Blackwell Reference Online

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The Japan Sociological Society (JSS) is the nationwide organization for sociologists in Japan, with a membership of over 3,600 as of 2008. Sociology in Japan has a history of well over 100 years, since the first chair of sociology was established in 1893 at the Tokyo Imperial University (today's University of Tokyo). During the 1920s there was a steady increase in empirical research, and the JSS was founded in 1924. The first general meeting was held the following year, and meetings have been held annually since, except during the last stage of World War II. The 80th general meeting was held in 2007. The society's journal was first published in 1924 as Shakaigaku Zasshi ( Journal of Sociology ), and since 1950 the present Shakaigaku Hyoron ( Japanese Sociological Review ) has been published quarterly. Before World War II the JSS was a rather small-scale organization, since chairs of sociology were limited to major national universities and prestigious private universities. After the end of the war in 1945, however, with the progress of democratization and the expansion of higher education in Japan, sociology showed remarkable growth as an academic discipline, and local sociological societies began to be formed in various regions such as Kansai, Seibu (Nishinihon), Kanto, Tohoku, and Hokkaido. At the same time the influence of American sociology grew, taking the place of the ... log in or subscribe to read full text