■Research Challenge: Examining Aging Issues from the Viewpoint of Historical Sociology
■Project Member *as of Academic Year 2010
◆Project Leader: KOBAYASHI Muneyuki
(Graduate Student, Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier
Sciences, Ritsumeikan University)
・Project Members:
◆KOTSUJI Hisanori (Graduate Student,
Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier Sciences, Ritsumeikan University)
◆NIIYAMA Tomoki (Graduate Student,
Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier Sciences, Ritsumeikan
University / Research Fellowship for Young Scientists (DC), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science)
◆YASUDA Tomohiro (Graduate Student,
Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier Sciences, Ritsumeikan University)
◆HAKODA Tetsu (PD, Kinugasa Research
Organization, Ritsumeikan University)
◆Advisory Professor: TATEIWA Shin'ya
(Professor, Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier
Sciences, Ritsumeikan University)
1. Topics and Contribution to the Global COE Program Ars Vivendi
（1）Topics, Objectives and Impacts
This research aims to focus on "the issue of whereabouts of the aged", look for the similar issues based on the back issues of newspapers, have comparative discussion and
clarify both its characteristics per age and its similarities and differences between ages. The reason we focus on this issue is because a mummy at the age of 111 was found at the end of July 2010, and a few days later it was found out that the oldest woman in Tokyo had not lived in the place of her resident registration and finally it was found out that the aged
have been missing throughout the nation. Little previous research on this issue has been conducted. The significance of this research is to clarify how "the issue of whereabouts of the aged" has been latescent by connecting the past weathered issues with the current ones. The reason is that the similar incident occurred in a city in 1990s but this time,
it was found out that the aged is older than the one in the past incident. What this means is that there are possibilities that any measures against the past incident had not been taken. And the significance of solving this issue is not to end this issue as a temporary one because some of them might be alive. This is important in the sense of securing the people's income.
（2）Contribution to the Global COE Program Ars Vivendi
It has been said that "the issue of whereabouts of the aged" has suddenly started but it is not true. Rather, it is the buried issue. The work of unearthing its contents takes a role of considering how the necessary assistance and policy should be for people who have difficulties living in the current society. This issue relates to life and death of the aged and the approach after their death. Also, the issue might relate to the issues on "aging". In the long run we can collaborate with Study Group on Aging for achievements.
2. Research Plan, Method and Publication of Research Products
September 2010 to November 2010 Survey of the Media
October 2010 Submission of Academic Papers (KOBAYASHI & KOTSUJI)
December 2010 Anecdotal Survey
January 2011 Research Report Meeting
February 2011 Publishing a Research Report
The details of the activities of this project will be added in the near future.
The Japanese page is prepared by KOTSUJI Hisanori
Translated by KATAOKA Minoru