Globalisation in a cultural industry: a case study of comics circulation in Finland

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26870707
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Area studies; Sociology
• Research Institution: Hanazono University
• Principal Investigator: Hata Mikako 花園大学, 文学部, 准教授 (90585358)
• Research Collaborator: FUSE Rie University of Helsinki, Department of World Cultures, Japanese language staff
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 出版産業のグローバル化 / マンガ研究 / フィンランド / ファン研究

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The objective of this study is to examine the specific aspects of Japanese comics (manga) with special attention to their connections to local culture, as well as to consider manga readerships in foreign cultures. This study particularly focuses on the nature of distribution and the reception of manga in Finland.
Based on the research, manga fans in Finland, at least, are a far cry from “overseas consumers” envisioned by Japan. They want to expand the presence of Japanese culture in their own location rather than consume Japan or go to Japan. While it is dangerous to draw any decisive conclusions from the few examples listed in this paper, from the evidence offered in the research, at least, the national phenomenon of Japanese manga does not drive Japan's international competitiveness by providing a usable resource for the tourism and culture industries; rather, it is clear that the national origins of manga are forgotten, and it is instead assimilated into the local culture.

Free Research Field

メディア研究