JAPANESE JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Scope & Guideline

Bridging Cultures Through Academic Inquiry

Introduction

Welcome to the JAPANESE JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of JAPANESE JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0304-1042
PublisherNANZAN INST RELIGION CULTURE
Support Open AccessYes
CountryJapan
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2002 to 2023
AbbreviationJPN J RELIG STUD / Jpn. J. Relig. Stud.
Frequency2 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address18 YAMAZATO-CHO SHOWA-KU, NAGOYA 466, JAPAN

Aims and Scopes

The Japanese Journal of Religious Studies serves as a prominent platform for scholarly exploration of religious practices, beliefs, and their implications within Japanese society. The journal's focus encompasses historical, cultural, and sociological perspectives, providing a comprehensive view of the complexities of religion in Japan.
  1. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Religion:
    The journal emphasizes interdisciplinary methodologies, merging history, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy to deliver nuanced analyses of religious phenomena in Japan.
  2. Historical Contextualization:
    A significant aim of the journal is to contextualize religious practices within historical frameworks, particularly focusing on periods such as the Edo, Meiji, and postwar eras.
  3. Cultural and Social Implications of Religion:
    The journal frequently explores how religious beliefs and practices intersect with cultural identity, social movements, and political landscapes in Japan.
  4. Diversity of Religious Traditions:
    It showcases a wide array of religious traditions, including Buddhism, Shinto, and new religious movements, reflecting the pluralistic nature of Japanese spirituality.
  5. Thematic Studies on Modernity and Tradition:
    The journal often examines the tension between modernity and tradition in Japanese religious practices, analyzing how they adapt or resist contemporary societal changes.
Recent publications in the Japanese Journal of Religious Studies reveal emerging themes that highlight contemporary issues and adaptations within Japanese religious practices. These trends reflect the dynamic nature of religion in response to societal changes.
  1. Religion and Identity Formation:
    A growing focus on how religious beliefs shape personal and communal identities in modern Japan is evident, reflecting broader societal conversations about belonging and cultural heritage.
  2. Political Dimensions of Religion:
    Recent papers increasingly examine the intersection of religion and politics, especially in the context of postwar Japan, indicating heightened interest in how religious movements influence political discourse.
  3. Impact of Globalization on Japanese Religions:
    There is a notable trend towards exploring the effects of globalization on Japanese religious practices, particularly how international influences reshape domestic beliefs and community dynamics.
  4. Health and Spirituality:
    Emerging themes regarding the relationship between spirituality and health, particularly in the context of dying and end-of-life practices, signify a shift towards personal and existential concerns within religious studies.
  5. Gender and Religion:
    The journal is increasingly addressing themes of gender within religious contexts, particularly focusing on female experiences and roles in various Japanese religious traditions.

Declining or Waning

As the journal evolves, certain themes and topics that were once prevalent appear to be losing prominence in recent publications. This decline may reflect shifts in scholarly interest or broader societal changes.
  1. Historical Narratives of Individual Sects:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in detailed studies focused solely on individual sects' historical narratives, possibly due to a growing interest in broader, interdisciplinary approaches.
  2. Premodern Religious Practices:
    Research centered on premodern religious practices, while still relevant, seems to have diminished in frequency, suggesting a shift towards contemporary analyses and modern implications.
  3. Narrow Focus on Traditional Rituals:
    The journal appears to be moving away from narrowly focused studies on traditional rituals, in favor of exploring their socio-political contexts and modern adaptations.
  4. Regional Studies of Religion:
    There is a waning interest in region-specific religious studies, as the journal increasingly adopts a national or transnational perspective on Japanese religion.
  5. Comparative Studies with Other Cultures:
    Comparative analyses between Japanese religions and those from other cultures are becoming less frequent, indicating a potential narrowing of focus to domestic religious issues.

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