Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

1. Preface
The Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies (JCSS) is a crosscuttingorganization linking the academic societies related to sociology and social
welfare studies in the Science Council of Japan. JCSS’s purpose is to promote sociological and social welfare research in Japan, in particular by en-

CONTENTS

couraging cooperation between academic associations. Currently a lot ofleading associations in Japan are members of the Consortium.
JCSS had published a booklet and CD-R, Messages to the World, at the1

Preface2

Messages from Soci-World Congress of Sociology in Yokohama in 2014 in order to introduce

ological Societies inJapanese sociological and social welfare studies to researchers all over theJapanworld. Today, with the holding of the World Congress of Sociology in Toronto

3

Contactof JCSS

Informationin 2018, JCSS decided to report the current state of sociological and social
welfare research in Japan again. I hope that this collection of messages from
16 associations will be useful to people with sustained interest to the relationships between Japan and other countries around the world.
(1) The Japan Sociological Society 2(2) Japan Association for Urban Sociology 7(3) The Japan Research Society of Regional and Community Studies 9(4) Japan Society of Family Sociology 10(5) Japan Sociological Association for Social Analysis 12(6) The Japan Welfare Sociology Association 14(7) The Japanese Association for Environmental Sociology 15(8) Japanese Association for Rural Studies 17(9) The Japanese Association of Labor Sociology 19(10) The Japanese Society of Health & Medical Sociology 21(11) Japanese Association for Mathematical Sociology 23(12) Japanese Association of Social Problems 25(13) Kansai Sociological Association 27(14) Kanto Sociological Society 29(15) The Society of Socio-Informatics 30(16) Japan Society of Sport Sociology 32

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Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

2. Messages from Sociological Societies

a society that had been obsessively conscious ofin Japanits retardedness behind the Western world. In asense it was a nationalistic question from the particularistic perspective of Japan. However, as
stated in Messages to the World from Japanese(1) The Japan Sociological Society

Sociological and Social Welfare Studies Societies,
In Quest of Global Communality:

published by the Japan Consortium for Sociologi-

Japanese Sociology in the Post-Yokohama Era

cal Societies four years ago, Japanese sociology
in recent years has actively turned to various prob-

Kazuo Seiyama,lems of the globalizing society.

President of the Japan Sociological Society

The globalization of Japanese society may beseen in the following phenomena: The number of

The Japan Sociological Society has successfully

foreign workers in Japan is gradually increasing

hosted the ISA World Congress of Sociology,

and the number of tourists visiting Japan has dra-

Yokohama 2014, which had been our longstanding

matically increased. The street corners of Japanwish. Now that this has been achieved, Japaneseare now full of ethnically diverse people. Amongsociology aims to further develop in order to con-Japanese sociologists also, international researchtribute to the study of sociological problems of thecollaboration and dissemination are increasing

contemporary world.

steadily. And to promote this trend further, the Ja-

The world that today's sociology faces is very dif-pan Sociological Society have made agreements

ferent from the one when the ISA was establishedon academic exchange with the Korean Sociologi-

about 70 years ago. First, since that time there has

cal Association, the Chinese Sociological Associa-

been large-scale social change bringing about thetion and the Taiwanese Sociological Association.

age called postmodern or the second modernity.

In addition we provide travel grants to young over-This caused a fundamental reconsideration ofseas researchers to participate in the JSS annualclassical concepts such as class and nuclear fam-

conference and make presentations.

ily, and eventually made it inevitable for sociologi-

After 2011 one of the major tasks of Japanese

cal theory itself to be thoroughly restructured. Sec-sociology is research on disasters caused by theond, with the progress of globalization since theGreat East Japan Earthquake including the acci-

1990s, social reality and problems across and be-

dent at the Fukushima nuclear power plant and re-yond nation states such as immigration, mobility or

construction from those disasters. Study areas thatthe global environment have become increasingly

have been actively explored include the sociology

important. As a result, it has become necessary forof disaster, sociology of science and technology,sociological research to take a global perspective

volunteer activities, revitalization of local commu-

beyond methodological nationalism.

nities, and the like. These areas are also deeply

Japanese sociology has also undergone signifi-

related to problems of social solidarity and civil so-cant transformation. For a long time, the most im-

ciety, and many theoretical as well as empirical

portant question for Japanese sociology has beenstudies have been undertaken on social trust and"modernization". It reflected the identity problem ofsocial capital.
2Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

Also, for Japanese society, various problems

beyond national and regional areas.

brought about by the declining birthrate and aging

Our hope is that Japanese sociologists will co-

population are becoming urgent issues, especiallyoperate further with sociologists of the world to ad-

the problems of childcare, nursing care and the

dress these tasks.

sustainability of the social security system. While
the family has been a traditional main theme of

Building a New Academic Horizon: A Challenge

Japanese sociology, recent research in this area isfrom East Asia

focusing more on issues of birthrates, policies foraging society, or nursing care. Research concern-

Daishiro Nomiya Chuo University)

ing lifestyle diversity is also increasing, on such
topics as LGBT+ and surname after marriage. In

Over the years, the Japan Sociological Society

these areas, many Japanese sociologists partici-

has fostered cooperative relationships with neigh-pate in the process of governmental policymaking.

boring countries. Under the scheme of bilateral ex-

Today, not only Japan but the whole world ischange, scholarly conferences and joint projects

faced with new problems which cannot be grasped

have been held between Japan, on the one hand,from classical sociological viewpoints such as

and Korea, Taiwan and China, on the other. These

modernization and industrialization. On one hand,exchanges bore fruit, adding a new dimension to

the issue of social inequality which once focused

the development of Japanese sociology. However,on class is now centered on the problem of social

the effects of these cooperative efforts were rela-inclusion of minorities including gender and sexu-

tively confined to a small scholarly circle, as theyality minorities, ethnicity and immigrants, disabledwere demarcated by national boundaries.

persons and the elderly. On the other hand, theIn 2017, a new academic horizon emerged whenfear of increasing social division and fissure is be-sociologists from sociological associations in Ko-

coming grave, as seen, for example, in ethnic mi-rea, China, and Japan convened and declared thenorities' movements for independence from current

establishment of the East Asian Sociological Asso-nation states, Brexit, exclusion of immigrants, andciation (EASA). Moving beyond a bilateral scheme,

hate speech. Distrust of not only government but

the EASA aims to develop knowledge about Eastalso the mass media and intellectuals has in-

Asian society by fostering scholarly exchanges increased, bringing serious conflict and instability toEast Asia and beyond.

some societies.

The origin of the EASA can be traced back to

The urgent tasks for today's sociology are to de-2001, when a small group of sociologists fromvelop new conceptual structures and theoretical

China, Korea and Japan voluntarily started an ac-

constructs addressing these problems, analyze theademic discussion group, the East Asian Sociolo-

structures of the problems, and explore paths to-gists Network (EASN) as it was called later. The

ward solutions, in a sense toward a global commu-

emergence of the EASN was received as a “shock”

nality. Toward that end, sociological research itself

by many, as it symbolized a huge reversal to pre-will have to develop through closer collaboration

vious domain negativities hovering over the aca-and competition in a global academic community

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Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

demic world in East Asian countries, in which rela-from the area around the Fukushima nuclear plant.

tionships had often been marred by the brutal andMany of them had been living in the no-go zone

agonizing historical past of the 20th century.

within 20km of the melted-down nuclear plant, andWith its free and voluntary participation styleothers were from areas outside that zone where forbased on friendship and mutual respect, the EASA

several years no entry was allowed unless author-

greatly impacted the interaction patterns of schol-ized. Even now, seven years after the accident,ars residing in East Asian countries. It instantly be-

about 60,000 people are still in evacuation, halfcame a new platform for academic exchange;from within Fukushima Prefecture. They lost theirscholars and students gather every year, and thehomes, beautiful farmland, fisheries, customers,

venues for academic conferences move from one

workplaces and their hope. Many had their family

place to another.

lives destroyed. The national government policy of

Following in the footsteps of the EASN, theurging evacuees to return home has made them

EASA is now set for a new beginning. The inaugu-

distrustful and anxious. Their communities stand atral congress is scheduled in Japan, in March 2019.

a crossroads between rebirth and extinction.

As an organization open to all, it aspires to be an

Many sociologists have been conducting field

intellectual hub for the production of knowledge on

work dealing with the disaster, the evacuees, dev-

and wisdom of the East Asia through scholarly in-astated communities, and post-quake recovery

put from all around the world.

process, as well as urban protests for denuclearization. They have taken various points of view: ur-

Toward a Sustainable Future:ban, rural and environmental sociology, and soci-

The Nuclear Issue, the Environment, and Re-

ologies of disaster, science, media and social

covery from the Tsunami Disastermovements. Some of them have been involved inpolicy proposals for relief of evacuees, community

Koichi Hasegawa (Tohoku University)

recovery, nuclear regulation and shifts of energy
sources. The disaster has served as a call to re-

The tsunami disaster on 11 March 2011 is thethink the relationship between nature and society,largest disaster in Japan since the Second Worldand begin planning for a truly sustainable future.

War and the largest in any developed country.
More than 18,000 people died or are missing. This

Changes of Family and Gender Relations in Ja-

disaster triggered the Fukushima nuclear accident,

pan: Caregiving and Household Labor

the second largest nuclear accident after the Chernobyl accident in 1986. It revealed that Japan is a

Masako Ishii-Kuntz (Ochanomizu University)

seriously earthquake-prone country with a high riskof nuclear accidents. The ruins of the towns mostJapanese families have been influenced by sig-

devastated by the tsunami also reminded Japan ofnificant demographic changes such as rapid popu-

the heavy risks with which our society lives.

lation ageing, delay in marriage and the birth of theAmong the many lives that were devastated, thefirst child, and an increase in female labor force

most tragic and painful cases are the evacuees

4Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

participation. These demographic changes neces-

information, seesitate the adjustment of the traditional (and gen-

http://nfrj.org/index-e.htm.

dered) family roles, pointing in the direction of moreequally shared caregiving and household labor be-

Toward an Equal Society:tween husbands and wives.

Mathematical Sociology, Quantitative Sociol-

The ageing of society and delay in child birthogy, and Study of Social Stratification and So-

have recently resulted in the phenomenon of “dou-cial Mobility

ble care” which refers to middle-age people being
responsible for both child and elder care. In fact,

Yoshimichi Sato (Tohoku University)

approximately 27.1% of Japanese in their 30s are
expected to be involved in double care within theJapanese sociologists specialized in these fields

next few years. It was also found that 66.5% ofhave studied patterns of inequality. An interesting

women who are involved in double care have pre-finding is that the inequality between regular andschool-age children, and the majority of these dou-

non-regular workers is much larger than that be-

ble caregivers reported high level of stress.

tween social classes. Income of regular workers is

While the overall Japanese population has beenmuch higher than that of non-regular workers; reg-ageing, the number of three-generation house-ular workers have more job security than non-reg-holds has declined. This means that many youngular workers; regular workers enjoy ampler social

Japanese families cannot depend on grandparents

security than non-regular workers. In other words,

to provide childcare and housework. Meanwhile,

it is not social class but rather employment statusincreasing numbers of mothers have entered thethat counts in contemporary Japan.

labor force, making it necessary for their husbands

Many specialists in the study of social inequality

to be more actively involved in childcare andhave analyzed the datasets of the Social Stratifica-

housework. The Japanese government has beention and Social Mobility National Survey, which has

making concerted efforts to increase ikumen

been conducted every decade since 1955. The da-(childcaring men) in hopes that the paternal in-tasets are available through the Center for Social

volvement would encourage women to have more

Research and Data Archives of the Institute of So-

babies.

cial

Changes in gendered caregiving roles andScience,

UniversityofTokyo,

athttp://csrda.iss.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/.

household labor in Japanese families can be stud-

Mathematical sociologists in Japan have ex-

ied using quantitative data sets such as the Na-plained patterns of inequality with the help of math-tional Family Research of Japan (NFRJ) collectedematical models. The relative risk aversion modelby the Japan Society of Family Sociology (JSFS),

explains persistent inequality of educational oppor-

and the Japanese General Social Survey (JGSS),

tunity between social classes. Some Japaneseboth of which have been made publicly available.

mathematical sociologists found limitations of their

The NFRJ data, which include the follow-up data,

model and proposed a more general and logicallywere initially collected in 1998, and the collection

consistent model, which also explains recent de-of qualitative data is currently underway. For moreclines in inequality of educational opportunity in

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Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

European societies. The Japanese Association fortion companies and politicians, environmental de-Mathematical Sociology is the major player in the

struction in the cities, moves by the government tostudy of mathematical sociology and has beenbuild a new nationalism through the Olympics, andsupporting the development of excellent younger

sexual harassment and bullying of female athletes.

sociologists.

The proper role of sports sociology is to cast a crit-

Why do they study social inequality? Their ulti-

ical eye on these problems associated with themate goal is to realize a society in which equality

Olympics.

of opportunity is secured. For this goal, quantitative

On the other hand, during this Tokyo event, thesociologists study patterns of inequality using so-

Paralympics will attract as much attention as thephisticated statistical models, and mathematical

Olympics, and definitely much more than previ-sociologists build mathematical models to under-

ously. The quiet measures aimed at abolition ofstand the mechanisms producing inequality. With

discrimination and prejudice against disabled peo-

the help of their quantitative analysis and mathe-ple, as well as their social inclusion, are spreading.

matical modeling, we can envisage the creation of

Sharing the viewpoint of “sports for all” might bean equal society.

finally taking root in Japanese society.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic

Games will, in various senses, definitely provide

Games and Sports Sociology

much material for considering the present conditions and future development of Japanese society.

Kimio Ito (Kyoto Sangyo University)

It will be worthwhile for sociologists around theworld to pay close attention to Japan’s second

In 2020, Tokyo will host its second Olympics.

Olympics.

The mascot characters have been decided, and aconstruction rush is under way in Tokyo, centered

Pop Culture, Subculture and Contemporaryon sports facilities . The 1964 Olympics were a

Culture in Japansymbolic event for the rebuilding of Japan’s economic and social infrastructure in the wake of the

Shunya Yoshimi (University of Tokyo)

Second World War. What kind of meaning will thesecond Tokyo Olympics take on for Japanese so-

There are many different names for cultural

ciety in the future? Not all of the prospects arepractices in our age: pop culture, subculture, pop-

bright.

ular culture, mass culture, contemporary culture,

Many monographs and articles analyzing theetc. Until the end of the 19th century, as the border2020 Tokyo Olympics have been published in the

between elite and ordinary people was relatively

past several years by sports sociologists. Most ofclear, we could separate popular culture from thatthem take a critical view of Japan’s second Olym-of the elite. Since then the border is very vague andpics. It is true that there are many problems, such

pop culture has become the hegemonic realm ofas the cozy relationship between huge construc-cultural practices consumed by the whole society.
From the Western perspective, Japanese pop

6Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

culture is often represented by manga, anime, andhttp://urbansocio.sakura.ne.jp/english.html)

gaming. If we observe it from the inside, they are
only parts of contemporary culture in Japan. We

About Japan Association for Urban Sociology

need to consider many of other cultural practices(JAUS)

including pop music, TV dramas, street fashion,

The Japan Association for Urban Sociology

and pop art. Thus sociological studies on Japa-(JAUS) was founded in 1982. Through the coop-nese contemporary culture should cover a large

eration of its members, it aims to contribute to therange of fields.

advancement and development of sociologicalThis is the “contact zone” among younger re-studies of cities and urbanization in theoretical,

searchers of sociology, anthropology, culturalempirical, and applied aspects. JAUS totals 290

studies, cultural history, film studies, gender stud-

members (as of September 2017).

ies, and even economics. Some of them are more

The annual JAUS assembly is held in autumn.

interested in the production side: media industries,

It consists of paper presentations, a symposium,promotion strategies, and creators. Others are

and panel discussions on a focused theme. Oc-

more interested in the consumption side: audiencecasional special sessions and round tables areinterpretation and performances by young people.

held to coincide with contemporary urban issues.

Yet the expansion of the internet presents re-

In 2010, we signed a memorandum of agreement

searchers with a new situation in which the twofor exchange with the Korean Association of Re-

sides cannot be clearly separated.

gional Studies. Since then we have taken turns in

In order to develop theoretical perspectives,

sending scholars to present papers at each other’s

young researchers make efforts to introduce gen-annual assembly. The Annals of Japan Associa-

der and class dimensions of culture in the analysis

tion for Urban Sociology is the association’s annualof such phenomena as karaoke, cosplay and maidjournal, with the cumulative publication of 35 vol-cafés. At the same time, previous work on pop cul-umes (as of 2017).

ture, subculture and contemporary culture in Japan
includes many highly evaluated studies integrating

Activity of JAUS after the ISA Yokohama 2014

theory and empirical research.

In the book Message to the World (2014), we in-

Although many sociological concepts and meth-troduced the history and future prospect of urban

odologies are still effective in the field, the English-sociology in Japan. This work was edited by thelanguage discussions on contemporary JapaneseJapan Consortium for Sociological Societies andculture are being held mainly in the field of cultural

published upon the ISA Yokohama in 2014. As

studies, such as the annual international “Cultural

an introduction to our recent activities, the follow-

Typhoon” conferences of the Association for Cul-ing are the outline and papers presented at thetural Typhoon.

symposia of our annual assemblies after 2014.
1. The Modern Paradigm of Community Theory
Reconsidered: Modern Japan and Contemporary
Asia (2017)(2) Japan Association for Urban Sociology (JAUS：

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Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

Japanese theories of urban sociology, devel-

during the 1980s Bubble Economy and its After-

oped upon urbanization in periods of high eco-

math (Masaki URANO)

nomic growth, do not necessarily match the social
reality of today’s era of rapid globalization. How-

3. Community Reproduction by Indigenous People

ever, a new paradigm is yet to emerge. There are

and Migrants after the Great East Japan Earth-hopes, on the other hand, that rapidly growing

quake (2016)

Asian cities might find relevance in our “traditional”

The symposium discussed the migration andurban sociological theories of Japan. The sympo-

transition of urban and regional society after thesium attempted to connect the history of Japan’sGreat East Japan Earthquake (March 11, 2011),

urban sociology and the studies on developing cit-from the viewpoint of “indigeneity and fluidity” as

ies of Asia. Following are the papers presented:

well as “reproduction of community.”(1) Inter-Generational Succession and Interna-(1) Settlement and Mobility after the Great East-tionalization of Urban Sociology (Kenji MUROI)

Japan Earthquake: Reconstructing Local Identity(2) Studies of Developing Countries: Does the(Masaki URANO)

Paradigm Converge? (Natsumi ARATAME)(2) Reorganizing Lives of Nuclear Evacuees and(3) From the Pitfall to Diversity of Urban Commu-

Revitalizing the Local Community: A Case Study ofnity: Case of a Gated Community in Bali (Kosuke

Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture (Yuko MATSU-HISHIYAMA)SONO)

2. Urban Problems and Discourses of Gentrifica-

4. Restructuring of Urban Middle Class and Resi-tion in the Age of Bubble Economy: Why weren't

dential Space (2014)

the "Ji-age" Phenomena Described as "Gentrifica-

This symposium highlighted the contemporarytion"? (2016)

middle-class in urban areas in relation to the reor-

The symposium discussed the reasons why

ganization of the residential space based on the

gentrification theory was not a focus of study for aempirical studies on gentrification, phenomenon oflong time in Japan, reconsidering the reorganiza-

returning to the city center, and gated communities

tion of urban structures during the bubble economy

of Japan.

(late 1980’s to early 1990’s)

sented:(1) Who Stole Another Future of the City Land-(1) Gentrification as a Value Struggle in thescape in Tokyo?: Financialization, State-led Ne-

Global City (Nozomu SHIBUYA)

oliberal Policy, and the Ideology of "Livable(2) Upper-middle Class Condominium Residents

City"(Takashi MACHIMURA)

and their Local Lives in the Era of Urban Core Re-(2) Expanding Disparity and Polarization of Met-

vival: The Cases of Chuo Ward in Tokyo and Kita

ropolitan Areas after 1980s: Time-lagged Gentrifi-

Ward in Osaka (Manabu AJISAKA)

cation as a 'Bloodless Revolution'(Kenji HASH-(3) Safety Consciousness of Security Town Resi-

IMOTO)

dents: Gated Communities in Japan (Yuichi(3) Community Movement and Social Change

NAKANO)

8

The following are the papers pre-

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

The Annals of Japan Association for Urban So-

ogy as well as RC21. (Call for papers from con-ciology is usually a special issue journal that pub-ferences and workshops).

lishes papers presented in the latest symposium.
The following is the list of special issue titles from

Other activities

2001 to 2013 (published in 2014):

In 2002, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of
its foundation, the association published a 3-vol-Vol.32 (2014) City Planning and the City Develop-

ume series entitled Urban Sociology: Selected

ment Based on “The City Idea”

Readers (I. Modern Urbanism; II. Urban Space andVol.31 (2013) Urban Sociology: Its Trace and Per-

Urban Communities; III. Political Economy of thespectiveCity.) This was a compilation of basic literature

Vol.30 (2012) Urban Sociological Approaches towritten in Japanese as well as in foreign languages

Povertytranslated into Japanese.

Vol.29 (2011) Visual Research and Urban Sociology

President: Kazushi TAMANO, Tokyo Metropolitan

Vol.28 (2010) Urban Sociology from the Perspec-

University

tive of Social Mobility and Generation

Secretariat: Yuichiro KOYAMA, Tamagawa Uni-

Vol.27 (2009) Suburban New Town Development

versityand Local Memory

E-mail: usocio@urbansocio.sakura.ne.jp

Vol.26 (2008) Community-Oriented Welfare, Present, and Future: Power of Urban Sociology
Vol.25 (2007) Socio-Spatial Structure and Its(3) The Japan Research Society of Regional

Change in Three Metropolitan Areas: Sociology

and Community Studies

Meets Geography
Vol.24 (2006) City and Youth: Between “Urban

The Japan Research Society of Regional andYouth” and “City of Youth”

Community Studies, the predecessor of JARCS,

Vol.23 (2005) Reading the Metropolis of Osaka

was inaugurated in 1976 with 119 members. It wasfrom the Viewpoint of “Inner-Ring” Area

re-named the Japan Association of Regional andVol.22 (2004) Urban Sociology and Environmental

Community Studies (JARCS) in 1984. The primary

Problems: From the Viewpoint of Sustainability

aim of JARCS is to stimulate open debate on re-Vol.21 (2003) Critiques and Expectations from Re-

gional and community studies of Japan.

lated Disciplines

JARCS has a membership of about 400 in January

Vol.20 (2002) The Scope of Japanese Urban Soci-2018. A member comes from diverse backgrounds

ology

including urban sociology, rural sociology, and environmental sociology.
JARCS has a board that consists of a president,

Relationship with ISA
The association’s newsletter and website include

a secretary general, a treasury, and other trustees.

information on the ISA-World Congress of Sociol-

It also has several committees such as a research

9Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

committee that decides on the theme and speak-

The Great East Japan Earthquake:ers for the annual symposia, an editorial committee

2014

for the annals, an award committee to give prizes

Regional Community Studies

such as the best book prize, and a committee to2015

encourage international exchange among themembers.

2016

its own journal, Annals of Regional and Community
available

in

J-STAGEson and Reality of “Revitalization”

tinction of Hinterlands” Policies from
Local Point of View

Studies since 1979. Articles on the Annals afterare

The Great East Japan Earthquake: Vi-

Considering “Revitalization” and “Ex-JARCS has annual conference, and publishes

2014

Problems in the Regeneration andRebuilding the Social Relationships

website2017(https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp). The newsletter isaccording to Common Resources in
Local Comunities

published six times a year. Research seminars areheld four times a year. Its official website is as follows: http:// jarcs.sakura.ne.jp.
Table 1 shows the title of special issues in the
Annals of Regional and Community Studies since(4) Japan Society of Family Sociology (JSFS):

2008.

Towards the Active Internationalization of Research in Family Sociology, 2014-2018

Table 1The Japan Society of Family Sociology (JSFS)

The title of special issues in the Annals of Regional

is an academic organization established in 1991 toand Community Studies since 2008.

promote theoretical, empirical, and practical re2008

search concerning families, so as to contribute toShrinking Society and Local Commu-

the development of both individuals and society.

nity Today

The details and history of JSFS and its previous
2009

2010

Community

Regeneration

in

the

organization, and the methods and data used in

Shrinking Society

Japanese family sociological research were de-

The Actualities of the Community Re-

scribed in a previous paper, “Following Changes

generation in the Local Area

and Consistency of Japanese Families: Message
to World Sociologists from the Japan Society of

Perspectives on Regional Revitaliza2011

2012

2013

Family Sociology,” published by the Japan Consor-

tion and Regional and Community

tium for Sociological Societies in 2014. JSFS has

StudiesState, City-Region and Community

been one of the most active academic sociologicalunder Rescaling

societies in Japan, and its major work is the publi-

Rescaling Theory and its Japanesecation of the scholarly journal Japanese Journal ofContext

Family Sociology (JJFS) and its sponsorship of annual meetings and other academic activities.
At present, JSFS is making concerted efforts towards the internationalization of its research. For
10

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

this purpose, it mainly focuses on three actions:

States.

publishing articles written in English in JJFS thatshow research findings concerning characteristics

2.

“Attitudes of Female Students toward Sup-of Japanese families; providing quantitative data

porting Elderly Parents in Major Cities infor public use, as described in detail below; and ex-

Asia.” Key words were comparative re-panding comparative studies, particularly of fami-

search, elderly care, female university stu-

lies in the context of East Asia. In doing so, sincedents, family reciprocity, care norms, foreign

2014 JSFS has been actively organizing opportu-

domestic helpers, family responsibility, so-nities for discussion, such as symposia and panels,

cial service needs, and six Asian Cities

as outlined below.

(Seoul, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Nanjing, Sin-

At the 2014 ISA meeting in Yokohama, JSFS

gapore, Hong Kong).

held two sessions: the RC06/RC33 session, Panel
Data Analysis of Families Worldwide; and theAt the 2015 JSFS Annual Meeting in Osaka

RC06 session, Family Studies Based on Quantita-

there were two international sessions:tive Analyses of Surveys. Both sessions focus on
quantitative research methods, mainly using the

1.

“Work-Family Balance of Families with Small

National Family Research of Japan (NFRJ) data.

Children: How to Achieve Gender Equality in

The NFRJ project has been planned and con-Parenting.” Key words were population and la-ducted by a committee within JSFS. It includes abor statistics, policies related to work-life bal-series of cross-sectional surveys (1998, 2003,

ance, child wellbeing, working parents, trans-

2008, and 2018 which is ongoing), a retrospective

national, Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden.

survey with life course questions, and panel studies (NFRJ-08 Panel) that followed the 2008 survey

2.

“Contemporary Family Research.” Key words

participants from 2008 to 2012. These data are

included attitude toward filial obligation, single

provided for public use by the Social Science Ja-

parents, isolation, network, ideology, family

pan Data Archive (SSJDA) and ICPSR. The 2014

policy, East Asian Social Survey (EASS),

ISA meeting offered valuable opportunities to ex-

Comparative Asian Family Survey (CAFS),

pand our family research network.

and ISSP2012.

At the 2014 JSFS Annual Meeting in Tokyo there
were two international sessions:

At the 2016 JSFS Annual Meeting in Tokyo there
were three international sessions:

1.

“What Are Important Issues in Stepfamily
Research?: Perspectives on Social and Cul-

1.

“A comparative Study between Japan andtural Contexts.” Key words from the ab-

Korea: Discrimination against Single Parent

stracts of papers included remarriage, step-

Families, Their Exclusion from Society andfamilies, stepchildren, stepparents, clinicalSocial Support.” Key words were single moth-work with stepfamilies, socio-cultural con-ers, unwed mothers, child care, self-independ-

texts, conceptual framework, and Unitedence, difficulty in living, minorities, networking,11

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

2.

3.

Summer 2018

Japan and Korea.

below.

“Changes and Current Issues on Families in

Contact Information:

East Asia: Toward the East Asian Social Sur-

Japan Society of Family Sociology Officevey 2016.” Key words were East Asia, gen-c/o Kokusai Bunken-sha

der equality, work and family, family structure,358-5, Yamabuki-cho

aging care, gender role attitudes (GRA), inter-

Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0801,

generational transmission, and Taiwan YouthJapan

Project.

http://www.wdc-jp.com/jsfs/index_e.html“In Search of Plural Ways for Globalization ofJapanese Family Sociology: Through Eyes ofInternational Students from Asian Regions.”(5) Japan Sociological Association for Social

Key words included globalization in Asia, Chi-

Analysis (SASA: 日本社会分析学会)

nese family construction, difficulties and conflicts, job-hunting activities.

SASA is an association of small-scale but with along history of half a century. It was originallyAt the 2017 JSFS Annual Meeting in Kyoto there

launched as The Kyushu University Sociologicalwere two international sessions:

Association in 1966 and got a fresh start as an independent and extended association in 1985. Out

1. “Care networks and Intimacy: The Implicationsof 155 members, the proportion from abroad isof a Comparison of China, Japan, and Den-around ten percent. Toward the goal to make anal-

mark.” Key words included elderly care, inti-

ysis of modern societies by developing sociologicalmacy, scientific child care, care networks, andtheory and methods, it has held regular research

Denmark.

meetings twice a year (134th as of the winter of2017) and published an annual journal, Social

2. “Families in Japan and Asia: Current Situation

Analysis (44 volumes in total as of 2017). The jour-and Change Based on Social Surveys.” Key

nal includes some articles in English and all thewords were NFRJ, EASS, CAFS, family

contents (except the recent volume) are freelychanges, family attitude, and low birthrate andavailable to every reader in the world at ourlongevity.

homepage. Hereby, we summarize our distinctive
research activities since 1994 from two dimen-

The 2018 JSFS Annual Meeting will be held on

sions: symposiums and special sessions orga-

September 8-9, at Chuo University, Tokyo. The

nized and special issues edited. (Please refer Mes-

main guest speaker will be Dr. Chin-Chun Yi, thesage to the World (1994) and our website for ourcurrent president of ISA RC06 (Family Research).

activities in details.)

Active participation and discussions at the meetingare anticipated. For details, please visit the website

12

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

●Symposiums and Special Sessions at the Meet-

Symposium: City Planning in Aging Societies:

ing

New Form of City Planning by Collaboration(126th, December 2013). This symposium was

Symposium: For Sociological Restoration andheld to discuss practical problems of aging and city

Disaster Prevention (133rd, July 2017). This

planning in a local situation by inviting community

symposium focused on earthquake disaster fromleaders in Taketa City for speakers. Three papers

the viewpoint of restoration and disaster preven-presented in the meeting were published in Socialtion. Disaster is one of the main issues that we

Analysis Vol.42. Thus, urbanization and commu-

have continuously studied, especially for disasters

nity issues have been our main concern.

in Kyushu area such as Shimabara volcanic hazard between 1991 and 1995 and Kumamoto earth-●Special Issues in Social Analysis (Themes of is-quake disaster in 2016.

sues and main title of articles)

Special Lecture: “Challenge of a Government

Vol.45, 2018: (Forthcoming) Religion and Com-

Think Tank for Regional Revival,” (129th, August

munity2015). Lecture by a political scientist, Mitsugu
HIMAKI (Center of Policy and Promotion, Sasebo

Vol.44, 2017: Social Welfare and Community

City), who currently works for Sasebo city govern-“Common ties and social interaction of participants

ment. In this way we have developed urban andof illness / Participants of illness with common ties

rural sociology in local and practical settings.

and social interaction,” “Imagination in the street
welfare,” “Expectations and problems of social iso-Symposium: Social Support and Solidarity

lation prevention through elderly salon activity,” “A(128th, December 2014). Held at Soochow Univer-study on the development and utilization of newsity in Taipei, this international symposium focusedservice in preventive long-term care and daily lifeon the problems on support and caring for children,

support for business,” “The complicity and twist be-elderly, poor, and isolated. Six papers presented at

tween the civil society reform and neo-liberalism.”

the meeting were published in Social Analysis Vol.
43. As illustrated by this symposium, many of ourVol.43, 2016: Sociological Approaches to So-

members are working on regional welfare prob-

cial Impacts of Disasterlems.

“Restoration from great East Japan earthquake
and regional revitalization,” “The problems of life-

Young Sociologists’ Session: Grass-roots Rightreconstruction and communities for the evacuees

and Gender: From the viewpoint of Bashingby Fukushima nuclear disaster,” “Local community

against Gender Equality (127th, August 2014).

under estimation of huge earthquake damage,”This was a special session planed and coordinated“Psychological vulnerabilities in tsunami evacua-

by young members, aiming at promoting youngtion behavior.”

blood and new talent.
Vol.42, 2015: The Issue of Children and Child-

13

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

rearing: Current Status and Problems“Social participation and problems in daily life(6) The Japan Welfare Sociology Association

faced by mothers of children with developmental
disorders,” “Nurture of the children of the non-

Message to the World from the Japan Welfare

blood relative as the families,” “Community morale

Sociology Associationin the member of family support center,” “Mainstreaming of community-based welfare and care

The Japan Welfare Sociology Association

support activity,” “Governmental demographic pol-(JWSA) was officially established on June 28th,

icy, family trends and low child birth rates since2003. It is thus a relatively young academic asso-

WW II.”

ciation. However, there is a long history of welfare
sociology in Japan prior to the establishment of the
JWSA.

Vol.41, 2014: Social Structure and Social Capi-

In the 1980s, while there were heated argu-

tal“Difficulties in measuring communal social capital,”ments on the “crisis of the welfare state” in Euro-“The social structure of community in terms of in-pean countries, Japanese social scientists had

terorganizational network,” “Social capital andonly just begun to study the concept. Japan was atrends of suicide in contemporary Japan,” “Net-“belated welfare state.” After the late 1980s, a com-base theory of social capital.”parative research project was carried out at the Na-

In Summary, the foothold of SASA is to analyze ur-

tional Institute of Social Security, headed by abanization and regional social change, from theyounger generation of sociologists. At the same

viewpoint of the community, family, welfare, andtime, sociologists were conducting academic re-disaster, by developing sociological frameworks insearch on the practices of social work and social

which theoretical and empirical approaches aresupport.

well balanced. On this foothold members have ac-

These different streams of sociological researchtively conducted cooperative research projects andformed the basis of the JWSA in 2003. Since then,published many books (most are introduced by thethe number of JWSA members has been on thebook reviews in our Journal.) The best-suitedrise, amounting to 478 as of February 2018. The

blend of bonding and bridging networks, in other

JWSA has sponsored an annual meeting every

words, balancing coexistence of gemeinschaft andyear since 2003. Recent research presentation

gesellschaft has driven our research activities.

topics have included the declining birthrate/aging
population, risk society, disparity society due toChairperson: Kazuto MISUMI, Kyushu University.

globalization, deterioration of the employment en-

Secretariat: Yoichiro KUWAHATA, Yamaguchi

vironment, new poverty, and social discrimination

University

against LGBT.

sasa@jsasa.org

The president of the JWSA recently addressed
the annual meeting: “There are three major mod-http://jsasa.org/index.cgi

ern social changes that welfare sociology should

14

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

address; aging society, risk society, and globaliza-

in different countries would be most fruitful. Refer-tion. Welfare sociological perspectives for analyz-

ring to the categories of Research Committees

ing these phenomena include views on the rise and(RCs) of the International Sociological Association

decline of the intermediate groups, pluralistic vi-(ISA), the research interests of JWSA members

sions to the economy and society, attention to theoverlap with RC11 (Sociology of Aging), RC15

mode for distribution of social resources (self-help,(Sociology of Health), RC19 (Poverty, Social Wel-

reciprocity, redistribution, and market exchange),

fare, and Social Policy), RC41 (Sociology of Popu-

perception on the social arrangement of relations

lation), RC49 (Mental Health and Illness), and(intimate sphere, cooperative sphere, public

RC55 (Social Indicators). In addition to these RCs,

sphere, and market sphere), and awareness of the

JWSA members actively joined sessions of RC06

conflict and synergy of norm and desire.”(Family Research), RC20 (Comparative Sociol-

The other major work of the JWSA is the publi-ogy), RC47 (Social Classes and Social Move-cation of an annual scholarly journal (the Journal

ments), RC53 (Sociology of Childhood), WG03

of Welfare Sociology), which carries original pa-(Visual Sociology, now RC57), and TG03 (Humanpers, book reviews, and featured articles based on

Rights and Global Justice) in roles such as RC

the past year’s symposium. The papers address aboard member, session organizer, chair, and pre-wide range of issues, including themes such as

senter at the XVIII ISA World Congress of Sociol-care (elderly care and child care), volunteers,ogy (Yokohama, 2014) and the Third ISA Forum ofNGOs/NPOs, and comparative social policy. The

Sociology (Vienna, 2016).

main subjects of the journals published from 2014
to 2017 were welfare-related volunteers, planningcapabilities for community welfare program, international retirement migration, disability move-(7) The Japanese Association for Environmen-

ments, crime victim support, care work, elderly wel-tal Sociology

fare, and so on. These various issues reflect Japan’s unique experience in social change, such as

1. What is JAES?

an exceptionally high level of aging and fertility de-

The Japanese Association for Environmental

cline.

Sociology (JAES) is a non- profit membership or-

As a young association, the JWSA is still devel-

ganization dedicated to advancing the develop-

oping and changing. One of the important tasks forment of environmental sociology. JAES was

the JWSA is boosting international research col-founded in 1992 with 53 researchers taking part inlaboration and academic exchange. Our foremost

its foundation. Now with 571 members (as of April

task should be to render our journal and annual

1, 2016), JAES has become the largest environ-

meeting more accessible to foreign scholars,

mental sociology association around the Globe.

thereby sharing Japan’s experience in welfare and

JAES members come from a wide range of back-social policies with sociologists worldwide. Besides

grounds: researchers, teachers, students andthis, comparative research projects on various in-practitioners in many fields. The Association holds

stitutions and practices concerning welfare issues

semiannual seminars each spring and autumn and15

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

publishes the Journal of Environmental Sociology,

farming, Minamata disease, and forest conserva-

the world’s first journal devoted especially to envi-

tion. The seminars held each spring are well-ronmental sociology.

known for their excursion programs: each provides
its members the opportunity to discuss on site,

2. Brief History

namely, at the actual place of environmental dis-Japanese environmental sociology has roots

ruption. The seminars have been held in places

that go back to the early 1960s, when it mainly fo-

such as Ashio copper mine, Lake Biwa, the World

cused its attention on the analysis of social mech-

Heritage Shirakami Mountains, Minamata, Niigata,

anisms that produced pollution victims. This can bea waste disposal site in Nagano, Toyooka,

attributed mainly to the fact that Japan suffered

Kuzumaki, Ogata, Fukushima, Yanagawa.

from severe environmental disruptions (kogai) in

JAES places emphasis on communicating withthe 1960s and 1970s. A few examples of the dis-foreign researchers and associations abroad.

ruptions are Minamata and Itai-Itai diseases, but

JAES held the “International Symposium on Envi-the list continues endlessly. Researchers, there-ronmental Problems in Asian Societies” in 1993,

fore, conducted case studies occasionally accom-and the Association supported “Kyoto Environ-panied by in-depth interviews, intending to under-

mental Sociology Conference 2001” organized bystand subjective reactions of victims as well as

Research Committee 24 of the International Soci-their protest activities and to uncover the mecha-

ological Association. The International Relations

nisms of societal and environmental disruption in

Committee was founded in 2002 to promote net-

local communities. Sociologists of the time consid-

working especially among Asian societies. To date,ered analyzing the structure of victimization as

JAES hosted two international conferences (in To-

more urgent than the HEP-NEP paradigm change

kyo [2008] and Sendai [2015], both in Japan) andcontroversy. In the late 1980s, Japanese sociolo-

collaborated five (Beijin in 2007; Hsinchu, Taiwan

gists whose interests focused on environmental

in 2009; Bucheon, Korea in 2011; Nanjing, China

problems gathered at a symposium. They foundedin 2013, Taipei in 2017). Still another conference isa small informal association in 1990, the predeces-scheduled in Korea in 2019.

sor of The Japanese Association for Environmen-

JAES is also active in increasing interchanges

tal Sociology. The late Prof. IIJIMA Nobuko (1938-

with other fields of social sciences. Since 2000,

2001), a pioneer in Japanese envi- ronmental so-

JAES has co-hosted interdisciplinary symposium

ciology, became the first president.

with two academic associations, the Society for
Environmental Economics and Policy Studies and3. Semiannual seminars and other activities

the Japan Association for Environmental Law andReflecting the diversity of our members, thePolicy.

themes of recent seminars include: eco-tourism

After the Great East Japan Earthquake and theand regeneration of community, new wave of envi-

Fukushima nuclear disaster, the JAES set up theronmental movements, “commons” and the envi-

ad hoc committee on the Earthquake and Nuclear

ronment, citizen-participation in the environmental

Disaster to facilitate understanding the changing

policy-making process, renewable energy, organic

situations of impacted areas and people through16

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

academic works. Our important missions among

and Problems

them are collecting and reporting what are happen-

No. 14 (2008) Rethinking the Coexistence withing due to this historical disaster.

“Wildlife”
No. 15 (2009) (1) Environmental Sociology in the

4.The Journal of Environmental Sociology

Age of Environmental Governance

The annual academic journal of JAES, the Jour-(2) The Formation of Environmental Sociology in

nal of Environmental Sociology, was first publishedthe East Asia

in 1995. The Journal covers a wide range of topics,

No. 16 (2010) Disasters Studies : New Perspec-

just like the semiannual seminars, and each issue

tives in Environmental Sociology

contains special feature articles (most of which are

No. 17 (2011) The Establishment of a Sound Ma-

written in Japanese with English abstracts), as

terial-Cycle Society and Environmental Sociology

shown below:

No. 18 (2012) Environmental Sociology and theConcept of “Damage”

No. 1 (1995) Perspectives of Environmental Soci-No. 19(2013) Responding to a Severe Compound

ology

Disaster: Focusing on Suffering and Harm

No. 2 (1996) Fieldwork and Environmental Sociol-

No. 20(2014) Breakthroughs in Environmental So-

ogy

ciologyNo. 3 (1997) Forests, River and Sea as Commons

No. 21(2015) The Scope of Environmental Sociol-

No. 4 (1998) Environmental Movements and NPOs

ogy: Time in Environment and Time in Society

No. 5 (1999) Sociological Study on Environmental

No. 22(2017) Sustainability of Agriculture and En-

Regeneration

vironment

No. 6 (2000) (1) Viewpoints on the Environmental

No. 23(2017) The Interaction Between Humans

Destruction

and Nature: An Investigations into Coexistence(2) The Significance of Waste Management Legislation and its Social Impacts
No. 7 (2001) Environmental Policy and Environ-(8) Japanese Association for Rural Studies

mental Sociology
No. 8 (2002) Toward a Sociology of Renewable

1. Association:

EnergyThe Japanese Association for Rural Studies

No. 9 (2003) Discourse toward Organic Farming(commonly known as “Sonken”) is an association

and Vernacular Life Stylecomposed of researchers who perform analyses

No. 10 (2004) New Developments in Environmen-

targeting “rural areas” from multifaceted viewpoints

tal Sociologythat include sociology, agricultural economics,

No. 11 (2005) A Logic of Justice and Legitimacy

economic history. The Society for Rural Studies,

about Environment

which was the association’s predecessor, wasNo. 12 (2006) World Heritage and Environmental

launched at the end of 1952 and its first official re-Sociology

search meeting was held in October 1953 at

No. 13 (2007) “Civic Research”: Its Possibilities

Tohoku University. Therefore, the year 201217

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

marked the 60-year anniversary since the estab-

Summer 2018

power plant accident in Fukushima.

lishment of Sonken. ARUGA Kizaemon and FU-

In dealing with enormous difficulties brought

KUTAKE Tadashi, who had been major research-about by the calamities, each chapter addresses

ers from back in those days, played leading roles

the ways in which the human behaviors influencein the establishment of the Society for Rural Stud-

the actual experiences of catastrophes. Seen fromies. In 1993, exactly 40 years after the launch of

the community-scale perspective, even a tremen-

Sonken, the Society for Rural Studies got a fresh

dously large-scale disaster may reveal clues to mit-

start as the Japanese Association for Rural Stud-

igation or to the crucial moment of inviting further

ies.

disasters happening within the communities. In thisissue, what the disaster risk management means

2. Recent Issues of the Annual Bulletin of Ruralvaries, for example: reshaping the communities

Studiesthemselves, exchanging the unfavorable condi-

In order to show a rough picture of association’s

tions among flood-prone communities or utilizing

latest activities, I would like to show the titles andthe inter-communities’ relationships stretched out-

excerpts of annual bulletin of the society. The fol-side of the local land etc. (p.365)

lowing Table updated the contents of this association shown at the “Message to the World” edited forNo. 52 (2016): The Ways to Strengthen Human-

ISA Yokohama Congress. As you can find, the so-

Mountain Relations in Modern Japanese Society

ciety is trying to elucidate rural aspects of contem-[Contirbutors] FUJIMURA, Miho; SATO, Noriko;porary issues from various academic fields.

YAMAMOTO, Miho; FUKUDA, Satoshi; AIKAWA,
Yoichi; MATSUMURA, Kazunori

No. 51 (2015): Coping with Disasters: Communi-[Excerpt from Introductory Chapter by FUJI-

ties and Families

MURA, Miho]
MATSUI,“Mountain” taken up in this edition (Annual Bul-

KAWASHIMA,

letin) refers to the space which people have utilized

Shuichi; YAMA, Yoshiyuki; KANEKO, Hiroyuki;

in various ways in their lives or subsistence activi-

IWAMOTO, Yoshiteru

ties. It exists as part of people’s livelihood space[Contirbutors]
Kazuhiro;UEDA,

TOKUNO,Kyoko;

Sadao;[Excerpt from Introductory Chapter by UEDA,

which include forests, grasslands, and sometimes

Kyoko]

waste lands or rivers.

While questioning if communities and, as its con-

In recent years, the society is increasing expec-

stituents, families have any room to reduce or totations toward “mountains” and deepening under-

amplify the disaster risks, this issue (Annual Bulle-

standing on the challenges they face. The objec-tin) attempted to discuss how did each community,

tive of this edition is to study through researches

in the long run, coped with various disaster risks:

on rural communities, what perspectives we canthe earthquake and the heavy rain/snow in thegain in addressing these issues.

mountainous area of Niigata and Tokushima, theOne of the main characteristics of this edition in

Tsunami in Sanriku district, the flood in the sand-this perspective is that it does not focus on moun-bank placed midst of Tone River, and the nuclear

tain villages themselves but on mountain villages

18

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

seen from the places (resources) called the moun-Number of members: 437 (as of January 2018)

tain. And it also focuses on the mountain villages

Publications:which exist in relation to mountains and the social

Annual Bulletin of Rural Societies (published byrelations surrounding them. (p.305)

the Nosan Gyoson Bunka Kyokai)
Journal of Studies on Rural Societies (published by
the Nosan Gyoson Bunka Kyokai twice a year)

No. 53 (2017): Current State and Prospects of Col-

Sonken Newsletter (printed by the association’slaborative Activities in Villages

secretary published three times a year)[Contirbutors] ONAI, Junko; YANAGIMURA,
Shunsuke;

IMAI,

Yusaku;SHIBUYA,

Annual Conference: Held once a year (in addition,Miki;regional research meetings are held as needed)

MATSUMITA, Ashita; ICHIDA, Tomoko

Website: http://rural-studies.jp/English/index.html[Excerpt from Introductory Chapter by ONAI,
Junko](JARS, Committee of International Affair)

In rural communities, especially in hilly andmountainous areas, aging and depopulation is proceeding at a much faster rate than at the national(9) The Japanese Association of Labor Sociol-level. The people living in those areas are increas-ogy

ingly uneasy about their future. This book approaches this subject from the viewpoint of the col-JALS Has Been Active! : Main Activities andlaborative activities in villages.

Research Achievements since the 2014 ISA

While the crisis of the communities is recognized,

Meetings in Yokohama, Japan

people who live in rural communities make efforts
to maintain their current life style and continue liv-

Between the fall of 2014 and the spring of 2018,

ing there according to their own “logic of life”. We

the Japanese Association of Labor Sociology

can examine non-conventional group activities in(JALS) has continued to engage in a range of ac-

various organizations. For example, the organiza-

tivities to promote academic understanding of cur-tions are setting up corporations, or a specified

rent labor issues in Japan. This report introduces

nonprofit corporation, by themselves, collaboratingsome of its major activities and works that won awith other village-based farming organizations and

JALS prize for their excellent research in the said

accepting qualified people from outside the village.

period. Further, it refers to a symposium planned

In this book, we define this type of movement as

for the next annual convention that marks the 30th

the collaborative activities in villages and examine

anniversary of the association.

their possibility of success. (p.301)

As its main event, JALS has held an annual convention every fall, and has organized corresponding symposiums with the following titles:[Basic data of the association]
Year established: (Society for Rural Studies)
1952, (Japanese Association for Rural Studies)

2014

1993

Modern Society

19

Youth Labor Problems in the JapaneseJapan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

The Promotion of Women’s Active Partici-

some time, and the conventional male work ways,

2015

pation and Labor Society

which bear some responsibility for the population

2016

Labor Problems under Population Declinechanges, have been called into question. Yet,

2017

Questioning “Autonomous” Labor: Current

workers’ conditions do not seem to have changed

Labor Control and Issues of thesubstantively. The 2016 symposium, held at theGovernment’s “Work Style Reforms”

Tama Campus of Hosei University, thus examined
why the corporate society has failed to cope withThe 2014 symposium, held at Komazawa Uni-

the problems stemming from the low birth rate andversity in Tokyo, focused on young workers. In ad-

aging population as well as what obstacles must

dition to increased underemployment, young work-

be cleared in order for women, the elderly, and for-ers have faced deteriorating working conditions

eign workers, respectively, to join the workforce.

when employed full-time, as evidenced by the

The 2017 symposium, held at Toyama Univer-emergence of so-called “black companies,” orsity in Toyama Prefecture, delved into the contro-

companies that maltreat young regular workers.

versial concept of “autonomous” labor. By empha-

With the recognition that youth labor today de-sizing workers’ autonomy and self-management asmands a more comprehensive approach for its bet-

well as merit-based pay, the current “Work Style

terment, the symposium discussed characteristics

Reforms,” pushed by the Abe administration, at-of both regular and casual employment among

tempt to transform what we know as modern labor

young workers, reported on new labor organizationand laborers into something unprecedented. By

in the US, and critically examined Japanese gov-

undermining modern industrial relations, they haveernment policies for these workers.

opened the way to new forms of labor control. In

The 2015 symposium, held at Osaka City Univer-

the symposium, components of the reforms weresity, turned to women workers against the back-critically assessed, and the cases of workers in adrop of the Abe administration’s policy promoting

sharing economy, temporary workers, and factory

active labor participation and successful careers

workers were introduced to exemplify how “auton-among women. While the administration projects aomy” manifests at various work sites.

“society where all women shine,” contradictory

JALS’s activities have also included factory tours.

phenomena, such as increased poverty among

These tours are geographically arranged around

women, abound. The symposium addressed thethe sites of the annual conventions and conducted

gap between policy and reality by looking into theprior to the meetings. Before the above conven-current conditions of working women by type oftions started, we visited the following sites for ob-

employment and of working single mothers. In so

servation and to conduct informal interviews: Nis-doing, it also discussed still needed policy for

san’s Yokohama Factory (in 2014), Daikin Sunrise

women, especially for the deprived.

Settsu (in 2015), Tokyo Factory & Logistics (inIn 2015, the national census found that Japan’s population had shrunk for the

first time since2016), and Sankyo Corporation’s aluminum factory(in 2017).

the first census year of 1920. Low birth rates andFurther, JALS publishes two journals on an an-

aging of the population have been an issue fornual basis: the Annual Review of Labor Sociology

20Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

and the Journal of Labor Sociology. Each issue ofin the Construction Industry. Journal of Labor So-

the former offers a refined version of the contents

ciology 17: 26-46.

of the preceding annual convention, and the latter,creative, peer-reviewed articles. Between 2014

A short note regarding the next annual conven-and 2017, the association edited and published ation, scheduled for October 2018, is in order. As of

total of eight issues of these journals.

March 2018, JALS is preparing the symposium to

Another noteworthy activity during the period wascommemorate the 30th anniversary of its founding.

the offering of a special workshop by JALS’s Kan-

A candidate theme is “workers and life”—a theme

sai Chapter in November, 2017. Entitled “Learningthat has long been a concern among students offrom Practices of the US Labor Movement,” thelabor sociology in Japan. Whatever the final theme

workshop invited Jane Slaughter and Leah Fried of

may be, we will warmly invite as speakers long-

Labor Notes, who duplicated their two-day training

term and newer members of the association to ex-session on union organization and activism atplore it in its historical depth and sociological

Osaka University of Economics, where Kansai

breadth.

Chapter’s representative teaches.
Every year, JALS’s members engage themselves in unique or novel research projects. Below,
we introduce some of the publications that were(10) The Japanese Society of Health & Medical

the products of these research projects. As a way

Sociology

to promote excellent research and subsequent
publication, once a year JALS carefully reviews theworks of its members published in the recent past

1. Introduction to the Japanese Society of Healthand offers prizes to select researchers who wrote

and Medical Sociology

an outstanding book or article. The books and arti-

The Japanese Society of Health and Medical

cle introduced here are the publications that wereSociology (JSHMS) was founded in 1989 as an ac-

selected for the prize in 2014 and 2016. (No winnerademically accredited society based on the Soci-

were awarded in 2015 and 2017.)

ety for Study of Health & Medical Sociology,
launched in 1974. Our primary mission was to pro-Haruki KONNO. 2013. Black Company Busi-

mote sociological studies of "health" and "medi-

ness. Asahi Shinbun-sha.

cine".

Haruki KONNO. 2013. Livelihood Protection:"Health" and "medicine" are not merely biologi-

Its Unknown, Fearful Reality. Chikuma Shobo.

cal and medical phenomena but also important so-

Sachiko HAYAKAWA. 2015. Nurses andciological phenomena that are promoted and con-

Temporary Work in the United States: Their History

trolled by society. Ethical and social problems exist

and Peculiarities. Keisui-sha.

with regard to advanced medical technology, vari-

Teppei SHIBATA. 2016. Factor Analysis ofous social phenomena that cause health damage,the Long Working Hours of Dependent Contractors

the financial benefits brought by the health boom

21

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

and prosperity of the health industry, health ine-

Summer 2018

Year

Main

Educational/spe-themecial lecturesTeam Medical
Care Revisited: Future
Medical Care
Designedthrough theTeam Approachfor mutual interchange between these researchers

Inquiry into
the Education of
Practitioners in the
Era of theTeam Approach to
Healthand clinicians. We have approximately 700 mem-

Care

Discussing theLegislative

qualities, and problems of living with chronic illness.
Health and medical sociology addresses such2012

problems.
Communication and collaboration between sociologists interested in health and medicine andmedical researchers and clinicians who have aproper understanding of sociological viewpoints
are indispensable to move such research forward.
Our society has developed as an important space

bers. Sociology, nursing science, and health /med-

2013

ical science/other studies each represent one-thirdof our members’ specialty domains. Sociological

Discussionof “Disability” and“Support”

analyses are needed to address many problems

Definition of
Disability andDisability Policy

related to "health" and "medicine". We welcome
the active participation in our society of people interested in health and medical problems.

2014

2. Annual meetings, 2012–2017

Human
Resourcesin Healthand Wel-

Autonomy ofHealthcare
Personnel and
Related Laws

fare



Severe Shortage of HealthCare Professionals after
the Great East
Japan Earthquake

Shift Toward theLife ModelThe Issue ofHome Mechanical Venti-

The annual meeting is usually held in May, which
provides a great opportunity to make presentations
on research and practice and to participate in academic exchange.
The following table shows the main themes andtitles of educational/special lectures at past annual

2015

meetings (2012–2017). The main themes through2011 have been listed in “The Great Expansion of
Health & Medical Sociology in Japan: Past, Pre-lationsent, and Future” in Message to the World

2016(http://www.socconso.com/message/messageworld).

22

Listen to
the Narratives of
Suffering

HIV and Blood
Products:
Pharmaceutical Administration in Japan

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

2017

Contesta-tion on IllnessSummer 2018

Mikhail Bakh-2014 Trends in and Perspectives on

tin’s Conceptof Polyphonyand Studies ofIllness Narrative: An Anthropologist’s
Notes
The Medical
Profession: Altruistic or a

Health and Medical Sociology
2015 Perspectives on Health Care in
Health and Medical Sociology
2016 Current Research on Communication in Healthcare: Studies
of Patient-Physician Relationships and Beyond
2017 Experience of Reproduction:
Health Care and Medical
Care/Treatment

Self-Interested
Threat to the
Public?

4. International academic exchange
The JSHMS is eager to communicate with foreign researchers. Members of the JSHMS have

3. The official journal

actively joined the congresses of various interna-

Three times a year, the JSHMS publishes ational academic associations, such as the Interna-

peer-reviewed journal entitled Japanese Journal

tional Sociological Association (ISA) and the Asso-of Health and Medical Sociology. Two regular is-

ciation for Medical Education in Europe. Foreignsues and one supplemental issue containing ab-

researchers who are board members of RC15 (So-stracts from the annual meeting are published. Ar-

ciology of Health) at the ISA were invited to giveticles in regular issues include original research

special lectures at the JSHMS annual meetings inreports, general overviews, research notes, and2016 and 2017.

articles on other topics.
Since 2010, the journal has frequently featured

5. Contact Information

articles on specific themes that should be im-

The Japanese Society of Health and Medical Soci-portant and meaningful for JSHMS members. The

ology

following are the themes of the special issues

E-mail：jshms-office@bunken.co.jp

published from 2010 to 2017.
URL:

Year Special issue theme

http://square.umin.ac.jp/medsocio/in-

dex_e.htm

2010 Academic Society and Future
Research Trends
2011 Medicine, Economy, and Society(11) Japanese Association for Mathematical
Sociology

2012 Research Works, Writing of
Research Papers, Research
Project Funding
23

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

Activities of the Japanese Society for Mathe-(63rd conference), The Challenge of Analytical So-

matical Sociology since 2014

ciology (65th conference), Quantitative Analysis in
Historical Sociology (65th conference).

The Japanese Association for Mathematical So-

In addition, during this period, two presidential

ciology (henceforth, the “Association”) was estab-addresses were made at the conferences. These

lished in March 1986, and it celebrated its 30th an-addresses were “Exploring Complex Social Mech-niversary in March 2016. In the conference com-anisms” (at the 60th conference in August 2015)

memorating the 30th anniversary of the Associa-delivered by Naoki Sudo, who was the president oftion’s founding (the 61st conference) held at So-

the Association at the time, and “The Influence ofphia University, Tokyo, 143 people participated

Political Attitudes on Trust in Sciences and Hu-

and a special symposium titled “The Past and Fu-

manities” (at the 64th conference in September

ture of Mathematical and Quantitative Sociology in2017) delivered by Hiroshi Tarohmaru, who is theJapan” was held. As the format for the discussion,

current president.

young members of the Association took to the po-Once every two years, the Association selects

dium to raise questions, which were answered byand confers an award on a paper presented by aveteran founding members and mid-level mem-

member. Further, the recipient of the award deliv-

bers. This was an opportunity to promote the sig-

ers a conference lecture. The names of the twonificance of mathematical sociology as an aca-

award recipients during the period from August

demic discipline among the younger generation.

2014 to March 2018 and the titles of their award

Currently, the Association has more than 320

lectures are as follows:

members and has now entered its next stage. The
main activities of the Association following the

Shinya Ohbayashi, “Explanation of Social Phe-XVIII ISA World Congress of Sociology, Yokohama,nomena by Mathematical Models” (the 10th Best

which was held in July 2014, are presented here.

Paper Award, 2016)

The Association holds conferences twice a year,

Kazuhiro Kezuka, “Collaboration between Mathe-in the spring and summer. Between August 2014

matical Model and Empirical Analysis” (the 11th

and March 2018, eight conferences were held at

Best Paper Award, 2016)

the Japanese universities to which our members
belong. Usually, there are approximately 100 par-The Association’s journal, Riron to Houhou (So-ticipants for these conferences, and 40 to 60 re-

ciological Theory and Methods), is published twice

ports are presented. In many cases, symposia area year. The featured themes during the period are

held, as well. The themes of the symposia held

as follows:

during this period are as follows: Frontier of Happiness Studies (58th conference), Sociological Ap-

Modern Development in the Commons Problem

proach to Xenophobia (59th conference), Social(Vol.29, No.2, 2014)

Stratification and Family (60th conference), Socio-

Dynamics of Social Institutions (Vol.30, No.1,

logical Problems to Be Solved in the 21st Century

2015)
The Prospects of the Computer-Assisted Survey

24

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

(Vol.30, No.2, 2015)

Set

Social Stratification and Family (Vol.31, No.1,

Editors: Jun Kobayashi, Junya Tsutsui, and Ma-

2016)

sayuki Kanai

Mathematical Approaches to Social Inequality

Preface: Naoki Sudo

(Vol.31, No.2, 2016)2018

Sociological Approaches to Subjective Well-being

Sage Publications(Vol.32, No.1, 2017)

Language: English

Toward the Developments of Studies on Social
Norms (Vol.32, No.2, 2017)

Many other sociology-related academic societies in Japan are facing problems with respect to a

The Association values international research

decline in the number of members. However, theexchanges and, in August 2016, held the Sixth

Association has recently seen a slight increase in

Joint Japan-US Conference on Mathematical So-

the number of members. Usually, there are ap-

ciology and Rational Choice in Seattle. In this con-proximately 40 student members, and our young

ference, 18 members of the Association partici-

members are able to obtain academic positions topated, presenting 12 reports, and lively discus-

some extent. It is considered that this results fromsions were held. The Association has already pub-the dynamism and advanced expertise of the re-lished the following three volumes as part of its

search performed by Association members and re-30th anniversary project.

search networks formed throughout the academicorganization. As an academic society, we hope toIntroduction to Sociology: Understanding the Soci-

continue supporting young researchers in the fu-

ety from Mathematics Models

ture, as well. As the central pillars of this support,

Editors: Jun Kobayashi, Masayuki Kanai, Yo-

the Association focuses on holding seminars to fa-

shimichi Sato, Jun Naito, Hiroshi Hamada and Ma-

cilitate new studies and the improvement of math-sayoshi Muto.

ematical models and statistical analysis methodol-

2014

ogies, the sharing of experiences between mem-

Asakura Shoten: Tokyo

bers to encourage the submission of academic so-

Language: Japaneseciety reports and papers in English, and the creation of opportunities for international research ex-

Introduction to Quantitative Sociology: Under-changes as an academic organization.

standing the Society from Survey Data Analysis
Editors: Junya Tsutsui, Hiroshi Kanbayashi, Namie

Contact Information

Nagamatsu, Daisuke Watanabe and Sho Fujihara

Official Website:

2015

http://www.jams-sociology.org/?page_id=148

Sekaishishosha：Kyoto

E-mail: jams.jimu@gmail.com

Language: JapaneseContemporary Japanese Sociology, Three Volume(12) Japanese Association of Social Problems

25

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

Seki for arranging facilities at Kokugakuin University.

Organizing of Joint Conference of Five Associ-In the afternoon a joint symposium entitled “Pos-ations on Criminology
Minoru Yokoyama,

sibility of Support Network for Recovering from Ad-

Former President ofdiction—Can Justice and Welfare UnderstandJapanese Association of Social Problems

Each Other in Theory and Practice?—“was held, inwhich about 400 audiences attended.

Shin-ichi

In August in 2011 our Japanese Association of

Ishizuka and Satoshi Tomiyama gave a speech.

Social Problems participated in 17th World Con-

Then, David B. Wexler delivered a lecture on Sug-

gress of Criminology held in Kobe, for which I

gestion to Japan from Therapeutic Jurisprudence.

worked as a vice chair of the executive committee.

Tadashi Nakamura, Tetsuya Fujimoto, Toshihiko

After the conference the Japan Network of Crimi-

Matsumoto and Masahiko Mizuto presented their

nological Associations (JNCA) was established,paper from the viewpoint of the social problems,

which our association joined.

the criminal policy, the addiction study and the so-

In March in 2015

JNCA held a representatives meeting of six asso-

cial work respectively.

ciations, at which we discussed the possibility of

On September 2-3 five associations held theirholding a joint conference on criminology, which

own annual meeting at a campus of Kokugakuin

was not held since 1994. Our association was re-University, at which such events as a symposium,

sponsible for operating JNCA in the fiscal 2015.

a round table and a session for presentation wereThen, I began to work as a chair of the temporary

held. In addition to members of five associations

preparation committee for the second joint confer-

about 150 persons attended the joint conference.

ence on criminology.

All participants were free to enter a room to listen

As I succeeded in booking facilities of Koku-

to the presentation and to participate in discussion.

gakuin University, the formal preparation commit-

On September 2 our Japanese Association oftee started in March in 2016 by the decision at a

Social Problems had the opening ceremony atrepresentatives meeting of JNCA. In addition to

13:00 p.m. at which Shinji Shimizu, a president of

our Japanese Association of Social Problmes, Jap-

our association, gave a speech. Then, under be-anese Association of Criminology, Japanese Asso-ing presided by Tadashi Nakamura a symposium

ciation of Sociological Criminology, Japanese As-

on “Opening Me—Study on Social Problems forsociation of Criminal Psychology and Japanese

Cooperation to Knit Knowledge about How to Live”

Society of Law and Forensic Social Services par-was held.

ticipated in the joint conference. Japanese Asso-

Satoko Okawa on “Teen Aged Mother from View-

ciation of Offenders Rehabilitation joined as an ob-

point of Life Cycle”, Toshiya Ozaki on “Approach-server.

In the preparation committee three viceing Violent Offenders”, Shoko Tokunaga on “Place

chairs were responsible for three jobs: Hideo Oka-

for Children to Grow”, and Kohei Kawabata on “So-moto for publishing a joint program, Shin-ichi Ishi-

cial Problems by Thinking from Field Work in Fa-

zuka for holding a joint symposium and Tetsuo

miliar World”.

Four scholars presented their paper:

At 18:00 p.m. a joint party was held, which about

26

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

250 participants attended. Some had a talk with

Juvenile Classification and Detention Center, andDavid B. Wexler. Many members of our associa-

Tokyo Women’s Guidance Home. Several mem-tion enjoyed conversation while drinking and eat-bers of our association also joined. I witnessed

ing. It was a good occasion for them to have athat the question and answer was carried out en-conversation with participants affiliated with otherthusiastically at a meeting room at Metropolitan

associations.

Police Academy, Fuchu Prison and National Cen-

On September 3 we had two sessions at 10:00
a.m.

ter of Neurology and Psychiatry. Participants in

At the Session I Kiyoshi Fukushige, Yuka

these three courses seemed to have good experi-

Kanazawa, Tetsu Mugikura and Kento Maejima

ences.

presented their paper under being presided byWith advancement of specialization and sophis-

Masahiko Kaneko. At the Session II Mariko Inoue

tication scholars and practitioners tend to haveworked as a chair, at which Yosuke Mishiro, Ya-

narrower knowledge and perspectives.

sushi Takahashi, Kaoru Takanashi and Yuzo

prove this situation, at the joint conference they

Shindo presented their paper.

were offered rich knowledge and wide perspective

In the afternoon a round table on Possibility of

To im-

on criminology.

Study about Social Pathology and about Social
Problems was held, at which Yoshitaka Asada
worked as a facilitator.

Shinji Shimizu, Naoyuki

Nishimura, Nobuyuki Fujiwara and Masato Fuku-(13) Kansai Sociological Association

waka gave suggestions on the topic, after which
participants enjoyed discussion.

Sociology from 1.17 to 3.11 and Beyond:During two days members affiliated with otherTension between Theory and Reality

associations joined programs offered by our association.

Therefore, we could enjoy exchanges

The Kansai Sociological Association, founded instimulating perspectives and knowledge with them.

1950, has around 900 members and is one of the

At the conference nine book publishers held theleading sociological associations in Japan. The

exhibition for selling books. It was good oppor-

size of the association is suitable for researchers

tunity for members of our association to know

in various subjects, from young to elderly, to formbooks in various fields on criminology.

a network that promotes communication and col-On September 4 three tours were organized aslaborative works, which is the merit of a regional

an after program of the joint conference. Takeshi

academic society compared to a general associa-

Honjyo guided for the Course A to visit Fuchu

tion such as the Japan Sociological Society or as-

Prison and National Center of Neurology and Psy-sociations based on each sociological discipline.

chiatry.

Under guide of Yumiko Yahagi on the

As a regional academic society based on the Kan-

Course B thirty persons visited Metropolitan Police

sai area, it covers a wide range of topics and ap-

Academy and Kanto Medical Juvenile Training

proaches, ranging from theoretical debates to em-

School. On the Course C Yuki Takahashi guided

pirical researches. The association has been tradi-

participants to Hachioji Medical Prison, Hachiojitionally strong in the areas of theoretical sociology,27

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018doctrinal history of sociology (Durkheim, Weber,nawa and Fukushima where those structural prob-

Simmel, and the Chicago School in particular),lems appear in a condensed way as both areas arequantitative sociology, cultural sociology, historicalsuffering, respectively, from the problems of US

sociology, sociology of the family, sociology of ed-

military bases and the recovery process from theucation, sociology of religion, mathematical sociol-

nuclear disaster in 2011. “Sociology of War andogy, urban sociology, sociology of the local com-

Military Culture” (2016) examined the position ofmunity, as well as topics such as communities, en-

war and military culture in contemporary Japanesevironment, ethnicity, discrimination, and gen-society, focusing on the representation of war andder/sexuality. Memory, narrative, ethnomethodol-

military organization in popular culture on the one

ogy, and oral history are among the topics and ap-

hand, and the culture formed around the real mili-proaches that have recently been focused on.

tary organization of the Self Defence Force on the

It is notable that the two great earthquakes (theother hand. “How are Historical Experiences Nar-

Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of January 17,

rated and Remembered?” (2017) discussed the1995 and the Great East Japan Earthquake of

new possibilities of the debate on the “politics ofMarch 11, 2011) caused a tremendous challengememory”. With reference to the recent trend of so-

to recent sociological thought and practices in Ja-

ciology of memories and life history approach, itpan, and the Kansai Sociological Association took

explored how significant historical experiences area leading part in rethinking and reforming the the-narrated and remembered, taking up such empiri-

oretical frameworks and approaches, as well as

cal cases as the Jeju 4.3 Massacre, the Great East

conducting manifold empirical researches, in orderJapan Earthquake, and the Miike coal mine. “A Di-

to understand the current situation both on thealogue between Sociology and Disability Studies”

macro and micro levels and to conceive and design(2017) set up a discussion between the two disci-a possible future of society after the great disaster.

plines in the areas of medicine, family, and educa-

Current concerns of the association can be seention. It was intended to come up with heuristic find-in the themes of symposia held at recent yearly an-ings that would contribute to both disciplines, fo-nual conferences. “Nationalism and Hate/Phobia in

cusing on the concepts of “impairment” and “disa-

Contemporary Japan” (2014) dealt with the recent

bility”.

surge of extreme racism and antiforeignism

Alongside symposia, the sessions proposed byagainst Koreans in Japan. The background pro-younger members of the association in annual

cess and conditions that gave rise to such a phe-

conferences would show the current areas of inter-

nomenon were explored through a journalistic ap-

est of the association. “Cultural Labor and the Cul-

proach, qualitative research and a historical inves-ture of Labor: Questioning the Tension Inbetween”

tigation. “The Cracks and Structural Violence Re-(2014) dealt with the relationship between laborvealed in Regional Areas” (2015) discussed theand culture with respect to the examples of anima-

structural problems of current Japanese societytion making, art creation and heritagizationthat are to be approached from the perspective of

the ex-coal mine. “Towards a Sociology that De-

regional areas. Special attention was given to Oki-signs Regional Communities: In Terms of the Mul-ofticultural Condition in Kyoto” (2015) discussed how

28

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

we could form an inclusive society using local re-

MIKAMI Takeshi CHIKAMORI Takaaki ARARAGI

sources in the multicultural social context in Kyoto.

Shinzo“Who Conducts Research, and for What?” (2016)
examined how a social movement can incorporate

Contact Informationsocial researches as their method of organization

Official Site, Kansai Sociological Associationof the movement, considering topics such as the

http://www.ksac.jp/

modernization of Okinawa, the “research on laborers” in Sanya and Kamagasaki, and visual record-

Office, Kansai Sociological Association

ing practices at night. “Situations and Problems ofE-mail:KanshaOffice@gmail.com

Quantitative Sociology” (2017) gave an overview
of present conditions and problems of quantitativesociology in Japan by way of a time-series comparison, an international comparison, and an inter-(14) Kanto Sociological Society

disciplinary comparison. There was also a special
session titled “Contact Points between Sociology

Activity of the Kanto Sociological Society

and Queer Studies: Considered through AIDS Activism” (2016). Planned by a research group that

Since 2014, the Kanto Sociological Society

had been working together for three years in the(KSS) has organized two international exchangeinterdisciplinary areas of sexuality, queer, gender,

projects. In the first project, KSS signed a mutual

body, and identity, the session explored how soci-contract with the Hawke Research Institute at theology and queer studies could connect to each

University of South Australia that allowed mem-other through the discussion on AIDS activism.

bers of KSS to be seconded to the institute to un-

It should be obvious from the above mentioned

dertake short-term fellow- or professorships. In thethemes and topics that the Kansai Sociological As-

second project, KSS invited two overseas re-sociation holds a wide range of research interests

searchers to present at symposiums held at the so-with regard to various theoretical and empiricalciety’s annual convention in 2015.

fields. Based on its long tradition, the association

KSS is a sociological society for the Kanto region

is now trying to tackle challenging theoretical andof Japan, which includes the Greater Tokyo Areapractical problems that are arising under contem-

and seven prefectures, and therefore its member-porary social conditions such as globalization andship comes from a variety of different branches ofneoliberalism. The association is willing to com-sociology and individual members often belong tomunicate and make a collaborative project withseveral other sociological societies. To emphasize

other groups and associations of sociology all overthe unique characteristics of KSS, the society be-

the world, as long as they share the same kind of

gan to develop an international exchange project

concerns regarding the theoretical and practicalin connection with the Hawke Research Institute atsociological problems of the contemporary world.

the University of South Australia. In 2014, KSS
signed a mutual contract with Hawke Research In-

Committee on Messages

29

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

stitute that allowed KSS to send early career re-Australian society. However, majority support forsearchers and younger KSS members to under-

the multiculturalism does not extend to cultural plu-

take fellowships, and senior members to undertake

ralism. Rather, there is the expectation that immi-

professorships, at the institute. From 2014 to 2017,

grants will adopt Australian customs and integrate

four members of the society were sent and they

into Australian society. Immigrant programs al-completed projects on themes related to sociology

ways pose challenges for the receiving society. Inof residence, problems surrounding immigration,

Australia, a small minority is opposed to immi-

life-history study and elderly care, and Bourdieu’s

grants and cultural diversity and there is majority

sociological theory.

opposition to the settlement of asylum seekers ar-

Through contact with the staffs at the university,

riving by boat. Professor Markus discussed theand the many researchers from countries all overproblems of multiculturalism and immigration in

the world who travelled to the university to give lec-

Australian society by exploring the evidence pro-tures and attend seminars, our members were able

vided by more than 20,000 respondents to a sur-to expand their understanding of the sociology re-vey conducted to provide an in-depth understand-search being conducted outside of Japan. It is un-

ing of Australian public opinion.

usual for a sociological society to dispatch mem-

Professor Bertaux addressed the empirical prob-

bers using its own funds to an overseas university,

lems associated with the study of narrative and lifeand so this was a very important and successful

history. People try to make their life better and thisproject for the society.

universal tropism orients most of an individual’s

In 2015, KSS invited Professor Andrew Markus

courses of action: the succession of steps an indi-of Monash University in Australia and Professor

vidual takes to try and reach significant goals. All

Daniel Bertaux of Strasburg University in France tocourses of action aim ultimately at changing one’s

speak at the society’s annual convention. Profes-

social status. From a constructivist’s view, millions

sor Markus presented on the theme of “Inclusionof courses of action powerfully blend together toand Exclusion” and Professor Bertaux presented

shape society and its history. However, there ison the theme of “Reconsideration of the Sociology

currently no standard empirical method that allows

of Self, Narration and Narrative.”the observation of a single course of action. One

Professor Markus addressed the problems of in-

way of addressing this issue is to use narrative in-clusion and exclusion in the terms of the problems

terviewing with actors to try and reconstruct whatof Australian attitudes towards immigration andindividuals did, with whom, in which context, andmulticulturalism. In Australia, there is a high level

how they did it. By collecting a series of life stories

of support for the country’s immigration programsin the same social world, one can better under-

and agreement that a diverse immigration policy

stand sociologically the inner working of the social

benefits the country. There is also strong support

world, how life stories are re-produced, and how

for multiculturalism. The strongest positive associ-they change over time. An additional advantage ofation of multiculturalism is with its perceived contri-

this approach is that these testimonies can bebution to Australia’s economic development and its

cross-checked against one another to address var-encouragement of immigrants to become part ofious issues of validity.

30

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

Despite the success of these two international

Society’s seven branches: Hokkaido, Tohoku,

exchange projects, the society’s resources are lim-

Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku and Shikoku, andited and year-by-year it is becoming difficult to fundKyushu and Okinawa area branches. We have two

future projects. However, we believe in the im-journals: Socio-Informatics, published in Japaneseportance of ensuring our members have opportu-

three times a year, and the Journal of Socio-Infor-

nities to meet and exchange ideas with colleagues

matics, published in English once a year. Both jour-from outside of Japan.

nals are accessible online through J-Stage service.
Find

more

details

at

the

SSI

webpage,

http://www.ssi.or.jp/eng.
Since its inception, the SSI has enthusiastically(15) The Society of Socio-Informatics

pursued its academic activities. In 2017, Prof.
Let us promote the healthy development ofOsamu Sudo from the University of Tokyo was

our society together!

elected as its fourth president and engages in frequent activities with SSI board members and trus-

The Society of Socio-Informatics (SSI) ex-

tees. The latest annual conference was held atpresses our congratulations on the 19th ISA An-

Komazawa University, Tokyo, in September 2017,

nual Conference held in Toronto, Canada, in April

with the theme “The Era of Post-Truth and Socio-

2019. We are a relatively young non-profit aca-

Informatics.” The keynote lecture of the conference

demic association established in 2012, through thewas presented by Prof. Toshie Takahashi fromcombination of two Japanese academic associa-

Waseda University and titled “Digital Wisdom, To-

tions: The Japan Association for Social Informatics

wards the AI Society.”(JASI) and The Japan Society for Socio-Infor-

It is without doubt that the primary driver of themation Studies (JSIS). We consist of not only fac-

daily sweeping changes in our modern lives is in-ulty members, but also academic institutions, en-formation technology, including the Internet. Tech-

terprises, and governments. We are always open

nology impacts many more aspects of human life,

to those who appreciate "Socio-Informatics," a dis-such as social, economic, political, and cultural ac-

cipline used to understand information processes

tivities, than did previous communication tools,

and structures, the progress of information tech-such as printing or television technology. Those liv-

nology, communication processes, media phe-ing in the vortex of its diffusion have a duty to ob-

nomena, culture and ethics, and their relations with

jectively analyze the process as well as its light andour society through both theoretical and empiricalshadow, and to shed insight on these issues for the

viewpoints.

healthy development of our society. The SSI tack-The SSI holds annual conferences, which in-les this social demand directly.

clude meetings of its eight committees: the Gen-The SSI shares this mission with your confer-eral, Research, Journal, Awards, International, Ex-ence, embracing an interdisciplinary approach.

ternal, Future Vision, and Public information andConsidering the relationship between technology

Network Committees. Also occurring at the confer-and society requires knowledge and wisdom notences are academic workshops presented by the

only from a technological point of view, but from31

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018

many points of view, including law, ethics, social
systems, psychology, etc. The SSI itself is interdis-

Recent Symposium Themes

ciplinary, and our membership is comprised of in-

In JSSS, the research committee decides on

dividuals from many backgrounds, including thecommon themes to span several years, and a sym-

humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

posium based on those themes is held during the

We continually engage in activities with many dis-

yearly conference in March. From 2013 to 2015,

ciplines to increase collaborations.

the common themes have been “Sports and Poli-

Promoting international activities is also an im-

tics,” and “Sports and Education.” The former was

portant theme emphasized by the SSI. Our chal-

aimed at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic

lenge is not only to focus on the national arena, butGames that will be held in 2020, while the latteralso the international arena, and thus wecame about due to the corporal punishment cases

acknowledge the success of your conference. Letin high school sports activities that surfaced at the

us join the challenge together!

end of 2012. Based on these common themes, thefollowing symposia were held during JSSS confer-(16) Japan Society of Sport Sociology

ences:

Asia, the Olympics, and the Japan Society ofSports and Education
2013: The Possibility for a New Relationship Be-

Sport Sociology

tween Sports and Education: Hospitality based on
Summary

from purely altruistic donation

The Japan Society of Sport Sociology (JSSS),

2014: The Topology of Corporal Punishment inwhich was established in 1991, held its 27th confer-

Sports and Educationence in March 2018. In July 2008, together with the2015: The Educating Capability of Sports: How

International Sociology of Sport Association, JSSS

will the regularization of school sports affect edu-

organized the “ISSA 5th World Congress” at Kyoto

cation in Japan?

University, which was attended by around 280 participants from 32 countries.

Sports and Politics
2013: Examining the Politics Surrounding theRelationship with the International Sociological As-

London Olympics

sociation

2014: Tohoku in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic andIn 2014, the ISA World Congress of Sociology

Paralympic Invitational Activities
2015: “National Sports Strategy” and the 2020

was held in the city of Yokohama. There were 986
Japanese participants, some of whom were mem-

Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics

bers of the JSSS. As an organization, JSSS took
part in the “Messages to the World” project within

The common theme from 2016 to 2018 is

the Congress, and subsequently announced the“Sports and Vision.” Under this challenging theme,“Message to Sociologists Around the World fromwe began with research methodology that con-the Japan Society of Sport Sociology.”

nects “vision” and “sociology,” to explore what kind32

Japan Consortium for Sociological Societies NEWSLETTERSPECIAL ISSUE

Summer 2018of sport sociology problems can be drawn out fromregards to major world sporting events is likely tothe perspective of “vision”. These include what

continue to increase. Against this backdrop, JSSS“sight” means to sports; the physical sensations ofplans to continue deepening its collaboration withblind athletes; and our relationship with sports

various international sports organizations like ISA,

technologies like the hawk-eye or devices like thethe International Sociology of Sport Association,

smartphone.

the North American Society for the Sociology ofSport, and the European Association for Sociology

This year, the Pyeongchang Winter Olympicsof Sport, as well as with sports associations inGames were held, and in two years’ time, the 2020

South Korea, China, and all over Asia. In this way

Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will takewe will continue our academic pursuit of various

place. It has now also been decided that the 2022

sports phenomena on a global scale.

Winter Olympic Games will be held in Beijing. In
the future, the attention received by East Asia with

3. Contact Information of JCSS

Office: Isamu OKADA, Yukichi HONJI
E-mail：socconsortium[at]socconso.com
Publication: 2018.07

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