Olympic Japan

Autori

• Andreas Niehaus

Parametri

• Sport

Maggiori informazioni sul libro

In September 2005, Tôkyô announced its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, aiming to become the first Asian city to host the Games twice. The bid is particularly controversial due to Ishihara Shintarô, the nationalist governor of Tôkyô since 1999, known for his historical revisionism, anti-Americanism, racism, and sexism. This raises the question of why a nationalist politician would support an event typically viewed as a symbol of international friendship and peace. The nine articles in this collection, authored by experts in Japanese sport history, explore how the Olympic Games are utilized to (re)construct and strengthen a collective national identity. Japan’s national identity has been shaped by associating its cultural assets with the Olympic ideals of internationalism and peace. However, this process often involves reinterpreting and transforming Olympic values to align with Japanese needs. A notable example is the 1964 Olympics, where the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, integral to organizing the Games, were linked to the Olympic ideal of peace, gaining acceptance despite their constitutional violations. The authors illustrate Japan as a key example of the paradox where the Olympics foster nationalism while promoting internationalism.

Lingua: Inglese

Pubblicato: 2007