A Study of the Postwar History of Sociology in Japan Based on Quantitative Methods

Abstract

This paper attempts to describe the history of sociology in postwar Japan based on an objective data source: the membership directory of the Japanese Sociological Association. Attempts to describe the history of sociology in postwar Japan have been made repeatedly. However, many appear to have been based on the personal impressions of established sociologists and are therefore “subjective.” The paper tries to describe this history in a verifiable manner, based on data, and compares its results with those founded on “subjective” descriptions. Our findings are so different from what has been suggested by preceding studies. Then, the fact that the insights from the preceding studies have been verified in an objective and reliable manner is a finding in itself. With further, similar attempts, it should be possible to describe the history of sociology in a more multi-faceted and valid manner.