Sociology in post-war Japan: declining or blossoming?: a short overview of some critical issues

In 2005, Ilja Srubar and Shingo Shimada published the book Development of Sociology in Japan. Written by some of the foremost Japanese sociologists, it gives a broad overview of the history of sociology in Japan, from the beginning to the present. One could argue that yet another article on Japanese sociology is not needed so soon after the publication of such a fine book. However, one could also argue that the very existence of the book enables one to concentrate on things not mentioned in Srubar’s and Shimada’s book, which is where I would like to focus my considerations. Furthermore, the above book represents a view of Japanese sociology by informed insiders, while my short essay is from the perspective of an interested outsider. I hope that this essay is perceived as a kind of short amendment statement to the book, which is indispensable reading for anyone interested in the discipline Sociology in Post-war Japan: Declining or Blossoming?