Asia Pacific Social Science Review - Scopus

04/08/2025

Medical populism, a performance-based political style that orchestrates antagonistic relations between the people and medical establishments, has served as a concept for analyzing the politicization of healthcare. With its four fundamental features, that is, invoking knowledge claims contrary to medical experts’ advice, simplifying discourse, dramatizing responses to public health crises, and forging divisions, medical populism compromises our access to accurate medical or public health information. Populist leaders abuse their epistemic authority and betray public trust when they propagate false information, medical or otherwise. And insofar as accurate medical or public health information is an epistemic good that we have the right to access, and not having so harms us precisely as knowers, we claim that medical populism violates our epistemic rights.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1575

01/08/2025

The Japanese invaded Vietnam and Indonesia in late 1940 and early 1942, respectively. During the occupation, the Japanese deployed different strategies and policies to govern and exploit the occupied territories. Dutch officials in Indonesia were replaced by Japanese administrators, whereas the French administration in Vietnam was largely retained until the coup d’état of March 1945. Natural resources and economic facilities of both countries were exploited for the Japanese war efforts. The economic exploitation by the Japanese worsened economic conditions, causing terrible famines in Indonesia and Vietnam at the time of independence. However, the Japanese invasion and occupation also led to the dismantlement of the structure of colonial economies in the two countries. The purpose of this study is to analyze and compare the relationship between the Japanese occupation and the economic decolonization in Vietnam and Indonesia during World War II. Special attention is given to the Japanese economic policies and their impacts on the destruction of colonial economies in the two countries. While underlining the negative economic consequences of the Japanese occupation, the study also explains how important the Japanese occupation period was in terms of accelerating the economic decolonization in Indonesia and Vietnam.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1574

30/07/2025

The importance of the study is defined by the need for a complete assessment of the existing situation and the potential for further growth of major sectors of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan in the context of increasing global instability. The purpose of the study is to assess the current state and outline prospects for further intensification of political dialogue, trade, economic ties, and humanitarian contacts, considering the national interests of the parties. Historical-genetic and comparative-historical methods, methods of typologisation, analysis, and comparative and statistical analysis are used to assess the dynamics of the development of bilateral relations. The steady growth of bilateral trade and Japanese investments in key sectors of the economy of Kazakhstan is analyzed. The positive dynamics of the expansion of humanitarian exchanges in the fields of education, science, and culture are shown. Therewith, reserves for further intensification of cooperation are identified. In particular, it is possible to increase the share of innovative and high-tech products in trade and expand joint research and development. Deepening academic exchanges and establishing direct contacts between cultural institutions and non-governmental organizations of the two countries are also promising areas. Specific proposals are formulated to further enhance economic partnership through the mechanisms of the Joint Commission and business councils. Measures to expand cultural and humanitarian cooperation are outlined, including the creation of national cultural centers and the promotion of youth and volunteer exchanges. The developed recommendations consider the key national interests of Kazakhstan and Japan.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1573

28/07/2025

When scholars, stakeholders, and the international community consider revitalizing democracy in Bangladesh a terrific challenge, the substantive question arises: did the country hold democracy in the true sense under any regime? Throughout its long political history, it has attained some structural democracy, but it still falls short of institutional democratic standards. Following a glorious, challenging, and victorious struggle for independence, it underwent post-independence governance, military dictatorship, and the democratic movement that resulted in structural democracy and “particracy.” The essay offers a comprehensive examination and critique of the political regime’s perspectives in Bangladesh with respect to this issue. This article helps readers better comprehend Bangladesh’s governance, political and democratic processes, and development phenomena under different regimes.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1572

25/07/2025

This paper examines the case of the Philippines in formulating its sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) excise tax policy through the lens of the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF). This case study used qualitative techniques to establish the networks and analyze the dynamics and interactions between the local sugar industry leaders and beverage manufacturing companies, as well as their advocacy strategies that influenced policy brokers from the government. The paper also highlights the complexities and the delicate balance needed to reconcile the differing interests of well-established political and economic groups and their effects on policy formulation. Their interactions were examined through the ACF, a tool that has been used to study existing tensions between and among stakeholders in the policy arena.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1571

23/07/2025

Despite the growing emphasis on the role of brand gestalt in marketing research, a discernible gap persists in empirical investigations regarding the interplay among brand gestalt, repurchase intention (RI), and customer citizenship behavior (CCB). More precisely, existing studies have yet to delve into the importance of brand gestalt within the distinctive context of traditional products and crafts. Focusing its investigative lens on Noken, a sustainable traditional woven bag with roots in Papua, Indonesia, this study seeks to deepen the understanding of the interplay between brand gestalt and customer behaviors in the context of a cherished traditional product. A research design employing an explanatory causal approach was used, involving the gathering of primary data through a self-administered online survey. This survey gathered responses from 302 individuals in the Papua region of Indonesia who regularly wear and use the Noken in their daily activities. The acquired quantitative data underwent a thorough partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to rigorously test the hypotheses and address the research questions. The findings of this study underscore a significant and positive influence of brand gestalt on repurchase intention. Furthermore, it is revealed that the dimensions constituting the brand gestalt wield a significant and positive influence on shaping CCB. The outcomes of this study illuminate the potential for leveraging brand gestalt to enhance customer engagement, loyalty, and active participation within the context of traditional products, thereby laying a foundation for strategic decision-making and future academic investigations. This study offers the inaugural empirical evidence that explores the multidimensional impact of brand gestalt on both RI and CCB within the realm of traditional products.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1570

21/07/2025

Premarital education in Malaysia is recognized as exemplary, given that it has become a model for the development of similar endeavors in other countries in Southeast Asia. Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the provision of premarital education in Malaysia. However, it was found that an evaluation through a moral-educational framework was missing, even though premarital education should be viewed as part of moral education. To fill this gap, this paper offers an analysis and assessment of Islamic premarital education in Malaysia through Sanger and Osguthorpe’s (2005) two-level framework. Data were collected from official documents, non-participant observation, and in-depth interviews with administrators, instructors, and class participants at the Premarital Course Centre TTDI, Kuala Lumpur. The findings showed the framework to be a powerful analytical tool. A clear picture was shown of Islamic premarital education as moral education, which at the same time threw light on its inconsistencies between (a) moral content, moral assumptions, and Islamic moral teachings; (b) moral content and programmatic ends; and (c) the method of instruction, psychological assumptions, and programmatic ends. These inconsistencies provide a basis for further development of Islamic premarital education as effective moral education in the future.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1569

18/07/2025

This research explores the perceptions of university students in relation to flagship species in Hainan, China, and its implications for sustainable tourism. The province has an enormous wealth of biodiversity with great development potential and value for tourism. However, there is little or no empirical evidence about Chinese students’ interest in flagship species, their conservation, or their contribution to sustainable tourism in general. The study utilized a mixed method approach through an explanatory sequential design, beginning with a self-administered survey among university students in Hainan, recruiting 531 participants, followed by individual interviews with 14 students. The results have implications for promoting flagship species in the province as a tourism destination while paying attention to the importance of educating students in the area. This study recommends focusing on university students’ understanding of flagship species and the significance of flagship species to Hainan’s sustainable tourism.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1568

16/07/2025

Thailand has implemented many initiatives in response to the growing older population. One of the objectives was to increase revenue through employment. This study examines the employment demands of the elderly population by considering their health status, eyesight, and hearing capacity, with the aim of improving the provision of employment support for the elderly. The data from the survey of older persons during 2007–2021 were examined. The results revealed that the Thai elderly’s working needs are likely to continually increase. However, their health status, eyesight capability, and hearing ability significantly affected the elderly’s working opportunities. One intriguing discovery pertained to the policy phenomena of implementing elderly allowances, which aimed to enhance the financial stability of older individuals who do not get additional government benefits. The introduction of the policy led to a reduction in the employment requirements of the senior population in the initial year of the research.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1567

14/07/2025

The young generation is considered as one important group that is driving societies to more sustainable development. This study focuses on personal attributes—environmental consciousness and pro-environmental behavior—in the context of youth. The purposes of this study are (a) to analyze the levels of environmental consciousness and pro-environmental behaviors on waste management of secondary school students and (b) to analyze the components of environmental consciousness attributed to Thai youth. This study employed a cross-sectional survey design. The research sample was 414 secondary school students. Overall, the results showed that the overall environmental consciousness of secondary school students is at a high level, whereas the overall pro-environmental behavior on waste management of secondary school students is at a moderate level. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the components of students’ environmental consciousness attributes comprise are personal responsibility, attitude towards the environment, environmental awareness in daily life, and environmental information. Besides, the results confirmed that environmental awareness in daily life is the most important attribute of environmental consciousness in the context of Thai youth.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1566

06/05/2025

As part of the Multi-Journal Special Issue (MJSI) Project, the Asia-Pacific Social Science Review published a special issue on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Access it here: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/apssr/vol24/iss3/

This collaborative effort includes leading journals across the region:

Asian Journal of Social Psychology

International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation

Journal of Pacific-Rim Psychology

Jurnal Psikologi Sosial (Indonesia)

Political Psychology

Psicologia USP

The Journal of Behavioral Science

Vietnamese Journal of Psychology

Want to see what the other journals have published as part of this initiative? Check them out here:

https://asiansocialpsych.org/mjsi/

This multi-journal special issue project is one of the many legacies of our late colleague and friend, Professor James H. Liu. Deeply concerned about a world threatened by issues such as poverty, inequality, injustice, human rights violations, political instability, pandemics, water and food shortag...

18/04/2025

Political and business leaders in South Korea are often the focus of attention these days because of their relation to shamanism. These activities are labeled superstitious and are widely condemned, though they are not new. Despite the overall condemnation, shamanistic practices among leaders, similarly to the wider population, persisted in the long run. There are two distinct parts to the criticism: everyday practice and high political positions given to mudangs. Practice is condemned because shamanism is not considered a religion as it has no proper institutions, that is, church, ideology, clergy, official history, and so forth. On the contrary, practice is continuous because its efficiency is widely believed. Presently given political positions somewhat reflect their historical situation. Mudangs were religious and spiritual experts throughout the centuries, and they often held high-ranking positions. Historically, this kind of cronyism was not only compensation for personal support but also shared responsibilities and duties with the worthy. Today, this is condemned because of the general consideration of shamanism as superstition and because politics is expected to work in a bureaucratic manner with elected tasks and responsibilities based on rational operation and institutional legitimacy, where politicians are bureaucrats who cannot share the delegated power arbitrarily. The situation is very similar in business, although less apparent. In this study, we focus on the institutionalization process first. Although the historical development of shamanism did not happen to form an established Church, the preservation of the practices and the ancient roles of religious experts, the present market processes, the increasing scientific research, and the partial governmental acceptance inspired by UNESCO contributed to a secondary institutionalization. Although public acceptance follows the primary structures of society built on formal institutions, personal considerations and decisions are influenced by this secondary layer. Whether this contradiction is a psychological constraint and causes stress among the related population is a question. Secondly, Korean society’s postmodern transformation supports different religiosity and spirituality, which gives another way for shamanism to flourish. Postmodern lifestyle with increased fragmentation and media use can incorporate shamanism with ease and fit properly into its disintegrated character. The highly industrialized and urbanized Korean society and the prevalent advanced IT and communication technology serve as fertile ground to absorb new-old religiosity. The psychological compulsion for spiritual experiences and healing and the social need for building identity on history support shamanism both as a new spirituality and heritage at the same time.

Access it here: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1564