MODERNITY

The purpose of this article is to examine the changes in the role and place of women in Japanese culture from ancient times to the present day. The article analyzes how cultural, social, and historical factors have shaped the perception of women in Japanese society and how these changes manifest themselves in the context of globalization and contemporary Japanese culture. The objectives of the study are to examine traditional ideas about the role of women in Japanese society (in particular, during the Edo period and before it), exploring their relationship with Confucian views; to assess how Western influences and the modernization processes of the Meiji era (1868–1912) changed the role of women in Japanese culture; and to consider the role of women in Japan in the 20th and 21st centuries, taking into account changing socio-economic conditions and changing social norms. This article uses the methods of historical analysis, comparative analysis, and content analysis to study the images of women in Japanese cultural artifacts (literature, art, cinema, etc.). Empirical data were collected from historical texts, contemporary research, and observations of current social trends and cultural production. The novelty of the work lies in its comprehensive approach, which includes both historical and contemporary contexts in the analysis of changes in the role of women in Japanese culture. Particular attention is paid to the changes taking place in Japanese society in recent decades, as well as the influence of popular culture on the perception of the role of women in modern Japanese society. The results of the study revealed that the traditional role of women in Japanese culture was greatly limited by social and religious norms, which was manifested in the expectations of the role of a housewife, wife, and mother. However, the modernization of Japan, as well as the influence of Western values, significantly changed this picture, opening up new opportunities for women in education, labor, and politics, which was reflected in the 20th and 21st centuries, when women in Japan faced new challenges related to feminism and gender equality. The article demonstrates the complexity and multifaceted nature of the changes taking place in the role and place of women in Japanese culture.

Siphonaxanthin inhibits the growth of breast cancer cell subtypes by modulating the expression of cellular proteins associated with antioxidant defence, cell survival and apoptosis signaling.

The marine green algae, Codium species, have a long-standing history of use in Japanese and Korean food culture. Recent reports reveal that extracts/isolated compounds of Codium species exhibited immunostimulatory, anti-obese, and anticancer effects. This study aimed to delineate the molecular mechanism underlying the growth inhibitory effect of siphonaxanthin (SPX) isolated from Coduim sp. in luminal (MCF-7) and triple-negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells. The cell viability was measured by WST-1 assay. The protein expression of the markers of antioxidant defense, cell survival, and apoptosis signaling pathways was analyzed by western blotting. The apoptosis induction by carotenoids was visualized using DAPI staining. The results showed that purified SPX inhibited the viability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells at a concentration of 5μM. The growth inhibitory effect of SPX was associated with suppressed protein expression of antioxidant enzyme, SOD-2, and its transcription factor, Nrf2. Carotenoid treatment subsequently blocked the expression of intracellular cell survival markers such as pAkt and pERK1/2, and a redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-kB. Further, suppression of antioxidant defence and cell survival markers was linked with apoptosis induction, with downregulated expression of Bcl-2, p-Bad, and PARP. Collectively, our results highlight a significant cancer chemopreventive role of marine carotenoid SPX in human breast cancer cells and demonstrate that it activates cell death partly through the modulation of antioxidant defense response-linked cell survival signaling markers.

Master Narratives Among Youth with Hikikomori in the Japanese Sociocultural Context

ABSTRACT The process and content of identity formation vary across cultures. However, previous studies have mainly focused on Western cultures, neglecting Eastern ones. This study considers Japanese culture’s shift toward individualism while maintaining collectivism. We examined identity formation among Japanese youth using the master narrative approach, which is appropriate for understanding the dynamics of identity formation in negotiating social structures. We focused on hikikomori (extreme social withdrawal), a subgroup deviating from Japanese sociocultural expectations and struggling with identity formation. We interviewed 96 participants (M age = 21.5, 60% women) about their experiences of master narrative deviation. Of them, 41 (42.7%) exhibited hikikomori symptoms. Quantitative analyses showed that youth with hikikomori were more likely to elaborate on master narratives than their non-hikikomori counterparts. The qualitative analysis identified two master narratives: (1) Communion based on Japanese social structure (sub-themes: “Cooperative friendship” and “A harmonious family”) and (2) Straight life course (sub-themes: “Stable route” and “Parental pressure to follow the straight life course”) from which youth with hikikomori deviate. These findings suggest that youth with hikikomori deviate from the master narratives maintained by traditional Japanese collectivism and social systems, and struggle in identity formation when negotiating with them.

Inventing yōkai : deconstructing the quintessential Japanese woman through Junji Ito’s Tomie

ABSTRACT Studying representative monster figures in literature allows a glimpse into a particular society’s anxieties at a point in time. In Japanese culture, the monstrous usually manifests through yōkai, creatures that are part of a unique tradition that continues to this day. Yōkai have evolved with the times, thus acting as possible representations of societal fears in every era. With consideration to the current popularity of manga in Japanese popular culture, this paper intends to examine Junji Ito’s horror manga series Tomie as a chronicle of the creation of a new yōkai. In the process, this paper examines the dichotomy between the ideal and the deviant Japanese woman and the association of the latter with monstrosity. Finally, the paper attempts to validate Tomie as a new candidate to the tradition of female yōkai by establishing her nonconformity to human society and demonstrating her similarities to existing yōkai.

The Psychological Benefits of Virtual Forest Bathing: A Classroom-Based Study Using Simulated Nature Exposure

Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a practice origin in Japanese culture that involves immersive exposure to natural environments to promote health and well-being. This study investigates the efficacy of a virtual forest bathing experience in a university classroom setting, where logistical constraints prevent direct access to natural environments. Using a 5-minute video simulating a forest walk, this study measured psychological changes in 27 students via the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) before and after exposure. Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed significant reductions in negative affect (e.g., guilt, fear, nervousness) with p-values <0.05, while positive affect remained largely unchanged. Participant feedback confirmed subjective improvements in mood and enhanced student engagement through experiential learning, suggesting that brief virtual nature exposure can produce measurable psychological and educational benefits. These findings highlight the potential of virtual interventions as accessible tools for promoting mental health and advancing landscape architecture education.

APPROACHES TO ORGANIZING MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EAST ASIA

The article highlights the importance of implementing multicultural education for the education of multiethnic students in the educational system of Asian countries and their further socialization in response to the significant increase in foreigners choosing Asian countries as their place of residence. The article examines the approaches of three Asian countries (Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan) to deepening the understanding of national diversity as globalization trends become increasingly noticeable in society. It is found that approaches to multicultural education are similar in South Korea and Japan. In these countries, most of the measures to develop multiculturalism concerned the introduction of programs for the assimilation of the language of minorities and migrants into the Korean and Japanese languages and culture. While in Taiwan, the policy of multiculturalism is considered a necessary condition for a democratic society. Since it is recognized as the basis of the cultural rights of the population of East Asian countries. The curriculum of multicultural education in Taiwan focuses on recognizing individual values and preferences and developing the potential of each individual. This approach is significantly different from Korean and Japanese. Attention is focused on the fact that the insufficient development of multicultural education complicates the daily life of multiethnic youth, violates their rights to education, and hinders their further professional development. The author highlights critically significant problems in the development of curricula for multicultural education and support programs for teachers working with multiethnic students. The issue of the importance of multicultural education is considered in the context of the need to improve the process of learning a foreign language as its crucial component.

Genomics on ornamental plants and flowers decorating the Japanese culture and traditions

Genomics on ornamental plants and flowers decorating the Japanese culture and traditions

1970년대 일본 음식문화에 대한 성찰과 음식 민족주의

This study analyzes the formation process of food nationalism in 1970s Japanese society through an examination of the complex crises Japan experienced during this period and the cultural responses these challenges engendered. Particular attention is directed toward two sociocultural phenomena that previous scholarship has insufficiently addressed: the Ancient Diet Movement and everyday food discourse. Japan confronted two significant crises during the 1970s. The first was a “food security crisis” precipitated by the global food crisis of the early 1970s. This crisis compelled Japan, with its low food self-sufficiency ratio, to recognize that food selection and consumption were intrinsically linked to national survival. The second was a “cultural crisis” resulting from the rapid proliferation of Western dietary practices, wherein the dissolution of traditional food habits was equated with the disintegration of the national community. These perceptions of crisis catalyzed a reassessment of “Japanese food culture.” The Ancient Diet Movement emerged as a social phenomenon within this context. This movement advocated a return to an ancient, plant-centered diet, seeking to “purify” the bodies and minds of Japanese people “contaminated” by modern life. This study interprets the movement as a cultural practice aimed at restoring national purity in response to “cultural invasion.” The everyday food discourse represented a cultural phenomenon that challenged conventional notions of “Japanese cuisine.” This discourse criticized the existing concept of Japanese cuisine centered on ceremonial and banquet dishes and argued that the essence of Japanese cuisine resided in ordinary home cooking and common people’s food. Beyond academic discourse, this perspective merged with social phenomena such as the “mother’s taste” boom, propagating the understanding that food culture constituted a cultural asset worthy of preservation.

WEB LEARNING TO IMPROVE COMPREHENSION OF JAPANESE PAST TENSE ADVERBIAL SENTENCES

Japanese, or Nihongo (日本語), is the primary language of Japan, spoken by more than 125 million people globally. It belongs to the Japonic language family and features a distinct writing system composed of Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana. Kanji, derived from Chinese characters, while Hiragana and Katakana (referred to as Kana) are phonetic alphabets with 46 basic characters. Hiragana is used for native words and grammar, while Katakana is utilized for foreign words and emphasis. Japanese grammar follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure, with social hierarchy reflected through the use of keigo, as well as past adverbial sentences and verb conjugations marked by formality. The global fascination with Japanese culture, including anime and manga, has sparked increased interest in the language. To facilitate learning, the author created a web-based learning platform using the Waterfall methodology, incorporating system engineering, requirement analysis, design, coding, testing, and maintenance phases. The platform is aimed at enhancing learners' understanding of past tense adverbial sentences, with pilot tests indicating considerable improvements in users' Japanese language abilities. Besides offering interactive content, the system also provides a well-organized and user-friendly learning experience. This study aims to positively impact Japanese language education and encourage broader adoption of educational technology, ultimately assisting learners in achieving higher Japanese proficiency in the digital age

From Fuxi to Izanagi: A Cross-Cultural Genealogy of Creation Deity Gestures

The "gestural turn" in contemporary art has introduced a more immediate perspective for studying ancient iconography, transcending textual discourse. As quintessential figures in Chinese and Japanese cosmogonic myths, the four deities Fuxi, Nüwa, Izanagi, and Izanami are depicted with distinct postures across murals unearthed from various dynastic periods. The longstanding hypothesis regarding Chinese influence on Japanese mythology gains further support from the iconographic similarities and their alignment with historical records, forming the foundation for this comparative study. However, as the myth of Fuxi and Nüwa was assimilated into Japanese culture, both their visual representations and narrative texts underwent symbolic transformations. Framed within Giorgio Agamben’s genealogical framework of gestural aesthetics, this paper analyzes the poses of these creation deities to uncover the aesthetic philosophies embedded in their iconography. By tracing the Chinese intellectual origins of Japanese creation myths, decoding the symbolic significance of divine gestures, and investigating cultural and ethical factors driving their evolution, this study seeks to elucidate the intrinsic motivations behind the "transfiguration" of these sacred postures.