SOCIOLOGY OF CONTEMPORARY JAPAN

This course is positioned in the second year of the Master’s degree program (LMR40) and aims to transform students from passive recipients of information into active researchers capable of identifying methodological problems and developing original research projects. Moving beyond purely culturalist interpretations of Japan, the course connects the linguistic competencies and area studies background previously acquired by students with the sociological and structural analysis of contemporary social phenomena. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking, academic discussion, and research presentation skills through a seminar-based format centered on student participation. The course introduces students to sociological and comparative approaches to contemporary Japan and provides methodological preparation for the design and writing of the Master’s thesis through the application of social science research methods. At the same time, the analytical and interpretive skills developed in the course are also relevant for professional careers in international business, intercultural communication, and international cooperation, where the ability to understand and analyze complex global contexts is increasingly essential.

Upon completion of the course, students will have developed a critical understanding of contemporary Japanese society from transnational and interdisciplinary perspectives. Specifically, they will be able to:

Critically evaluate and move beyond traditional culturalist interpretations of Japan, including the paradigm of social and cultural homogeneity, by understanding Japan as part of broader global and transnational processes;
Analyze structural social transformations, economic dynamics, and cultural expressions in contemporary Japan — including changes in labor, inequality, gender relations, demography, and digitalization, as well as their intersections with economy, everyday life, popular culture, and contemporary art — through different theoretical approaches such as sociology, political economy, anthropology, and cultural/media studies;
Apply theoretical and methodological knowledge to the analysis of concrete empirical case studies, thereby developing independent judgment and critical thinking skills;
Develop oral presentation and academic discussion skills through active participation in seminar-based classes;
Formulate a methodologically rigorous and academically grounded research proposal, including the definition of research questions, theoretical frameworks, and appropriate research methodologies.

Students are expected to have a strong interest in social transformations, economic dynamics, and cultural expressions, as well as curiosity and openness toward different lived experiences and social contexts, particularly those connected with Japan. A general background knowledge of relevant historical and cultural dynamics is desirable.
Since the course is conducted in a seminar format, students should be able to read and discuss academic texts effectively. The course is based on the critical reading and collaborative discussion of scholarly materials, with an emphasis on theoretical reflection and the transnational exchange of ideas. Furthermore, students should have already acquired the contents and competencies of the course "Research Methods and Design for Asian Studies".

The course is primarily conducted as a research seminar and is driven by student presentations, peer-to-peer critical analysis, and collaborative discussions. Rather than following a conventional lecture-based format, the course is structured around thematic clusters that students will investigate and present to the class.
The core areas of inquiry focus on the transnational and interdisciplinary analysis of contemporary social and economic transformations, as well as cultural expressions, particularly in contexts connected with Japan. These include, but are not limited to, changes in labor and inequality, gender relations, demography, digitalization, everyday life, popular culture, and contemporary art.
Throughout the semester, each session functions as a collaborative space for research development. Students will take turns presenting selected scholarly literature, facilitating classroom discussions, and sharing the progress of their own research projects. The final part of the course is dedicated to peer-review workshops in which students present and collectively refine their research proposals.

No general textbook will be used for this course. Study materials will consist of selected academic articles and book chapters, combining readings provided by the instructor with foundational and recent studies independently selected by students for their presentations.

The following volumes may serve as useful references for thematic orientation, conceptual frameworks, and methodological reflection:

Allison, A. (2006). Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination. University of California Press.
Allison, A. (2013). Precarious Japan. Duke University Press.
Bestor, V. L., Bestor, T. C., & Yamagata, A. (Eds.). (2011). Routledge Handbook of Japanese Culture and Society. Routledge.
Gordon, A. (2013). A Modern History of Japan: From Tokugawa Times to the Present (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Kawano, S., Roberts, G. S., & Long, S. O. (Eds.). (2014). Capturing Contemporary Japan: Differentiation and Uncertainty. University of Hawaii Press.
Ogawa, A., & Seaton, P. (Eds.). (2020). New Frontiers in Japanese Studies. Routledge.
Oguma, E. (2024). The System of Japanese Society: A Historical Sociology of Work and Employment. Trans Pacific Press.
Okano, K., & Sugimoto, Y. (Eds.). (2018). Rethinking Japanese Studies: Eurocentrism and the Asia-Pacific Region. Routledge.
Sugimoto, Y. (Ed.). (2009). The Cambridge Companion to Modern Japanese Culture. Cambridge University Press.
Yoda, T., & Harootunian, H. (Eds.). (2006). Japan After Japan: Social and Cultural Life from the Recessionary 1990s to the Present. Duke University Press.

To complete this course, students are required to take an in-presence, computer-based written examination conducted via Moodle during the official exam session. The examination consists of drafting a Master’s thesis research proposal within a limited time under supervised conditions.
Students may bring conceptual notes and outlines prepared in advance. However, the use of full-text academic materials, printed sources, external digital devices, internet browsing, and copying or pasting functions is not permitted during the examination.
The research proposal must address the following elements:
(1) research topics and themes connected with Japan;
(2) review of relevant prior research;
(3) formulation of research question(s);
(4) proposed methodology and data collection methods.
Students are expected to critically integrate the theoretical and methodological knowledge developed throughout the seminar.
Because active participation, presentations, and collective discussion constitute a central component of the course, additional brief analytical questions may be required when necessary in order to verify independent understanding, methodological awareness, and the ability to critically discuss the proposal, including the limitations of prior literature and the feasibility of the project.
The minimum passing grade is 18/30. The examination may be conducted in English or Japanese. The use of Italian may be permitted upon prior consultation with the instructor.

written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

Students are expected to have a strong interest in social transformations, economic dynamics, and cultural expressions, as well as curiosity and openness toward different lived experiences and social contexts, particularly those connected with Japan. A general background knowledge of relevant historical and cultural dynamics is desirable.
Since the course is conducted in a seminar format, students should be able to read and discuss academic texts effectively. The course is based on the critical reading and collaborative discussion of scholarly materials, with an emphasis on theoretical reflection and the transnational exchange of ideas.

The course follows the research seminar model. Lessons are centered on student presentations and collective critical discussion. Peer-review sessions are planned to improve the drafts of the Research Proposal.

The Research Proposal may be written in Italian, English, or Japanese (upon consultation). All technical instructions for uploading will be provided on Moodle.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development