Key Texts for Japanese Sociology

Though rich, diverse, unique and engaging, Japan′s sociological outputs have been internationally underrepresented. In its thoughtful translation and curation of key Japanese sociological texts, this book redresses this imbalance and treads exciting new ground. Comprising 17 chapters spanning 7 decades, this text introduces you to fundamental themes, from classical studies in post-war Japan to contemporary sociological issues like migration politics, social mobility and gender-based violence. Key Texts for Japanese Sociology is an original, much-needed resource, empowering a foundational, confident understanding of the national, regional and local traditions of Japanese sociology from the latter half of the last century to today.

Hideo Nakazawa holds a Doctoral degree in Sociology from University of Tokyo. He is a professor of Regional and Environmental Sociology at Sophia University (Tokyo) and was a Visiting Research Fellow at the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR), University of Kent (2006-07). Since 2021, he is the Editor-in-Chief of Japanese Journal of Sociology, published by Wiley on behalf of JSS. He is the principal investigator of an international research team called as JAFCOF (Japan Association for study of Former COalFields). Recent publications include: Sengo Nihon no Shupattsu to Tanko Rodo Kumiai [Coalmine Union in the Departure of Post-war Japan] in collaboration with other JAFCOF scholars (Tokyo: Ochanomizu Shobo, 2022); ’Suburban/Hinterland Aging in Japan and Types of Policy/Civic Reactions: Contraction, Relocation, or Machizukuri?’ (2017, Korean Regional Sociology 18(2): 293-317).