Industrial heritage, different social powers and public policy in East Asia: a comparison of typical cases in China and Japan

Governments in East Asia employ distinct models for transforming industrial heritage, with China prioritizing real estate development and Japan focusing on tourism. However, the Hanyang Steel Factory in China and Tomioka Silk Mill in Japan reveal a more nuanced scenario where both serve as government-cultivated cultural markets tailored to national conditions. Despite their differences, both models face challenges, including the lack of worker gentrification and the risk of losing local workers, which threatens the sustainability of regional industrial culture. The study highlights the need for continuous optimization of preservation policies and closer cooperation between government and private sectors to balance social power relations effectively.

Han, S. H. (2023). Industrial heritage, different social powers and public policy in East Asia: a comparison of typical cases in China and Japan. Creative Industries Journal, 18(1), 61–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/17510694.2023.2182564