What are the “Kominkan Jigyō that Support Daily Life?” A Reconsideration of the Role of Kominkan Staff and the Re-localization of “Kominkan Jigyō “

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to clarify what “Kominkan Jigyō (activities and projects) that support daily life” are and what are the roles and basic perspectives of the staff who make these Jigyō possible. The following five points emerged as the basic perspectives that help make the these Kominkan Jigyō a reality.

(1) The view that Kominkan Jigyō should be positioned not only to guarantee the right to learn, but also as help guarantee the right to life. (2) “Intake work”: Kominkan serve as “general health clinics” for the local community, and Kominkan staff are the “intake workers” who clarify and share the “daily life needs” of local residents. They also help by taking the steps necessary to answer these needs through Kominkan Jigyō. (3) Fostering human relations, social capital, and collaboration among local residents through Kominkan Jigyō. (4) Comprehensiveness of Kominkan Jigyō (broad perspective, coordination and collaboration): In order to demonstrate this comprehensiveness, as the early Kominkan did immediately after World War II, coordination and collaboration with organizations other than those in the social education sphere are necessary. (5) Viewing Jigyō as linked to the overall function of Kominkan (the totality of staff “work”).