Anti-Poverty Activities in Contemporary Japan : Human Ecology in Time and Space

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  • 現代日本における反貧困活動の展開 : 時空間の人間生態学
  • ゲンダイ ニホン ニ オケル ハン ヒンコン カツドウ ノ テンカイ : ジクウカン ノ ニンゲン セイタイガク

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Abstract

This paper reports on the process of development of anti-poverty activities in relation to government, markets, social consciousness, and other organizational activities from 2006 to 2011. For that purpose, we adopt the perspective of the synthesizing approach of human ecology of the early Chicago school of sociology. In addition, we apply the theory of counter-public sphere in order to trace the changes in networking. Through these methodologies, it becomes possible to grasp the relationships between spheres in terms of people's zest and consciousness of human nature for the sustainability of activities in time and space. For that purpose, this paper analyzes mainly the qualitative data for this research, collected in several areas in Japan. Through the analysis, chronological changes were found in the anti-poverty activities. There are four stages: 1) disclosure of poverty issues in "the decay of the public sphere"; 2) promotion of "Hakenmura Activities" and of "Counter-public Sphere"; 3) acting out the network-centered movements and cooperation with other spheres; and 4) making the greatest use of ready-made networks and shifting objectives as a result. These processes indicate three points as follows. 1) We can recognize the dynamic process acting on the welfare supplier in the decay of the public sphere. 2) Regarding the social organization process, not only the supporters but also the consulters can secure self-positioning by recognizing their role-flexibility. 3) The significance of activating the tradition and history of sociology is shown. After the experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, many people have been talking about human "lives". Against this background, human ecology according to the early Chicago school of sociology can supply several perspectives to depict the process of networks and social bonds around anti-poverty activities.

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