【Webinar Report】Some Methodological Considerations when Conducting Social Science Research: Case Study of Gender Policies in the Japanese Armed Forces

On Thursday, 2021 June 10^th, an online lecture by Assistant Professor at the University of Hyogo’s School of Economics and Management, Slavitsa Ninich, was given at the CPAS 2021 4^th research meeting under the title, “Some Methodological Considerations When Conducting Social Science Research: Qualitative Research Methodology - The Case Study of Gender Policies in the Japanese Armed Forces.” Before she went on with her research, detailed explanation regarding how to conduct qualitative research was provided for students. Ninich also shared the process of how she found the right title for her research, how she got into her topic, and important points that must be considered in research, such as how to determine a research topic at the beginning and objective justifications for significance as a basis.

Deeper into the presentation, Ninich elaborated on gender policies in Japan with particular emphasis on the implementation of gender equality norms within the JSDF over time. Her research contributes in addressing the scarce literature and absence of structural analysis on the topic of gender and the Japanese armed forces as she provides an empirical study through the scope of social constructivism (localization) by tracing historical events with primary and secondary sources (Diet committee records, Japan Defense Agency documents, interviews with SDF officers, MOD officials, politicians).

The lecture concluded with a Q&A session, during which Ninich and students discussed the differentiation between women and gender, what roles women can play in the military, primarily the JSDF, and what gaps can cause the gender inequality that still occurs today, especially in the military sector.

Written by Yami Roca and Yusy Widarahesty (Doctoral Students at the Graduate School of International Relations)