Abstract
The aim of this paper is to review historical methods and perspectives on Japanese family sociology over the last twenty years. I focus mainly on the two following contributions: 1) methodological progress and specialization; 2) the advance of modern family theory. These contributions contain longitudinal, comparative perspectives and interdisciplinary discussions. Through historical studies, we can recapture the contemporary Japanese family reflectively and have some prospect of the postmodern family. In the conclusion, I indicate further issues of historical studies on family sociology. Further discussions between different methods and perspectives should bring greater outcomes for the advance of family sociology.
