Introduction to the Special Issue : The Trajectory of Youth Issues : In the Past, Present and Future

Abstract

In the common theme session, three speakers reported on the past, present and future of youth issues, drawing on the results of their fieldwork research. For comments on these reports, please refer to the contributions of Kimiko Kimoto, who served as a commentator for the journal of this academic society. In addition, participants in the common theme session expressed a wide range of questions and opinions regarding their current understanding of youth issues, their evaluation of the efforts of national and local governments, and research methods. Has the nature of the “youth” problem changed over the past 30 years ? If it has, it would be necessary to trace the changes in the labor market, companies, local communities, and governments, including local governments, that embody that nature. What is required of social policy as a policy in the new situation regarding the reality it must confront and the direction of policy ? The debate shall continue.