This workshop features a presentation by Lun Jing (Leiden University), who is currently undertaking a PhD project on the historical development of Kōhaku Utagassen (NHK Red and White Song Battle), one of the most influential broadcast programs in postwar Japan.
Since its inception in the immediate aftermath of World War II, Kōhaku Utagassen has evolved from a radio special into a large-scale televised event. Drawing on archival research and a historical approach, this project examines how the program contributed to the formation of mass culture and collective identity in postwar Japan, particularly during the Shōwa era.
By situating Kōhaku Utagassen not only as a popular music program but also as a media event that organizes shared audiovisual experiences, the paper addresses broader questions concerning broadcasting, liveness, and the mediated construction of social belonging. It also opens up perspectives on the circulation of popular culture and the role of media in shaping cultural imaginaries beyond national boundaries.
Date of Event
Location of Event
Room 307
Program
16:30–16:35 Opening Remarks
16:35–17:20 Presentation
Speaker: Lun JING (PhD Candidate, Leiden University)
17:20–18:00 Discussion
Discussant: Sungmin KIM (Professor, Hokkaido University)
18:00 Closing Remarks
Moderator: Amane KASAI（Assoc. Professor, Hokkaido University ）
