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Critical Realism in Japan: Some Recent Developments

A guest post by Hazuki Kajiwara

Compared with Western and Northern European countries, Critical Realism (CR) has been somewhat slower to attract attention in Japan. Recently, however, interest has been growing: a new CR study group has been launched, and several publications are now in preparation. Let me share some news about CR in Japan.

1. Critical Realism for Nursing Study Group: Implementation Version

This Japanese-speaking online study group was started in October 2024 by myself (sociology) and several colleagues in nursing.
Meeting once a month, we read and discuss literature on CR in relation to nursing and health care, as well as share our own research reports. Our aim is to deepen understanding of CR and to promote research and exchange that will enable us to apply CR not only in nursing research but also more broadly in the human services and the social sciences.

In particular, the CR community of practice has been most inspiring to us. (Many thanks, Catherine, Karen & Angela!)

2. The First Introductory Book on CR in Japanese

Together with several colleagues, I have edited a volume entitled An Introduction to Critical Realism. Until now, apart from Bhaskar’s basic works, only a handful of CR books have been available in Japanese translation — such as Explaining Society and selected works by Archer and Sayer.

This new book brings together contributions from 19 Japanese scholars who actively use CR, each writing on how they apply it in their own field. The manuscript has already been submitted to the publisher, and we are currently awaiting proofs.

3. Japanese Translations of CR-Related Books

Several important books are now being translated into Japanese:

  • Alderson, P. (2021). Critical Realism for Health and Illness Research: A Practical Introduction. Policy Press.
    I have completed the Japanese translation myself, and the publisher has been confirmed. After the necessary copyright and contractual procedures, it is expected to appear next year.
  • Bhaskar, R., & Hartwig, M. (2016). Enlightened Common Sense: The Philosophy of Critical Realism. Routledge.
    A team of nine, including myself, has completed the translation of this book, and we are now in negotiations with publishers.

4. A Textbook on CR M-GTA

My graduate supervisor, Professor Yasuhito Kinoshita, developed the Modified Grounded Theory Approach (M-GTA) in Japan. The method is widely used, with more than 600 members in the M-GTA study group. In recent years, he had struggled with the limitations of qualitative research methods, but after encountering CR, he said it “opened up a whole new vista.”

He subsequently conceived a CR-based version of M-GTA and drafted about half of a textbook. Sadly, he passed away suddenly from a heart attack. As his former students, we are committed to completing the remaining chapters so that his vision can be realized. This will likely take another two to three years, but like Enlightened Common Sense, we are determined to communicate what Kinoshita sought to express.

Across Asia, and especially in East Asia, CR researchers often find themselves working in isolation. Yet, in recent years, it has become easier to connect with colleagues. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

I will share further news as new developments emerge.

(Hazuki Kajiwara
Researcher, Institute in Social Welfare,
Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan)

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