The making of national robot history in Japan: monozukuri, enculturation and cultural lineage of robots. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kovacic, Mateja
• Is Part Of: Critical Asian studies. Volume 50:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 572
• Page End: 590
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Japan -- robots -- monozukuri -- lineage -- artisanship; Asia -- Periodicals; 950.05
• DOI: 10.1080/14672715.2018.1512003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-2715

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper contributes a genealogical perspective to the social sciences study of robots in Japan, proposing a widely applicable research on "robot cultures." The author discusses the corporate and governmental strategies and mechanisms that are shaping a national robot culture through establishing robot "lineages" and a national robot history which can have significant implications for both humans and robots. The paper contributes discussions on monozukuri (manufacturing) and Nihonjinron (theories on "Japaneseness") to the existing anthropological consideration of robots, by examining links between monozukuri and robots, robot genealogy, popular culture and robots, and different social rituals and sites that help the enculturation of robots. The paper draws attention to the power relations and hegemonies of robot culture which also imply the existence of plurality and diversity that will require further scholarly attention as the robot phenomenon unfolds.