A few weeks ago, I had the honor of being able to attend Professor Keita Moore's talk regarding play in Japan and how it has evolved throughout the history of children, especially in Japan. To Moore, the word play is defined more as a culturally embedded phenomenon that is shaped by Japanese history, memory, and politics. Play throughout the years has evolved in how it is represented throughout the country, all the way from the first portable consoles to the pachinko machines that are a common sight. Furthermore, the way in which play is viewed by the Japanese public, especially in relation to parents who feel their children are wasting too much time instead of focusing on their studies. This, as well, in conjunction with the "1 hour rule," which became law in select parts of Japan, prohibits children from playing more than 1 hour during the weekdays to combat the worries previously brought up. Moore was also present to give a lecture in my Japanese Media class, in which...
