A publication of the University of San Francisco Center for the Paciic Rim Copyright 2010 Volume IX ∙ Number 2 June ∙ 2010 Editors Joaquin Gonzalez John Nelson Editorial Consultants Barbara K. Bundy Hartmut Fischer Patrick L. Hatcher Editorial Board Uldis Kruze Man-lui Lau Mark Mir Noriko Nagata Stephen Roddy Kyoko Suda Bruce Wydick Asia Paciic: Perspectives Center for the Paciic Rim 2130 Fulton St, LM280 San Francisco, CA 94117-1080 Tel: (415) 422-6357 Fax: (415) 422-5933 perspectives@usfca.edu Downloaded from http://www.paciicrim.usfca.edu/research/perspectives The Sea Otter Islands: Geopolitics and Environment in the East Asian Fur Trade >>..............................................................Richard Ravalli 27 Shadows of Modernity: Hybrid Identities of Buraku Outcastes in Japan >>...............................................................Nicholas Mucks 36 East Timor and the Power of International Commitments in the American Decision Making Process >>.......................................................Christopher R. Cook 43 Syed Hussein Alatas: His Life and Critiques of the Malaysian New Economic Policy >>................................................................Choon-Yin Sam 55 Betel Nut Culture in Contemporary Taiwan >>..........................................................................Annie Liu 63 A Note from the Publisher >>..............................................Center for the Paciic Rim 69 Asia Paciic: Perspectives is a peer-reviewed journal published at least once a year, usually in April/May. It welcomes submissions from all ields of the social sciences and the humanities with relevance to the Asia Paciic region.* In keeping with the Jesuit traditions of the University of San Francisco, Asia Paciic: Perspectives com- mits itself to the highest standards of learning and scholarship. Our task is to inform public opinion by a broad hospitality to divergent views and ideas that promote cross-cul- tural understanding, tolerance, and the dissemination of knowledge unreservedly. Papers adopting a compara- tive, interdisciplinary approach will be especially welcome. Graduate students are strongly encouraged to submit their work for consideration. * ‘Asia Paciic region’ as used here includes East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Oceania, and the Russian Far East. Educating Minds and Hearts to Change the World