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Japanese National Identity and the Takeshima/Dokdo Dispute: Constructing National Identity Discourse around South Korea

Romero Wait, Inés (2019) CÖSM40
Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
Abstract
National identity is used as a representation of what a country wants to transmit as its own impression of ‘self’, and usually it is formed around the concept of an ‘other’. Nonetheless, if two national identities are contradictory; it can hinder the development of desirable bilateral relations, which is the case of Japan and South Korea. Taking the Takeshima/Dokdo territorial dispute as a reference of a political symbol that stirs identity sentiments, this thesis aimed to unveil the construction of Japanese national identity regarding its South Korean neighbour as an ‘other’. In order to achieve this, the Japanese government’s discourse concerning its stance over the Takeshima/Dokdo dispute was interpreted using discourse analysis... (More)
National identity is used as a representation of what a country wants to transmit as its own impression of ‘self’, and usually it is formed around the concept of an ‘other’. Nonetheless, if two national identities are contradictory; it can hinder the development of desirable bilateral relations, which is the case of Japan and South Korea. Taking the Takeshima/Dokdo territorial dispute as a reference of a political symbol that stirs identity sentiments, this thesis aimed to unveil the construction of Japanese national identity regarding its South Korean neighbour as an ‘other’. In order to achieve this, the Japanese government’s discourse concerning its stance over the Takeshima/Dokdo dispute was interpreted using discourse analysis methodology. Government documents such as reports, informational pamphlets, press conferences and statements by high ranked politicians are among the collected data that served as empirical data. Using the national identity and the critical constructivism theories as the main guide, this thesis was able to determine four discourses. The idea that Japan wants to disassociate itself from its shared memories with South Korea as it is following the peaceful and legal path while looking out for internal and external support for recognition is the principal idea behind these discourses. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Romero Wait, Inés
supervisor
organization
course
CÖSM40
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
National identity, Japan, South Korea, Discourse, Takeshima, Political symbol, Japanese government, Bilateral relations
language
English
id
8996942
date added to LUP
2019-10-22 11:00:12
date last changed
2019-10-22 11:00:12
@misc{8996942,
  abstract     = {{National identity is used as a representation of what a country wants to transmit as its own impression of ‘self’, and usually it is formed around the concept of an ‘other’. Nonetheless, if two national identities are contradictory; it can hinder the development of desirable bilateral relations, which is the case of Japan and South Korea. Taking the Takeshima/Dokdo territorial dispute as a reference of a political symbol that stirs identity sentiments, this thesis aimed to unveil the construction of Japanese national identity regarding its South Korean neighbour as an ‘other’. In order to achieve this, the Japanese government’s discourse concerning its stance over the Takeshima/Dokdo dispute was interpreted using discourse analysis methodology. Government documents such as reports, informational pamphlets, press conferences and statements by high ranked politicians are among the collected data that served as empirical data. Using the national identity and the critical constructivism theories as the main guide, this thesis was able to determine four discourses. The idea that Japan wants to disassociate itself from its shared memories with South Korea as it is following the peaceful and legal path while looking out for internal and external support for recognition is the principal idea behind these discourses.}},
  author       = {{Romero Wait, Inés}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Japanese National Identity and the Takeshima/Dokdo Dispute: Constructing National Identity Discourse around South Korea}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}