A social anthropological approach to the formation of subjectivity in house-sharing

a comparative study between Japan and Scotland

Abstract

This project aims to compare Japanese and British cases of house-sharing and analyze “interactive subjectivity” in both Japanese and British societies. House-sharing in Japan is a new phenomenon, and is considered as a individual reaction to economic depression. It is considered as a transitional stage from less independent to fully independent life with one’s own family. However, our findings suggest more social implications. Those who live with “others” can develop a sensitive consideration to the other. Our analysis of British cases shows a radically different concept of self than an individualistic one.