Metaphor of an aging population in Japanese political discourse: A Critical analysis

2026-08-12T03:36:05+00:00

This study examines the use of metaphors by 3 Japanese prime ministers in office from 2012–2024: PM Abe Shinzo, PM Suga Yoshihide, and PM Kishida Fumio. The data were taken from 10 speech transcripts from diet session meetings and press conferences. The portions of the transcripts analyzed are those that discuss an aging population as a serious demographic crisis facing Japan. The issues addressed are the identification of metaphors and their cognitive processes, the interpretation of metaphors, and the ideology behind their use. The data were analyzed using qualitative research procedures and a systematic guide for conducting critical metaphor analysis. The research results show that 7 conceptual metaphors were found that refer to the urgency of transforming the social security system carried out by the government. The seven conceptual metaphors are: THE ECONOMY IS AN ORGANISM, PROGRESS IS MOVING FORWARD, POLICY IS A WEAPON, A PROBLEM IS A WALL, THE MAIN SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD IS A BUILDING’S PILLAR, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES IS OPENING A PATH, and THE FUTURE IS A BURDEN. In addition, from the use of metaphors in their speeches, it is also known that the three prime ministers convey 2 types of emotions that coexist: concern and optimism. Concern is expressed when they discuss problems arising in society, while optimism is expressed when they present the government’s plans to address those problems. Furthermore, the analysis at the metaphor-explanation stage shows that the focus of the three Japanese prime ministers is economic recovery through empowering society. Basically, the three Japanese prime ministers want to maintain Japan’s position among the top three economies in the world, which is threatened by the rising burden of social security costs every year.

The Register of the pottery craftsmen community in Melikan Village, Wedi Subdistrict, Klaten Regency

2026-07-29T17:24:08+00:00

This study examines language registers used by the pottery-making community in Melikan Village, Wedi District, Klaten Regency, focusing on their forms and meanings from a sociolinguistic perspective, particularly Halliday’s theory. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach. The data consist of spoken utterances produced by community members during social interactions and containing distinctive register forms and meanings. Data were collected through audio recordings, indirect listening, and basic eavesdropping techniques, followed by semi-structured interviews, based on Sudaryanto’s framework. Data analysis employed the Miles and Huberman model. The findings indicate two forms of register: verbs and nouns. Fifteen verbal registers occur in conversations concerning the pottery-making process, while 28 nominal registers occur in discussions of pottery products and pottery-making tools. Regarding meaning and context, 28 registers represent the “limited context” type, occurring among pottery artisans, business owners, and between owners and artisans, primarily concerning production processes and tools. Meanwhile, 15 registers represent the open-circle type, occurring among artisans, business owners, distributors, and buyers, mainly concerning pottery products. These findings demonstrate that pottery-making registers function as specialized linguistic resources reflecting occupational activities, social relationships, and communicative contexts within the community and local knowledge embedded in everyday interactions among community members in Melikan Village.

LITE: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, dan Budaya

Metaphor of an aging population in Japanese political discourse: A Critical analysis

The Register of the pottery craftsmen community in Melikan Village, Wedi Subdistrict, Klaten Regency