New Books in East Asian Studies

In this episode, our host Lara Momesso interviews Dr Isabelle Cockel, an academic based in the UK, to discuss the wider impact of her academic work. Isabelle’s extensive research on marriage and labour migrants in Taiwan has evolved into efforts to raise awareness of migrant issues beyond the academic sphere both in Asia and Europe. She has written blogs featuring migrant voices, translated and promoted films about migrants, and, whenever possible, she has worked to assist migrants in Taiwan.For those who are interested to know more about Isabelle’s work, here you can find some links: University of Portsmouth profile Migrant Biographies, series on the Blog at Leiden University:  Movie translation: The Lovable Strangers by Tsung-Lung Tsai and Nguyễn Kim Hồng  Taiwan Insight at the University of Nottingham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies

In this engaging discussion, Timothy Gitzen, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Wake Forest University, unpacks the themes of his new book, exploring how queer Koreans are perceived as threats within the context of national security and public health. He shares striking insights about the normalization of security routines in everyday life. Gitzen also reflects on the intersection of queer activism and military life in South Korea, addressing how societal fears and discrimination shape the experiences of queer individuals amid the ongoing influence of the pandemic.

Predicting Disasters: Earthquakes, Scientists, and Uncertainty in Modern Japan (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2024) takes seriously attempts to reduce uncertainty around the timing, magnitude, and location of earthquakes in postwar Japan. Covering the period between early warnings about earthquakes in 1905 right up until the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Kerry Smith explores the different ways scientists in Japan tried to predict earthquakes, how they sought to communicate their efforts to the public, and how understandings of disasters changed in turn. Smith thus carefully embeds each earthquake within its historical context, looking at how people reacted to individual earthquakes and how each earthquake fueled further efforts to understand seismology and plan for disasters.Predicting Disasters is meticulous, thoughtful, and provides new, historically grounded understandings of how earthquakes are approached in Japan today and why the promise of prediction has never quite left Japan. Predicting Disasters is sure to appeal to those interested in modern Japanese history, the histories of science and disasters, and anyone who has ever grappled with the idea of scientific uncertainty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies

To the untrained eye there’s nothing as unexciting as tofu, normally regarded as a tasteless, beige, congealed mass of crushed, boiled soybeans. However, tofu more than stands up on its own. Reviled for decades as a vegetarian oddity, the brave, wobbly block has made a comeback.Tofu: a Culinary History (Reaktion, 2024) by Russell Thomas is a global history of bean curd stretches from ancient creation myths and tomb paintings, via Chinese poetry and Japanese Buddhist cuisine, to deportations in Soviet Russia and struggles for power on the African continent. It describes the potentially non-Chinese roots of tofu, its myriad types, why ‘eating tofu’ is an insult in Cantonese, and its environmental impact today. Warning: this book actually makes tofu exciting. It’s anything but bland.This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose new book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies

In this episode, our host, Ti-han, invited Taiwanese Queer author, Kevin Chen, to talk about his LGBTQ novel, Ghost Town (Europa Editions, 2022) 鬼地方 and its fever worldwide. In our conversation, Kevin shared with us how he first “come out” as a gay writer in Taiwan in the 90s, and how his writings was influenced by key Taiwanese LGBTQ authors and continue to be shaped by his migratory experiences in Berlin. He also told us how he thinks translation and the transability of a literary work can be useful in terms of authors’ impacts on society. If you’re a fan of Kevin’s writing, you certainly can’t miss this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies

Ken Wilcox, former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank and author of "The China Business Conundrum," shares his firsthand experiences navigating the complexities of establishing a joint venture in China. He reveals the cultural misunderstandings that led to obstacles, including challenges from the Chinese government. Wilcox discusses the intricacies of Chinese business practices, the risks of intellectual property theft, and the need for realistic expectations. His lessons learned provide valuable insights for anyone looking to engage with China's unique corporate landscape.

Samantha A. Vortherms, an assistant professor at UC Irvine, explores the manipulative nature of citizenship in authoritarian China. She delves into the hukou system, revealing how it creates inequality and affects access to resources. Vortherms contrasts internal migrants' challenges with undocumented workers in California, showcasing complex dynamics of inclusion and exclusion. The discussion also highlights urban migration policies and the government's attempts to reform hukou while maintaining regional disparities. Her insights challenge simplistic views of victimhood in society.

Ryan Moran is the author of "Selling the Future: Community, Hope, and Crisis in the Early History of Japanese Life Insurance." He explores Japan's life insurance industry from the 1880s to 1945, highlighting its role in shaping societal dynamics, including gender roles and economic responsibilities. Moran discusses the emotional strategies used to build trust and community. He reveals how insurance influenced health initiatives and national identity, and how it adapted during wartime, serving both as a financial safety net and a tool for national resilience.

Mingye Rosley, a Taiwanese media scholar and former journalist, dives into the fascinating world of Taiwanese-language cinema. The discussion highlights the revival of Taiyupian films and their crucial yet overlooked role in shaping Taiwanese culture. Rosley elaborates on the transformative journey of a research project into a comprehensive anthology, focusing on the significance of language and representation. The conversation also touches on the evolving portrayal of gender issues in Taiwanese dramas and the increasing importance of sound in film studies.

Margaret Mehl, author of "Music and the Making of Modern Japan," dives into the dynamic role of Western classical music in Japan’s nation-building during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She discusses how this cultural exchange influenced Japan's modern identity, blending Western styles with traditional elements. Mehl also delves into the development of 'shulka,' educational songs that showcase this hybrid musical identity, and the impact of events like wars on local concert scenes. A fascinating exploration of how music shapes cultural narratives!