A Message from the Editor in Chief
Social Science Japan Journal (SSJJ) is an international semi-annual journal, edited by a board centered on the Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo and published by Oxford University Press. It aims at a broad, inclusive coverage of the social sciences as they relate to contemporary Japanese society. SSJJ differs from other English-language journals on Japan in two important ways: firstly, in its focus on social sciences; and secondly, in its high degree of involvement of Japanese academics in what is a truly international cooperative venture. The Editorial Board is a mix of Japanese and non-Japanese scholars, backed by an International Advisory Board that includes some of the worldfs most distinguished analysts of Japanese society. We have a full-time Managing Editor, who is an English-speaking Japan specialist, ensuring the highest standards of professionalism in published material.
SSJJ publishes original work in four broad categories: papers, survey articles,
review essays and book reviews.
1. Papers
While the editorial board of SSJJ is always delighted to consider submissions from established scholars of Japan, we are particularly keen to see work from young scholars with interesting new ideas, irrespective of academic status or reputation. We especially welcome submissions from parts of the world not often heard from in Japanese studies, such as other Asian countries, Russia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Papers of a historical nature should have their primary focus on a time frame after the start of the Meiji period, and though international comparative analysis is welcome, the paper's primary focus should be on Japan. With these provisos, we welcome submissions in any discipline within the broadly-defined social sciences (corresponding to the Japanese category shakai kagaku), and on any aspect of Japanese society: politics, international relations, law, economics, management, labor, education, culture, modern history etc.
All papers will first be evaluated by the Editorial Board. Priority is given to submissions that utilize both Japanese and other language sources. Authors are expected to demonstrate a familiarity with Japanese language sources when appropriate. We are most interested in such things as original perspectives, innovative methodology and useful international comparative analysis. Papers that pass this first evaluation will be passed on to at least three referees, who will be chosen for their familiarity with the theme or approach of the paper.
Papers must be no longer than 10,000 words long, including notes, tables, charts and bibliography.
2. Survey articles
SSJJ is read primarily by English-language readers with a keen interest in Japan. We see it as part of our job to keep our reader abreast of latest developments in research on Japanese society, both in Japan and around the world. Survey articles should introduce key issues, important recently published research or empirical data relating to Japanese society. They need not display the same high level of theoretical originality that we expect of a paper, but conversely, a good survey article should demonstrate a really substantial knowledge of published material on the topic covered, including Japanese-language sources where appropriate. Japanese-language submissions stand a particularly good chance in this category.
We are especially keen to publish survey articles in the following areas:
Survey articles should be no more than 6,000 words long, including notes, bibliography etc. They are subject to evaluation by the editorial board and at least one external referee.
3. Review Essays
Amid the bewildering flood of new research on Japanese society that is being published these days, we look to review essays to isolate particularly important themes and critically review a number of the key writings on those themes -- typically, between two and five. We are keen to carry more review essays in future, and are happy to listen to proposals. We can arrange publishers to supply books where necessary.
Review essays should be no more than 3,000 words long. They are subject to evaluation by the editorial board and at least one external referee.
4. Book reviews
There is an urgent need rapidly and accurately to evaluate new publications on Japanese society, whether in Japanese, English or other languages. We generally rely on recommendations from members of the Editorial and Advisory Boards when looking for important books to review. Unsolicited book reviews are not accepted by SSJJ. We see book reviews as an important tool in developing an intellectual network of lively debate on Japanese society, and to that end we are willing to consider publishing replies to reviews from authors whose works are covered, and re-replies from reviewers too. We will also acknowledge all books received from publishers.
Book reviews are normally no more than 2,000 words long, including notes, bibliography etc. They are subject to evaluation by the Editorial Board.
Language of submission
As a general principle, material submitted to Social Science Japan Journal should be in English. However, the Editorial Board is also aware of the huge volume of important research on Japanese society that is currently available only in Japanese, and sees it as an important part of SSJJ's role to introduce the best of that research to an English-reading audience. Accordingly, we will welcome submissions in Japanese where they fulfill the following conditions:
Japanese-language submissions will of course be subjected to exactly the same rigorous scrutiny and evaluation as English-language submissions, by the Editorial Board and, if deemed to have a possibility of publication, by a panel of expert referees. However, since the Editorial Board will be responsible for the labor and cost entailed in translating Japanese-language material accepted for publication, the number accepted is likely to be limited. We would like potential contributors to understand that inevitably, the chances of acceptance are likely to be higher for submissions made in good English than for those made in Japanese.
To assist anyone thinking of submitting material to SSJJ in Japanese, we suggest the following approximate equivalents for maximum manuscript length. One page of Japanese with 400 characters (genko yoshi) generally translates at roughly 225-250 words, so we suggest the following as a rule of thumb:
Paper: 10,000 words = approx. 40-45 genko yoshi.
Survey article: 6,000 words = approx. 24-27 genko yoshi.
Review essay: 3,000 words = approx. 12-15 genko yoshi.
Book review: 2,000 words = approx. 8-9 genko yoshi.
Contributors
in either language should remember that all word-lengths apply to the total
length of material submitted, including notes, tables, charts and bibliography.
