Abstract
This study examines the factors influencing comma usage immediately after the topic marker “ha” in Japanese academic writing. A generalized linear model was used to analyze 60 research articles from the fields of Japanese language education, linguistics, and literature. The model incorporated five variables: the number of commas per sentence, sentence length (in characters), character immediately after “ha,” position of “ha” within the paragraph, and author identity. Results reveal that the probability of a comma appearing directly after “ha” is approximately 30%, indicating that comma usage is generally optional in this context. However, the likelihood of a comma insertion increased when the following three criteria were met: the sentence contained two other commas, the sentence length was approximately 70 characters, and “ha” appeared at the beginning of a sentence in a paragraph. The study results highlight the need to teach Japanese language learners how to use commas in longer texts, such as academic papers, while being mindful of sentence structure and paragraph organization. In addition, it highlights the importance of teaching comma usage in Japanese academic writing.
