2024 Volume 21 Pages 81-100
By summarizing Dr. Yoshiya Soeda’s long research career and the work he left behind during that time, the attempt is made in this article to develop a ten- tative discussion of what the next generation can and should learn. A general perspective on research succession in terms of relationships be- tween researchers, what can be passed on to the next generation, and how re- search results are read will first be established. Next, Dr. Soeda’s wide-ranging research fields into three areas will be summarized: a. Life and Welfare, b. Cul- ture and Social Awareness, and c. Politics and History. The following viewpoints will be discussed: a. Life structure, b. Sociology of the elderly, c. Support and care, d. Sociology of social problems, and e. Welfare sociology as political so- ciology. The characteristics of Dr. Soeda’s research, such as footwork between positions, his position on theory, and understanding of party rationality and his distance to it will also be touched upon. His background that led to these char- acteristics will also be taken into account. The sociology of knowledge from the perspectives of timeliness, self-expression, undercurrents and crossroads will be examined. Finally, a personal note on what Dr. Soeda was trying to convey as a professional practitioner of writing will also be included.
