Languages and Identities in a Transitional Japan

This book explores the transition from the era of internationalization into the era of globalization of Japan by focusing on language and identity as its central themes. By taking an interdisciplinary approach covering education, cultural studies, linguistics and policy-making, the chapters in this book raise certain questions of what constitutes contemporary Japanese culture, Japanese identity and multilingualism and what they mean to local people, including those who do not reside in Japan but are engaged with Japan in some way within the global community. Topics include the role of technology in the spread of Japanese language and culture, hybrid language use in an urban context, the Japanese language as a lingua franca in China, and the identity construction of heritage Japanese language speakers in Australia. The authors do not limit themselves to examining only the Japanese language or the Japanese national/cultural identity, but also explore multilingual practices and multiple/fluid identities in "a transitional Japan." Overall, the book responds to the basic need for better accounts of language and identity of Japan, particularly in the context of increased migration and mobility.

Ikuko Nakane is a senior lecturer at the Asia Institute, the University of Melbourne. Emi Otsuji is a Senior Lecturer at University of Technology, Sydney. William S. Armour is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Languages, UNSW Australia.

Foreword Nanette Gottlieb 1. Languages and Identities in a Transitional Japan Ikuko Nakane, Emi Otsuji and William S. Armour Part I: Cultural Transition 2. National Identity and the Transition from Internationalization to Globalization: "Cool Japan" or "Closed Japan"? Chris Burgess 3. The Geo-Politics of Japanese Soft Power and the Japanese Language and Studies Classroom: Soft Power Pedagogy, Globalization and the New Technologies William S. Armour Part II: Ideological Transition 4. Paradoxes of Learning English in Multilingual Japan: Envisioning Education for Border-Crossing Communication Ryuko Kubota 5. "Internal Internationalization" and Language Ideologies in Japanese Criminal Courts Ikuko Nakane 6. Metrolingual Tokyo: "C'est un Peu Difficile, mais it's very Fan desu yo" Emi Otsuji Part III: Pedagogical Transition 7. "To Know What It's Like to be Japanese": A Case Study of the Experiences of Heritage Learners of Japanese in Australia Robyn Moloney and Susan Oguro 8. Transcending the Role of Japanese Language Education: A Humanistic Approach in Australian Learning Contexts Jun Ohashi and Hiroko Ohashi 9. Assimilation vs. Multiculturalism: Struggles over the Meaning of "Tabunka Kyosei" in Education for Language Minority Children in Japan Sumiko Taniguchi and Cheiron McMahill Epilogue 10. Japan-in-Transition: Reflections and Futures Ikuko Nakane, Emi Otsuji and William S. Armour