Discussion
On September 3, 2024, the 285th Expert Seminar on Japan was held in a hybrid format. A total of 30 attendees were present on-site, and 25 participated online. **AHN Eun Byul**, Assistant Professor at the Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University of Tokyo, delivered a presentation titled "Performances Behind the Shinkansen-ization: Tourism Mobility on Japan's Conventional Railways in the Post-High Growth Era." The content of the presentation is summarized below.
The presenter explained the research related to mobility in Japan, focusing on railways. They approached railways as a form of media, discussing how railways have restructured the relationship between space and power, played a crucial role in shaping new visual experiences, and influenced human relationships. The analysis centered on how railways have altered social relationships and redefined perceptions of time and space.
Additionally, the presenter described the history of Japanese railways from the 1970s onward, explaining how mobility changed during that period, and emphasized the impact of the Shinkansen’s introduction and expansion on Japan's national integration and economic development. They discussed how railways in post-war Japan functioned as more than just transportation but as a vital medium for tourism mobility, presenting examples of ticket systems like the "Jūyūken" that contributed to shaping the travel culture of the Japanese people.
Finally, the presenter explained how railways function as a tourism resource in the context of modern Japanese railway tourism and regional revitalization, analyzing the impact on regional economies and society. They emphasized that railways perform various social roles beyond mere transportation, suggesting the need for future research on the sustainability of regional railways and the regional identities formed through them.
After the presentation, a Q&A session followed. Questions were raised about the theoretical approach of performance studies, the difference between those who experienced the "Grand Cross" in the 2000s and incorporated themselves into the system versus those who did not, whether the behavior of railway users related to timetables is subversive or conformist, and the movement, appreciation, and purchase of local crafts through mobility on the Noto Peninsula regional line. After the presenter's responses, the session concluded.
