America, the Melting Pot of Cultures
American society is one where diversity and individualism coexist. Political and economic activities based on its unique culture significantly influence the world. While the multicultural social structure promotes technological innovation and trends, there are still deep-rooted social issues, such as disparities and environmental problems. We introduce the research of the University of Hyogo, which looks at various current issues of the United States, a melting pot of cultures where advanced technology and diverse values coexist.
Protecting the future through the study of environmental literature
Ayako Takahashi
Professor, School of Human Science and Environment
After meeting American environmental poet Gary Snyder, I began researching environmental poetry and environmental literature. His poetry showed the deep connection between nature and humans, greatly changing my awareness of environmental issues. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, I also met Fukushima poet Ryoichi Wago, who helped me overcome my helplessness in the face of disaster. The opportunity to translate his poetry collection into English to reach an international audience was an important turning point in my research activities.
Environmental literature is a new literary genre that gained attention in the United States in the 1990s, and it made much progress with Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring." Environmental literature raises issues with readers by depicting the relationship between nature and humans and the effects of environmental pollution in a literary way. In Japan and the US, there are differences in how people view nature. In Japan, the image of a satoyama is commonly shared by many people, and it is generally considered that if the subject is nature, it is environmental literature.
On the other hand, in the US, there is a distinction between "nature" and "wilderness," and it works; there is a focus on the warning and message to nature. The impact of these cultural differences on environmental literature is also one of my research subjects.
At the moment, I am researching literary works about America's waste problems. For example, works that depict the deteriorating health and living environment of the poor living near a garbage disposal plant in New York highlight how environmental pollution affects local communities. I am also focusing on the field of poetry, analyzing the messages about environmental issues and expression techniques contained in poems and delving into the field of environmental poetics.
The ultimate goal of my research is to promote the significance of environmental literature to the general public rather than confining it to academica. I am also focusing on academic papers, lectures, contributions to general newspapers, and translation activities to convey messages about environmental issues to society through literary works and to encourage greater ecological awareness among the public. Through these activities, my mission is to share the joy and depth of literature with students and the general public and help them rediscover written culture's value. Literature is full of wisdom that we modern people should learn and has value that we should pass on to future generations.
Expanding Research
The usefulness of financial statements
Noriko Masumura
Professor, Graduate School of Social Science
My research focus is financial accounting. The conceptual framework of financial accounting states that the main purpose of financial statements is to provide information useful for predicting a company's future performance in order for investors to evaluate its corporate value, and this is the theme of my research. So far, I have conducted an empirical analysis of the impact of the differences among Japanese GAAP, US GAAP, and International GAAP on earnings information and its relationship with stock prices, and have also conducted empirical research on the differences in each item among these GAAPs. Currently, I am conducting an empirical analysis of the usefulness of information about the fair value differences of financial liabilities disclosed in the note to financial statements, and am also proceeding with research and analysis from a theoretical perspective. Regarding my research theme, when I was invited to the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington as a visiting scholar, I collected data and references and exchanged opinions with the faculty. In lectures and seminars, I teach students to enhance their ability to make their own judgements with solid accounting knowledge and from broad perspectives based on published accounting information, etc.
Building the ideal global organization by transcending boundaries
Yoko Ohno
Associate Professor, School of Economics and Management
Having worked as a manager at the Japanese branch of an American company, I am researching individual and organizational behavior to build better relationships between headquarters and subsidiaries in multinational companies. In particular, I am focusing on boundary-spanning activities that transcend international “boundaries” such as culture and language. I am analyzing the process of information dissemination and the transformation of information between headquarters and subsidiaries. There are institutional differences between organizations; for example, Japan emphasizes long-term development. At the same time, the United States is characterized by its fluid use of human resources, which places importance on immediate results. I aim to create an ideal organization through boundary-spanning activities at the organizational and individual levels. In the future, I would like to support Japanese companies aiming to expand globally.
Focus on Person
In the digital age, it is more important than ever to learn from nature
I am researching the importance of nature education for nurturing children’s rich sensibilities, using the book “The Sense of Wonder” by Rachel Carson, an American biologist and nature writer, as a starting point. I became interested in my current research theme because I planned and held a camp for elementary, junior high, and high school students at university. It was impressive to see how the children’s hearts were encouraged to value life and nature through their contact with nature at the camp. In today’s internet society, I think the spread of education that brings children into contact with nature will help protect their sensitivity and make their hearts sustainable. I aim to introduce it into school education.
In the digital age, it is more important than ever to learn from nature
Kotaro Ikeyama
4th year student, School of Human Science and Environment
Discovering a sustainable sports business
I am researching the economic impact of the Olympics on the host country. I was impressed by the fact that the American sports industry has established business models that are not familiar in the Japanese market, such as the entertainment aspect, media utilization, and branding of athletes. I would like to figure out a new form of sports business in Japan. I am currently exploring the potential economic benefits to society of the “Olympic Legacy,” using the Tokyo Olympics as an example. In view of the difficulty of establishing a sustainable management method, my goal is to contribute to solving future problems. After graduation, I am going to work for a sports brand in the United States, aiming to improve the value of Japanese athletes by acting as an intermediary between the brand and the athletes.
Discovering a sustainable sports business
Kenshi Ishida
4th year student, School of Economics and Management