Category Archives: Latest Publication

We are pleased to announce that the latest issue of the International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies (IJAPS), Volume 8, Number 2 is now published and all articles are accessible and available for download.

This latest issue comprises three main sections: A. Themed Issue on Food and Asia, guest edited by Nicole Tarulevicz of the University of Tasmania, Australia (consisting five articles from five different authors); B. Featured Articles (two articles); C. Book Review; and D. Scholarly Viewpoints.

The Scholarly Viewpoints is the latest section by the journal, introduced to showcase opinions, comments, ideas and viewpoints of prominent scholars on the Asia Pacific region pertaining to their respective academic discipline. The editorial is pleased to feature well-known scholar, Nicholas Tarling in the section’s maiden publication.

Details of the current issue publication are following (click the titles to go to respective article page):

A. Themed Issue on Food and Asia

1. Introduction – Never Just Food: Themed Issue on Food and Asia, by Nicole Tarulevicz (Guest Editor).
2. Shifting Perceptions of Instant Ramen in Japan During the High-growth Era, 1958–1973, by George Solt.
3. Faking It: Food Quality in China, by Kaz Ross.
4. “Let Lifeguard Milk Raise Your Child”: Gender, Food and Nation in Singapore’s Past, by Nicole Tarulevicz.
5. Contagious Consumption: Commodity Debates over the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century China Trade, by Kristin Bayer.
6. Food and Pollution in Two Films from Contemporary Japan, by Barbara Hartley.

• Book Review – Ibn Taymiyyah on Jihád and Baghy, by Timothy P. Daniels.

D. Scholarly Viewpoints

• Scholarly Viewpoints, featuring Nicholas Tarling.

The International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies (IJAPS) has published its Special Issue on Popular Culture in Asia in conjunction with the inaugural conference organised by the East Asian Popular Culture Association (EAPCA).

The conference was held at the Howard International House, Taipei, Taiwan from 1–4 September 2011 that saw close to 100 papers delivered by scholars from 18 different nations. Three prominent scholars also presented their talks as keynote speakers in lively and thoughtful sessions.

The current Special Issue is the third and final issue to be published by IJAPS for the year 2011. It comprises an introduction from John Bratzel, President of the Popular Culture Association, as well as four articles that include the following:

1. Kawaii in Taiwan Politics, by Yin C. Chuang.
2. Learning Bushido from Abroad: Japanese Reactions to The Last Samurai, by Jayson Chun.
3. Embracing Victimhood: A History of A-Bomb Manga in Japan, by Masashi Ichiki.
4. Ethnic Identity and Consumption of Popular Culture Among Young Naga People, India, by Satoshi Ota.

This Special Issue is guest edited by Dr. Yin C. Chuang of National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan.

On 16 March 2011, the Asia-Pacific Research Unit (APRU) welcomed Professor Gayl Ness to give a talk in the School of Humanities, USM.

Professor Ness is professor emeritus of Sociology at the University of Michigan and visiting professor in the School of Social Sciences, USM. He began work in Malaysia in 1961 under a post-doctoral research grant and has followed Malaysian development since. This resulted in “Bureaucracy and Rural Development in Malaysia 1968.” He now works broadly in the field of Population Growth, Economic Development and Environmental Impacts, focusing his work on Asia.

In his talk, “Reflections on the First Generation of Malaysian Leadership and a Reassessment of May 1969,” Professor Ness shared his thought and his first hand experience of observing the work of the the late Tun Abdul Razak  during the latter’s time as the Prime Minister.

Five major points have been presented in this lively talk, namely:

• The rise of ethnic politics and the happy occurrence of the Alliance
• The relationship between Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and his deputy, Tun Abdul Razak
• The extraordinary work of building a new independent government that mostly owed to the skill, diligence and vision or Tun Razak
• The impact of Konfrontasi on Malaysia’s leadership team
• Reassessment of 13 May 1969

We are grateful with Prof. Ness’ presence to share his wealth of experience, knowledge and wisdom. We look ahead to get acquainted again!

Note: Photos courtesy of the School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia. 

All authors whose manuscript has been accepted for publication by the journal are required to fill up the Copyright Transfer Form and return back the form to the publisher.

The Copyright Transfer Form can be downloaded here.