A Comparative Study on Activities to Prevent Violence Against Women and Children by NPOs in Japan and Other Countries.

2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K13005
• Research Institution: Tsuda University
• Principal Investigator: Gavan.P. Gray 津田塾大学, 総合政策学部, 准教授 (80811249)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: Trafficking / Domestic Violence / Child Abuse / Japan / Thailand / Ireland

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Covid-19 made the majority of research activities impossible this year. Due to the limitations only a small number of direct interviews were possible though some still occurred such as with the FJS support group. Others were limited to online interaction including with the White Hands, Swash, and other Japanese-based NPOs. Planned opportunities to meet directly with groups in both Ireland and Thailand were first postponed and then cancelled due to the effects of the pandemic. An agreement was secured, however, with Emerald publishing to produce a book on gender violence to which I will be writing along with two other researchers. I will be producing at least three chapters, based on my research, and during this year my main focus has been on completing this writing. The Chapters in question focus on (1) Commodified Violence, (2) Legal Responses to Sexual Violence, (3) Gender Norms and their Societal Impact.

Current Status of Research Progress

4: Progress in research has been delayed.

Reason

Covid-19 has caused a serious delay in research activities. I have received a one-year extension for the project and hopefully final stages of research will be possible this year.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Due to Covid the current focus is on producing several books chapters on the state of gender violence in Japan. If it is possible to carry out further research involving Thailand and Ireland in 2021 (Ireland seems doubtful due to the severity of its lockdown) I hope to be able to expand the final form of the research to also focus on these comparative elements.

Causes of Carryover

Due to Covid-19 research activities in 2020 were not carried out (other than domestic interviews and research writing that did not require grant support). It remains to be seen what will be possible in 2021/22, however, the current target is to carry out at least one trip to both Thailand and Ireland to conduct final direct research and to attend at least one international conference as a method of disseminating final research findings. This research will then be compiled into final form which at present will be at least one co-authored book and, hopefully, additional journal articles.