Current State of Academic Societies in Japan

Abstract

There is concern about a decrease in the membership of academic societies in Japan. This study attempted to provide a quantitative overview of the current state of and recent changes in Japan’s academic societies using the Directory of Academic Societies in Japan. In this study, the societies were defined as associations designated by the Science Council of Japan. The results show that about two-thirds of such academic societies have fewer than 1,000 members and are small associations; this accounts for a large share, especially in the humanities and social sciences. In addition, during the past decade, individual membership has decreased in two-thirds of academic societies. This is particularly true among those with small- to medium-sized memberships, a long history of establishment, and in science and technology disciplines. In contrast, membership has increased in large associations and in the medical field. Although some academic societies closed, that number is considered small in comparison with that of newly established ones. In summary, the preservation of existing associations, selective increases/decreases in membership, and increases in newly established associations have simultaneously intersected and progressed. Since the decline in membership was more severe in associations connected with geography, the future role and function of such associations should be discussed while taking alliances and a reorganization of local academic societies into consideration.