Sociology of Culture Commons^™

The Development Of Poker As A Sport In Japan: Intersections With Culture, Law And Public Administration, And Community, Masatoshi Minowa

Japanese Society and Culture

This study examines the emergence of poker as a competitive mind sport in Japan, a country where strict anti-gambling laws (Penal Code Article 185) prohibit cash wagering. Drawing on secondary materials—including newspaper and magazine reports, and online media—as well as primary data from Poker Guild Corporation and interviews with the Kamiichi Town Planning Division, the research applies established theoretical frameworks (Getz & Page’s event tourism, Putnam’s social capital, Reith’s techno-economic systems) to analyze the distinctive evolution of Japanese poker culture. Findings reveal that tournament‐focused venue operations and the innovative Poker Web Coin system have fostered a nationwide network of skill‐based …

Restricting Academic Dishonesty At A Japanese University, Joel Weinberg

Japanese Society and Culture

This research explores three approaches to handling academic dishonesty: punitive, preventive, and positive. First, the history of cheating and the punitive approach is briefly discussed. Next, research results of a preventive approach that was used at a Japanese university are given. During this research, three surveys were conducted to gauge students’ opinions about cheating, to account for the methods, and to measure the prevalence of cheating on post-reading quizzes. The survey results show that at least eleven types of cheating on post-reading quizzes were used and that non-cheating students were concerned about this issue. As a result of the surveys, …

Healthcare Decision-Making In An Ageing Society: Legal, Policy, And Ethical Challenges In Japan, Yukio Sakurai

Japanese Society and Culture

This paper examines the evolving landscape of healthcare decision-making in Japan’s rapidly ageing society, with a focus on the legal, policy, and ethical challenges it entails. It analyzes the limitations of the adult guardianship system, the risks associated with family-dependent decision-making, and the underutilization of advance care planning (ACP). The study further considers how demographic shifts, advances in medical technology, and socio-legal inertia affect end-of-life care, particularly for individuals with diminished capacity. A central theme is the inherent ethical dilemma in balancing individual autonomy with Japan's cultural context, where explicit self-assertion can be challenging, especially for older adults. Cultural dimensions …

Institutional Transitions In The Employment Of Foreign Workers In Japan’S Agriculture And Food Manufacturing: From Technical Intern Training To Employment For Skill Development And Specified Skilled Worker In Comparison With The Uk, Tomoyuki Kuwaharada

Japanese Society and Culture

This paper investigates the institutional transition in Japan’s acceptance of foreign workers in the agriculture and food manufacturing sectors, focusing on the restructuring of entry-stage training schemes and their linkage to skill-based employment. In particular, it traces the shift from the Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP) to the Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Programme as the primary entry route, and examines how these institutional changes are embedded within the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) framework.

Drawing upon official statistics from 2012 to 2024 and sector-specific case studies, the analysis demonstrates that the introduction of the SSW status in 2019 marked a …

A Consideration Of Food In A Diversity Society, Masayo Morofushi

Japanese Society and Culture

In recent years, the number of foreign visitors such as tourists and businesspeople, and the number of foreign residents such as workers and international students, have been steadily increasing in Japan. However, the decrease in the number of foreign residents in Japan is relatively small compared to the number of foreign visitors to Japan, due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regarding restaurants, Japan has experienced diversity, progress, and cross-cultural understanding; however, these changes have been stagnant due to a decrease in the number of foreign visitors to Japan during the pandemic. Many natural disasters have recently occurred, and …

Exploring The Definition Of Child Poverty : For Consideration Of Legal Policy, Kazuko Ikeya, Fumie Adachi, Kazutoshi Imade

Japanese Society and Culture

We explore the definition of child poverty for consideration of legal policy.

Survey of the actual situation in local governments and private organizations concerning child poverty.

① Some parents don’t know how to prioritize their spending, and there are cases where parents don’t provide for their children.

② This cannot be addressed only with financial investment.

It is inappropriate to define child poverty only by low household income. It should also be

defined as whether children are being provided for through their development.

The Curious Case Of Japanese Denim, Aaron Francis Ward

Japanese Society and Culture

From its humble beginnings as wholly utilitarian workwear in the 19^th century, to its modern rise to high-fashion, the ubiquity of denim, particularly in the form of jeans, has had a fascinating journey in its little-over-150-year history (Beazley, 2015). Of note has been the recent rise in popularity of Japanese denim. Since the end of the Second World War, Japan seems to have had an insatiable demand for Americana (Marx, 2023). Yet, if considered in the sociohistorical context of Japanese-American relations, this ought to be highly improbable. The current paper examines the sociological nature of Japanese denim from semiotic …

Exploring The Growth And Impact Of Contemporary Mindfulness Programs In Japanese Society, Shreya Wagh

Japanese Society and Culture

In today's fast-paced world, mindfulness practice offers a peaceful way to enhance awareness and find clarity in the mind. This practice, rooted in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, aims to achieve spiritual enlightenment. In the late 20th century, mindfulness was adapted into secular, evidence-based therapeutic interventions in the West, leading to its widespread inclusion in healthcare, education, and corporate settings globally. The Westernized version of mindfulness has also been reintroduced to its countries of origin. Japan is no exception. The purpose of this article is to comprehend the rise and growth of mindfulness programs in Japan by analyzing existing literature, particularly …

Tourism Resource Development Of Railway Heritage - A Case Study Of Blue Train Taragi, Muneharu Yasumoto

Japanese Society and Culture

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the utilization of railway heritage for tourism, using the example of Blue Train Taragi in Taragi Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. Railway fans are individuals who hold an interest and curiosity in the components necessary for railway operations, including vehicles, tracks, structures, and stations. The experiences of railway fans, who often venture beyond their daily surroundings, can be considered as part of tourist activities. To utilize railway heritage that no longer serves as a transportation service as a tourism resource, it is crucial to create content that allows visitors to experience how it was …

Self-Evolvability—The Ability To Utilize Artificial Intelligence—Definition, Validity, And Policy Implications, Koichi Kume, Hiroyuki Chuma

Japanese Society and Culture

To make full use of the potential of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, it is necessary to switch to a way of thinking and working that is friendly to technology. In this regard, this study examines the concept of “self-evolvability,” which is defined as a mixture of meta-cognition, "informating" everything, and pursuing a shared benefit and desire for self-change. Using survey results in Japan and the United States., we construct a self-evolvability variable and confirm unique features that differ from existing measure, and quantitatively analyzed the relationship between self-evolvability, acceptance of new technologies, provision of personal data, and approval or …

Green Urban Planning In Tokyo: Managing Natural Spaces For Sustainable Development, Gilberto Mejía Salazar

Japanese Society and Culture

The main purpose of this research is to highlight the relevance of the Green Plan in Japanese society, with special emphasis on its application in the city of Tokyo. This plan is positioned as a priority that not only focuses on the aforementioned metropolis, but is also available to its inhabitants, generating a positive impact. It is important to highlight that the fundamental purpose of this research is to understand the relevance of the so-called Green Plan in the creation and implementation of new green areas, as well as the associated strategies for the preservation of nature in the context …

A Framework For Thinking About The Future Of Japanese Society In The Face Of Declining Fertility And Population, Hirotaka Nagaishi

Japanese Society and Culture

Japanese society is facing declining birthrates and a shrinking population. According to Yoshinori Hiroi, what is indispensable for promoting regional and urban revitalization and seeking sustainability in this situation is the selection of values and concepts for a desirable society rooted in community. This society will ultimately be realized through policy integration/comprehensive policies.

Therefore, we must envisage a desirable future society, taking the current social situation as the starting point. Robert and Edward Skidelsky see the current capitalist society as a “rich enough, poor enough society,” while Hiroi sees the future society as a “post-capitalist/post-industrial society” and considers it as …

Does Childcare Support Stimulate Women’S Employment?, Masako Kamada, Kazuyasu Kawasaki

Japanese Society and Culture

A childcare support policy was implemented as part of gender equality and countermeasures to the falling birthrate in Japan. One of the childcare support policies was provided preschool service free of charge in October 2019.

In this paper, we analyze whether this childcare cost reduction policy was effective or not. Especially, we focus on whether this childcare support policy contribute to accelerate female labor force participation or not. As a result of our analysis, we show childcare cost reduction policy is ineffective of female labor force participation.

The Legal Order In East Asian Family Law, Sai Sasaki

Japanese Society and Culture

No abstract provided.

A Recent Case Concerning Article 9 Of The Japanese Constitution, In Which Plaintffs’ Allegations Were Denied On The Basis Of Lack Of Violation Of Legally Protected Rights Were Not Violated, Thomas Makoto Naruse

Japanese Society and Culture

This note introduces a case in Tokyo district court. In which case, plaintiffs alleged actions of cabinet and legislature were against Constitution. Plaintiffs claimed their rights (right to live in peace, personality rights, etc.). However, the court denied plaintiffs claim, because plaintiffs legally protected rights were not infringed. In the course of the judgment, the courts’ view on judicial power is shown. This note introduce the case from the perspective of elements of judicial power, especially requirement of concreteness of rights.

Maritime Trade And The World Picture: Exploring Shiga Shigetaka's Map Of Global Trade, Chinying Lee

Japanese Society and Culture

Shiga Shigetaka (志賀重昂, 1863-1927) was a Japanese geographer of the mid-Meiji period, one of the Southern Expedition theorists, a conservative, and a Classical Chinese poet. At that time, he was one of the very few scholars who had knowledge of geography and Classical Chinese poetry and cultural arts, as well as had many experiences in Europe, Asia, the United States and Oceania.

Through his own geographical knowledge and foreign experience, Shiga constructed a world map with global trade as the main constituent. Here are some examples: Japanese-made round paper fans (uchiwa, 団扇) and parasols can be sold to Australia; New …

The Policy Of Plastic Waste Reduction: A Case Of Kanagawa Zero Plastic Waste Declaration, Yoshiyuki Nobusawa

Japanese Society and Culture

Marine plastics and microplastics become the global problem. In Japan the mandatory charge for a plastic bag was introduced as the plastic measure. Kanagawa Prefecture, located in Japan's metropolitan area, has implemented advanced plastic measures. Therefore, this paper considers Kanagawa zero plastic waste declaration and the efforts of local governments concurring with the approved. Therefore, this paper considers Kanagawa zero plastic waste declaration and the efforts of the local government approving．Kanagawa is divided into four areas: urban areas, coastal areas, inland, and mountainous region. This paper analyzes the method for zero plastic waste.

Organizing The Development Of The High-Speed Railway Network And Measures Taken On Parallel Conventional Railways In Japan Since The 1990s, Daisuke Fujii

Japanese Society and Culture

Japan’s nationwide railway network is narrow gauge (1067 mm). By contrast, the high-speed railway, which started service in 1964, is standard gauge (1435 mm). Narrow-gauge railway lines, or “conventional lines,” and standard-gauge high-speed railway lines, or “Shinkansen,” are independent of each other and do not connect directly or mix. However, as railway technology has advanced and the Japanese government has expanded the high-speed railway network throughout Japan, limited sections of the Shinkansen and conventional lines now operate interconnectedly. Deteriorating market share and labor-management relations led to the Japanese National Railways (J.N.R.), which had operated Japan’s high-speed railway system, being declared …

Essay On The Revitalization Of Local Communities, Hiroshi Saito

Japanese Society and Culture

It is difficult to theorize regional revitalization due to the differences in the characteristics of each local government. However, it may be possible to generalize its basic features: “regional management” and “financial surplus.” The problem of regional revitalization is conventionally discussed from a perspective of public administration. However, this paper reexamines the problem from a management theory perspective. Considering the starting point of regional revitalization is the surplus of public finances, attention is focused on the local tax law, especially on the importance of inhabitant tax, fixed property tax, and resident population policy. The paper also shows that the attraction …

Analysis Of Factors Affecting Child Poverty Rates In Prefectures, Takahiro Suzuki, Kazutoshi Tanabe

Japanese Society and Culture

The Japanese government enacted the “[A1] "Act to Accelerate Policies for Disadvantaged Kids”" in 2013, in the face of a society where one in seven children are faced withare in financial difficulties. The enforcement of this law requiresd local governments to formulate and implement measures to address child poverty. However, it is evident that various factors have an impact on the child poverty rate, and the relative impact of these factors is not yet known yet. Consequently, local governments face[A2] there are many challenges in the implementing[A3] implementation of poverty-[A4] reduction measures by local governments. In …

Recent Trends In The Canadian Automobile Industry From 2007 To 2022: The Increasing Presence Of Japanese Automakers In Canada, Tamiko Kurihara

Japanese Society and Culture

Abstract

This paper attempts to clarify characteristics of the Canadian automobile industry after the Lehman Shock of 2008. The examination, based on motor vehicle production units from 2007 to 2021, reveals the following three points. First, from the global perspective, the center of automobile production shifted from developed countries to emerging economies such as China. Second, within the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), automobile production shifted toward Mexico. Finally, with the increase in automobile production by Toyota and Honda, their presence has grown in the Canadian automobile industry.

The United States government along with the Canadian federal and the Ontario provincial …

A Study On The Sports Industry In Edo: Preface To A Study Of The History Of The Sports Industry In Early Modern Japan, Hironori Tanigama

Japanese Society and Culture

This study discusses what sorts of industries developed in Edo during the early modern period and their characteristics, with a specific look at the sports industry. The results of this study are as follows. 1. In the 17th century, the sports industry in Edo targeted the ruling samurai class. Samurai in Edo were fond of sumo tournaments and archery exhibition competitions; both were heavily influenced by the Kyoto area (then the capital). At the time, traditions carried on since the Middle Ages remained strong in the world of sports. 2. At the end of the 17th century, various urban sports …

Pathetic Beauty: Mono No Aware In Hollywood Cinema –To Family And Friends In These Estranged Times–, Aaron Francis Ward

Japanese Society and Culture

Mono no aware is considered to be one of the central-most Japanese aesthetics and distinctive to Japanese identity (Keene 1995; Miller 2011). This aesthetic standpoint finds wistful beauty in the transient, and is most often translated to ‘beauty in pathos’ or ‘the ah-ness of things’ (Hume 1995), as exemplified in the Heian-era classic, The Tale of Genji (Murasaki 1981). To the outside world, mono no aware is most commonly associated with cherry-blossom viewing, where the short-lived existence of the falling cherry blossom is seen as a metonym for contemplation of the beauty in the transience of life itself. Although this …

The Cherry Blossom And Its Influence On Japanese Culture, Gilberto Mejía Salazar

Japanese Society and Culture

The following research is of a documentary approach, and its objective is to analyze the cherry blossom from a social and cultural perspective, to know the importance and influence that this flower has on society and the environment. Thus, the Shinjuku Gyoen Park and Chidorigafuchi Park were taken as a reference, in this sense, it is understood that within the city of Tokyo there are parks and areas whose purpose is to provide various activities to citizens to contemplate nature, and therefore giving a great show to witness the cherry blossom in its maximum splendour. The influence of the cherry …

Sugimoto’S Middle Brow And The Collective Horizon, Aaron Francis Ward

Japanese Society and Culture

Is art for everyone? Although attendance at art galleries has risen rapidly at the start of the 21st century, so too has the price of art, and the perception that art is an object of conspicuous consumption. The current paper presents a discussion of the possibilities that the photography of Hiroshi Sugimoto offers an artistic oeuvre that countenances the current state of the art market and is open to the aesthetic appreciation of a broader audience. As middlebrow mode of cultural production (Bourdieu 1996), photography is an artistic form that most people are familiar with, rendering it a medium that …

Architecture, Social Norms, And Their Economic Consequences In Japan, Koichi Kume

Japanese Society and Culture

Law and market mechanisms presuppose that people are rational. With the diversification of lifestyles and values, however, there is a limit to appealing only to economic rationality to implement social policies. In this study we focus on architecture as a policy instrument that does not presuppose people’s rationality and empirically analyze the effect on economic consequences in Japan. Specifically, we examine the relationship between bank transfers and poverty reduction, and that between statues (Sontoku Ninomiya, Jizo) and labor norms. The results suggest that the use of architecture in policy can improve policy effectiveness regardless of people’s irrationality and heterogeneous preferences.

The Constitution And The Tennô – A Trial, Ernst Lokowandt

Japanese Society and Culture

For some time now, I have been thinking about the role of the Tennô versus the Constitution. The religious activities of the Tennô, be it the places of ceremonies, the succession ceremonies, or the yearly ceremonies, are according to most of the constitutional scholars, against the constitution. The present day chaos was made by the GHQ, who at the same time as arranging for the separation of religion and state they also held fast to the Emperor, in order to minimize the number of occupation soldiers and to institute the indirect occupation of Japan. The Emperor fell in between these …

The Aesthetic Society And Its Gatekeepers, Aaron Francis Ward

Japanese Society and Culture

The current study draws on Saito’s (2007) application to western context of the Japanese practice of appreciating the aesthetic and ethical aspects of everyday objects, examined through the complexity of aesthetic evaluation. Bourdieu’s (1984a) moderating variable cultural capital is used to advance an understanding of perceptual and linguistic complexity in daily aesthetic consumption. By engaging participants in a quasi-experiment of multi-sensory trials of everyday products (lemon squeezers), an examination was made of how language use reveals embodied knowledge of daily consumption practice. As the participants’ volumes of cultural capital increased, there was a greater tendency to categorize the stimuli according …