Can Pop Culture Allay Resentment? Japan’s Influence in China Today

Media and Communication

article

Yuqing Wu¹ 

[1] Department of Sociology, Yale University

关键词: China;    East Asia;    Japan;    national image;    pop culture;    soft power;   

DOI  :  10.17645/mac.v9i3.4117

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: Cogitatio Press

【 摘 要 】

In China, despite the traumatic collective memory relating to militaristic Japan during World War II, an increasing num‐ber of Chinese young adults have developed an obsession with Japanese culture, due to its export of anime, movies, popmusic, and other popular culture. Based on interviews with 40 Chinese and Japanese young adults, this work examineshow contemporary pop culture and historical war memories related to Japan influenced Chinese young adults, who had toreconcile their contradictory sentiments toward the Japanese government, people, and culture. The success of Japanesepop culture in China also shows how the allegedly apolitical, virtual sphere of entertainment has helped build Japan’s softpower through shaping a cool image of Japan in Asia and worldwide.

【 授权许可】

CC BY