■About the Japan Society of Research on Early Childhood Care and Education

The Japan Society of Research on Early Childhood Care and Education is an organization that enables practitioners and researchers of early childhood care and education to collaborate on working toward healthy growth in early childhood. Approximately 5,000 members are registered, and the society is one of the largest in such academic fields as pedagogy, psychology, and welfare. Most members teach or study early childhood care, child psychology, or infant education at colleges or universities. Some are childcare givers who work at kindergartens or daycare centers, while others are medical doctors and consultants at education consultation or child consultation centers. The society’s members have a variety of different backgrounds and a wealth of rich experience. We welcome new members who are interested in various issues surrounding early childhood care and education, and who are enthusiastic about the study of these fields. The society’s annual conference is an important event, with more than 2,000 members participating each year. Active presentations and discussions are held over a period of two days. Interaction among practitioners is critical. In Japan, kindergarten and day care centers provide similar services and face similar problems, but are split into different jurisdictions, such as the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology and the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. Due to this jurisdictional separation, interaction between practitioners is limited. The Japan Society of Research on Early Childhood Care and Education enables practitioners to interact with their peers on an academic level, facilitating the sharing of knowledge. Members also receive The Research on Early Childhood Care and Education in Japan journal three times per year, and are invited to submit their own papers. In Japan, while the number of children is decreasing rapidly, problems surrounding early childhood care and education, such as parent anxiety, child abuse, and issues related to decreased enrollment at kindergartens and day care centers, are on the rise. If you are interested in these issues, consider becoming a member and helping with the healthy development of children. Interactions with other members will provide you with many insights that are helpful in the pursuit of your professional goals.