糖心破解版

This book presents the findings of an empirical study using nationwide survey data intended to clarify the circumstances faced by Japan’s educational institutions, administrative bodies, students, and households during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The sudden onset of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020 profoundly transformed society while exposing the vulnerabilities and shortcomings of existing social systems. For future reference, we felt that it was essential to record what actually transpired during this unprecedented situation. Consequently, we applied for—and were selected to conduct—a project commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), implemented through the Hamagin Research Institute. The survey was conducted twice, in fiscal years 2020 and 2021, targeting boards of education, elementary and junior high schools, and their students and parents. By adopting a panel survey format that linked responses over the two years at both the organizational and individual levels, we sought to generate data that more accurately reflected the realities on the ground.
 
The researchers participating in this study included the editors of this volume, Nakamura and Kariya, together with mid- and early-career scholars in the sociology of education who shared an interest in this issue. Because of the urgency of this project, research meetings were held frequently and often extended beyond 11:00 p.m. Although this imposed considerable strain, the key factor was the research team’s shared understanding of the survey’s significance and active engagement. Moreover, because this was a commissioned study, MEXT was highly cooperative, offering advice on the use of existing government data and other matters. In terms of collaboration between researchers and the administration, this project set a valuable precedent.
 
Analyzing the collected data from multiple perspectives revealed diverse realities that differed from, and sometimes even contradicted, our initial hypotheses. The importance of accumulating such data cannot be overstated. This dataset will undoubtedly serve as a valuable resource for examining the state of contemporary Japanese society and education. Beyond its academic significance, we hope that it will serve as a reference for policymakers and school practitioners and that it may prove useful in addressing future crises that society might encounter. We encourage readers to explore the detailed analyses presented in each chapter.
 

(Written by NAKAMURA Takayasu, Professor, Graduate School of Education / 2025)