International Social Science Journal (Chinese Edition)

No.3, 2023

Survival and Cultural Strategies of the Chinese Overseas Community Based on an Examination of the Newly Built Mazu Temple in Yokohama’s Chinatown

(Abstract)

Zhang Yuling

In March 2006, a newly built Mazu Temple appeared in Yokohama Chinatown, Japan, which attracted widespread attention. Based on an analysis of the tourism development of Yokohama Chinatown and the revival/creation of Chinese culture and the situation of Chinese society after 1980s, this paper aims to examine the background, motivation and strategic significance of the construction of Mazu Temple, so as to give Mazu Temple a relatively comprehensive positioning as a representative Chinese cultural symbol. The resourceization of Chinese culture has not only brought great economic benefits to the Chinatown, but also has given Chinese who have assimilated into the Japanese society the opportunity to rediscover the value of traditional Chinese culture and to shape diverse identities. In this context, The Mazu Temple can be thought to be a newly built strategic cultural symbol.