About This Book

Key Text for Japanese Sociology (KTJS) is a title within International Sociological Association (ISA)’s Sage Studies in International Sociology (SSIS) framework. Moreover, this is an outcome of the centenary anniversary project by the Japan Sociological Society (JSS), established in 1924. KTJS is never the final nor determined selection of Japanese Sociology, but only a tiny showcase prepared from a limited viewpoints as explained below. I recommend that readers refer to related books to address this issue.

Anyway, the brave selection of only 17 texts from a rich and diversified collection requires some explanations. First, the editor decided to focus on the latter half of the hundred years, daring to overlook the earlier half. In particular, the developmental but turbulent decades of the 1960s-70s (Parts II and IV) is concerned, while simultaneously attempting to hint at some nuances of recent change (Parts I and III). Second, scholars who had already written in English were excluded while allowing some exceptions. Therefore, the most famous and cited authors worldwide are often not included in this anthology; instead, the KTJS focuses on introducing internationally unknown scholars. Third, I resigned to straddle with wide, colorful, and ever-developing genres in sociology, but limited my attention to some traditional and positivist realms. In contrast to KTJS, the preceding Key Text for Latin American Sociology in the same SSIS series adopted sociological subfields as headings of its Parts: Social Structure and Inequalities; Identities, Actors and Social Movements; State Society and Politics, etc. KTJS did not deploy this thematic classification because of the allowed page width. In response to this narrow leeway, I composed four parts based on different principles.

Japanese sociology has a sound tradition of positivism; it has been hypothesized and theorized based on rich evidence acquired from intensive fieldwork and/or sophisticated social surveys. Although this tradition can be traced back to the pre-war era, when sociology founders were seeking status in academia, Parts II and IV cast light on post-World War II efforts of sociologists to tackle social problems with new concepts, methods, models, and practices against the background of compressed modernization (although it was found to be less compressed compared with contemporary South Korea, China, and other Asian countries and areas). This attitude toward positivism is represented in contemporary efforts to construct academic infrastructures, such as data archives or international survey designs, which is the theme of Part III. The articles in Part I will also be contemporary testimonies of this spirit.

In Parts I and III, each chapter is newly written or translated by the author unless otherwise stated. In Parts II and IV, the original texts are translated by the commentators. However, in Chapters 11, 12 and 14, they are translated by the editor. Again, I regret abandoning many potentially excellent texts. Even the selected chapters were full of omitted texts and subversions.

Permit me to mention to procedural and credit-related facts. The JSS board meeting on October 16, 2022, decided the application to SSIS. Owing to ISA publication committee’s understanding led by Chaime Marcuello Servós, the proposal was approved in March 2023, followed by a publication contract with Sage in Febraury 2024. All translation and native language check costs were covered by the JSS budget, but the royalties are on ISA, because it is a title under SSIS framework.

Finally, as a JSS trustee responsible to KTJS, I express deep appreciation for the efforts of all stakeholders. The original authors, translators, and commentators of each chapter, and I would underline where author(s) had already passed away, their survivors kindly provided permission. All original publishers kindly provided permission for English translation. JSS board members and KTJS Working Group members supported the project all through the process, particularly directors-in-charge Kazushi Tamano and Takashi Okumura. JSS Presidents Kimio Ito and Yoshimichi Sato kindly took their precious time to write a preface. ISA’s Chaime Marcuello Servós, Joy Y Zhang and Sage’s Michael Ainsley, Natalie Aguilera, Pippa Wills, Sarah Sewell were always passionate and supportive in realizing this project. We thank all those who contributed to the release of this challenging volume.

Note: This article is a revised excerpt from “Introduction” in Key Text for Japanese Sociology. I appreciate the kind permission of reproduction by Sage.