Cool Japan Research Articles

The Rise of Cool Japan: The Representation of Japanese and American Athletes in Kuroko no Basuke: Extra Game

Calling on several disciplines from cultural history to media studies and gender studies, this paper analyses the representation of race, gender and culture in Japanese sports manga Kuroko no Basuke: Extra Game. First, it deconstructs the politics of sports manga and its representation of foreign athletes, as it allows Japanese mangakas to portray Japan as a rising cultural and athletic superpower. Then, it focuses on Kuroko no Basuke: Extra Game, in order to study the visual and textual representation of both American and Japanese athletes through the prism of race, gender and culture. Indeed, it draws a sharp contrast between American and Japanese masculinities. Also, it relays a deeply-stereotyped version of the myth of the Black Athlete. Last, this study focuses on the (soft) power of this cultural artefact, the duel of ethos which is relayed through it, and the signifying representation of bodies and emotions. In a nutshell, this work deconstructs Japanese sports mangas and their political dimension to assess the part played by these global cultural artefacts in shaping collective imaginations from Japan to France, via the United States.

Revisiting “Cool Japan” in country-of-origin research: a commentary and future research directions

PurposeThis commentary and conceptual paper is aimed at investigating marketing perceptions of the country-of-origin (COO) perspectives, and emphasis is placed on the “Cool Japan” concept.Design/methodology/approachA review of research on COO and the concept of “Cool Japan” was conducted, including commentary of previous relevant theoretical frameworks.FindingsThe evidence has shown that the brand images of various COOs is dependent on their cultural exports. In the case of Japan, the “Cool Japan” initiative, which initiated the creation and dissemination of Japanese cultural contents such as anime, games and art, has led to tremendous and sustainable economic growth in Japan till date.Research limitations/implicationsAs previous studies on COO are wide-ranging, they are not exhaustively presented in this paper. However, the importance of considering not only animosity, which has traditionally been taken into account, but also the coolness aspect is suggested.Practical implicationsThis paper shows that “coolness” is an important concept when nations or regions consider their branding strategies and an integrated approach is needed.Originality/valueThis paper extends previous COO research and adds coolness to the traditional animosity. It also considers these in comparison across countries and goes as far as the need to propose a new scale. Conceptual findings from this paper would therefore provide future directions for advancing COO research Cool Japan.

Association of the Mannose-Binding Lectin 2 BB Genotype with COVID-19-Related Mortality

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is crucial in first-line immune defenses. There are still many unknown factors regarding the mechanisms causing variability in the clinical course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In Japan, there have been few reports to date regarding the association between MBL and COVID-19. It has been demonstrated that the MBL2 gene B variant at codon 54 (rs1800450) is associated with variabilities in the clinical course of COVID-19. We aimed to investigate how the level of serum MBL and the codon 54 variant of MBL (rs1800450) affect the disease severity of COVID-19. A total of 59 patients from the fourth wave and 49 patients from the fifth wave in Japan were analyzed based on serum MBL levels using ELISA and the genotype of MBL2 codon 54 using PCR reaction. There was no significant association between serum MBL levels and age. MBL2 genotype was independent of age, there was no significant difference in different COVID-19 severities, MBL genotypes, and serum MBL levels. Binary logistic regression analysis to identify predisposing factors for severe COVID-19 symptoms demonstrated that patients with the BB genotype had a higher risk of death from COVID-19. Our results quantitatively demonstrated that the BB genotype might be a factor associated with death from COVID-19.

Akira and the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 and 2020/21: Reading the games through manga and anime—reading manga and anime through the games

ABSTRACT When the manga series Akira appeared in 1982, it quickly became a bestseller, and the 1988 anime version strongly reinforced its popularity. Ōtomo Katsuhiro depicted the dark cityscape of Neo-Tokyo compellingly. However, until now, interpretations mainly focussed on Akira as a prime example of the cyberpunk genre. Yet, the story also revolves around the preparations for a renewed Olympics, celebrating the rebirth of Tokyo. By referencing the 1964 Games, Ōtomo paints a highly critical image of the first Tokyo Olympics, reflecting the mood of the early 1980s, when citizens vehemently opposed plans to host the Olympics in Nagoya. Ōtomo primarily employs some of the 1964 architecture to link Akira to the first Tokyo Olympics. For example, the Temple of Lady Miyako replicates Tange Kenzō's National Gymnasia next to the Meiji Shrine. Together with the new venue for the (Akira) Olympics in 2020, the Temple is one of the main action scenes, indicating that a spatial reading of the manga can yield fresh interpretations. Nevertheless, Akira's critical stance toward the Olympics did not prevent Ōtomo from contributing to the original plan for the 2020 Olympic opening ceremony, which featured characters from Akira to harness its popularity for the global Cool Japan factor. For these reasons, analyzing Akira's various Olympic dimensions help us better understand Japan's entanglement with this sports mega-event over the last decades. At the same time, a thorough Olympic reading of Akira is long overdue.

Motivating factors for frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey in Japan.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-04177-6.

Did the Cool Japan Initiatives Fail?: A Summary and Review of the Recent Evaluations

Did the Cool Japan Initiatives Fail?: A Summary and Review of the Recent Evaluations

Assessment of the pneumonia severity score in community-acquired and nursing and healthcare-associated pneumonia due to COVID-19

IntroductionThe Japanese Respiratory Society (JRS) pneumonia guidelines recommend simple predictive rules, the A-DROP scoring system, for assessment of the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and nursing and healthcare-associated pneumonia (NHCAP). We evaluated whether the A-DROP system can be adapted for assessment of the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. MethodsData from 1141 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were analyzed, comprising 502 patients observed in the 1st to 3rd wave period, 338 patients in the 4th wave and 301 patients in the 5th wave in Japan. ResultsThe mortality rate and mechanical ventilation rate were 0% and 1.4% in patients classified with mild disease (A-DROP score, 0 point), 3.2% and 46.7% in those with moderate disease (1 or 2 points), 20.8% and 78.3% with severe disease (3 points), and 55.0% and 100% with extremely severe disease (4 or 5 points), indicating an increase in the mortality and mechanical ventilation rates in accordance with severity (Cochran–Armitage trend test; p = <0.001). This significant relationship between the severity in the A-DROP scoring system and either the mortality rate or mechanical ventilation rate was observed in patients with COVID-19 CAP and NHCAP. In each of the five COVID-19 waves, the same significant relationship was observed. ConclusionsThe mortality rate and mechanical ventilation rate in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia increased depending on severity classified according to the A-DROP scoring system. Our results suggest that the A-DROP scoring system can be adapted for the assessment of severity of COVID-19 CAP and NHCAP.

Characteristics of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 during the first to fifth waves of infection: a report from the Japan COVID-19 Task Force

BackgroundWe aimed to elucidate differences in the characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requiring hospitalization in Japan, by COVID-19 waves, from conventional strains to the Delta variant.MethodsWe used secondary data from a database and performed a retrospective cohort study that included 3261 patients aged ≥ 18 years enrolled from 78 hospitals that participated in the Japan COVID-19 Task Force between February 2020 and September 2021.ResultsPatients hospitalized during the second (mean age, 53.2 years [standard deviation {SD}, ± 18.9]) and fifth (mean age, 50.7 years [SD ± 13.9]) COVID-19 waves had a lower mean age than those hospitalized during the other COVID-19 waves. Patients hospitalized during the first COVID-19 wave had a longer hospital stay (mean, 30.3 days [SD ± 21.5], p < 0.0001), and post-hospitalization complications, such as bacterial infections (21.3%, p < 0.0001), were also noticeable. In addition, there was an increase in the use of drugs such as remdesivir/baricitinib/tocilizumab/steroids during the latter COVID-19 waves. In the fifth COVID-19 wave, patients exhibited a greater number of presenting symptoms, and a higher percentage of patients required oxygen therapy at the time of admission. However, the percentage of patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation was the highest in the first COVID-19 wave and the mortality rate was the highest in the third COVID-19 wave.ConclusionsWe identified differences in clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in each COVID-19 wave up to the fifth COVID-19 wave in Japan. The fifth COVID-19 wave was associated with greater disease severity on admission, the third COVID-19 wave had the highest mortality rate, and the first COVID-19 wave had the highest percentage of patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

Building Walls Through Cultural Exchange: NHK’s Cool Japan and Home Sweet Tokyo

In this paper I look at two programs broadcasted on NHK—Japan’s public broadcaster—featuring foreigners living in Japan, Cool Japan and Home Sweet Tokyo, and the refracted ways in which Japanese identity is constructed through gazes that are self-Orientalizing and Occidentalizing. I place the two within three contexts: the Cool and Sugoi Japan campaigns, the foreign talent industry, and the increased concerns over foreigners in Japan. Using a functionalist approach, my analysis highlights the roles played by these two programs within Japanese society and for a Japanese audience, especially in its representation of foreign residents in light of cultural nationalism. While NHK produces some programs featuring non-Japanese hosts and guests, Cool Japan and Home Sweet Tokyo are of unique interest for their purported aim to represent and give voice to foreigners living in Japan.

The Phenomenon that Influenced the Development of Cool Japan in Indonesia

Background: As is well known that Japan has many unique cultures that can attract people from other countries. Objective: The goal is to spread Japanese culture through promotion in the creative industry sector to all corners of the world. What Cool Japan wants to achieve is to gain influence from other countries and maintain its status as a cultural superpower country (Tao, 2018). Methods: This research uses descriptive research method. This method can describe the results of research in a narrative manner to something that is being studied. Results: the results of research in a narrative of something that is being researched. This research begins with collecting data and information related to the object of research as a basis. Conslusion: Japan which is one of the countries that has the main strength in the form of many types of Japanese culture which at this time already has the status as a cultural superpower. From the development of existing culture, Japan has a desire to commercialize its culture and dominate the world culture market through traditional culture and popular culture. In 2011 through the Cool Japan Initiative, the popularity of Japanese culture in various countries was exploited by the government by making policies to support their cultural industries.

An early return-to-work program for COVID-19 close contacts in healthcare during the Omicron wave in Japan

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, maintaining adequate staffing in healthcare facilities is important to provide a safe work environment for healthcare workers (HCWs). Japan's early return-to-work (RTW) program may be a rational strategy at a time when there is an increased demand for the services of HCWs. We assessed whether the early RTW program for HCWs who have been in close contact with a COVID-19 case in our hospital was justified. Close contacts were identified according to the guidance document of the World Health Organization. HCWs who met all of the following conditions were eligible to apply to an early RTW program: (1) difficult to replace with another HCW, (2) received the third dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, (3) a negative COVID-19 antigen test before each work shift, and (4) consent from relevant HCWs and their managers to participate in the program. Between January and March 2022, 256 HCWs were identified as close contacts (median age, 35 years; 192 female). Thirty-seven (14%) secondary attack cases of COVID-19 were detected. Among 141 HCWs (55%) who applied to the early RTW program, nurses and physicians comprised about three-quarters of participants, with a higher participation rate by physicians (78%) than nurses (59%). Eighteen HCWs tested positive for COVID-19 by the sixth day after starting the early RTW program. No COVID-19 infection clusters were reported during the observation period. These findings suggest that the early RTW program for COVID-19 close contacts was a reasonable strategy for HCWs during the Omicron wave.

Cool Japan's Role As A Japanese Public Diplomacy Strategy Through The Asia Kakehashi Project In Indonesia

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; After World War II, Japan had a bad image in the international community. The Japanese government then tried to rise by using its public diplomacy strategy through educational instruments, namely the student exchange program initiated by Japanese Prime Minister Shizo Abe at the 23rd International Conference on The Future of Asia which aims to improve image, spread values and culture, and increase influence. Japan in the Asian region, including in Indonesia. To achieve this national interest, Japan uses its soft power element, namely Japanese popular culture through Cool Japan to attract foreign people to visit Japan, especially Asian people including Indonesia. The influence of Cool Japan has succeeded in improving the image of Japan as a country that is known to preserve and spread its uniqueness and positive values in its culture. This study uses qualitative research methods by conducting data/information searches that rely on humans and print media as research instruments. So in this study, we will discuss Cool Japan as one of Japan's public diplomacy activities to attract foreign people to visit Japan through the Asia Kakehashi Project student exchange program. Indonesia is one of the Asian countries appointed to send participants to take part in the Asia Kakehashi Project in Japan to participate in improving relations between the two countries by participating in a series of program activities by spreading values, understanding, experiences and positive opinions about what they get while in Japan.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Cool Japan's Role As A Japanese Public Diplomacy Strategy Through The Asia Kakehashi Project In Indonesia

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; After World War II, Japan had a bad image in the international community. The Japanese government then tried to rise by using its public diplomacy strategy through educational instruments, namely the student exchange program initiated by Japanese Prime Minister Shizo Abe at the 23rd International Conference on The Future of Asia which aims to improve image, spread values and culture, and increase influence. Japan in the Asian region, including in Indonesia. To achieve this national interest, Japan uses its soft power element, namely Japanese popular culture through Cool Japan to attract foreign people to visit Japan, especially Asian people including Indonesia. The influence of Cool Japan has succeeded in improving the image of Japan as a country that is known to preserve and spread its uniqueness and positive values in its culture. This study uses qualitative research methods by conducting data/information searches that rely on humans and print media as research instruments. So in this study, we will discuss Cool Japan as one of Japan's public diplomacy activities to attract foreign people to visit Japan through the Asia Kakehashi Project student exchange program. Indonesia is one of the Asian countries appointed to send participants to take part in the Asia Kakehashi Project in Japan to participate in improving relations between the two countries by participating in a series of program activities by spreading values, understanding, experiences and positive opinions about what they get while in Japan.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Impact of human mobility and networking on spread of COVID-19 at the time of the 1st and 2nd epidemic waves in Japan: An effective distance approach.

The influence of human mobility to the domestic spread of COVID-19 in Japan using the approach of effective distance has not yet been assessed. We calculated the effective distance between prefectures using the data on laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 from January 16 to August 23, 2020, that were times in the 1st and the 2nd epidemic waves in Japan. We also used the aggregated data on passenger volume by transportation mode for the 47 prefectures, as well as those in the private railway, bus, ship, and aviation categories. The starting location (prefecture) was defined as Kanagawa and as Tokyo for the 1st and the 2nd waves, respectively. The accuracy of the spread models was evaluated using the correlation between time of arrival and effective distance, calculated according to the different starting locations. The number of cases in the analysis was 16,226 and 50,539 in the 1st and 2nd epidemic waves, respectively. The relationship between arrival time and geographical distance shows that the coefficient of determination was R2 = 0.0523 if geographical distance Dgeo and time of arrival Ta set to zero at Kanagawa and was R2 = 0.0109 if Dgeo and Ta set to zero at Tokyo. The relationship between arrival time and effective distance shows that the coefficient of determination was R2 = 0.3227 if effective distance Deff and Ta set to zero at Kanagawa and was R2 = 0.415 if Deff and time of arrival Ta set to zero at Tokyo. In other words, the effective distance taking into account the mobility network shows the spatiotemporal characteristics of the spread of infection better than geographical distance. The correlation of arrival time to effective distance showed the possibility of spreading from multiple areas in the 1st epidemic wave. On the other hand, the correlation of arrival time to effective distance showed the possibility of spreading from a specific area in the 2nd epidemic wave. The spread of COVID-19 in Japan was affected by the mobility network and the 2nd epidemic wave is more affected than those of the 1st epidemic. The effective distance approach has the impact to estimate the domestic spreading COVID-19.

COVID-19 pandemic vaccination strategies of early 2021 based on behavioral differences between residents of Tokyo and Osaka, Japan

BackgroundDuring the fourth COVID-19 wave in Japan, marked differences became apparent in the scale of the epidemic between metropolitan Tokyo in eastern Japan and Osaka prefecture in western Japan.MethodsPublic epidemic data were analyzed, with performance of mathematical simulations using simplified SEIR models.ResultsThe increase in the number of infected persons per 100,000 population during the fourth wave of expansion was greater in Osaka than in Tokyo. The basic reproduction number in Osaka was greater than in Tokyo. Particularly, the number of infected people in their 20 s increased during the fourth wave: The generation-specific reproduction number for people in their 20 s was higher than for people of other generations. Both Tokyo and Osaka were found to have strong correlation between the increase in the number of infected people and the average number of people using the main downtown stations at night. Simulations showed vaccination of people in their 60 s and older reduced the number of infected people among the high-risk elderly population in the fourth wave. However, age-specific vaccination of people in their 20 s reduced the number of infected people more than vaccination of people in their 60 s and older.ConclusionsDifferences in the epidemic between Tokyo and Osaka are explainable by different behaviors of the most socially active generation. When vaccine supplies are adequate, priority should be assigned to high-risk older adults, but if vaccine supplies are scarce, simulation results suggest consideration of vaccinating specific groups among whom the epidemic is spreading rapidly.

Assessing Public Health and Social Measures Against COVID-19 in Japan From March to June 2021.

BackgroundPublic health and social measures (PHSM) against COVID-19 in Japan involve requesting the public to voluntarily reduce social contact; these measures are not legally binding. The effectiveness of such PHSM has been questioned with emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant (B.1.1.7), which exhibited elevated transmissibility.Materials and MethodsWe investigated the epidemic dynamics during the fourth epidemic wave in Japan from March to June 2021 involving pre-emergency measures and declaration of a state of emergency (SoE). We estimated the effective reproduction number (Rt) before and after these interventions, and then analyzed the relationship between lower Rt values and each PHSM.ResultsWith implementation of pre-emergency measures (PEM) in 16 prefectures, the Rt was estimated to be < 1 in six prefectures; its average relative reduction ranged from 2 to 19%. During the SoE, 8 of 10 prefectures had an estimated Rt < 1, and the average relative reduction was 26%–39%. No single intervention was identified that uniquely resulted in an Rt value < 1.ConclusionAn SoE can substantially reduce the Rt and may be required to curb a surge in cases caused by future SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern with elevated transmissibility. More customized interventions did not reduce the Rt value to < 1 in this study, but that may be partly attributable to the greater transmissibility of the Alpha variant.

Analyses of COVID-19 in Japan by the Mathematical Model of SIR

The COVID-19 in Japan is analyzed by means of the SIR equation. Contents are listed up below as 1~12. In Sec. 4, the basic reproduction numbers for the 5 and 6 waves in Japan are determined as 2.5 and 5, respectively. Here we make use of data of the removed number, rather than that of the infective number, because the latter seems to be ambiguous. Other important contents are discussed about the stronger the infection power, the smaller the number of deaths in Sec5, an area theorem of infection curves for large basic reproduction number in Sec.9, introducions of vaccine effect and a rate of people with self-control into the SIR model in Sec.11, and finally a logistic formula for organic extinctions in Sec.12.

Romantic blockbusters: the co-commissioning of Korean network-developed K-dramas as ‘Netflix originals’

ABSTRACT Since Netflix started offering its multinational service in South Korea in 2016, the company’s main strategy has been to enter into partnerships with local legacy networks in the form of co-commissions and offer locally developed K-dramas as ‘Netflix Originals’. In this paper, I analyse the industrial changes that led to the Korean cable channel tvN and Netflix co-commissioning television series, focusing in particular on Mr. Sunshine (Miseuteo syeonsyain, 2018) and Crash Landing on You (Sarangui bulsichak, 2019-2020) as the culmination of the many successful K-dramas developed through this partnership. Renowned internationally for productions in the romance genre, K-drama has evolved rapidly since the enormous success of Winter Sonata (Gyeoul yeonga, 2004), the series that initiated the Korean Wave in Japan. These programs continue the decades-long lineage of romance-themed K-dramas by terrestrial broadcasters while offering enhanced production values made possible by infusions of capital from Netflix, which have fuelled the evolution of K-dramas into what I have termed ‘romantic blockbusters.’ I examine the triadic relationship among the key stakeholders—the local networks, the local production companies, and Netflix—to trace the development of local network-developed K-dramas into internationally circulating Netflix Originals.

Impact of prioritized vaccinations for the elderly on the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

The Japanese government implemented a large-scale vaccination policy against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, primarily using messenger RNA vaccines in 2021. Its hallmark was prioritized vaccination for the elderly after healthcare workers in a short period of time. Vaccination for the elderly, vulnerable to infection and severe disease, was carried out rapidly in approximately 4 months since April 2021. We evaluated the impact of Japan's vaccination policy against COVID-19 during the pandemic, with a particular focus on how prioritized vaccination for the elderly affected the pandemic. We observed a remarkable decrease in the number of infections, cluster events in long-term care facilities, and severe disease among the elderly during the fifth wave (August 2021) despite rising incidence of infections in the overall population. In conclusion, we think that prioritized vaccination for the elderly was efficacious in preventing infections and severe COVID-19 among the elderly during the fifth wave in Japan.

Diplomasi Publik Jepang (Studi Kasus : Budaya Pop Jepang Di Indonesia)

This thesis aims to discuss the importance of using Japanese pop culture in this case, Manga, Anime and Cosplay as part of Japanese public diplomacy in Indonesia. This discussion is divided into the MOFA (Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs) program and the Japan Foundation as one of the actors who also carry out public diplomacy. The research in this thesis uses qualitative research methods with descriptive elaboration through the description of programs implemented such as the International Manga Award, World Cosplay Summit or even the appointment of anime or manga characters as Ambassadors (ambassadors) such as Doraemon as Anime ambassadors, the appointment of Kawaii Ambassadors and also The Cool Japan program is a program carried out to export pop culture and other commodities and content from Japan. This is intended to increase understanding and trust in Japan both in terms of politics between Indonesia and Japan, the economy and even a strategy to increase Japan's domestic tourism. From a political point of view, it can be seen through diplomatic relations with Indonesia which have existed for 60 years, and from an economic point of view between the two countries through the policy of granting broadcasting rights and licenses as well as expansion of investment by Japan which is expected to improve domestic welfare in Japan. tourism, namely increasing tourist visits to Japanese tourism which is now starting to be polished with a touch of pop culture elements such as Tokyo One Piece Tower, a theme park with the theme of the One Piece anime. So it can be said that Japanese pop culture is important for Japanese public diplomacy as a way to increase public trust and understanding outside Japan in general and especially the public in Indonesia regarding the image of Japan and gain prosperity for the Japanese domestic public.