Journal of Global and Area Studies Vol. 9 No. 4
Table of Contents
Contents, Released table
Contents |
| Released |
January 1, 2016 |
Articles
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Where Are the Former Filipino ‘Talents’ Now?: Migration Journeys, Life Paths, and Future Aspirations of Former ‘Talents’ Married to Japanese Men |
p.1-21 |
| Author |
ALYSSA SARE MANALO |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- This study examines the migration journeys, life paths, and future aspirations of former
Filipino entertainers who migrated to Japan between the 1980s and early 2000s and
later married Japanese men. Unlike other destinations where Filipino migration is
centered on care work, Japan welcomed many young, single Filipino women as
entertainers, which led to an increase in Filipino–Japanese intermarriages. However,
little research has explored how these women imagine their futures after settling
in Japan. Using Appadurai's concept of the future as a cultural fact, this study
investigates how their aspirations are socially and culturally constructed. Based on
ethnographic fieldwork in two cities in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, including in-depth
interviews and participant observation, the research traces their evolving aspirations
from pre-migration to post-migration. Findings reveal a prevalent sense of uncertainty,particularly regarding life after their husbands’ passing, as many of the women are now older. While some aspire to retire in the Philippines for a slower life, concerns over inadequate healthcare deter them, leading to their decision to stay in Japan for good. At the same time, although they no longer regularly send remittances to their families in the Philippines, they continue to prioritize saving money for future
needs, especially health expenses as they age. Overall, the study highlights how
migrant aspirations are dynamic and socially shaped, offering new perspectives on
migration and future studies.
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New Zealand's Educational Policies and Approaches to Multiculturalism: Insights and Lessons for South Korea |
p.23-53 |
| Author |
Jinah Lee , Jihye Kim |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- According to the OECD, New Zealand is among the few countries where the performance
gap between immigrant and non-immigrant students in the Programme for International
Student Assessment (PISA) is minimal, reflecting the effectiveness of its inclusive education
system. Grounded in the bicultural framework established by the Treaty of Waitangi (New
Zealand's founding treaty) and actively embracing multiculturalism in response to increased
migration from the Pacific and Asia, New Zealand embeds multicultural values across
curriculum, pedagogy, and community engagement. Schools such as Papakowhai, Rangikura,
and Wairakei illustrate how culturally sustaining practices validate students’ identities, draw
on community knowledge, and strengthen equity in learning. Diversity is treated not as
a challenge to be managed but as a resource that enriches educational experiences for
all students, fostering both academic achievement and social inclusion. In contrast, South
Korea, long perceived as ethnically homogeneous, continues to frame multicultural education
largely through an assimilationist lens, positioning multicultural families as requiring support
rather than as contributors to knowledge and culture. As a result, policies risk reinforcing
social hierarchies and marginalisation, limiting the potential benefits of diversity in education.
This paper argues that South Korea can draw meaningful lessons from New Zealand's
approach by reframing multiculturalism as a central educational principle, recognising
diversity as an asset, and embedding it systematically within curriculum design, reacher education, and community partnerships. Doing so would enable the development of a more equitable, inclusive, and justice-oriented education system that equips all students—majority and minority alike—to thrive in an increasingly pluralistic and interconnected society.
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LIFE JOURNEYS OF KOREAN MUSIC THERAPISTS IN NEW ZEALAND |
p.55-91 |
| Author |
Hyunah Cho |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- This study explores the life journeys of Korean music therapists living in New Zealand
by examining their early immigration experiences, settlement processes, professional
pathways in music therapy, and engagement with music at these different stages
of life. Thus, this research aims to enhance diversity within the music therapy
profession by sharing the stories of a community of New Zealand music therapy
professionals and introducing the profession to immigrant communities in New
Zealand. Through semi-structured interviews with three Korean music therapists, the
following key themes emerged: (1) Pull and push factors of moving to New Zealand;
(2) Between two worlds; (3) Music as a companion; and (4) Being a Korean music
therapist in New Zealand. These findings prompted discussion on four key topics:
(1) The price of a new life; (2) Wearing two hats: Navigating Korean and Kiwi identities;
(3) Transnational professional pathways; and (4) Music as a key for “knocking on the
door to integration.”
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Adoptee Family Resettlement in Busan: Possibilities and Practicalities |
p.93-115 |
| Author |
Richey Wyver |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- At a time of population decline in Busan and amid a national birthrate crisis, Korean
overseas adoptees and their families who return to live in the city are faced with
a lack of support and resources. There are over 200,000 South Korean adoptees
worldwide, and many now have children of their own. Could this expanding diaspora,
which includes the descendants of adoptees, be part of a solution to local population
decline? Furthermore, as many adoptions were processed fraudulently, and
Busan-based adoption institutions have been implicated in cases of trafficking and
corruption, does the city have a moral obligation to help adoptees and their children
resettle here? This article explores these questions, using an autoethnographic
approach to discuss the current state of support for adoptee families who wish to
resettle in Busan, and the problems adoptee families are likely to face. It identifies
significant problems around the ambiguous status of adoptee families, and gaps
between multicultural family support policies and practices. It suggests what further
support would be needed to enable adoptees and their families to return home to
Busan.
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EU-Brazil Relations: Past, Present and Future |
p.117-133 |
| Author |
Hoyoon Jung |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- This article offers a longitudinal assessment of European Union-Brazil relations from
their inception in the early 1960s to the most recent initiatives adopted in 2025.
Employing a four-pillar analytical matrix, which includes politics and security,
economics and trade, global governance, and socio-cultural exchange, this study
integrates archival sources, official statistics, and secondary literature to trace historical
path dependence, evaluate present performance, and identify future trajectories. The
historical review of bilateral relations shows that the 1992 Framework Cooperation
Agreement and the 1995 EU-MERCOSUR accord created enduring channels for
dialogue but failed to embed binding security or crisis-management mechanisms,
thereby constraining later strategic ambitions. The empirical analysis of the 2007
strategic-partnership era reveals selective resilience: economic interaction remains
robust, with the EU still Brazil's largest foreign investor; climate and digital governance
show mixed but enhanced coordination; political-security cooperation remains largely
declaratory and fragmented. Forward-looking analysis points out three policy streams,
including green trade under a prospective EU–MERCOSUR agreement, joint investment
in renewable-energy infrastructure such as Brazil's green-hydrogen hubs, and
convergence on digital standards and patent procedures, as the most promising
avenues for operationalizing strategic intent. This study finally concludes that the
partnership has moved beyond symbolic rhetoric but continues to lack institutional
depth, and bilateral relations calls for future research on quantitative indicators of
“strategic” quality and on the domestic political variables that mediate bilateral
agenda-setting.
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Contractual Structures and Legal-Institutional Responses for Maritime Data in Preparation for the Commercialization of MASS: Strategic Inflection Point Responses of Shipping Companies in Connection with the EU Data Act |
p.135-167 |
| Author |
Ha-Ram Lim , Bomi Jeon , Sojeong Kim , Chang-Hee Lee |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- This study provides a legal and institutional analysis of how shipping companies preparing
for the commercialization of autonomous ships should respond to the implementation of
the EU Data Act. It redefines maritime data not as a mere technological by-product but as a
contractual asset, clarifying the legal structure of access and usage rights centered on
contractual relationships between data holders (such as shipbuilders) and users (shipping
companies). Focusing in particular on Articles 8 and 13 of the EU Data Act, the study examines
the formation of rights and obligations and their legal effects, and proposes the concept of
a Maritime Data Transaction Contract. This framework offers a legal foundation through
which shipping companies can establish a fair and transparent system for data distribution.
Furthermore, the study draws a historical parallel between the public management system of
James Cook's 18th-century voyage records and the modern concept of data sovereignty. By
doing so, it illustrates how maritime data can evolve into a contractual asset that embodies
both public value and economic utility. It also suggests that Korean shipping companies
should adopt concrete response strategies such as introducing maritime data transaction
contracts, establishing orderly internal governance systems, developing manuals to respond
to public institutional requests, and enhancing their capacity to respond to global regulations.
Additionally, this study legally examines the potential for public-interest use of navigation,
weather, and performance data generated during autonomous operations, and considers
the necessity of introducing a Maritime Data Trust Bank system. However, the study does
not include empirical analyses of potential legal disputes, case law developments, or
jurisdictional conflicts that may arise following the enactment of the law. These limitations
underscore the need for future research addressing contractual authority conflicts,
normative inconsistencies, and comparative legal interpretations.
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Semiconductor Leverage and Techno Realism in Great Power Politics |
p.169-194 |
| Author |
Maulana Amrullah |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- This article develops Techno Realism, a domain-specific extension of structural realism
that treats advanced technology as hard power when coalitions control multi-node
chokepoints across design, specialized tools, and standards. The framework specifies
a causal pathway from chokepoint enforceability and coalition discipline to capability
constraint and time-asymmetric adaptation, and it states scope conditions under
which leverage decays through leakage and substitution. A formal model clarifies
the compliance–adaptation boundary and shows how denial coverage and coalition
discipline shape outcomes. The semiconductor rivalry illustrates the argument:
multi-node export controls tied to service and standards condition rivals’ strategy
sets more reliably than single-node measures, yet the half-life of constraint depends
on monitoring and substitutes. By shifting attention from conventional weaponry to
the control of technological systems, this framework provides a sharper understanding
of how power is contested. It urges scholars and policymakers to view technology
not as a secondary tool of influence, but as the evolving foundation of global power
politics.
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Legitimacy, Discourse, and Crisis: A Comparison of the Kuomintang of Taiwan and Japan's Liberal Democratic Party |
p.195-213 |
| Author |
Wei Ming Li , Dongsoo Kim |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- This article compares the Kuomintang (KMT) and Japan's Liberal Democratic Party
(LDP) to examine how long-term ruling conservative parties in East Asia construct
and sustain political legitimacy. Addressing a gap in research on symbolic dimensions,
it adopts a poststructuralist discourse analysis framework drawing on Foucault,
Derrida, and Laclau & Mouffe. Legitimacy is conceptualized as a contested discursive
process shaped by historical memory, factional dynamics, and digital media. The study
finds that the KMT's legitimacy has declined due to symbolic fragmentation and
generational disconnection, while the LDP has maintained hegemonic legitimacy
through flexible narratives and digital adaptation. It identifies three key mechanisms:
fixing floating signifiers, integrating internal discourse, and navigating decentralized
publics. These findings offer theoretical insights into how legitimacy is reproduced
in long-standing political parties in democratizing East Asian societies.
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Interrelations between Fertility and Residential Intentions in a Regional City: An Exploratory Multivariate GLM Analysis of Local Image and Economic Vision |
p.215-237 |
| Author |
Youngjin Ryu |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- This study analyzed how local image and economic vision shape fertility and
residential intentions among 443 young residents in Kitakyushu City. Using a
multivariate general linear model (GLM) within the MANOVA framework, the study
simultaneously assessed how these two continuous predictors jointly affect the two
intentions. Results indicated that both factors significantly influenced fertility and
residential intentions, with local image showing a slightly stronger effect. A positive
local image enhanced willingness to settle and also showed a positive association
with fertility intentions, though subgroup-level patterns indicated partial divergence
between the two outcomes. These findings highlight that sustainable population
stability requires policies integrating city branding, economic revitalization, and family
support within regional development strategies. Positioned as an exploratory study
with a convenience sample of young Kitakyushu residents, the results should be
generalized with caution; nevertheless, they provide preliminary multivariate evidence
to guide integrated regional policy design.
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Heroic Memory and Counter-Narratives in Myanmar: Saw Ba U Gyi and the Politics of Karen Id |
p.239-259 |
| Author |
Kihong Mun |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- This study investigates the construction and reproduction of a counter-narrative of
Karen nationhood through the heroic memory of Saw Ba U Gyi. Utilizing field
interviews in Mae Sot, Thailand, analysis of textbooks used in Karen migrant schools,
and secondary literature, the research explores how memory, education, and utopian
discourse intersect in shaping collective identity along the Thai–Myanmar border.
Framed within theories on the politics of memory and collective identity, findings
reveal the deployment of Saw Ba U Gyi's Four Principles as moral and political symbols
within KNU-influenced educational and commemorative practices. Through ethnic
schooling, ritual remembrance, and digital media, Saw Ba U Gyi is upheld as a figure
of dignity, resistance, and solidarity, serving as a counter-memory against state-led,
Bamar-centric nationalism. The study contributes to debates on memory politics and
nationalism by demonstrating how marginalised groups employ education and
commemoration to forge alternative visions of nationhood in postcolonial Southeast
Asia. It emphasizes the nuanced ways in which Karen identity is shaped by specific
educational and institutional contexts, challenging notions of a homogeneous national identity.
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Who Tolerates Corruption in Pakistan? A Psychological Analysis of Corruption Tolerance Based on the OCEAN Model |
p.261-291 |
| Author |
Jinwon Han |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- For over a decade, Pakistan has remained one of the most corrupt countries in South
Asia. While research on corruption in the country has garnered notable attention
over the past two decades, existing research on psychological-level factors is sparse.
Against this backdrop, this study investigates the relationship between personality
traits from the OCEAN model and corruption tolerance in Pakistan. Applying ordinal
logistic regression (OLR) and binary logistic regression (BLR) as a robustness check,
the study finds that agreeableness is significantly associated with individuals’ tolerance
towards corruption. Based on the findings, the study offers policy recommendations
for the Pakistani government and decision-makers to address corruption more
effectively by incorporating behavioural insights alongside institutional reforms.
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A Study on the Spatial Nature and Social Significance of Fábrica de Arte Cubano in Cuba |
p.293-315 |
| Author |
JUNGHWA LEE , YONGSECK NOH , HOYOON JUNG |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- Fábrica de Arte Cubano (F.A.C) is a cultural complex space in Havana, Cuba, which
has gained popularity among young tourists. This represents a new type of tourist
attraction previously unseen in Cuba's tourism resources, offering various social
implications to explore. This paper aims to analyze the characteristics of Cuba's F.A.C
space and examine its social implications. The methodology includes literature review
and data collection, indirect interview case collection, internet site analysis, and
analysis reflecting personal experiences. The research objectives are to examine how
the sociocultural behaviors and activities occurring in F.A.C reflect changes in Cuban
society and to analyze the characteristics of F.A.C’s place branding. This study argues
that F.A.C is a space encompassing sociocultural, political, and economic meanings,
and its historical context, along with the memories and traces embedded within the
space, is increasing current interest in F.A.C. According to this argument, F.A.C serves
as a key example of creative cultural enterprise and embodies the pursuit of change
in Cuban society from political, social, economic, and cultural perspectives.
Furthermore, it contributes to understanding the changes and cultural context of
Cuban society, while also aiming to emphasize Cuba's importance in Latin American
studies. However, since the nature of space can transform along with social changes,
continuous research is necessary. The study has limitations in that it could not identify deep social relationships and interactions due to its reliance on short-term experiences and indirect interviews, but these limitations will be addressed through future research.
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Hidden Architects of Peace: Women's Secret Societies in Grassroots Peacebuilding in Africa |
p.317-338 |
| Author |
Kendemeh Peaceful Meng , Miyang Jun |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- Despite the emphasis of international frameworks such as the 1995 Beijing Declaration
and UNSCR 1325 on women's roles in peacebuilding, scholarship has largely
overlooked grassroots women's informal efforts. Addressing this gap, this study applies
the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework to examine women's
secret societies (WSS)—including Sande, Umuada, Takumbeng, and Anlu. Although
WSS operate across multiple African countries, they are often studied in isolation,
limiting comparative understanding. A systematic literature review adopting a
comparative approach identifies institutional patterns that shape their engagement
in peacebuilding. Findings indicate that WSS employ non-violent strategies to address
injustice, challenge male domination, and foster reconciliation. Their secretive nature
and controversial practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) have led to their
exclusion from mainstream peacebuilding, overshadowing their contributions. The
analysis demonstrates the IAD framework's value for examining informal institutions
like WSS, which, despite relying on unwritten norms, exert significant influence in
conflict resolution. This paper highlights the need to incorporate their efforts into
hybrid peacebuilding policies, ensuring that their contributions are not diminished
by cultural misunderstandings or structural barriers.
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Bridging Paradiplomacy and Public Diplomacy: The Case of Sport Paradiplomacy Between West Java and Gyeongsangbuk-do |
p.339-369 |
| Author |
Firstyarinda Valentina Indraswari , Lita Era Lestari , Mujibur Rahman Khairul Muluk , Wishnu Mahendra Wiswayana, Primadiana Yunita |
| Released |
December 31, 2025 |
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- Abstract
- This article examines the long-term cooperation between West Java Province (Indonesia)
and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province (South Korea) to explore how subnational actors sustain
international engagement through sector-specific collaboration. The study situates this
partnership within the analytical intersection of paradiplomacy and public diplomacy,
conceptualizing sport paradiplomacy as a hybrid form of subnational diplomacy that
combines institutional autonomy with communicative legitimacy. Drawing on official
interviews, government reports, and secondary documentation, the research finds that
the endurance of the cooperation stems from clear policy objectives, delegated authority
to competent agencies, consistent leadership support, and stable resource allocation. The
case demonstrates that sport can serve not only as a developmental instrument but also
as a medium for trust-building, image projection, and policy innovation among subnational
governments. By showing how provinces act simultaneously as policy managers and public
communicators, the study refines the theoretical understanding of subnational diplomacy
as both autonomous and communicative. The findings contribute to broader debates on
paradiplomacy, public diplomacy, and multi-level governance, suggesting that localized
cooperation through sport can complement national diplomacy while producing
measurable outcomes in institutional learning and societal engagement.
