Jacques Hymans (University of Southern California), “Official historical memory discourse and public opinion: The case of Japan’s new banknote designs”

U.S. ET: September 3 (Wednesday), 8 – 9 PM

JST: September 4 (Thursday), 9 – 10 AM

Zoom Registration: Link

Paper will be made available one week prior to the event.

Author(s): Jacques Hymans (University of Southern California)

Abstract:
Much of the literature on collective historical memory assumes that official historical memory discourse has important impacts on mass attitudes, but scholars have very seldom attempted to measure these impacts systematically using survey research methods. In this paper, which is part of a larger project on banknote iconography and collective identity around the world, I report on findings from repeated cross-sectional surveys of the Japanese public about their knowledge and attitudes about the historical figures who are portrayed on their banknotes. Two of the surveys were conducted prior to the new Japanese yen banknotes series featuring portraits of eminent Japanese from the Meiji era that was issued in July 2024, and two of the surveys were conducted after the new notes were issued. A key question is whether the issuance of the new banknotes and the associated media blitz changed Japanese people’s understandings and attitudes about their national past. Another key question is what factors lead different segments of the Japanese public to express greater or less appreciation for what they see on their banknotes. The survey results find only modest effects of the new banknotes and media blitz, but important differences especially between the perspectives of people of different sexes and about the place of women in the national historical memory.

Presenter: Jacques Hymans (University of Southern California)

Discussants: Charles Crabtree (Dartmouth College); Yoshikuni Ono (Waseda University)

Chair: Phillip Y. Lipscy (University of Toronto)