Abstract
The tendency among Japanese sociologists is that they take theories and methodologies much more important than sociological researches. This paper intends to analyze this tendency from various aspects based on the perspective that sociologists in Japan act as 'intermediators' between developed western countries and Japan. Japanese sociologists make great endeavors to learn sociological theories and methodologies from abroad. Sometimes theories and methodologies are not tools for analyzing social realities, but become a kind of 'Fetish' with its own existence. This gives rise to the idea that involvement in sociological research is an obstacle of sociological accomplishment. The tendency has been reinforced by a kind of culture in Japan that puts much more emphasis on learning than thinking. Sociologists in Japan share disdainful attitudes towards the masses with postwar 'progressive' intellectuals as 'intermediators' between developed western countries and Japan. And, it forces sociologists to refrain from research which inevitably puts them in contact with the masses. Sociologists as 'intermediators' are satisfied with their closed and self-sufficient world. Now, it is the time to depart from such a mind set.
