A City Redefined: Anti-China Sentiment and the Rise of Localism in Hong Kong, 1988-Present

This study explores the origin and development of anti-China mentality in Hong Kong since its first local election in 1988. Decades of rapid economic development established Hong Kong people's unique identity as the more capable Chinese. The self-perception of superiority coincided with the Handover in 1997. Robust trade between the city and China led to the fear of marginalization in the global stage. After the failed government campaign of "Asia's World City", Hong Kong witnessed growing hostility towards its Northern counterpart. The Umbrella Revolution in 2014 marked the start of direct confrontation against Beijing. While some radicals called for independence, the general public is divided on the future of the former British colony

A Woman’s Perspective: An Analysis of Didactic Medieval Japanese Buddhist Stories and Their Influence on Women

This paper explores Buddhist didactic texts from the medieval period of Japan and explains how these texts used portrayals of women as a way to influence and assert control over the choices of women. Its main arguments are that, first, Buddhist principles helped shape the negative representations of women’s sexuality. Secondly, these negative portrayals of women’s sexuality were intended to inspire fear and warn of the dangers of desire in women. Third, positive images of women exist, but portray women as asexual and spiritually pure to serve as  models to emulate. These three things served to provide social control and helped create Japanese patriarchy

Youkai Artwork

This is part of a series of artwork that follows a young boy and a woman through Japan. In this drawing they encounter a Two-Mouth woman at a ramen shop

The Changing Dynamics Of A Japanese Company Amid The Globalizing Business Environment: A Case Study Of Hitachi Construction Machinery Company

Japan’s mature market combined with its decreasing population has left little room for domestic market expansion. Because of this, many Japanese companies have been required to explore overseas markets in order to maintain and expand their sales revenue. While numerous Japanese companies have struggled to adapt to globalization, Hitachi Ltd., a Japanese multinational conglomerate, has become a frontrunner in its organizational transformation. A recent example is its move from the traditional, seniority and lifelong employment system to a merit-based salary system, which aims to attract talented, high-level workers overseas. Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCM), one of Hitachi’s eleven businesses, is an excellent case study of how Japanese companies are changing in response to globalization. Three research groups investigated this on-going, momentous transformation of a representative of Japan Inc., HCM, through first-hand experiences and semi-structured interviews with company representatives throughout Japan. The research included in-depth investigations of how globalization has affected HCM in three areas: language, cultural, and unification training processes; human resource management; and reaction to global environmental issues through its product lines

In Dedication: Dr. Terumi Imai

Every year, the East Asian Studies Journal is dedicated to a Wittenberg University faculty or staff member who is actively involved in the East Asian Studies Program, promotes academic achievement and encourages students to stretch beyond their limits in their chosen fields of study. The student staff would like to dedicate this year’s issue to Dr. Terumi Imai, Associate Professor of Languages.Every year, the East Asian Studies Journal is dedicated to a Wittenberg University faculty or staff member who is actively involved in the East Asian Studies Program, promotes academic achievement and encourages students to stretch beyond their limits in their chosen fields of study. The student staff would like to dedicate this year’s issue to Dr. Terumi Imai, Associate Professor of Languages.Dr. Imai received her B.A in English from Rikkyo University in Tokyo, and later received both her M.A. and Ph.D. in Linguistics in Michigan State University, where she taught Japanese language as a Teaching Assistant. She became a member of the Wittenberg academic staff in 2003, and since that time, has been known for her dedication to her classes, and holding her students to the highest quality of work and responsibility. Dr. Imai is the advisor of the East Asian Studies Club, which is responsible for many of the East Asian related events on campus. She is well known for her active engagement with students both in the classroom and outside of it, through attending academic conferences, events, going to restaurants with students, and even hosting dinner at her house. Dr. Imai prepares students with a strong basis in Japanese, so that they can be successful while studying abroad, and far beyond that. To Dr. Imai, from your students: thank you for supporting us every step of the way, and for always encouraging us to push ourselves in our studies. Words cannot express our gratitude

Chinese Climate Leadership: Feign or Future?

As industrial civilization confronts the devastating consequences of global climate change, the difficult choices surrounding its solutions have only become more complicated following the election of President Donald Trump and his recent declaration of intent to exit the Paris Climate Accord. This paper analyzes whether China is prepared and credible to fill the void left by the US abdicating its role as global climate leader by focusing on whether China’s domestic efforts are sufficient to project a sense of both willingness and capability to be the world’s foremost authority on climate change policy. This article ultimately determines that China is both ready and willing to act as the preeminent climate power, despite imperfections in domestic energy and environment policy