Update: Progress on my independent learning topic

Throughout this program, I have noticed how I have grown increasingly interested in how Japan has and, in some ways, continues to exist as an empire by operating as a so-called “modern” nation-state. In Tokyo, this framework led me to focus on how the physical movement, society, and culture are centered around the imperial family (a literal representation of imperial power). It helped me understand the fluidity of Japan’s borders, which are so closed off to refugees yet expansive enough to (forcefully) include Okinawa, Hokkaido, and, in the past, Korea, Taiwan, and parts of China. While in Okinawa, this framework of empire and statehood continues to be a lens through which I experience Japanese imperial power from a location arguably on the periphery of Japan’s empire. I also used it to better understand how Japan, as an empire, engages with other nation-states (empires), such as the U.S. 

With this framework in mind, I want to tie in my independent learning topic as an example of Japanese imperial statehood. From what I have learned from my research so far, the inscription of washoku as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage and Japan’s subsequent use of washoku as a form of soft power will allow me to connect class content on national identity to my research. From there, I want to also examine how food (not necessarily washoku) intersects with Japanese and U.S. imperialism. I then want to discuss (instant) ramen and possibly spam as edible evidence of this imperialism, even as both have become heavily associated with Japan, Okinawa, and diasporic Japanese/Asian communities. I think this discussion will offers a bridge to my final point on how food and fusion food represents and, in some ways, enables empire-building. I think these two examples would provide connections to my experiences and class content in Okinawa. 

For next steps, I want to finish reading my articles on 1.) washoku and national identity, 2.) conceptual articles on intersections between food and imperialism, and 3.) (instant) ramen and possibly spam and fusion food. This independent research will allow me to then map out and determine what class themes and content I can use in my final reflection paper. From there, I will draft up an outline of my presentation as this assignment will help me play around with how I want to structure my paper. After this preparation, I’ll start writing!