Imagining Japan Symposium (2005)
4-5 March 2005
Overview of symposium
The diffusion of Japanese popular culture around the world (such as Astro Boy and PokeMon) and within certain regions (such as the enthusiasm for Japanese TV dramas and music in East Asia) has lead to increased interest in the images, imaginary, and imagining of contemporary Japan. It is thus timely to discuss and analyse the images and imagining that are emerging out of Japan's popular culture. These phenomena are the focus of a two-day symposium which will be held in collaboration with Osaka University's Centre Of Excellence's 21st century program. Initially the symposium participants will consider the following three themes:
(1) The process by which Japanese popular culture is disseminated around the world
Possible topics:
- exporting franchises (eg., convenience stores, print media)
- marketing and advertising strategies
- retail and distribution networks
(2) The consumption of Japanese popular culture within Japan and abroad
Possible topics:
- the global consumption of 'Japan'
- the reception of popular culture (eg., manga, anime, TV, film, magazines)
- the imagining of readers/viewers about Japan
- cultural change and ethnic identity
- media-politics
- multi-cultural society
- ethnic communities
(3) The production of Japanese popular culture within Japan and abroad
Possible topics:
- content production
- genres
- styles
- the background & training of artists/authors
- translation issues
The above are tentative panels based on proposals submitted to date. However the symposium is open for presentations and discussions on a range of other issues. Without being prescriptive, these issues include the following:
Discrimination and violence in Japanese popular culture
Possible topics:
- yaoi/slash fiction
- homophobia
- drag
- gender disturbance
- counter culture
Manga research on difference and discrimination
Possible topics:
- manga-literacy
- changing representations of race and culture
- historical records/stories
Hurdles in cultural research and other methodologies in researching Japanese popular culture
Possible topics:
- objectivity vs. subjectivity
- ethics and participants/sources
- speed of information/speed of research
- copyright
- teaching/performing visual argumentation, visual rhetoric and visual literacy
Abstract
The organising committee now invites proposals for papers addressing the above issues. Expressions of interest in contributing a paper should be accompanied by a 250 word abstract.
Abstracts should be submitted the Japanese Studies Centre via email (japanese.studies.centre@arts.monash.edu.au ) by February 4, 2005. Persons wishing more information should contact Dr Craig Norris by email at Craig.Norris@arts.monash.edu.au .
Outcomes
As an outcome of this symposium, we hope to produce an innovative peer reviewed volume of papers.
Post-symposium Dinner
We plan to hold a post-symposium dinner from 6:30 pm, 5 March 2005, at a local restaurant. Details to be posted.