From the Paper "Western popular music has long had a major influence on the world music scene, and the massive appeal of rock music since the worldwide impact of the Beatles and other groups from the 1960s has altered the popular music scene in different regions of the world, including the nations of Asia. This change has meant the creation of some cultural tensions as some Asian governments have tried to stem the tide of Western influences and to maintain traditional cultural forms. Such efforts have had only limited success and have often come long after the battle has been won by Western music. The Beatles and Elvis Presley first reached these nations more than 30 years ago, and efforts to hold back the flood have been brought to bear more recently either on specific musical styles or on the general influx of Western ideas and trends, to little avail. In many of these countries, a thriving..."
This paper discusses the American and Japanese auto industries: Trade relations since 1970s, imports, development, competition, economics and politics, quotas, pricing & products, quality, management andsafety.
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 7 sources, 1995, $ 95.95
From the Paper "At the beginning of the decade of the 1970s, "Detroit" was shorthand both for the American automobile industry and for American industrial leadership and muscle. Both, in the eyes of most of the American public, were essentially unchallenged. A decade later, the American automobile industry appeared to be in a state of collapse. Imported cars, mainly Japanese, had made enormous inroads into the American domestic automobile market, inroads driven--at least initially--by the Japanese carmakers' ability to provide their product at lower cost to the consumer.
From the time that Japanese imported cars first became highly visible on American roads, the inroads of the Japanese have been accompanied by an increasingly heated debate over whether the success of the Japanese imports was based on genuine competitive advantages, or at least in part by unfair trade ... "
Abstract This paper presents a comparison of soldiers who fought in World War II and Vietnam. The writer discusses many of the differences as well as similarities and uses movies (for example, "Platoon" and "Saving Private Ryan") to illustrate these points. The paper shows that the main difference between the two was perhaps the fact that in WWII, soldiers bonded against a common enemy with the support of their people, whereas the Vietnam War was considered pointless by many Americans and left the soldiers with a feeling of rejection.
From the Paper "The Vietnam Conflict was completely different in the way the solders were bonded. The lack of public support form the United States residents caused many soldiers to feel they were doing something wrong by carrying out the orders given to them. The soldiers in the Vietnam Conflict often got spit on and booed when they returned home. Instead of being the Grand Marshall of the parades they found themselves as targets for protests and anger."
Abstract The Three Gorges Dam project, if completed, would be the biggest construction in the history of the world. The project will be the largest hydropower station and dam. There is a growing concern both domestically and internationally about the human rights violations associated with the displacement of people. This paper discusses why the construction of the Three Gorges Dam is a mistake and gives possible solutions in its stead.
From the Paper "The Peoples Republic of China has undertaken the greatest project since the building of the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. The Three Gorges Dam project, if completed would be the biggest construction in the history of the world. The project will be the largest hydropower station and dam. The project has been controversial since it was first proposed and construction has been stopped several times. There is a growing concern both domestically and internationally about the human rights violations associated with the displacement of people. An estimated 2 million people will lose their homes, livelihoods and their land. The project will create millions of refugees, flood homes and cultural treasures and endanger human health [Marcia & Joseph 1998].
The massive Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China will have a 1.2-mile stretch of concrete and a 370 mile-long reservoir, which would be 525 feet deep. The project will stretch two kilometers across the Yangtze River, stand 185 meters high, and create a 600-kilometer lake behind it. Indeed it will be one of the monstrous erections in the world. This project will cost more than any other single construction project in history with an unofficial estimate as high as USD 75 billion or more. Construction of the dam began in 1994 and is scheduled to take 20 years and yet another $24 billion. Much of what the project opponents both inside China and around the forecasted in 1989 is in full view for the world to see [Marcia & Joseph 1998]."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the two novels and discusses the way in which the theme of identity has been used in both. It shows how identity plays a crucial role in both these novels, but in far different ways. It links the personal identity of the authors to the characters and shows that their dilemnas and searches for their true indentities were similar to the characters.
From the Paper "Chang-rae Lee was born in Korea, but his family moved to New York City when he was only three years old. His father is a successful psychiatrist, so the family always prospered, and lived in well-to-do neighborhoods, but his mother never really learned to speak English. His first book, "Native Speaker," received the PEN/Hemingway Award for Best First Fiction and the 1995 Discover Award. In addition, the literary journal "Granta" called Lee one of the fifty best American writers under the age of forty (Kich 176)."
Abstract Examines causes of the crisis focusing on Thailand. Economic factors. Asian economy & markets. International trade. Credit & monetary policies. Currency devaluations. Bankruptcies. Foreign investment. Role of International Monetary Fund (IMF) & U.S. regarding assistance to Thailand. Debt restructuring.
From the Paper "Introduction
The recent upheaval in the Asian economies in general, and in Thailand in particular, produced ramifications felt throughout the world, a result of the global market in which business and economies now operate. The effects of the crisis include bankruptcies throughout Asia; Philippine Airlines is just one high.profile company that ceased operations. The effects have spread to the United States, where American goods must now compete with cheaper Asian goods because currencies have been devalued. This research examines the possible causes of the crisis and considers the research that has been done into the crisis with a particular emphasis on Thailand.
Objective of the Research
It is impossible to consider the financial crisis in Thailand without taking in..."
Abstract Analysis of John Okada's novel. Discusses the protagonist's refusal to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Internment of Ishiro and his family in California's interment camps of World War II. Consequences of his refusal. Conflict between his Japanese familial heritage and his own acculturation to the U.S.
From the Paper "Ideology and Action: The Case of No-No Boy
John Okada's story of a young Japanese-American boy's struggle to survive the infamous internment camps of the World War II era and to subsequently become reintegrated into American society speaks to one of this nation's most humiliating episodes. Ichiro, the "no-no boy" of the novel's title, refuses conscription into the American Armed Forces after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and is interned with his family in a California camp. He refuses to take the loyalty oath to the United States, and in his own words, therefore "ruined my life for you, for Ma, for Japan" (Okada, p. 115).
In other words, the protagonist of this story finds himself trapped between his Japanese familial heritage and his own acculturation to the United States. The argument that is advanced by ..."
Abstract This paper takes a close look at the three religions that shaped Japanese culture: Buddhism, Shinto and Confucian thought. With the advent of Buddhism in 552 C.E., the Japanese were to experience a resurgence in religious devotion. The writer traces the steps that the Japanese took in welcoming a new spirituality, from the building of temples to schools of philosophy.
From the Paper "Thus on the surface Buddhism won a hands-down victory over Shinto. But this was not quite the complete story. Intellectually and institutionally, Buddhism was dominant for a thousand years in Japan. Yet Shinto continued to exist and carry on, especially in the multitudes of village shrines, much as it had for centuries past. This was true even after the "new" Buddhism of the Kamakura thirteenth-century period became the religion of multitudes of common people. Indeed, Buddhism captured the minds of many inside Japan, but the long standing traditions of Shinto would continued to echo in the halls of Japanese history. In addition to this, the development of numerous denominations, regional differences, and the later introduction of Christianity led to religious pluralism in Japan. Cultural borrowing gave the nation a broad perspective of the world, but would also induce a great deal of confusion in later generations."
Abstract This paper examines how the cultures of different ethnic groups in various countries play a large part in influencing the moral development of the children of the respective societies. It discusses how children from different cultures possess different values and beliefs and how, as they grow up and attend school, they are exposed to other belief systems in their environment from peers and teachers. It looks at the concept of moral development and provides a comparative analysis of the effect of culture in Asian countries and in the U.S (including minority groups).
Outline
Concept of Moral Development
American Culture
Asian Culture
Culture of Minorities in the U.S.
Interactive Cultural Effects on Individuals from the U.S. and Asia
Directions for Future Research
From the Paper "Ironically, it is the celebration of the American freedom of and individuality that has allowed popular culture to take over the moral upbringing that was once the responsibility of families and local churches. Another characteristic of American culture that has sabotaged the moral development of the children is the promotion of change, progress and innovation in American society. Within this context, popular culture has established a powerful position with its plethora of offerings that titillate the imagination and seemingly extends the limits of what is permissible. Popular culture offers the very concepts that challenge the idea of cultural traditions that were once used to shape the moral development of American children (Myers, 2000). "
Abstract This paper examines how Japan has the second largest economy in the world with a high Domestic Product (GDP) and a very high standard of living. Japan's foreign exchange reserves are the largest in the world ($203.22US billion in 1998) and Japan is the world's largest creditor. It analyzes the reasons for the downturn in its economy in the 1990s during which Japan found itself in 1997 in its worst recession since World War II. It examines the several significant structural adjustments that needed be made to the Japanese economy as recommended by economists in order to normalize its economy. It discusses issues such as the need for the banks to clean up bad debts and the steps corporate management had to take to deal with the effect of having to pay the world's highest labor costs, which resulted from the strong yen pushing up Japan's average wages to the highest in the world. It also looks at the effects of globalization on Japanese industry.
From the Paper "The Japanese economy faces several challenges in its attempt to normalize its economy. Its history of government intervention is contrary to classical economic free-market theories that would argue the economy should be left unregulated so that it could correct itself. While Japanese government intervention may have been necessary in the post-war period, its artificial schemes may now hinder it progress. For example, Japan must control its costs to compete with global prices. Yet, the Japanese government continues to set the prices of services, in particular the prices of utility services such as the prices of electricity, communications services, and highway tolls. The government determines these prices by adding what is called reasonable profit margins onto costs."
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of how an international franchise copes with the speed at which international business and trade are growing. The paper examines the story of a simple American idea (Kentucky Fried Chicken) that became a popular domestic franchise and grew at a phenomenal pace. The Japanese franchise of Kentucky Fried Chicken is presented, and a number of options of how to deal with the rapid changes in the international market, are outlined. The paper offers a possible solution for continued and improved success of Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan.
From the Paper "The most obvious transformation has taken place within the franchise field (which is really nothing more than a distribution system), where new organizational structures and international goals and desires are challenging managers to develop innovative constituency relationships. The idea of managerial constituencies is not a new one, and academic literature as far back as 1958 suggests that the manager has multiple obligations to multiple interest groups that include, but are not limited to, subordinates, superiors, fellow managers, stockholders and other financial stakeholders, and the local and global community (Schell & Marmer-Solomon, 1997)."
Abstract The first few minutes of a business meeting can be very crucial to a company. When dealing with the Japanese culture, or any other culture for that matter, one may come across things that are very different from what one is used to in America. It is no surprise that different cultures have different values and beliefs. These values tend to come into conflict when communicating with cultures that business people are unfamiliar with. This conflict, which occurs during the communication process, can cost companies thousands of dollars in profits if it is not handled properly. This problem needs to be addressed so that employers and executives have a better idea of how to handle the situation when it occurs. This report demonstrates the issues which need to be addressed to prepare an American for a business meeting in Japan and how the American can make a good first impression. The paper gives recommendations to management and other people who may want to implement a strategy for improving their employees? or their own communication skills.
From the Paper "To understand the business culture of the Japanese, we must understand their day-to-day culture and etiquette. The Japanese are very group-oriented and homogeneous. Japanese will think of the group first rather than themselves. No one is completely independent in Japan; they must always be conscientious about others (Condon 9). Americans are more individualized and focus on themselves before the group. The Japanese prefer to have unanimous agreement rather than agreement by the most votes. They believe in negotiating until agreement emerges and if unanimity does not materialize it is better to defer making the decision."
Abstract This paper analyzes the issue of Japanese-American internment camps, through a review of Roger Daniels' book, "Prisoners Without Trials". The paper discusses the argument that the internment was justified at the time, due to the Japanese-Americans posing a security threat to the United States. This claim is explained as a poor excuse for racism, discrimination and political interest, on the part of the government. The paper continues to describe how the same government eventually admits that the internment was unjustified. The book is portrayed as clearly presenting the background and facts of this episode of racism and placing it in its historical context.
From the Paper "The argument that the interment was justified because Japanese Americans posed a threat to the security of the United States ignores the fact that Italian Americans and German Americans were not rounded up and placed in internment camps. This was true despite the fact that Germany and Italy were enemies in World War II along with Japan. The racism of the American government and the people who allowed internment to occur is evident in such a discriminatory decision, for of the three enemies in World War II, only the Japanese stood out in appearance from other Americans. Had Germany and Italy been located in Asia, or Africa, meaning that German Americans and Italian Americans would have appeared "foreign" to Americans, it is likely that German Americans and Italian Americans would have been locked up in internment camps as well."
Abstract Salman Rushdie's novel "Midnight's Children", which developed a fictional world that played off the political, social and cultural history of India, received many awards when it was published in 1981. The paper shows how Rushdie, in the 30 chapters of the book, creates in the character Saleem a story-teller who makes use of legends, symbols, fantasies to express the life of India.
From the Paper "Saleem is one of the children born at the moment of India's liberation, so his life fits precisely with the history of modern India. His family situation also reflects the complexities of Indian history, especially the religious conflicts of the time. The family patriarch was Dr. Aziz, who earlier in the century came from Muslim Kashmir, a disputed territory between Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan. Dr. Aziz moved to India, and his granddaughter married a well-to-do Muslim businessman named Ahmed Sinai. Saleem is born in Bombay, and his birth is given added importance by being preceded by a prophecy which everyone finds impossible to understand, but which comes true in every particular. One reason for this adds to the complexities of Saleem's family life, for Saleem is not the child everyone believes but is instead an infant switched in the maternity home so that he is actually not from the rich Muslim family but is instead the child of a Hindu street entertainer--here, again, he is a mixture of religious backgrounds as well as socioeconomic contrasts."
Abstract The paper begins with an outline of the four waves of Vietnamese refugees who have attempted to find asylum in the U.S. since the fall of Saigon in 1975. The writer traces the hardships these people have met along the way, looking specifically at the insensitivity many countries have shown towards the boat people, refugees who encountered tragic events while traveling towards a country of refuge.
From the Paper "The plight of the boat people lies at the heart of a political quandary that involves many countries. It illustrates the intricacies involved in the diplomatic negotiations that ensue when the international community comes together to deal with an extremely difficult problem. Since 1984, Western countries, such as the U.S., have lowered their quotas for receiving the refugees. However, by decreasing the number of refugees accepted in the Western countries, first asylum countries, such as Thailand and Hong Kong, are bearing the brunt of the problem. They are using their resources to sustain increasing numbers of refugees who are not being resettled elsewhere (Santoli 28)."
