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Exploring Sociopragmatic Activities in Small Hospitality Establishments in Japan

Research Project

Project/Area Number 24K00076
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Section一般
Review Section Basic Section 02070:Japanese linguistics-related
Basic Section 02090:Japanese language education-related
Sections That Are Subject to Joint Review: Basic Section02070:Japanese linguistics-related , Basic Section02090:Japanese language education-related
Research InstitutionKansai University

Principal Investigator

Allen ToddJames  関西大学, 外国語学部, 准教授 (40838471)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) 水本 篤  関西大学, 外国語学部, 教授 (80454768)
Barke Andrew  関西大学, 外国語学部, 教授 (90615741)
嶋津 百代  関西大学, 外国語学部, 教授 (90756868)
Project Period (FY) 2024-04-01 – 2029-03-31
Project Status Granted (Fiscal Year 2024)
Budget Amount *help
¥18,460,000 (Direct Cost: ¥14,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥4,260,000)
Fiscal Year 2028: ¥3,380,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥780,000)
Fiscal Year 2027: ¥2,600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥600,000)
Fiscal Year 2026: ¥3,510,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥810,000)
Fiscal Year 2025: ¥4,940,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,140,000)
Fiscal Year 2024: ¥4,030,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥930,000)
KeywordsIzakaya / Japanese hospitality / Sociopragmatics / Service encounters / Interactional discourse / Identity construction
Outline of Research at the Start

In 2024, we refine data collection methods through a pilot study and start observations and interviews in SHEs across the Kansai region. In 2025, we finish transcribing and analyzing Kansai data, expand observations to the Kanto region, and begin compiling interactions across SHEs. By 2026, we complete Kanto data analysis, collect expatriate data, and continue presentations. In 2027, we merge findings from all sources, finalize the corpus of SHE interactions, and create a website for sharing resources. Finally, in 2028, we present our findings to stakeholders and complete the research report.

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

In 2024, the research team successfully completed major phases of data collection at multiple sites across the Kansai region, gathering both survey responses and naturally occurring interactional data in small hospitality establishments. These data form the foundation for a broader analysis of sociopragmatic practices in contemporary Japan. The principal investigator also secured a book contract based on this project, with publication scheduled for 2026. Throughout the year, the team actively disseminated ongoing findings at several international conferences through panel sessions and co-authored presentations, including: (1) Sociolinguistic Symposium 25 (Perth), (2) Japanese Linguistic Symposium (Sydney), (3) AILA 2024 (Kuala Lumpur), and (4) LCNAU 2024 (Sydney). Notably, a keynote talk titled “Sociopragmatic Insights into Small Hospitality Establishments: A Case Study of a Local Neighbourhood Bar in Japan” was delivered as part of this dissemination. The project’s presentations explored themes such as storytelling and creative language use in izakayas, the sociocultural significance of local bars as community spaces, and the pedagogical potential of using authentic service encounters in language and culture classrooms. A related article titled “Progressivity of Initial Service Encounters: Accounts from a Japanese Izakaya” is forthcoming in East Asian Pragmatics. In addition, a special issue of the journal (2025), dedicated to the project’s core themes, is currently in its final stages of editing and is expected to make a timely contribution to the field.

Current Status of Research Progress
Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

The project has been progressing rather smoothly, with key data collection phases successfully completed at multiple sites in the Kansai region. Preliminary findings have been shared at several international conferences, generating valuable feedback. A book contract has been secured with publication planned for 2026, and a special issue in East Asian Pragmatics (2025) is nearing completion. Strong team coordination and the absence of major setbacks have contributed to steady progress overall.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

The next phase of the project includes further data collection at sites in both the Kansai region and Tokyo. With team members contributing in various roles, we will continue sharing findings at conferences, including two accepted panel sessions at the International Pragmatics Association (IPrA) in Brisbane, as well as presentations at JALT 2025 and the Discourse, Culture and Interaction conference. We are also preparing submissions of ongoing research and developing additional manuscripts. Building on the success of the upcoming East Asian Pragmatics special issue, we plan to propose an edited volume with Routledge. Preparations are also underway for the Sociopragmatic Symposium at Kansai University in December, with two confirmed keynote speakers.

Report

(1 results)
  • 2024 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (7 results)

All 2024 Other

All Journal Article (1 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 1 results,  Peer Reviewed: 1 results) Presentation (5 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 5 results,  Invited: 1 results) Remarks (1 results)

  • [Journal Article] Progressivity of initial service encounters: Accounts from a Japanese izakaya2024

    • Author(s)
      Allen Todd J.、Liu Xiangdong
    • Journal Title

      East Asian Pragmatics

      Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Pages: 347-374

    • DOI

      10.3138/eap.24509

    • Related Report
      2024 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Exploring Storytelling Sequences in an Izakaya: Cases of Normative and Creative Language Use2024

    • Author(s)
      Allen, T. J & Liu, X
    • Organizer
      Sociolinguistics Symposium 25
    • Related Report
      2024 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Sociopragmatic Insights into Small Hospitality Establishments: A Case Study of a Local Neighbourhood Bar in Japan2024

    • Author(s)
      Allen, T. J
    • Organizer
      Japanese Linguistics Symposium 2024
    • Related Report
      2024 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Presentation] Rapport-building strategies and the mama-san’s leading role: A case study of initial interactions at a local Izakaya in Japan2024

    • Author(s)
      Liu, X & Allen, T. J
    • Organizer
      Japanese Linguistics Symposium 2024
    • Related Report
      2024 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] From Izakayas to Classrooms: Enhancing Japanese Language and Culture Learning Using Authentic Materials2024

    • Author(s)
      Allen, T. J & Liu, X
    • Organizer
      International Association of Applied Linguistics (AILA)
    • Related Report
      2024 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] "When you want to take a breather before going home...": Exploring the Sociocultural Significance of a Neighbourhood Bar in Japan2024

    • Author(s)
      Allen, T. J & Liu, X
    • Organizer
      2024 Colloquium of the Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities, Sydney
    • Related Report
      2024 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Remarks] Sociopragmatics Symposium 2025

    • URL

      https://www.toddjamesallen.com/sps2025

    • Related Report
      2024 Research-status Report

URL: 

Published: 2024-04-11   Modified: 2025-12-26  

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