Call for Papers

Japanstudien is a peer reviewed journal published once a year by the German Institute for Japanese Studies, Tokyo. This journal includes articles on the culture, economy, society, and politics of modern Japan as well as German-Japanese relations. Contributions on these topics are welcome from scholars in any academic discipline. Most issues of Japanstudien focus on a particular topic. The subject of volume 13, whose publication is expected by autumn 2001, is:

Living in Japan - Housing, Lifestyle, Neighborhood -

Housing and living conditions not only reflect basic human needs, they also are an expression for the complex and varied lifestyles in a society and culture. Economic, social, demographic and environmental developments have brought along significant changes also in Japan in terms of lifestyles and forms of living - changes which are receiving growing academic attention and reflected, for instance, in the increase of research in the field of urban studies. Yearbook 13 intends to discuss from a multi- and inter-disciplinary perspective a wide range of academic issues related to changing forms of living and lifestyles in Japan.

An example of a topic for research from an economist's point of view would be an examination of the trends in the field of public housing policies, real estate or tax and zoning laws. Issues like modern urban development in the light of changing working patterns and growing ecological awareness, or the question of moving Japan's capital are discussed by urban studies academics. The "metropolis" is a widely debated central topic in the field of cultural studies and literature. Trends in Japanese architecture offer various aspects for fruitful academic research. Social-demographic developments are expected to have a long-lasting impact on Japanese forms of living and lifestyle as shown in the rapid increase in single households or the boom in reconstruction of houses into two-generation households (ni sedai jutaku). Changes in neighborhood relations and their impact on Japan's traditional social institutions such as neighborhood groups (chonaikai) deserve particular attention. Also, from a social-political perspective, various issues related to forms of living and the concept of neighborhood need to be addressed, for example the local organization of elderly care services or the future role of neighborhood convenience stores.

Abstracts (one to two pages) should be submitted to the Institute by July 31, 2000.

The manuscript itself (about 20 double-spaced pages, 6-8,000 words) should arrive by January 31, 2001. Articles that have been previously published or submitted for publication cannot be accepted by Japanstudien. Manuscripts are read anonymously by referees.

We also welcome articles which are not related to this year's subject and, book reviews.

Details of previous issues of Japanstudien can be found on our homepage (http://www.dijtokyo.org)

For further information on volume 13, please contact Joerg Raupach-Sumiya at the e-mail address provided . Abstracts and manuscripts should be sent to Joerg Raupach-Sumiya at the address listed below.