The Japan Research Society of Regional and Community Studies, the predecessor of JARCS, was inaugurated in 1976 with 119 members. The chief interests of theirs were mostly revolving around post-war Japanese society which was undergoing drastic changes. Rapid economic growth casted uncertainties and what expected of social scientists were to provide insights in order to tackle those newly arising social issues. Back then, many leading members of the society were Marxists with rural studies background. They conducted numerous empirical studies particulary on how structure defines and reacts to agency.
The society was re-named the Japan Association of Regional and Community Studies (JARCS) in 1984. The Society publishes its own journal, Annals of Regional and Community Studies since 1979. Research seminars are held four times a year.
Email to: jarcs.office@gmail.com