Cultural proximity and reflexivity in interpreting transnational media texts: the case of Malaysians consuming Japanese popular culture

Television programs such as animation and drama series from Japan have be come common transnational products in Malaysia. Since studies on Malaysians who consume Japanese popular culture are lacking even a decade after its substantial rise in popularity, this qualitative study was designed to explore the media consumption of Japanese popular culture in Malaysia. In this article I examined how Malaysians are interpreting their favorite media texts from Japan specifically revisiting the concepts of “cultural proximity” and “reflexivity” suggested in the other studies of Japanese popular culture and the audience. I conducted in-depth interviews with 12 participants who have been consuming various Japanese popular cultural products over the years, and thematically analyzed transcribed audio-recordings of the interviews. Individual proximity in the particular life stage was found in their favorite media texts, and that was a part of their pleasure in addition to enjoying encountering foreignness, which they did not find or accept in their real lives. Transnational media texts of Japanese popular culture are suggested to be potential materials to reflect upon and discuss the individual proximity in people, social issues, or phenomenon rather than essential “culture” which is often associated with national or ethnic origin

Growing as a person: experiences at anime, comics, and games fan events in Malaysia

Gatherings organized by Japanese popular culture fans have been held since the early 2000s in Malaysia. Fan activities such as costume play (cosplay) of characters in popular culture and production of secondary products such as artwork and fanzines have captured the attention of Malaysian youth. The gatherings and conventions organized by fans are categorized as anime, comics, and games (ACG) events among the people involved. Since little attention has been given to this growing fan culture in Malaysia, a qualitative study was designed to explore ACG event participation. This article discusses aspects of autonomy, relatedness, and competence, which are considered basic psychological needs to enhance motivation for development in life. Each need is integrated and fosters the development of individuals. These three aspects were found while analyzing data from in-depth interviews of nine Malaysians who have been involved in ACG events for more than five years. The ACG events have the potential to become grounds for development when a person participates in an activity of one's own will, feels comfortable identifying with the imagined fan community which was implicit in descriptions of peers through use of the Japanese word ‘otaku’, and socializes and receives constant positive feedback through the activity

Individual Proximity in Interpreting Transnational Texts

This qualitative study was designed to explore the media consumption of Japanese popular culture in Malaysia. In this presentation, I revisit the concepts of “cultural proximity” and “reflexivity” to examine how Malaysians are interpreting media texts from Japan. Individual proximity in the particular life stage was found in their favorite media texts, and that was a part of their pleasure in addition to enjoying encountering foreignness which they did not find or accept in their real lives

Accumulating Japanese popular culture: media consumption experiences of Malaysian young adults

The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of media consumption of Japanese popular culture among Malaysian young adults. Such a study is important in order to understand the consequence of the consumption of foreign cultural products since the development of information and communication technology has brought changes to media entertainment consumption styles, especially among the younger generation. This article discusses the ‘accumulation’ of Japanese popular culture as part of media consumption experiences. Through the interpretation of some young Malaysians’ experiences, the accumulation was found to be an important part of media consumption in developing the young Malaysians’ mindset towards specific formats, genres or products from Japan despite the differences that exist between the lifestyles of the Japanese and the Malaysians. The paper highlights that the contents of Japanese popular cultural products are crucial. Without a sophisticated depiction of ‘an essential human aspect’ to which young Malaysians could relate, Japanese popular culture would not be well-liked

Knowledge transfer between expatriates and host country nationals: contribution of individual and social capital factors

This paper presents a study on the contribution of individual factors (cultural intelligence and feedback-seeking behaviour) and social capital factors (shared vision and trust) on knowledge transfer between expatriates and host country nationals (HCNs) as perceived by expatriates. The study adopted Social Capital Theory, and Anxiety and Uncertainty Management Theory to support the theoretical framework of the investigation. Data were analysed from a sample of 90 expatriates from selected universities and multinational corporations (MNCs) in the area of Klang Valley, Malaysia. The results reveal that there is a positive relationship between individual factors as well as social capital factors and knowledge transfer. In addition, only shared vision shows a significant influence on knowledge transfer. The regression results disclose that the variables explain 24.1% of variance in knowledge transfer

Knowledge Transfer Between Expatriates and Host Country Nationals: Contribution of Individual and Social Capital Factors

This paper presents a study on the contribution of individual factors (cultural intelligence and feedback-seeking behaviour) and social capital factors (shared vision and trust) on knowledge transfer between expatriates and host country nationals (HCNs) as perceived by expatriates. The study adopted Social Capital Theory, and Anxiety and Uncertainty Management Theory to support the theoretical framework of the investigation. Data were analysed from a sample of 90 expatriates from selected universities and multinational corporations (MNCs) in the area of Klang Valley, Malaysia. The results reveal that there is a positive relationship between individual factors as well as social capital factors and knowledge transfer. In addition, only shared vision shows a significant influence on knowledge transfer. The regression results disclose that the variables explain 24.1% of variance in knowledge transfer

The otaku identification in Malaysia

[No abstract available

Self-Identification in Malaysian Cosplay

To examine cosplay (costume play) as performed by non-Japanese cosplayers, video interviews were conducted at five Japanese popular culture conventions in Malaysia. Analysis of descriptions made by 158 cosplayers reveals cosplay to function as a medium for the process of self-identification. Cosplay enables Malaysians to explore individual rather than collective identities and to experience fluidity and dilemma in self-identification as they translate fictional characters into their physical world. Although ethnicity seems not to prevail in their cosplay, it appears not to have totally vanished

Japanese subcultural event participants in Malaysia and their personal development: preliminary findings

Japanese subcultural products such as animations (anime), comics (manga) and role playing games have been produced primarily for the Japanese domestic market, yet a large amount are disseminated outside Japan. Consumption of these products is also extended to fan activities such as costume play (cosplay) of anime/manga/game characters and production of secondary products such as art works and fan magazines. There are noticeable numbers of events for anime/manga/game fans organized by students’ clubs at universities and youth groups even in Malaysia. Youth subculture including fan activities is often appraised negatively as an undesirable anti-social activity for personal development of youth. Subcultural event participation also might not be perceived positively by those who have never experienced it. Thus, the study was designed to understand experiences of Malaysian youth who are participating in Japanese subcultural events. This paper reports on preliminary findings from this study. In-depth interviews were conducted with youths who have participated in the events for more than 5 years. Their experiences were analysed by referring recent discussions to personal development models. These youth described their activities as a new culture and their parents’ generation has negative perception of this culture. However, their descriptions indicate not only temporary enjoyment but also enhancement of their self-knowledge, and development of their social abilities