Asian Social Science, Issue: Vol.22, No.2

Running Hot Spring Onsen and Local Co-delivery: A Case Study from Japan

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 01:34:05 +0000

Similar to many other developed nations, contemporary Japanese regional and rural local governments face a range of problems including decreasing local populations, rising constraints on income and the associated difficulties in maintaining local community facilities. A growing body of literature has considered the local Japanese co-production policies adopted to meet these challenges. We seek to contribute to this literature by examining the local co-delivery approach developed by Nishiwaga Town, Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan to maintain its local public hot springs onsen. In local Japanese areas, onsen is often an important resource for industry and civil life. Using the Nishiwaga local government area as a case study, we show how it employed innovative local co-delivery involving itself, residents and businesses to preserve most of its onsen. We argue that other regional and rural local governments in Asian countries facing similar circumstances could follow Nishiwaga Town's cost-effective approach to retain its onsen facilities.

Passive Participation and Elite Capture in China’s State-Led Projects: A Case Study of Farmer Agency under the SLPS

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 02:08:45 +0000

China’s State-Led Project System (SLPS) has delivered significant rural infrastructure but generated a persistent governance dilemma. This paper analyzes a "dual dilemma": the coexistence of passive farmer participation and elite capture of resources. Based on a case study of a rural tourism project in Village W, it finds the SLPS's top-down, target-driven logic renders farmer involvement merely symbolic. This disempowerment creates an institutional vacuum that enables local elites to exploit information asymmetries and patronage networks to appropriate project benefits. We argue these dynamics are mutually reinforcing, forming a vicious cycle that erodes farmer agency and subverts inclusive development goals. The study contributes to rural governance literature by conceptualizing farmers’ response as "negative agency"—a strategic disengagement distinct from overt resistance, which offers new insights into the complexities of authoritarian governance.

Architectural Forms and Cultural Analysis of Kiln Dwellings in Gongyi, Henan, China

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 03:15:30 +0000

Traditional vernacular dwellings, as material carriers of regional culture, provide key evidence for understanding the formation logic and regional characteristics of vernacular residential architecture through their distinctive architectural form, refined construction techniques, and embedded cultural meanings. Focusing on kiln dwellings in Gongyi, Zhengzhou, this study conducts a systematic examination based on archival research, field investigation, on-site measured drawings, and architectural drawings. Taking the two basic courtyard-based forms observed in Gongyi, namely cliff kilns and Subterranean pit-kilns, the paper analyzes representative cases in terms of courtyard form, structural system, and façade construction. It thereby elucidates the regional architectural culture and artistic expression embodied in these dwellings, and offers a more grounded understanding of China’s earthen architecture lineage, supports the continuity of regional architectural context, and provides concrete built references for contemporary rural design practice.

A Study of Newly Acquired Textiles from the Northern and Southern Dynasties to the Tang Dynasty in the Suzhou Silk Museum

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 03:28:04 +0000

In recent years, the Suzhou Silk Museum has acquired a group of textiles dating from the Northern and Southern Dynasties to the early Tang period. Among these objects, several pieces exhibit relatively uncommon features in both decorative design and functional use. When compared with contemporaneous textiles, this group includes pieces that continue established stylistic traditions as well as distinctive individual examples. From the perspectives of weaving technology and stylistic characteristics, part of the assemblage can be associated with the Qinghai Path of the Silk Road, and therefore holds particular significance for the study of ancient textile weaving technique and pattern design.

An Ecological Discourse Analysis of Fan Chengda’s Summer of Rural Life from the Perspective of Systemic Functional Linguistics

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 03:42:42 +0000

Fan Chengda’s Four Seasons of Rural Life stands as the culmination of classical Chinese pastoral poetry, embodying profound traditional Chinese ecological wisdom that remains highly relevant today. However, this wisdom has not been fully explored. Based on the theoretical framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics, this paper adopts an ecological discourse analysis approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods to conduct a multi-dimensional interpretation of Summer of Rural Life, the third part of Four Seasons of Rural Life. Focusing on the three metafunctions of language, this study explores how the poetic language realizes the ideational function of “the beauty of rural ecology”, the interpersonal function of “ecological concern and concern for farmers’ well-being”, and the textual function of “harmonious coexistence between humans and nature”. This research seeks to enrich the ecological discourse study of classical Chinese pastoral poetry, thereby illuminating its profound ecological wisdom, elevating public ecological awareness, and ultimately fostering a positive and sustainable ecosophy.

A Review on the Application and Assessment of Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication and Collaboration Skills in Pre-service Teachers’ Practice Courses

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 03:50:17 +0000

This study aims to systematically review the literature from the past 61 years on skills in pre-service teachers' practice courses, focusing on creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills. Grounded in the 21st-century learning skills framework, the study emphasizes the importance of embedding these skills within knowledge fields to foster deep understanding and practical action. Utilizing a systematic literature review (SLR), 74 articles published between 1962 and 2024 were analyzed, with content analysis focusing on the skills developed in pre-service teachers' practice courses. The results highlight the crucial role of pre-service teacher education in career development, underscoring the need for programs that equip future teachers with knowledge, skills, and attitudes for effective teaching and lifelong learning. However, research reveals that a disconnect between theory and practice hinders the effectiveness of pre-service teacher preparation. This study emphasizes the importance of these skills in practice courses and suggests directions for future research, offering valuable insights for pre-service teachers in managing 21st-century skills. The study contributes to the limited literature on pre-service teacher practice courses, providing a comprehensive and critical review.

The Cultural Dissemination of the Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan —the Case of the “United Daily”

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 03:58:51 +0000

This study employs the news coverage of the Dragon Boat Festival in the “United Daily” in the past ten years to investigate the spread of the Dragon Boat Festival culture in Taiwan.

The results indicate that, the culture of the Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan has shown a trajectory from variety to monotony, and the festival habits of the Taiwanese are changing from participating in traditional folk activities to planning trips during holidays. The cultural significance of dragon boat festival has changed from the inheritance and innovation of folk culture to economic consumption and cultural performance. Rich and diverse folk festival activities have gradually led to the promotion of utilitarian businesses. Before 2017, the news coverage included colorful, innovative, educational, and charitable festivals, but afterward, the festival became utilitarian and depressed. These changes are the result of shifts in Taiwan's political, economic, and cultural environment, reflecting the dilemma of passing down Dragon Boat Festival culture in Taiwan to future generations.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Asian Social Science, Vol. 22, No. 2

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:31:09 +0000

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Asian Social Science, Vol. 22, No. 2 2026.