Social Networks in ‘Neighbourhood Tokyo’

Abstract

The loss of community worries academics and politicians the world over, and Japan is no exception. Over recent decades, in response to an outcry over diminishing social cohesion, Japan has seen a wave of neighbourhood projects, aiming to restore local social networks. At the same time, some argue that here urban neighbourhoods still function as organisers of social life. These contrasting views make Japanese cities interesting case studies. Unfortunately, despite a host of studies on aspects of neighbourhood involvement, there is limited general research into local social networks as a neighbourhood effect. The authors aim to fill this gap with evidence from a household survey in Tokyo. They conclude that neighbourhoods in Tokyo are relatively mixed and that, for some groups, the neighbourhood is an important source for social relations. However, the study does not show that this supports cross-group relations.