STRATEGIC CULTURAL ADAPTATION IN ASIA: NAVIGATING IDENTITY DURING THE SLOWBALIZATION ERA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/tacr.2025.9Keywords:
Slowbalization, Cultural Adaptation, Cultural Commodification, Asian Dynamics, Creative IndustriesAbstract
This comprehensive study examines the intricate dynamics between local, national, and global cultures across Asia from 2001 to 2025, a critical transitional epoch shifting from intense hyperglobalization into the era of "Slowbalization". Adopting a rigorous qualitative comparative multi-case design, the research analyzes structural divergences in cultural adaptation across South Korea, Japan, China, Indonesia, and Laos. Challenging the traditional paradigm of unilateral cultural imperialism, the empirical findings fundamentally recontextualize Asian nations not as passive victims, but as highly strategic "negotiating actors" capable of generating significant cultural counter-flows. The analysis reveals that sustainable success in the global arena relies heavily on three structural pillars: state-driven industrial and diplomatic integration, the dynamic hybridization of indigenous traditions with digital ecosystems, and robust grassroots community empowerment to mitigate unregulated commercial commodification actively. To navigate critical emerging threats in the next quarter-century—specifically, artificial intelligence-driven cultural mimicry, polarizing identity politics, and systemic digital inequality—this paper formally proposes the Five-Dimensional Cultural Adaptation Framework (FDCAF). This synergistic roadmap equips policymakers to transform invaluable cultural heritage into lasting geopolitical and highly resilient economic advantages for the future.
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