Area: Educational and Social Disparity
(1) Outline of Research Area
The objective of our research is to highlight and clarify the mechanisms of disparity present in work and education. We deal, from a primarily sociological perspective, with the widening gap in academic ability and its structure, disparity in transition (transitional phases), and disparity in old age. We also undertake evaluative research on educational and social policies intended to redress disparity.
(2) Members
・ Hiroaki MIMIZUKA（Project Leader, Research Coordinator, Education & Social Diversity Field Leader, Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Shigeo KODAMA（Project Contact, Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Koichi HIRAOKA（Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Kenji MIWA（Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Toshihiko YONEDA（Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Kazue SAKAMOTO（Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Masahiro OMORI（Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Jie WAN（Research Lecturer, Global COE Program, Ochanomizu University）
・ Atsuko KAWADA（Associate Fellow, Global COE Program, Ochanomizu University）
・ Keiko HAYASHI（Associate Fellow, Global COE Program, Ochanomizu University）
・ Yoko HARA（Associate Fellow, Global COE Program, Ochanomizu University）
(3) Research focal points and structure
1. Following on from the JELS 2003, the implementation of the JELS 2007 and JEL 2011 (Japan Educational Longitudinal Study, research that tracks the progress of juveniles into young adulthood). This study will enable better insight into the structure of the gap between academic ability, and in transition (transitional phases) (Hiroaki MIMIZUKA, Katsuko MAKINO, Jie WAN, Satomi TERASAKI)
2. Clarification of the mechanisms that create disparity within the middle and later life stages
・ Disparity in social capital and the effect of the working environment (Isamu SUGINO)
・ Social disparity in old age and the role of social welfare (Koichi HIRAOKA)
・ Culture and disparity in the media, attitudes towards family and disparity (Kazue SAKAMOTO)
・ The formation of specialist careers , and gender disparity and difference within family roles gender (Mayumi NAKAMURA)
3. Micro-simulations of educational and social policies geared towards redressing disparity; policy evaluation employing historical perspectives and techniques of international comparison.
・ Analysis of the influence of the reform of systems of social welfare, and in particular the reform of the healthcare system, on social disparities: focus on micro-simulations（Masahiro OMORI）
・ Analysis of the determining factors in healthcare expenses（Masahiro OMORI）
・ Analysis of the effect of changes in the structure of the labor market on social disparities: focus on the increase of part-time employees without regular contract status （Masahiro OMORI）
・ Surveys on middle-aged female graduate students Kenji MIWA）
・ The restructuring of the training system for current teachers（Kenji MIWA）
・ Survey research into collaboration and cooperation between universities and local communities（Kenji MIWA）
・ Looking at the emergence of class, gender and community disparities throughout the history of education in Japan, during the period of World War Two; elucidation of the diverse and complex issues of disparity in education (Toshihiko YONEDA）
Area: International Disparity
(1) Outline of Research Area
Our research is focused on the structure of international disparity within the context of recent globalization. We are dedicated to clarifying the structure of international disparities, and ascertaining the nature of educational aids geared towards redressing these gaps, and its application of each stage of development.
(2) Members
・ Takashi HAMANO（Field Leader, Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Nobuko UCHIDA（Vice President, Ochanomizu University
・ Yoichi SAKAKIBARA（Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Tomoko TAKAMURA （Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Mika OMORI（Project Contact, Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Ki Sook Lee（Ewha Womans University (Korea)）
・ Dinh Hong Thai（Hanoi University of Education (Viet Nam)
・ Shuichi TAKITA（Research Fellow, Global COE Program, Ochanomizu University）
・ Meichin LEE（Research Fellow, Global COE Program, Ochanomizu University）
(3) Research focal points and structure
1. The pre-school developmental environment and the development of literacy
・ The role of pre-school education in policies to redress disparity and encourage social fairness (e.g. the Head Start plan)
・ Focus on early childhood education & ECD（early child development）
・ Relationship between early childhood education and literacy
・ Differences according to childcare type (content and method)
・ The relationship between types of early childhood education and the development of reading and writing capability after enrolment in primary school (longitudinal research)
・ Interdisciplinary research: The Psychology of Literacy and Research on Literacy in International Development
・ Comparison of research results in developed and developing countries
・ The impact of academic background and training of the childcare worker
・ The influence of the media environment (television, picture books, toys)
・ Countries studied: focus on Republic of Korea and Vietnam
2. The financial structure of, and community participation in, education
・ Research on the financial structure of education, and community participation in it, with a focus on primary and early childhood education
・ Surveys on financial structure, national policy and community participation, and how they support primary and early childhood education
・ Coordination between primary school and early childhood institution
・ Decentralization and regional educational development
・ Regional disparities in funding and fiscal redistribution
・ Countries studied: focus on Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
3. Research on disparities in health and developmental disorders
・ Comparative research on disparities in health literacy amongst children and parents
・ Survey on health awareness in children and parents, through interviews: conducted on persons receiving treatment in hospital
・ Knowledge, customs and behavior regarding health matters for young children up to school age
・ Systems of health literacy dissemination
・ Health risk behavior in juveniles
・ Comparative research on developmental disorders in children (acknowledgment, response and systems geared towards developmental disorders)
・ Countries studied: Several Asian countries at differing stages of development
4. Redressing disparity: policy issues and international cooperation
・ National and international policy on the redressing of disparity
・ National policy geared towards the redressing of disparity throughout all countries of the world
・ An analysis of the efficacy of international aid for programs addressing disparity and its redress
・ Trends in international cooperation for EFA（Education for All)
・ Action research based on the results of the ‘Cooperation Bases’ implemented by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
・ Progress in decentralization, and the role of central government
・ Action research in educational cooperation: Analysis of the results of capacity building training for officers and persons charged with providing teacher training
・ Analysis of impacts of capacity building of government officers in charge of education and teacher training trainees through workshop and seminars in Japan.
・ Countries studied: Vietnam, Central and West African countries
(4) Schedule
・ 2007: Development of test batteries and questionnaires; construction of relationships with counterpart
・ 2008: Discussions with counterparts; baseline surveys; mid-term report
・ 2009 – 2010: Main survey
・ 2011: Follow-up survey
・ Hosting of international seminars and symposiums
(5) Progress achieved in 2007 and ongoing schedule
・ Sep 2007: Held Japan-Vietnam seminar on infant education in Vietnam
・ Sep 2007: Implemented JICA training on ‘Early Childhood Education and Development in Central and West Africa’
・ November 2007: Survey on early childhood education in Vietnam
・ November 2007 – February 2008: Survey on early childhood education in Cambodia
・ 7th – 8th December 2007: Held international conference with the UNESCO Bangkok Office
・ 8th December 2007: International Symposium: Gender Equality in Basic Education
・ 25th December 2007: International Seminar: ‘Early Childhood Development in UNICEF: From the Perspective of International Inequity in Child Development.’: Lecturer: Yuko Nonoyama-Tarumi (United Nations Children’s Fund)
・ 10th January 2008: International Seminar: ‘Trends and Issues in Early Childhood Education in Asia: Korean and Vietnam’
―’Early Childhood Education in Korea’ : Ki Sook Lee（Ewha Womans University (Korea)）
― ‘Early Childhood Education in Vietnam’ : Dinh Hong Thai （Hanoi University of Education (Vietnam)
―’Commentary: From the viewpoint of Japan’s Experiences’ :Nobuko UCHIDA (Ochanomizu University)
・ 14th January 2008: International Seminar: ‘Disparity in Primary Education – Vietnam as a case study’
― ‘Primary Education in Vietnam’ Tran Dien Hien （Hanoi University of Education (Vietnam)
―’Regional Disparity in Primary Education in Vietnam’: Takashi Hamano (Ochanomizu University)）
(6) The Significance of Holding International Seminars
・ Exchange with overseas researchers and business people
・ Construction of a research network
・ Strengthening of collaboration with international institutions
・ Model of professional development for post-doctoral students
Area: Family Environment Disparity
(1) Outline of Research Area
Our research focuses on the chronological interactions between the individual and the environment within the home, nurseries and educational facilities throughout the child rearing process. It aims towards meaningful contributions, mainly from a psychological perspective, on the disparity within care quality and QOL (quality of life) that accompanies human development.
(2) Members
・ Masumi SUGAWARA（Field Leader, Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Akira SAKAMOTO（Project Contact, Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Tomoko TAKAMURA（Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University）
・ Yukuo KONISHI（Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Guest Professor at Ochanomizu University）
・ Akira ISHIGUCHI（Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Research Cooperative）
・ Takashi NAITO（Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Research Cooperative）
・ Masami IKEDA（Visiting Associate Professor, Global COE Program, Ochanomizu University）
・ Mayuko IZUMI（Research Fellow, Global COE Program, Ochanomizu University）
・ Satoko MATSUMOTO（Research Fellow, Global COE Program, Ochanomizu University）
・ Hiroto MUROHASHI（Associate Fellow, Global COE Program, Ochanomizu University）
(3) Research focal points and structure
1. Research on Environmental Disparity in Media Use （Akira SAKAMOTO）
・ Research on the circulative influence of media through longitudinal survey.
－Educational contents and academic ability, cognitive capacity, learning motivations, violent scenes and aggressive behavior, human relationships, sociality, social participation
・ Research on Environmental Disparity in Media Use
－Analysis of the media content encountered by diverse users, pedagogic content, violent scenes
・ Research on the Measurement and Dissemination of Media Literacy
－Development of scales for measurement, measurement through diverse sampling, overseas efforts on measurement and dissemination
2. Research on Disparity in the Child Rearing Environment of High Risk Infants (Tomoko TAKAMURA, Yukuo KONISHI）
・ The development of extremely low birth weight infants and the child rearing environment （Tomoko TAKAMURA）
－Prospective and retrospective studies through longitudinal research
・ Research on local consultation systems for children with developmental disorders（Yukuo KONISHI）
3. Issues of disparity in child development in the home and in institutions（Masumi SUGAWARA）
・ Research on the behavioral genetics of development.
－Longitudinal study on twins: Twin Project 2007, 2009
・ Longitudinal study on childcare and child rearing environments
－Research on the transition phase between pre-school and elementary school
・ Long-term longitudinal study on the effects of family environment from pregnancy
－Kawasaki Project 2008: Tracking Survey during Adulthood
・ Survey on Child Welfare facilities and Families in Need of Protection