@article{9ef04c65fa9841559a0c5b6ae0e4817f,
title = "Cultural attraction, 'soft power' and proximity: The popularity of Japanese language in Hong Kong since the 1980s",
abstract = "This paper discusses the cultural attraction, 'soft power', and importance of cultural proximity to the popularity of the Japanese language in Hong Kong over the last three decades. Exploration of both primary and secondary sources constitutes the main research methodology employed. Email surveys and face-to-face interviews were undertaken to ascertain the nature and degree of the cultural attraction that stimulates local people's interest in learning Japanese language and culture. The paper concludes that Japan's 'soft power', i.e., popular culture and cultural products, are the most influential driving forces behind the popularity of Japanese language in Hong Kong. Also, the Japanese cultural proximity to the Chinese is another factor that excites local people's interest in learning Japanese as a foreign language. In the Hong Kong context, geopolitical and national identity factors do not seem to detract from the popularity of the Japanese language.",
keywords = "cultural attraction, cultural products, cultural proximity, Hong Kong, Japanese language learning, popular culture",
author = "Xiaojiang Yu and Kazuyuki Takata and Estelle Dryland",
note = "Funding Information: Many institutions or programs in Japan, such as the Japan Foundation, the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET), and Official Development Assistance (ODA) join with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to increase the international outreach of Japan by promoting the country{\textquoteright}s popular culture and cultural products. The Japan Foundation, for example, which was established in 1972, has worked closely with Japanese embassies/ consulates, language institutions and cultural exchange organizations overseas (The Japan Foundation 2011). Once under the supervision of the Japanese Foreign Minister, the Japan Foundation became an independent public institution in October 2003. The Foundation consists of a head office in Tokyo, a branch office in Kyoto, two Japanese-language institutes, and 23 overseas offices in 21 countries. Its operations are funded by investment profit and subsidised by the Japanese government and private donations (The Japan Foundation 2011).",
year = "2012",
month = oct,
doi = "10.1080/08873631.2012.717414",
language = "English",
volume = "29",
pages = "315--336",
journal = "Journal of Cultural Geography",
issn = "0887-3631",
publisher = "Taylor and Francis Ltd.",
number = "3",
}