In Japan, there are many regional legends and traditions associated with water, fish, and fantastic creatures inhabiting the sea. These legends go back many centuries; the first mentions of large fish are found already in the first Japanese poetic anthology Man’yōshū (8th century) and in the mythological and chronicle text Nihon Shoki (720). In different provinces, legends and traditions vary, some motifs are interpreted differently by folklorists, however. Evidently, we can talk about a single body of related texts, united not only by plots where the main characters are whales, dolphins, etc., but also by accompanying actions: matsuri festivals in honor of fish and fishing, ritual performance of magical texts, dancing, songs, cooking, making amulets, etc. The symbolism that unites the theme of fish and fishing in Chinese and Japanese culture is also obvious: wealth and prosperity, which is reflected not only in written monuments, but also in works of art. Whales, for example, are associated with numerous legends, traditions, and mythological motifs of local significance, ideas about these mammals as deities of the sea, to whom Shinto shrines are dedicated. Images of fish were part of offerings to the bride’s family due to the auspicious meaning of the item. It is noteworthy that the legends about the sea included famous literary and legendary characters and episodes from famous works of Japanese history and literature, such as Kojiki, Nihon Shoki, Man’yōshū, Heike Monogatari.
The complex systems approach to natural language has become a fascinating topic that is closely related to physics and linguistics. We assess the quality of translations of English literary passages into Japanese and perform a comparative study on several translations. First, translated writings are expressed with 45 syllabics, and subsequently, the ranking of their frequencies is analyzed statistically with the combined use of a nonlinear regression and the Durbin–Watson ratio, which allows one to detect the serial correlation in a sequence. To examine the correlations of syllabic sequences, regressions are made on both a long-tailed (LT) and a short-tailed function. The validity of our method for revealing correlations in the Markovian sequences of Japanese syllabics is confirmed by comparing the results of two original examples: popularity ranking of boy names and passages from a Japanese novel. Subsequently, the method is applied, for the first time to our knowledge, to sixteen translations of passages from Edgar Allan Poe (1809–49), and five backtranslations of those from Kenzaburo Oe (1935–2023), a Japanese Nobel laureate for literature in 1994. A diachronic analysis of computed results for the latter translations by three humans and two artificial intelligences (AIs) shows that while the quality of the translation by Google Translate (as of April 2020) falls far short of the human translator next in rank, the updated version (as of October 2024) is comparable to the top, but it still might be too soon to speculate on its unconditional potentiality. Both our methodology and results are not only novel but are also expected to make a contribution toward an interdisciplinary study between physics and linguistics.
For most students beginning to study a second language, the image of the native speaker looms large. The native speaker is presented as a model of appropriate language use as well as the final arbiter of the validity of every utterance; to speak “like a native speaker” often becomes the explicit goal of study. But such monolithic images are more projections than reality. Even within communities of first-language speakers, there is an endless diversity of language use. if we accept that language is not a neutral tool to be mastered, but rather a dynamic medium shaped by and reflecting our personal experience of acquisition, then both the feasibility and desirability of speaking “like a native speaker” become questionable. In this essay, I consider what it means to be a first-language speaker and suggest that we may want to reevaluate our common hierarchies of language proficiency. As the use of second languages is becoming increasingly common, it is important to recognize the legitimacy of second-language speakers and their potential for enriching language communities. I discuss my how my own sense of appropriate language has evolved, and briefly touch on movement in the linguistics community to critically consider longstanding “native speaker” biases.
The 21st century requires a new set of skills for success in a global economy. Creativity and innovation are essential components of skills, yet the current Japanese educational system does not place a strong emphasis on these skills. This paper stated the importance of project-based learning and technology integration approaches that can be used to advance creativity and innovation in the Japanese educational system. By promoting creativity and innovation in the Japanese educational system, we can help to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills that are essential for success in the 21st century. The paper provides detailed strategies for overcoming challenges in advancing 21st-century creativity and innovation in the Japanese educational system. Finally, the paper emphasizes the importance of providing teachers with the necessary training and support to implement innovative approaches effectively.
This research paper aims to explore the cultural adaptation and practice of yoga in Japan. It investigates the historical development of yoga in Japan, examining how it was introduced and integrated into Japanese culture. The paper also delves into the cultural influences that shaped the adoption and evolution of yoga in the country, both from traditional and modern perspectives. Furthermore, it examines the role of yoga in Japanese religious and spiritual traditions, highlighting the syntheses between yoga and Zen Buddhism. The study also explores the incorporation of yoga as a form of physical exercise in Japanese society, examining its impact on health, fitness, and body culture. Additionally, it investigates the connection between yoga and Japanese martial arts, analyzing the integration of mind-body practices. The paper further investigates the integration of yoga in Japanese education, exploring its inclusion in school curricula and its effects on students. It also examines yoga retreats and centers in Japan, analyzing them as spaces for spiritual growth and personal transformation. Moreover, the research paper explores the different styles and methods of yoga practiced in Japan, examining adaptations, innovations, and variations. Finally, it discusses the social and cultural impacts of yoga on Japanese society, including community building, wellness movements, and lifestyle trends. Through this comprehensive exploration, the paper provides valuable insights into the cultural adaptation and practice of yoga in Japan, shedding light on its unique manifestation in the country's rich cultural tapestry.
Slang is one of the language styles used by young people, which is called Wakamono Kotoba in Japanese and Bahasa Gaul in Indonesian. One similar characteristic in wakamono kotoba (Japanese slang) and Bahasa Gaul (Indonesian’s slang) is the abbreviation. This research aims to compare Japanese and Indonesian slang abbreviations by explaining their origins, processes, differences, and similarities. This study was collected based on written language from Pergikuliner and Taberogu sites from March until April 2023, each taking a maximum of 50 reviews per restaurant. The review was gathered from 10 restaurants each from Indonesian and Japanese sites, meaning there are 500 data from each site and 1000 reviews from both websites. Then, the author conducted the research by analyzing the abbreviation process with similarities and differences between the two languages. The results show 398 data on slang abbreviations in wakamono kotoba and 244 data on slang abbreviations in bahasa gaul. The abbreviation process in the Japanese language mainly happens with the abbreviation of sentences or phrases, following that is an abbreviation at the end of the word, the abbreviation of two or more moras, omissions at the end of each term, the abbreviation of three words in a sentence or phrases, and abbreviations formed from initial letters of each word. On the other hand, the abbreviation process in the Indonesian language mainly happens as an omission of the word’s part, followed by shortened words from a combination of letters, acronyms of letters, combining from two separate forms, and abbreviation as letter symbols. The similarity between the two languages is used identical types of abbreviations (acronyms and toujigo), have the abbreviation process from another language, and have the same pattern in the abbreviation of the end of words. While the differences are from letters or syllables, the objects that went through the abbreviation process, changed in form in the Japanese source and tended to use foreign languages in the Indonesian source.
Vitamin D has long been known for preserving bone and non-skeletal health. Despite its magnitude of impact, scarce literature has explored the evolution of the relevant published literature. This study aimed at evaluating the trends and performance of Vitamin D and bone metabolism-related publications (2001–2020). All pertinent English language 16,887 articles were searched and extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) database and “R-Bibliometrix” was used for comprehensive analysis. Around 60,149 authors contributed from 114 countries, showing the USA on top with >1/4th of all articles, followed by Japan, China, and the United Kingdom. For authors, Cooper C, Dawson-Hughes B, and Holick MF were found to have written the most articles, citations and highest h-index, respectively. Corresponding authors from the top 20 countries collectively were responsible for around 84% of the articles. Among 2735 sources, Osteoporosis International (632), Journal of Bone and Mineral Research (569), and Bone (448) were foremost. Most prominent sources showed recent declining contributions. The increasing trend of publications with a higher spike from 2008 to 2014, followed by a gradual increase till 2017, was observed. Leading countries, affiliations, and authors showed collaborative publications and were mostly from developed countries with limited contributions, particularly from low- and middle-income countries.
Chencheng Zhang, A. Ramirez-Zamora, F. Meng
et al.
Introduction: To evaluate the current utilization and challenges in fully implementing the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment in Asia and Oceania. Methods: We conducted a medical literature search to identify DBS research performed by investigators with a primary affiliation in Asian and Oceania countries between March 1, 2013, and March 1, 2019, followed by an international survey-based study. Additionally, we obtained added information regarding the DBS challenges and opportunities from the technology/industry perspective within China and Japan. We also described the current situation of DBS in India. Results: Most publications (390/494; 78.95%) in the English language originated from East Asia. In West Asia, Turkey, Israel, and Iran accounted for most DBS publications. We found no publications from the remaining 35 Asian countries. Lack of community referrals to tertiary centers was identified as the most common limitation for the widespread use of DBS in Asia (68.97%). In China, despite an increasing number of centers performing DBS surgeries, most of them accomplished less than 10 cases per year. In contrast, the number of DBS cases in Japan has been decreasing. Centers offering DBS surgeries as well as corresponding fellowship training in India are limited. Conclusion: Appropriate referrals, access, infrastructure, and the presence of full multidisciplinary DBS teams are common limitations of DBS in Asia. Most centers in China, Japan, and India performed less than 10 cases per year and a future study is expected to address the impact on quality in centers performing such few cases.
Background Regulations on forgoing life-sustaining treatment (LST) have developed in Asian countries including Japan, Korea and Taiwan. However, other countries are relatively unaware of these due to the language barrier. This article aims to describe and compare the relevant regulatory frameworks, using the (more familiar) situation in England as a point of reference. We undertook literature reviews to ascertain the legal and regulatory positions on forgoing LST in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and England. Main text Findings from a literature review are first presented to describe the development of the regulatory frameworks surrounding the option of forgoing LST in each country. Based on the findings from the four countries, we suggest five ethically important points, reflection on which should help to inform the further development of regulatory frameworks concerning end-of-life care in these countries and beyond. There should be reflection on: (1) the definition of – and reasons for defining – the ‘terminal stage’ and associated criteria for making such judgements; Korea and Taiwan limit forgoing LST to patients in this stage, but there are risks associated with defining this too narrowly or broadly; (2) foregoing LST for patients who are not in this stage, as is allowed in Japan and England, because here too there are areas of controversy, including (in England) whether the law in this area does enough to respect the autonomy of (now) incapacitated patients; (3) whether ‘foregoing’ LST should encompass withholding and withdrawing treatment; this is also an ethically disputed area, particularly in the Asian countries we examine; (4) the family’s role in end-of-life decision-making, particularly as, compared with England, the three Asian countries traditionally place a greater emphasis on families and communities than on individuals; and (5) decision-making with and for those incapacitated patients who lack families, surrogate decision-makers or ADs. Conclusion Comparison of, and reflection on, the different legal positions that obtain in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and England should prove informative and we particularly invite reflection on five areas, in the hope the ensuing discussions will help to establish better end-of-life regulatory frameworks in these countries and elsewhere.
Purpose: Many East Asian Americans (EAAs) (populations originating from China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) experience unique challenges in managing their disease, including language barriers and traditional cultural beliefs, particularly among first-generation immigrants.. The purpose of this mixed-methods systematic review was to examine cultural perspectives of EAAs that influence dietary self-management of T2DM and identify education interventions and their approaches to enhance EAAs' dietary self-management of diabetes. Methods: A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted to examine EAAs' perspectives from qualitative studies and to identify education interventions and their approaches from quantitative studies. A literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Web of Science from 1995 to 2018. Sixteen studies (10 qualitative and 6 quantitative) met criteria for analysis. Thematic synthesis of qualitative data was conducted using a line-by-line coding strategy. Extracted quantitative data were assessed for cultural approaches used in the interventions and diabetes-related outcomes. Results: In the qualitative studies, beliefs about food impacted EAAs' abilities to adopt appropriate dietary recommendations for diabetes management. Requiring a specialized diet disrupted social harmony and made EAAs feel burdensome to others. Having bilingual and bicultural resources eased the stress of making dietary modifications. The most commonly incorporated approaches in diabetes education interventions were bilingual education and culturally specific dietary recommendations. Social roles and harmony were not discussed. Significant reductions in hemoglobin A1c and increases in diabetes knowledge were reported post-intervention. Conclusions: Beliefs about food, beliefs about social roles, and access to culturally competent care play an important role in dietary self-management of T2DM among EAAs. Understanding the cultural influences on dietary self-management of T2DM and tailoring interventions to meet the needs of EAAs are essential in effort to address the growing epidemic and improve patient outcomes.
AbstractBackgroundMycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the most common pathogens causing community acquired pneumonia in children. Although the rate of macrolide-refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRMP) has increased, systemic glucocorticoids as a treatment option has not been validated yet. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of glucocorticoids add-on in the treatment of MRMP in children through systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsData sources A systematic literature search was conducted using ten electronic bibliographic databases including English, Korean, Chinese and Japanese languages, up to March 8, 2018. Study selection The study was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist and selected randomized control trials which compared the efficacy of glucocorticoids add-on to macrolide in the treatment of MRMP in children. Data extraction Two independent reviewers extracted: primary outcomes as hospital days, fever duration, and change in C-reactive protein (CRP) and main analysis was performed through meta-analysis with random effects model.ResultsTwenty-four unique randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. The mean length of hospital stay in glucocorticoids treatment group was significantly shorter than that in conventional macrolide-treatment group (Weighted mean difference (WMD) = − 4.03 days). The mean length of fever duration was significantly shorter in the glucocorticoid treatment group in comparison with the conventional treatment group (WMD = -3.32 days). Level of CRP after treatment was significantly lower in the glucocorticoid treatment group than that in the conventional treatment group (WMD = -16.03). Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis showed no significant improvement in heterogeneity. As limitations of the study, most of the studies included were from a single country and we were unable to control for heterogeneity across interventions, lack of standardized measures, and different time points of assessments across studies.ConclusionsGlucocorticoid add-on treatment for MRMP can significantly shorten the duration of fever and hospital stay and decrease the level of CRP. These results should be confirmed by adequately powered studies in the future.
The 75th anniversary of the end of World War II provides an opportunity for a new understanding of the global historical significance of Japan's defeat, as well as for evaluating this event from the point of view of present-day relations between Japan and its former adversaries. For many decades, a whole tangle of specific problems of the historical past related to the legacy of WWII has not lost its relevance in these relations. In fact, different countries have developed their own national-oriented discourses around the war with Japan, in which different accents are placed in the interpretation of its essence, character, main actors, and even chronology. In the West, the question of Japan's responsibility was generally considered to be closed by the terms of the post-war settlement determined by the San Francisco Peace Treaty, as well as by the verdicts of the Tokyo and other tribunals that punished Japanese war criminals. Their position during the cold war was determined primarily by the logic of bipolar confrontation, in which Japan was a faithful proponent of Western values in Asia in the global paradigm of the fight against communism. As for the USSR and post-Soviet Russia, it does not have any “historical” (not only legal, but also moral and ethical) claims against Japan related to the results of the war. In turn, in China, as well as the states of the Korean Peninsula, anti-Japanese sentiment prevails, due to the insufficient degree of public expression of remorse for the militaristic past on the part of official Tokyo, in whose policy, in their opinion, the revisionist component is growing. Their painful reaction is caused by statements of Japanese officials, and especially the head of government, which justify the militaristic policy of Japan during the war, by the visits of Cabinet members to the Yasukuni Shrine, by the publication of ‘patriotic’ history textbooks for secondary schools, etc. These countries hear from Japan both voices of admission and denial of guilt, and this complicates the bilateral dialogue at the political level. As a result, the establishment of a relationship of trust between Japan and East Asian countries seems unlikely in the foreseeable future.
As internationalization has become part of the raison d’être of universities worldwide, English-medium instruction (EMI) has emerged as an irresistible force in the higher education systems of many non-English speaking countries. In a manifestation of its commitment to internationalization, Japan has seen a dramatic increase in the number of EMI programs now in place at universities throughout the country. This paper looks closely at EMI in Japan’s system of higher education through an examination of the existing literature and an assessment of government policies and university practices designed to internationalize the system. The different rationales motivating the various stakeholders (nation, university, and individual) are identifi ed, and the internal and external factors that have led to the introduction of EMI into Japanese universities are discussed. Insofar as EMI is more than a mere linguistic change, it will have a huge impact both on education and research. This paper then raises signifi cant ideological and practical issues associated with English in education as a tool of “academic imperialism” in the unique Japanese context. It also addresses the different practices and adaptations of EMI at Japan’s “elite” and “mass” universities. Finally, the double meanings of “internationalization” through EMI programs is conceptualized with using the terms of “internationalization abroad” and “internationalization at home” through examining the framework of nationalistic and cosmopolitan dimensions. For the further study and implications for university practices, the author asserts the importance of developing language education policy not to serve English imperialism but to facilitate focused research by students with a critical perspective.
Marine biodiversity and derived ecosystem services are critical to the healthy functioning of marine ecosystems, and to human economic and societal well-being. Thus, an understanding of marine biodiversity in different ecosystems is necessary for their conservation and management. Coral reefs in particular are noted for their high levels of biodiversity, and among the world’s coral reefs, the subtropical Ryukyu Islands (RYS; also known as the Nansei Islands) in Japan have been shown to harbor very high levels of marine biodiversity. This study provides an overview of the state of marine biodiversity research in the RYS. First, we examined the amount of English language scientific literature in the Web of Science (WoS; 1995–2017) on six selected representative taxa spanning protists to vertebrates across six geographic sub-regions in the RYS. Our results show clear taxonomic and sub-region bias, with research on Pisces, Cnidaria, and Crustacea to be much more common than on Dinoflagellata, Echinodermata, and Mollusca. Such research was more commonly conducted in sub-regions with larger human populations (Okinawa, Yaeyama). Additional analyses with the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) records show that within sub-regions, records are concentrated in areas directly around marine research stations and institutes (if present), further showing geographical bias within sub-regions. While not surprising, the results indicate a need to address ‘understudied’ taxa in ‘understudied sub-regions’ (Tokara, Miyako, Yakutane, Amami Oshima), particularly sub-regions away from marine research stations. Second, we compared the numbers of English language scientific papers on eight ecological topics for the RYS with numbers from selected major coral reef regions of the world; the Caribbean (CAR), Great Barrier Reef (GBR), and the Red Sea (RES). As expected, the numbers for all topics in the RYS were well below numbers from all other regions, yet within this disparity, research in the RYS on ‘marine protected areas’ and ‘herbivory’ was an order of magnitude lower than numbers in other regions. Additionally, while manuscript numbers on the RYS have increased from 1995 to 2016, the rate of increase (4.0 times) was seen to be lower than those in the CAR, RES, and GBR (4.6–8.4 times). Coral reefs in the RYS feature high levels of both endemism and anthropogenic threats, and subsequently they contain a concentration of some of the world’s most critically endangered marine species. To protect these threatened species and coral reef ecosystems, more data are needed to fill the research gaps identified in this study.
This study backgrounded by the difficulties to cultivate Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC) in Japanese language learning in Indonesia.In learning Japanese as foreign language, knowing about latest condition and information about Japan is important. Therefore, nihonjijo(knowledge about Japan) course is taught as an essential course. However, with changing world and society, the inevitability of nihonjijouas Japanese cultural course has to be re-discussed. This study aims to find out how nihonjijoucourse can support the cultivation of the ICC, and how it can be reflected in nihonjijoucourse. Literature survey was used in this study. TheresultsshowedthatJapanese cultural knowledgeas material of nihonjijoucourse are ableto cultivate the ICC. However, the learning materials used innihonjijoutend to functioned as communication medium than as culture knowledge. Furthermore, Japanese learnersneed to think and analyse the cultural concept trough their perspective autonomously while teachers need to act as the facilitator who supports the cultural learning process. The teaching of nihonjijoualso need to be integrated with the other coursesto improve its’ effectivity.
(Understanding The Education Method Of Sasoko Kobayashi In Novel Totto Chan: The Little Girl At The Window By Tetsuko Kuroyanagi) This study was aimed to describe the humastic educational method applied by Sosaku Kobayashi at Tomoe Gakuen school in Totto Chan's novel: The Litle Girl At The Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. The method used in this research was descriptive. Based on the analysis of the study of Totto Chan's novel: The Litle Girl At The Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, it can be concluded that the educational method applied by Sosaku Kobayashi at Tomoe Gakuen school was a method of humanistic education including ways to create authentic personality such as (1) strengthen students' confidence in giving meaning to life (2) paving the way for self-development, based on freedom and responsibility, (3) guiding learners to find life with self-motivation and desire to become more, (4) developing a worldview in a way original and expression in accordance with the students themselves. The four things can be seen through the learning activities in the classroom, learning activities outside the classroom, school rules, and the role of educators in learning.
Japanese Vocabulary 2 courses in Japanese Literature Dian Nuswantoro University are courses that teach Japanese vocabulary which is learned in Kanji letters. This Japanese Vocabulary course is given in semester 3 and semester 4 which is a follow-up course from Japanese Character. However, this study, the author will discuss Japanese Vocabulary 2 learning strategies by using picture slides, drill repetition of words, and Kanji letter vocabulary exercises in Japanese sentences contained in the Goi Nihongo maatome sou N3 textbook and Pea de Oboeru Iroirona Kotoba. The use of this teaching strategy can improve mastery of Japanese Kanji for students to be easy to learn so that learning targets set by Japanese Vocabulary 2 teaching goals can be achieved.