The Shifting Recognition of “Forest”

: Comparison of Discourse Spaces in the late 1980s and the late 2000s

Abstract

Using the comparative text analysis of Japanese newspapers, this study aims to uncover how the concept of “forest” changed between the late 1980s and the late 2000s in Japan. Based on the social network approach, the text analysis of the word “forest” was conducted using Asahi and Yomiuri newspapers from 1987 to 2009. It was found that 1) the characteristics of discourse space related to “forest” in 1980s is significantly different from that of the late 2000s. 2) The discourse space has shifted from 1987 to 2009. 3) In addition, the shift occurred around 1997 when Kyoto conference was held.