2024 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Exploring Sociopragmatic Activities in Small Hospitality Establishments in Japan
| Project/Area Number |
24K00076
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| Research Institution | Kansai University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| 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)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2024-04-01 – 2029-03-31
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| Keywords | Izakaya / Japanese hospitality / Sociopragmatics / Service encounters / Interactional discourse / Identity construction |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Causes of Carryover |
In 2025, we plan to collect new data as part of this research project. The funds will be used to compensate research collaborators and to purchase essential literature and resources. The carryover occurred due to a deliberate adjustment to the project timeline to allow for more in-depth analysis and an expanded research scope. As a result, several planned expenses were deferred to the next fiscal year.
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