Send message to Author

Paper short abstract:

Consuming domination, societal isolation and exclusion, and environment careless are turning Japanese society to a fragile region in front of environmental risks, such as climate change, toxic chemical releases, and radiation.

Paper long abstract:

While climate strikes gained momentum in many developed countries, Japan remained silent. How do the Japanese recognize their environmental conditions nowadays? What roles do Japanese citizens play in environmental participation? What is the relation of individuals, communities (including Seikyo), and the environment in the eyes of Japanese people?

This paper uses data and interviews to understand Japanese society from the perspective of environmental sociology through the lens of Japanese environmental perceptions and participation. Three points are clear. First, consumption behavior keeps the Japanese from being the main actor or Seikatsu-sya in their society. Buying behavior dominates Japanese daily life and influences their perceptions towards the environment. Second, a hidden classification in Japanese society is forming. There is less power for people with weak relations in society. Considering that many Japanese are living alone, especially older people, the community's exclusion from environmental pollution creates a disconnect in society. This type of disconnection is destroying collective value and the communities gradually. Third, Japanese like to complain to others instead of caring about their own effect on environmental deterioration. They wish to avoid their responsibility in environmental protection. Although responsibility is valued in Japanese society, the Japanese often feel too much responsibility to keep the environment clean because they are already living with many social rules. Hence, when they feel difficulty in environmental activities, they tend to find a scapegoat, usually placing blame on immigrants for the worsening environmental conditions, instead of caring for the environment themselves.

Therefore, consuming domination, societal isolation and exclusion, and environment careless are turning Japanese society to a fragile region in front of environmental risks, such as climate change, toxic chemical releases, and radiation. Although low responses and long-term recovery after the "3.11" already exposed those problems in Japanese society. Social indifference and low participation in environmental activity will severe the recognition of environmental problems. It will deepen the negative influence of environmental problems eventually. In the future, more research on individual, community, and environmental participation in this field is needed.