Idols and the Politics of Life in Contemporary Japan

2017 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17F17742
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Host Researcher: Karlin Jason 東京大学, 大学院情報学環・学際情報学府, 准教授 (80361632)
• Foreign Research Fellow: GALBRAITH PATRICK 東京大学, 大学院情報学環・学際情報学府, 外国人特別研究員
• Project Period (FY): 2017-11-10 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: Media / Popular Culture / Subculture / Consumption

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Our research results are in the form of two books that are currently under preparation. The first is a monograph on the idol group AKB48 that examines changes in the affective economics of the Japanese entertainment industry. Most of the research and writing on this book was completed over the last year. We expect to send the completed manuscript to the publisher by the end of May, with publication expected sometime later this year. The second book is an edited volume on Japanese media and popular culture keywords, which is intended as a reference and education classroom text for classes on Japanese popular culture. This book has over 50 contributors and 60 essays. We have been in contact with the authors, and sent out a final call for the remaining uncompleted essays. We asked the authors who have still not finished their chapters to send us their contributions by June.

Current Status of Research Progress

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

Reason

Both of thee book projects are progressing. While we have already signed a contract for the AKB48 book with Bloomsbury for publication in their "33 1/3" book series, we are still waiting to confirm a publisher for the media keywords edited volume. Bloomsbury expressed an interest in publishing the edited volume, but asked that we waited until we had submitted the monograph for AKB48 before pursuing an additional publication with their press. Since this edited volume is expected to be about 120,000 words in length, it is much longer than most publications. Some academic publishers may be reluctant to publish a book at this length.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Over the next year, after the completion of these books, Patrick Galbraith will begin research on his independent research project related to work and life course of workers in the Japanese entertainment industry. Professor Galbraith plans to begin conducting interviews from the summer, and expects to work with a research assistant to organize and facilitate meetings. Professor Karlin will advise Professor Galbraith on this project.