Japanese Game Studies

This book introduces research on computer games conducted in Japan, aimed at students and researchers of games and pop culture in Japan, and explains how to facilitate their studies and research.

Japan, along with the USA and Europe, has been a world leader in computer games. There are many users and companies, and the market is significant. In terms of game content, games developed in Japan have gained popularity outside of Japan and have influenced subsequent games. For this reason, a considerable amount of research on Japanese games has been conducted.

Most of the literature on Japanese games is written in Japanese, however. Therefore, it is difficult for students and researchers living outside of Japan, even if they are interested, to read the literature and to work jointly with Japanese researchers. As a result, there is a disconnection between overseas and Japanese researchers. This book is presented to help bridge that gap. In addition, by introducing Japanese game studies across multiple disciplines, the book makes it easier for readers to find research approaches that match their interests.

The book begins with an overview of Japanese game research to date. It then introduces research results unique to Japan, such as those on arcade games and Doujin (people who make games mainly as a hobby, groups of people with shared strong interests in games). It then introduces research institutions and academic societies in which readers can research game studies in Japan. In addition, it introduces ways to access and obtain relevant resources.

Readers will be better prepared to study in Japan or collaborate with Japanese researchers by reading this book. In addition, it will help readers to know in advance which fields and themes are easier or more difficult to research in Japan, thus preventing mismatches in study abroad and research exchange. The academic significance is that it provides an overview of research on games in Japan that has been conducted from a variety of perspectives and approaches. By using this as a basis, we can expect to promote international and cross-disciplinary game research.