Journal of Religion in Japan

Scope & Guideline

Charting New Frontiers in Japanese Religious Studies

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of Journal of Religion in Japan with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN2211-8330
PublisherBRILL
Support Open AccessNo
CountryNetherlands
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2012 to 2024
AbbreviationJ RELIG JPN / J. Relig. Jpn.
Frequency3 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressPLANTIJNSTRAAT 2, P O BOX 9000, 2300 PA LEIDEN, NETHERLANDS

Aims and Scopes

The Journal of Religion in Japan aims to explore the diverse and complex landscape of religious beliefs, practices, and institutions in Japan, both historically and contemporarily. It emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies to provide a comprehensive understanding of Japanese religions and their interactions with socio-political and cultural contexts.
  1. Interdisciplinary Exploration of Religion:
    The journal integrates perspectives from history, anthropology, sociology, and religious studies to analyze religious phenomena in Japan, fostering a multi-faceted understanding of the subject.
  2. Focus on Historical and Cultural Contexts:
    It emphasizes the historical evolution of religious practices and beliefs in Japan, exploring how they are influenced by and respond to cultural and political changes over time.
  3. Engagement with Contemporary Issues:
    The journal addresses current issues in Japanese religions, such as the impact of modernity, globalization, and socio-political dynamics, reflecting on how traditional beliefs adapt to contemporary contexts.
  4. Diverse Religious Traditions:
    It covers a wide range of religious traditions, including Shinto, Buddhism, Christianity, and new religious movements, highlighting their unique characteristics and interrelations.
  5. Global Perspectives on Japanese Religions:
    The journal also examines Japanese religions in a global context, considering their interactions with religions in other countries and the transnational movements of religious ideas.
The Journal of Religion in Japan is witnessing a shift towards several trending and emerging themes that reflect contemporary societal changes and academic interests. These themes not only highlight the evolving nature of Japanese religions but also their interactions with global phenomena.
  1. Intersections of Religion and Politics:
    Recent publications increasingly explore the relationship between religion and politics in Japan, particularly in the context of nationalism, state policy, and public discourse, revealing how these dynamics shape religious identity.
  2. Impact of Globalization on Japanese Religions:
    There is a growing focus on how globalization affects Japanese religious practices and beliefs, including the spread of religious ideas beyond Japan and the adaptation of local traditions in a globalized context.
  3. Religious Responses to Modern Crises:
    The journal highlights how Japanese religions respond to contemporary crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring themes of resilience, adaptation, and the role of religion in providing meaning during uncertain times.
  4. New Religious Movements and Innovations:
    There is an increasing interest in new religious movements and innovations within existing traditions, shedding light on how contemporary practitioners navigate modernity and tradition.
  5. Ethnographic and Experiential Studies:
    Emerging studies increasingly utilize ethnographic methods to understand lived experiences of religion in Japan, focusing on personal narratives and community practices that reveal the complexities of faith in daily life.

Declining or Waning

While the Journal of Religion in Japan has a robust focus on various aspects of Japanese religions, certain themes appear to be declining in prominence in recent publications. This waning interest may reflect broader shifts in academic focus or changes in societal relevance.
  1. Traditional Religious Rituals:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in papers focusing solely on traditional rituals, as contemporary analyses increasingly favor broader socio-cultural interactions and transformations.
  2. Purely Historical Accounts:
    The journal appears to be moving away from purely historical narratives of Japanese religions, with less emphasis on chronological accounts and more focus on thematic and interdisciplinary studies.
  3. Localized Studies of Regional Practices:
    Research centered on localized or regional religious practices has diminished, possibly due to a growing interest in transnational and global perspectives that encompass broader interactions.
  4. Static Interpretations of Religion:
    The journal is shifting away from static interpretations of religious beliefs and practices, favoring dynamic analyses that consider change, adaptation, and negotiation within religious contexts.

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