著者

Kazutoshi ABE

出版者

The Association of Japanese Geographers

雑誌

地理学評論 (ISSN:13479555)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.81, no.5, pp.262-278, 2008-05-31 (Released:2010-03-12)

参考文献数

77

被引用文献数

2 2

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The aim of this article is to examine recent research trends in urban geography in Japan. For this purpose, papers from five major academic journals on geography were reviewed. It has been found that the number of articles on urban geography increased consistently in Japan after World War II, reaching a peak in the 1980s. Although the number decreased somewhat in the 1990s, it is again increasing in the 21st century. Trends in these articles may be summarized as follows: 1) a decrease in studies that examine cities as a single point; 2) an increase in studies that examine cities as an area; 3) an increase in studies that analyze urban functions; 4) a decrease in studies that use quantitative techniques; 5) an increase in studies that focus on humans themselves; and 6) an increase in studies that deviate from traditional categories. Another important point is that there have come to be a greater number of studies that examine some aspect “in cities” than studies “of cities.” A change in the writing style of research reports is also seen. Human agency continues to be a problem taken up in studies of urban geography. In the past, few papers quoted from people directly, whereas today this way of writing is not uncommon. In addition, nowadays there are also articles that directly quote individual opinions and judgments. From the above, recent urban geography may be summarized as having an increasing number of studies that view cities as areas, which serve as the field for examinations of urban functions, people's lives, or social groups, and that emphasize direct voices and narration. The influences of humanistic geography can be seen in the background. However, with excessive focus on urban functions or humans themselves, we run the risk of “not being able to see the forest for the trees.” It should also be pointed out that a writing style which relies too much on direct quotes or narration risks the identity of urban geography.

著者

Kazutoshi ABE

出版者

The Association of Japanese Geographers

雑誌

Geographical review of Japan, Series B (ISSN:02896001)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.69, no.1, pp.70-82, 1996-06-01 (Released:2008-12-25)

参考文献数

157

被引用文献数

3 5

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The postwar development of Japanese urban geography is divided into four periods. The amount of research in urban geography has increased, expanding study targets and analytical methods. With an increase in studies of urbanization in the 1950s, heated debate ensued and stimulated urban geographers, leading to the subsequent development of urban geography. There are two approaches, to regard a city as a specific point or as an area. The former is represented by studies on the central place and the urban system, while the latter is represented by studies on the internal structure of a city. These two have been dealt with almost equally by Japanese urban geographers. The trends of urban geography comprise the following points: an emphasis on the functional aspects; the introduction of more quantitative approaches; and an increase in the number of studies of foreign cities. Two points are indispensable for the further development of Japanese urban geography: controversy and theorization. The implications of the former are evident, judging from the role that debate played in the initial urbanization controversy. Clearly, progress cannot be made without dispute and debate. Theorization is equally important. Quantitative geography was originally oriented toward theory, although theorization can be accomplished without the use of a quantitative approach. Whether quantitative or nonquantitative approaches are taken depends on the attitude of researchers, but both provide Japanese urban geography, which has traditionally depended on imported foreign accomplishments for its development, with an opportunity to transmit information internationally.

著者

Kazutoshi ABE

出版者

The Association of Japanese Geographers

雑誌

Geographical review of Japan, Series B (ISSN:02896001)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.73, no.1, pp.62-84, 2000-06-30 (Released:2008-12-25)

参考文献数

11

被引用文献数

2 1

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This paper aims to examine the current situation in Japan's largest cities and describe the Japanese urban system, by analyzing the distribution of the management function (head offices and branch offices) of the country's largest private firms. This study is based on data for 2, 241 private firms. The status of cities under study is compared from various standpoints. An attempt is made to throw light on the inter-connections between cities. Finally, a model of the urban system of major cities is proposed. Twenty-nine cities were chosen for study (Figure 1), each of which has more than 10 firm head offices or 300 branch offices (Table 2). Clearly, the largest number (919) of head offices is found in Tokyo. This is followed by Osaka, in which the head offices of 314 firms are located. However, it should be noted that in recent years, more and more firms have adopted the system of multiple head offices (Table 3). Including such firms, the number of private firms having their head offices in Tokyo is 1, 105, which represents 49.3% of the total. Tokyo houses the largest number of branch offices, as well. As was the case for head offices, the city with the second largest number of branch offices is Osaka. After Tokyo and Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sendai, Hiroshima, and Sapporo are the cities with the most branch offices. The author analyzed the hierarchical relationships of branch offices (Table 5), the type of industry (Table 6), city territories served by branch offices (Table 7 and Figure 4), head office and branch office size (Table 9) and inter-urban connectivity (Table 10). The author proposes a model for the urban system based on the findings of preceding analyses (Figure 6). This model clearly shows the complex networks of inter-connections established between major Japanese cities.